The most common words of the human language are me , myself and I. And when it comes to our faith in God nothing really changes. We try to make it about us....what we believe...what we want...what we need...and what we choose to believe.
But is it what we do that makes us a Christian? Other than our belief, what do we really have to offer?
I would like to argue that it is not what we do or say that makes us Christian, but what Jesus has done for us that makes us Christian.
Like the other 3 gospels, John offers us a time line into the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. But John's gospel is also built around seven I am statements that make clear what the work of Christ is and how it applies to us.
John 6: 35 "I am the bread of life." No matter what we put in our bodies be it Wendys to nutrition shakes we always end up hungering and thirsting and again. But this verse makes it cleaer that who ever comes to him will be given a spirirtual nutrition that will never go away. Whe we take comunion we become one with Christ, even if only for a moment. God brings us to himself and vows to never drive us away. Those who belong to christ and feast upon him will always belong to God no matter what
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John 8:12 "I am the light of the world" He tells us that whoever follows him will never walk in darkness. I always thought of this as being akin to the pillar of fire that guided the Israelites by night. Jesus promises to never lead us astray. No matter what tough times we may be going throught at home, work, or school, Jesus light is always the pathway to what God thinks is best for us. It is not for us to question the light or negotiatewith the light, but merely follow.
John 10:7 "I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. Jesus wants to make it clear that those who enter His fold are part of the family of God
John 10:11 &14 I am the good shepherd. When we enter through Jesus Sheepgate we can be sure that we have made the right choice to follow. He is infinitely good and wants what's best for us. He is the good shepherd who will lead us to life everlasting away from the destructive behavior which have causedb us to flee iin the first place.
John 11:25 "I am the resurrection and the life." Simply put....no one comes to the father except through having a saving realtionship with Jesus Christ
John 14 "I am the way the truth and the life" Ditto from above.
John 15:1 "I am the true vine" this suggests that through a personal relation ship with Jesus Christ we are grafted into the Christain family.
I know that so many are out try to do everything they can to be a good Christian, but many seem to think that it is by their actions thoughts and deeds that they can live a better more fulfilled Christian life.
But te evidence is clear it is not we do that makes us Christian it is what Jesus has done for us that makes us Christian. Maybe we need to stop trying so hard and just say yes to Jesus and everything else will take care of itself. It takes patience and perseverance but John's gospel makes it clear it will work.
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