Thoughts on the Gospel of John (5) - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2026

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 his own did not receive him. But as many as received him, to them he gave the right to become children of God, 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 1:10-13

Thoughts on the Gospel of John (5)
Let us be clear about this: the Son of God, who is the eternal Word and, at the same time, the true light, entered this world, which He had created for mankind. What tremendous, yet loving condescension! In comparison, how terrible is the deliberate ignorance of the world in not knowing its Creator!

Where Jesus had a place on earth that He could consider His own - among His own people - He was rejected. "His own" were no better than the world in general. They showed the same attitude of rejection. The "light" had no transforming effect on them.

Left to himself, man is in a hopeless state. But God works in sovereign grace with people, so that some receive Christ. They acknowledge who He really is. They believe on Him. And God makes something new out of them: they become His children. Man's descent, however distinguished, has nothing to do with it; nor could the "will of the flesh" ever bring it about, for "the carnal mind is enmity against God" (Romans 8:7). Not even the noblest or strongest will-power of man could produce a child of God. It is solely and uniquely the work of God in a person's soul.

Being a child of God means sharing God's nature and enjoying His love. Have you any experience of this?

(to be continued next Sunday)

Today's reading: Joshua 23:1-13 · 1 Corinthians 15:35-50