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 or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.
John 1:12-13
STORY
John Bunyan was a Puritan pastor, who is best known to us for his book Pilgrim’s Progress. Wit death impending from a fever caught in a storm, he preached his last sermon at Mr. Gamman’s meeting-house, near Whitechapel, England, on Thursday, August 19, 1688. Nineteen days after preaching this sermon John Bunyan died.
The text for the sermon was John 1:13. The message of the sermon is that every man and woman must examine themselves in order to know if they are born again or not. In his last sermon, Bunyan described the signs of a new birth. He then asked his listeners, “Are you brought out of the dark dungeon of this world into Christ?” He continued, “When we see a king’s son play with a beggar, this is unbecoming; so if you be the king’s children, live like the king’s children; if you be risen with Christ, set your affections on things above, and not on things below…”
DEVOTION
The question for us: have we been brought out of the “dark dungeon of this world into Christ?” Have we been converted? Have we been saved? Have we accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior?
If so, we will be a new person; a new creation. We will no longer live by the flesh, but by the Spirit. If we have truly been transformed in Christ, it will be apparent to all who encounter us.
So often a devotional is only a reminder of what the reader already knows. The words on the printed page are just meant to encourage, nothing more. Such is the case when the devotion describes what a life rejuvenated in Christ should look like. There is the inner quality of spiritual peace. There is the outer quality of compassionate service.
Reflecting on the new life that we are to exhibit, I always return to the Apostle Paul’s list of spiritual attributes. Some Bibles print the heading for this passage from Ephesians as “Rules for the New Life” that reads: So then, putting away falsehood, let each of you speak the truth with your neighbor, for we are members of one another. Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not make room for the devil. Those who steal must give up stealing; rather, let them labor, doing good work with their own hands, so as to have something to share with the needy. Let no evil talk come out of your mouths but only what is good for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with which you were marked with a seal for the day of redemption. Put away from you all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you.
Like so many truths contained in the scriptures it reads simple, though actualization is near impossible. So, we do the best that we can. If we demand perfection of ourselves, we will live in a torment of a guilt that accompanies failure. If we truly and homestay struggle, though disappointed, we can feel triumphant.
John Henry Jowett, pastor and author, served congregations in both England and the United States. His sermons and meditations focused on Christian living. Articulate in the pulpit, he has been referred to as “The Prince of Preachers.” In his book My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year, that was published in 1914, he reflected on Romans 8:14, which reads: “For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.” After observing the meaning of this verse, he ended his devotion with this thought: “I wonder if I have the manner of a king’s son? I wonder if there is anything in my very ‘walk’ which indicates distinguished lineage and royal blood? Or am I like a vagrant who has no possessions and no heartening expectations?”
Do you have the manner to be the King’ son?