“Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.”                                                                                                      John 20:30-31 ESV

               

            This disciple was intentional about writing out his experience with Jesus, highlighting in particular the things that would authenticate who He was, and what He did, with the end goal of salvation in mind.  John was very careful to capture Jesus’ words and actions in a way that helps us to see this incarnation of God.  “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was in the beginning with God.  All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made…And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:1-3, 14)

            The other New Testament writers had a similar goal in mind—that of recording the truth about Jesus, all the while inspired by the Holy Spirit as they wrote.  This is the reason why God has provided for and protected Scripture and put it on the hearts of those who love Him to preserve it, translate it, and make it readily available. 

            Paul writes of the gospel in Romans 1:16: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”  The gospel, when accompanied by the working of the Holy Spirit in a person’s heart and mind, has the power to save. 

            The letter written by Jude underscores the importance of having this written record and maintaining its authenticity throughout the ages, as there are those who would love to corrupt the message and deny its power.  “Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.  For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.” (Jude 3-4)

            My prayer is that if you haven’t already, you will make yourself  a student of the Bible, and never grow tired of being immersed in the Scriptures, and that the Holy Spirit will “guide you into all the truth.”

           

By His Grace Alone,

Pastor Bruce Jacobsen