Title: The Believer's Happiness
Contents John 1:10 ~ 1:12
All flesh is like grass, and all its glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall (1 Peter 1:24).
In other words, grass refers to annual or perennial plants, and their lifespan is not long. Comparing humans to grass like this shows the limitations of human beings, who are weak like grass and do not have long vitality.
In addition, human glory is temporary, like a flower of grass that withers quickly. Happiness in this world is temporary, but we have true happiness.
It is believing in Jesus Christ. Faith makes us happy forever.
First, faith is the privilege of those who believe, not everyone's (verses 10-11).
He was in the world, and the world was made through him, but the world did not know him; he came to his own land, and his people did not receive him (John 1:10-11). Even before Jesus Christ became incarnate, He was in the universe.
Jesus Christ, the Creator and Savior, loved man and came down into the dark world, but man, as a creature, had no interest in Jesus at all.
No attention was paid to the mighty work of Jesus and the divine character of Jesus.
Some people looked to Jesus' work with simple and curious curiosity and listened to his teachings. Another was disinterested in his teachings and thus lost the spiritual meaning of the spiritual purpose and teachings of Jesus' mission.
Man, the creature, completely rejected Jesus who came into the world. Rather, he crucified Jesus (Luke 23:38).
This applies not only to the people of Israel who crucified Jesus at the time, but also to all unbelievers who refuse to accept Jesus today.
Paul said, “Faith does not belong to everyone. (2 Thessalonians 3:2) Faith is a gift from God. (Eph 2:8 By grace you have been saved, It is not from you, it is the gift of God.)
From now on, you have received the privilege of faith, so please live by faith. (Hebrews 10:38 But my righteous one will live by faith)
Second, to those who believe, the authority of children of God is given (verse 12).
To those who received him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God (verse 12).
To receive means to receive. God is our creator. God is not the one who will benefit from receiving anything from us.
Job 22:2 How can a man benefit God? For a wise man only benefits himself. That is, wisdom is beneficial to man himself, but not to God.
God is omnipotent and perfect who does not need to depend on people. (Exodus 3:14, Psalm 115:3, Isaiah 40:18)
Therefore, God only gives us His, so that it may go well. Believing is the only way to receive blessings from God.
The 16th President of the United States, Lincoln, did not inherit anything from his ancestors, except that he received a Bible from his mother and learned to believe. He received God's grace through faith and became president and became great.
Also, whoever believes in Christ is given the right to become children of God. Authority (Hell, Exousia) refers to the right to claim freely from anyone.
This authority is unconditional grace and right given to those whom God wants to give according to the will of God (Romans 9:1-24).
To be a child of God means to be adopted or inherited. It is only through being born again that we become children of God.
Conclusion Faith is God's privilege and God's gift. Faith has given us the power to become children of God. I pray that you will be happy forever through faith in Jesus Christ.