Wednesday 20 February, 2019

16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. 19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. 21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.

How is it that I have come to believe in these heavenly things? This news of God’s Kingdom, of a new world that I can be part of. This new way of life, in relationship with God and free from condemnation and slavery to sin. How is it that I could believe any of this is possible?

Divine grace compels me to believe. It bids me to come into a glorious light, despite the fact that all my sins and filth will be exposed. It makes me fall on my face before God in hope, not terror. I don’t know how my heart has been softened to my God, but I know that I now see the poison of my sin and look to God’s only provision for my rescue, Jesus Christ, high and lifted up as the salvation for all humanity who would look to him.

O Lord my God, you came into the world to woo me. You come again to rule in peace over your redeemed. I believe in these heavenly things,, for you have revealed them to me. Thank you eternally!

Written by Andrew Mellor