There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man.  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 those who were His own did not receive Him.  But as many as received Him, to them he gave the right to become children of God, even 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.  John 1:9-13 HCSB

Here in the first chapter of John, John describes Jesus as the Light of the world.  When Jesus walked the earth, there were many who were clueless as to who he truly was.  Those that persecuted Him and tortured and crucified Him had no idea who Jesus was.  They did not understand that He was the Messiah, come to save the world.  They did not understand that He was God Himself in human form come down to save us from our own sinful nature.  But my question this morning to you, is do you understand that?  If you don’t understand that, then please try to wrap your head around that fact.   Please contact me through our website or speak with a trusted Christian friend or pastor.  Now, my next question is this, if you answered yes to my first question, then are you living as though you understand that.  Is God getting all of you.  Is God getting your praise and your worship.  Is he getting your time?  Are you honoring the sabbath and keeping it holy or is it just another day to sleep in and watch football?  Are you putting God first in your life and trusting Him to take care of all other things for you (Matthew 6:33).  Are you understanding the awesome right and privilege that is extended to you as a child of God?

Here in this country, we love to talk about our freedoms and our rights.  Our nation was founded on God, one nation indivisible under God.  But, the more we leave God out of the equation, the more divisible we become.  We have the right to attend church, but many choose not to exercise that right. We have the right to read our bibles, but many choose not to exercise that right.  We use our rights instead to disrespect our flag.  NFL players who are being paid millions of dollars to go out and play a game, have the right to take a knee during our national anthem.  There are those of us who believe that they should not have the right to do this when our soldiers are giving their lives to protect our freedoms and our rights.  There are those that feel that they have every right to express their displeasure by taking a knee.  Just another dividing line in a nation that is leaving God out more and more these days.

Anyone who has ever watched a police show on television knows that when you get arrested, you have the right to make a phone call, correct?  So, why when we are imprisoned in sin, do we fail to call out to God.  Why do we not exercise our right to become children of God?  I don’t know about you, but I thank God everyday for the right to be called His child.  I thank my heavenly father for loving me enough to send His only Son down to die a horrible, humiliating death so that I might live.

What scares me is those that are oblivious and there are many out there.  There are many who do not fully understand the importance and urgency of exercising this right.  I pray that you are not one of those.  I pray that you understand the awesome right that God has given us and I pray that you will choose to be called a child of God.  God sent the prophet Isaiah to warn His people of the impending doom that was going to fall upon that nation if they did not turn to Him.  He told Isaiah to tell them to keep listening, but don’t understand and keep looking but don’t perceive.  Many people today are listening, but not understanding and looking and not perceiving.  I hope that you are not one of these people.  The only way you can understand and perceive is to seek God, turn to Him.  Allow His light to shine into your world.  The sad thing is that so many people will never experience the true peace and joy that is found only in Him because they just can’t give up what they have in this world.  But know this,  this world is very temporary my friend.  Some day it will all be gone and you will either spend eternity in heaven or hell.  So, I beg of you today,  please choose wisely.  Forever is a long time.

Have a great day!