Here is the revelation that is shaping my life today- God takes the risk of rejection but makes himself plainly available to be known.
John 1:10-12,18 NLT
[10] He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. [11] He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. [12] But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. [18] No one has ever seen God. But the unique One, who is himself God, is near to the Father’s heart. He has revealed God to us.
Observation
It is clear that God has given us freedom of choice – even the freedom to reject him. If I am that free then it cannot be said that God is in control. For if I have the freedom to reject him, then it follows I have the freedom to reject His ways. So the world becomes a mess because many of us reject the one who designed the way of life. It is clear that there is a choice, reject or become children of God. Love always must take the risk of rejection or it ceases to be love. So God is love, so risk is the very nature of the way He operates.
I wonder how many people are following the internal homing device that leads us all to God but have not recognised Jesus? I wonder how many paths are leading to God but the outward form is not built around Jesus? People in many other forms of spirituality live in the ways of God but have not met the son, how will this play out in the end? “All who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.” Does God take the risk of only one pathway, or does He know the hearts of people and see acceptance of Jesus in them that is not pronounced in the prayers of traditional Christianity?
People want to know what God is like, Jesus has given us the revelation. “He has revealed God to us.” It is not a likeness but an exact representation. When we ask the question, ‘would God do that?’ We need only look at Jesus and ask the question of him. We are not unknowing of the magnificence and majesty, the love and mercy, the forgiveness and beauty of God, it’s right there in Jesus. I have not found anything in Jesus that I am not attracted to. God has not made himself difficult to meet, but He is difficult to reject once met, such is his beauty and love.
Application
I will cast my choice in the acceptance of Jesus as my Christ. I will live boldly from the family and all it offers and guarantees me. I will look intently upon Jesus and be impressed by how loved I am by God. I will judge less those who have not called in the traditional manner of acceptance of Jesus and be more open-minded to what God is doing in their lives.
Response
Thank you that your passion is to be known, not known about but personally individually intimately known. Thank you that in Jesus I see you. Thank you that you give yourself fully but risk rejection in the name of love. Thank you for clarity that allows freedom.
Meditation
Meditation truth – I know God in the person of Jesus.
Consider:
Do I live from the fullness of family, do I allow myself that privilege?
How often do I wonder what God is like, what He is doing, rather than look at Jesus and receive my answer?
JOURNEY DEEPER