BEGIN WITH GOD’S WORD

“In the BEGINNING was the WORD, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” – John 1:1

To begin with God is really to BEGIN WITH GOD’S WORD: “In the BEGINNING was the WORD, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God” (Jh.1:1-2). The phrase “in the beginning” means: before time; before there was any created matter, there was the Word, Who created the universe (v.3)! John began his Gospel with this stunning description of Jesus Christ as the Word. Although he never mentioned His name until verse 17, it was obvious who he was referring to. Rather than begin with the story of Jesus’ birth, we encounter Jesus’ deity in eternity. “In the beginning” echoes Genesis 1:1, which confronts us with the majesty of God the Creator; while John 1:1 confronts us with the majesty of Jesus Christ – the Word!

Before there was any time or any matter, there was the Word – Jesus Christ, the Son of God! The verb “was” indicates that the Word already was in charge prior to creation. There never was a time when the Word was not. When we celebrate the birth of Jesus, we remember the baby born in a manger. But this was not His beginning! Jesus is the Word of God that “became flesh and dwelt among us” (Jh.1:14; Rev.19:13). Jesus is eternal: “For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him” (Col.1:16). He is before all things, and upholds all: “who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power” (Heb.1:3a). The Son of God is God’s final, climactic and decisive Word to the world.

John was unequivocal about the eternal, infinite majesty, deity and Creatorship of Jesus Christ. As the WORD, Jesus’ words and Person constitute the Truth of God. In His coming, walking, working, teaching, dying, and rising, He is God’s decisive message to humanity. He said: “I am the way, the TRUTH, and the life” (Jh.14:6a); “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed” (Jh.8:31); and “Abide in Me” (Jh.15:7). When we abide in Him we are abiding in the Word. He said that His WORKS were a “witness” about Him (Jh.5:36; 10:25). That is, He is the WORD at WORK! Nothing can ever work against the Word, and there is unlimited scope to the working of the Word. God’s creative work in Genesis 1 and 2 was performed by the Word. The Word has been working from the beginning. The Word is the Genesis of every true word and work! Everything humanity works with was created by Him.

Beginning with the WORD – JESUS – and His words, all things will always WORK together for our good (Rom.8:28).

Beginning with the WORD – JESUS – will perpetually uphold and sustain all things that matter to our lives and destinies!

Beginning with God’s words secures our spiritual walk and life: “The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life” (Jh.6:63b).