Living in the Spirit

September 17, 2022

Scripture Reading:
John 3:13-17
No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.

‘For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.

‘Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

I do not remember when I memorized John 3:16. My guess is before I could read. The words written above were not the words I memorized. Mine came from the King James translation: 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. When reading the above translation, I got stuck on the word “may”. It seemed to make a less powerful statement than should, but I think the original leans more toward the word “shall”, not present in either translation. Shall is an absolute word.

Indeed, we must be very careful when we use absolute words. We are hearing a lot of them in this election system in promises to keep and in defining the worth of an opponent. I hate all the emails and texts I am not getting asking me if I approve of a specified candidate. Ask me if I agree with a candidate’s stance on issues. I do not even know what they mean when they ask if I approve of the office seeker.

I trust the absolute nature of a loving God whose word is a lamp unto my feet and a light into my path (Psalm 119:105). And I do trust that everyone who believes in Jesus Christ shall not perish but shall have eternal life.

Prayer: Lord, help us remember that where humans may fail you never will. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.