Not Enough

John’s primary purpose in writing his Gospel can be summed-up in John 20:31.  “But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” 

John wanted to prove that Jesus is God’s plan for salvation.  His goal, or should I say God’s goal through him, is to evoke a response of faith and belief in Christ by all who hear the truth.

Knowing isn’t enough.  Choosing to respond in faith and believe is.

John 1 is jam-packed with incredible truths about Jesus.  He existed from the beginning of time (1:1-2).  Through him all things were made (1:3).  He is the life and light of all mankind (1:4).  Darkness cannot overcome him (1:5).  Those who believe in him become children of God (1:12).  He is God’s Word in the flesh, God’s glory, God’s one and only Son, full of grace and truth (1:14).  Both man and Scripture testified to his coming (1:15-17).  And all this in just the first 18 verses.  Wow!

Christ is God’s living Word to man, letting us know what God is like, how much he loves us, even how he expects us to respond.  While Scripture admits that not everyone will receive Christ as their Savior, it also explains that all who do will become children of God, born of God.  Born again. (John 1:11-13)

Verse 13 also tells us how we’re not saved, ways we often take for granted thinking we’re “covered”. 

1) We are not born again through natural descent.  It doesn’t matter if your grandparents, parents, or other relatives believe.  It doesn’t matter if your culture or nationality believes.  Each of us has to decide for ourselves.  Salvation is not passed down through family ties, or passed out like honorable mentions.

2) We are not born again through human decision, meaning the will of our flesh.  In other words, we don’t have the power or ability to save ourselves.  Although we must be willing to be saved, our own will is not enough to do the job.

3) We are not born again through the will of another.  Not a pastor, a parent, a spouse…  While prayer and intercession are powerful, ultimately people can only make the decision for themselves.

To be saved we must be born again of God.  This means that the power to save does not rest in anything or anyone but God.  We just need to make the decision to believe his Word and his Son, and allow him to recreate us as his children.

So is Jesus the only way for salvation?  God himself says that he is.  “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”(John 3:16)

Some people focus on the lost, thinking God would never let so many perish, therefore Jesus can’t possibly be the only way for salvation.  Except the truth is somewhat opposite.  Because God doesn’t want anyone to perish, he made a way for everyone to be saved…and that way is Christ.  “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” (John 3:17)

Think about the great love and generosity of God’s free gift, a gift that is offered to all.

Then throw off any hindrances and misconceptions, respond in faith, and believe.