Jesus, the man, was God incarnate.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. John 1:1-3
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father) full of grace and truth. John 1:14
And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world. John 8:23
The Word, or “logos” in Greek, means the mind of God. The “Word” embodies God’s wisdom, will, and nature. The Word is the revelation of God, and Jesus is the fullest revelation of God to the world. Jesus is God, who lived among us as a man to bring the light of life into the world.
Jesus is the light of life for Mankind.
In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. John 1:4-5
And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. John 3:19-21
Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. John 8:12
While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. John 12:36
I am come a light into the world the whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness John 12:46
Light is a metaphor for knowledge, truth, life, goodness, and holiness. Jesus is the source of light, and he brought the light of the good news of salvation into the world. Faith in the light revealed to us leads to our salvation. Where the light of Christ does not shine, darkness prevails. Darkness is ignorance, lies, death, malice, and evil. It is the natural abode of mankind, the domain of Satan, where individuals are willfully blind to the truth of the gospel. Natural man embraces their sinful nature and resists the light, believing the falsehood that it is better to live without God and pursue worldly desires. But living in darkness without Jesus gives fleeting satisfaction and ultimately leads to death. To live in Christ is to bask in the light, a place of eternal truth, mercy, and grace.
Jesus is the savior of mankind.
The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. John 1:29
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. John 3:16-18
The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand. He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. John 3:35-36
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. John 5:24
And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day. John 6:40
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life. I am that bread of life. John 6:47-48
I say therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins. John 8:24
Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life, he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? John 8:24
And if any man hear my words and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. John 12:47-48
Jesus provided an escape from God’s wrath and the means to be reconciled with him. We are not just given mercy for our sins, but also the grace to be deemed Children of God. Jesus saves us from Hell and makes us heirs to the Kingdom of God, enjoying eternity in Heaven.
The Apostle Paul tells us in Romans 6:23 that “the wages of sin is death.” Then, in the same verse, “the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” This gift is the miracle of substitutionary atonement that Jesus accomplished on the cross on our behalf. His sacrifice for our sins redeems us from the penalty of death, but those who reject the Son are not saved but remain condemned and will face the wrath of God and endure the grave consequences of eternity in Hell.
Salvation is by the grace of God alone. (Sola Gratia)
But as many as received him, to them gave the power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. John 1:12-13
Our salvation is a gift from God and not by anything we have done, other than faith and submission in Christ. Salvation is not earned, as an unrighteous man is incapable of that. Our salvation is not because of our lineage (of blood), or by how good we have tried to be (will of the flesh), nor by compliance with the rituals and traditions of religion (the will of man). Our salvation is by the grace of God alone; it is an unmerited gift to those who believe.
Men are drawn by God to himself.
No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. John 6:44
And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father. John 6:65
All who come to know Jesus were drawn by God. It is by the sovereign grace and power of God that souls are chosen to be his before the beginning of time. The scriptures are also clear that it is man’s responsibility to believe, but salvation is a miracle of God.
To love Jesus is obedient submission to his Lordship.
Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him. If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free. John 8:31-32
If you love me, keep my commandments. John 14:15
He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of the Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. John 14:21
Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my saying: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me. John 14:23-24
If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love, even as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. John 15:10
Faith that leads to heaven stands on humble love for Jesus. To love him is to be obedient to him. It is the submission to Jesus as Lord that testifies to saving faith. Without love (submissive obedience), you may believe, but you will die in your sins and are headed to hell. Know that Satan believes in Jesus, but he will not submit.
Save your life by giving it to Jesus Christ.
He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour. John 12:25-26
Those who live for their desires will perish, but those who live for Christ and despise the unrighteousness of their own life (to hate their life in this world) will have eternal life. God the Father will honor those who serve his son.
Love one another in humble service.
If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet, ye also ought to wash on another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. John 13:14-15
A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. John 13:34-35
This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. John 15:12
These things I command you, that ye love one another. John 15:17
“Love one another’ is the second greatest command from God. To love is to serve, and we are to do this with humility. Humility is to place others above oneself and is one of the most Christlike qualities that you can possess. In our world where people are out for themselves, it is this love for our fellow man that sets Christians apart from the secular, lost folks.
Jesus is the only way to Heaven (Sola Christus)
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 14:6
Jesus is crystal clear on how one gets to heaven. It is only by faith in him that he is the way to heaven. There is no other way. The exclusivity of Jesus for salvation has massive ramifications for humanity. The Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, Atheists, Agnostics, those who think they are good people, along with some who claim to be Christians but have perverted the gospel, are all headed to hell.
Peace in Christ
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27
These things I have spoken into you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. John 17:33
Christ speaks these words at a time when he should have had no peace at all. He should be gripped with crippling anxiety and fear as he faces crucifixion. His people have rejected him, religious leaders are about to send him to a brutal death, one of his disciples is betraying him, and one is about to deny him. His followers are devastated as their messiah seems to have failed, their objectives are lost, and their lives are turning quickly into chaos. However, God is always in control, regardless of how dire or disastrous things may seem. Jesus will have peace and can give peace because He is God Almighty, transcendent beyond worldly circumstances, situations, or occurrences.
Peace from Christ is a product of justification and reconciliation with God. We have peace in our standing with God; we are no longer his enemies. Our peace is not the absence of current trouble but the security that our life, in this world and eternally, is in the hands of God. We are his children; all things happen for our ultimate good, and our Father will never forsake us. Peace from Christ is a gift. It is in our faith and trust in Jesus that peace is realized.
Why John wrote this book.
But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name. John 20:31
The Apostle John wrote this book so that we might be saved from God’s wrath.
John 3:36 