Who is God? And beyond that, how do we know Him? As I continue to grow in my Christian walk and traverse through the monotony of the day-to-day, I am constantly learning. As of late, that learning has taken shape whilst studying 1 John, coincidentally aligning with what my Dad has been studying as well. At the moment of salvation, multiple things occur simultaneously. Our sins are forgiven, our slates wiped clean, and we are justified, sanctified, and added to the family of God. I want to focus on the last point, our relationship with God, and His infinite grace, mercy, and joy. I want to focus on who He is and how we know Him more and more.
To have a relationship with someone, two things occur. You choose them, and you get to know them. Nowadays, people seem to spend more time getting to know a person and rarely, if ever, choose to commit to them. It works in the reverse with Christ. We choose him first and then get to know Him. John penned both of these sections, one focusing on Jesus Christ as the Word and one focusing on what the character of the Word is.
In John 1 we learn the incredible truth of the Word. The Greek word logos is used to describe the nature and function of Jesus Christ. Christ's nature as an aeonian is identified in this very first sentence. "In the beginning was the Word." This demonstrates that at the beginning of time, the Word already existed; verse 2 reiterates this truth. He (Christ) was with God in the beginning when God used his word to create life. In the effort to continue this thought of Christ being life itself, let's jump back to creation and look at Genesis 1, where we see the first mention of the Trinity in Scripture.
In the beginning God (Elohim)... And the Spirit of God (ruah) moved upon the face of the waters... Let us make (asa) man in our image (selem)...
The language used in the first and second chapters of Scripture teaches us much, and John later confirms what was left out; Christ was there as the Word that was spoken, as creation itself. Verse 3 is case and point, "Without him, nothing was made that has been made." Christ was necessary for creation. God was the artist, Christ the tool, and the Spirit the paint. The Spirit God gave to man at his making represents the idea that God took a part of himself to give man Life. Because life is only found in God. (Ruah is the Hebrew word used when God breathes the breath of life into man's nostrils in Genesis 1)
As I have continued my daily reading, I am struck by Moses and David's relationship with God. Moses spent so much time in the very presence of God that his appearance changed. So changed was he that Moses had to cover his face when with mankind and could only reveal who he had been transformed into when he was with God. Oh to be this changed! Being in the presence of God brings us into a deeper relationship with him, it not only spiritually changes us, but it should changes us mentally, emotionally, and physically as well. That physical change most likely presents as the slight ways we may differ from those around us not living for God. The way I dress, and speak, the things I choose to prioritize, etc. These all speak to those around me of WHOSE I am. But the mental and spiritual changes are most significant.
We are all aware that how we spend time with others influences us. I look back on my life and see the impacts of those I was with the most. And a lot of the time they weren't the most positive influences. But with time and age, I have learned to prioritize things differently. 1 Timothy talks so much about the importance of surrounding yourself with other Christians and the impact it has on your life. I see this truth more and more every day. Reading of David's life struck me similarly to Moses. These men both exemplified a character that strived for God and showed a heart that deeply loved God. Moses and David both offered to take the punishment in place of the Israelite people, showing the ultimate love in sacrifice. Both men showed that they were human and fallible and still sinful. Yet, they were quick to repent and come before the Lord in earnest desire to right the relationship after they committed wrongdoing.
I want to be like Christ and for that to happen, I need to spend time with Him. With His Word, with his people, living a life that shouts to the rooftops that I am His! Romans 8:29 says, "For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son" The ultimate work God is doing in us is conforming us to the image of Christ. He is actively doing this work in us, but it is also on us, "To work out our own salvation" (Phil 2:12) and, " To present yourselves as one approved." (2 Tim 2:14-16)
I hope this grouping of thoughts is encouraging to you and convicting. Our relationship with God can only grow deeper if we put in the effort.
Happy New Year!
xo, Ais
John 1:1-5
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 He was with God in the beginning.
3 Through him all things were made; without him, nothing was made that has been made.
4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.
5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
1 John 1:1-4
1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life.
2 The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us.
3 We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.
4 We write this to make our joy complete.