S217P4 – A life of light: a child of God

Jn. 1:6-13

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.  This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe.  He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.  That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world.  He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him.  He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.  But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

God, in his mercy, sent a great light into the world so that those living in darkness might be able to see.  The darkness that existed among mankind was brought by their own hand.  Not only had they brought the darkness but they had grown to love it.  What they had done was to create a chasm between themselves and God, between the children and their Father.  His design, however, never was for there to be a darkness dividing this family.  His desire had been for his children to reside with him in perfect peace, so God determined to intervene.  He sent his only begotten Son, the light to illuminate that world, as an offering in order to bridge the chasm and return those estranged children back home.

When we accept Christ, we make a confession that He is our Lord.  This is a statement about faith, submission, authority, and so much more.  When we make this declaration, Jesus our light declares something himself.  Not only does He become our Lord and our friend, but He becomes our brother. [Rom. 8:16-17]  He confers on us the legal rights of the Son to that which belongs to his Father.  The inheritance which awaits Jesus is extended to those who now also become sons of God.  The wayward children, the lost sheep, return to the fold to unite a holy family as sons of the Most High God.  It is the joining of a brotherhood of light that will inherit the eternal riches which truly matter. 

To live in the light of God, according to the light of God, and filled with the light of God is to be truly transformed.  The identity we previously had in the darkness but now have in the light extends to every part of us.  Our character, status, and worth completely change.  The sin God had seen when looking upon us disappears, and the shield of his Son’s righteousness covers us, no longer his enemies but his friends.  In all this, the great change is our restored place as children of God, joint heirs with Jesus Christ with the secure hope of sharing in every inheritance awaiting him.  Father, remind us of our sonship with Christ, keeping us looking forward to all that awaits us when He returns.