Devotion by Dick Auhl

John 1:1-13 (RSV)

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was in the beginning with God; all things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made.  In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.  He came for testimony, to bear witness to the light, that all might believe through him.  He was not the light, but came to bear witness to the light.

The true light that enlightens every man was coming into the world.  He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world knew him not.  He came to his own home, and his own people received him not.  But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God; who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.”

Since being baptized as a teenager and joining a church, God has spoken to me many times, in many different ways, over these past 78 years, primarily by acquainting me with Scripture that has applied to circumstances occurring in my life.  Recently, during my devotions, the words “light” and “children” kept coming to my attention.  This reminded me of an experience I had as a young, unmarried electrical engineer attending a Presbyterian church in Pottsville, PA where I struggled with teaching Sunday school to a group of young teenage boys. One fall in 1956 a young enthusiastic seminary student from Princeton Theological Seminary visited our church for a weekend of teaching.  I related to him because his name was Dick and he also had studied electrical engineering before being called to prepare for the ministry.  Sometime during that weekend, he introduced me to John 1:12, a Scripture that has been in my mind every since. 

One might ask “aren’t all human beings’ children of God?”  In one sense, yes, because everyone is made in God’s image (See Genesis 1:27 and 2 Corinthians 4:4).  As we read the scriptures in John’s gospel prior to John 1:12, we find the word “light” used six times, referring to Jesus as “the light.”  Therefore, in John 1:12, children of God are those who receive Jesus and believe him to be the Son of God, the light of this world.   In John 8:12 Jesus states “I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life”

If we do a Bible search for “children of light” we find Ephesians 5:8-9 which states “for once you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true).”  It’s so easy for us to fall into darkness.  In fact, so much of our society is living in darkness, not knowing the joy of being children of light.  I must admit that I have times of darkness, but thanks be to God, He has given me the power to become a child of light when I’m connected to Jesus in prayer and study of His word.

Prayer

Dear Lord, we pray that those of us who have received You and believe in Your name, will be connected to You each and every day in order to have the power to continue as children of light making an impact for You among those who are still living in darkness.  As Children of light, we will be better able to worship You passionately, love You and others extravagantly and witness boldly to those still living in darkness. We give You all the praise and glory. Amen