The Gospel of John is filled with statements of the difference between “above” and “below” (John 3:31; 8:23), between “darkness” and “light” (John 3:19; 8:12;12:35,46), between “flesh” and “spirit” (John 3:6;6:63). Just as loving parents warn their children of the real dangers of life – and the consequences of bad decisions – so too God, our heavenly Father, warns us of the reality of heaven and hell. There is a discernable difference between these two “ways,” and God is ever calling us to follow His way.

How do we know whether we are following the way of life or the way of death? What assurances can we have that we are on the right course? Before anything else, we need to come to grips with the love of God our Father. He gives His Spirit without measure, whenever we ask (John 3:34; Luke 11:13). God wants us to be with Him; He wants to fill us with His love and protection. Through scripture, He has given us His commands to keep us on the path of life; He will never abandon those who rely on His guidance.

We have been ransomed by Jesus’ blood, and our sin and guilt have been washed away in the waters of baptism. We have received the promised Holy Spirit, poured out without measure. We are children of God, and our Father wants to teach us and protect us. As we continue to accept Jesus’ testimony, we will be able to say “God is true” (John 3:33). We will be filled with confidence in God, and be willing to follow Jesus wherever He leads us. Even when it is difficult to obey, we will know that God is trustworthy, and we will seek the Holy Spirit’s strength to remain faithful.

In this time of Easter joy, let us ask the Holy Spirit to open our hearts even more to the testimony of Jesus. Let us come into the light of God’s love and ask for the humility and strength we need to follow the way of life. We serve a merciful, generous God. He will not fail those who trust in Him.

Jakarta, 1 May 2014

“God so loved the world that He gave His only Son” (John 3:16).

This is the core of our faith, the Good News which has been proclaimed for two thousand years. God the Most High, uncreated Creator, sent His only Son into the world to save the people he had created. He didn’t treat us as we deserved, condemning us as sinners for our disobedience. Instead, in His amazing love, God the Father allowed His Son to become the sacrifice for so much dishonor and shame, redeeming us through His unflinching obedience.

How can we fathom the love of the Father, who offered His only Son for sinners? How can we comprehend the love of the Son, who so eagerly responded to His Father’s call? Try as we might, the story of our salvation will forever defy human reason. We can’t fathom the kind of love that would motivate such a sacrifice. We could never experience absolutely perfect self-giving from any human friend.

Yet God, who has no need of us who is lacking in nothing, has reached out to each one of us to embrace us and draw us to Himself in personal love. This God who knows every detail of our lives calls to us as His children and waits to hear us answer, “Abba” – Father! To meditate on this love brings us to our knees in awe and wonder. It moves us to give our whole lives to Him in worship, service, and obedience.

In sending His Son to save us, God sent the perfect representation of Himself, so that we might know Him as He truly is. In listening to the Son, we hear the Father – the Father’s thoughts, His plans for us, His very heart. As we submit ourselves to the Son, we learn to walk in the Father’s ways, and our lives are filled with light. We could never achieve this on our own; rather, we are lifted up to a whole new life by the power of God’s grace. As His light shines in our lives, it is plainly seen that this is the work of God.

Jakarta, 30 April 2014

WHAT does it mean to be “born of the Spirit” (John 3:8)? Perhaps the best way to understand its meaning is to look at people who were born of the Spirit.

Before Jesus ascended into heaven, He to told His apostles, “When the Holy Spirit has come upon you, … you shall be My witnesses” (Acts 1:8). The disciples to whom Jesus made this wonderful promise were a weak and fearful group and do not seem to have carried out any ministry while they waited in Jerusalem for the promise to be fulfilled. But when the Holy Spirit came upon them at Pentecost, they were transformed into bold and fearless witnesses. Ultimately they went on to proclaim the Gospel all over the world, even at the risk of death.

Similarly, Saul of Tarsus persecuted Christians until the risen Christ appeared to him and a Christian named Ananias prayed for him to be “filled with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 9:17). This changed the direction of Saul’s life. Renamed as Paul, he became a fearless witness to Jesus, suffering and eventually dying for his faith.

Saint after saint, believer after believer throughout the history of the Church has been transformed by the Holy Spirit. Like the first disciples, we are often timid when it comes to sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Perhaps this is because we rely on our own power rather than the power of the Holy Spirit – not unlike expecting a computer to operate when we have not plugged it into an electrical outlet. However, the good news is that the same Spirit who came upon the apostles and upon Christians in every age is available to each of us. The Holy Spirit wants to empower and transform us. Let us now ask the Holy Spirit every day to fill us and make us bold proclaimers of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Jakarta, 29 April 2014