John 3:27-32, 36

These words from John the Baptist give such clear testimony about who Jesus is. I love John’s humility—his acknowledgment of his role and his understanding that all we have and all we are is a gift from God. “No one can receive anything unless God gives it from heaven.” John is content in his role and is not threatened by Jesus’ growing popularity.

Are we content with our roles? Do we even know what our roles are? What has God called us to do? These are important questions to consider, given our relatively short time here on earth compared to eternity.

Life is God’s play, and we have all been scripted with parts in it. The star of the show is Jesus, and we are all His supporting cast. Life is about Him and not about us. Consider this Scripture from Ephesians:

“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”
—Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)

Like I said—parts in a play.

So God invites us into partnership with Jesus. Another word for that is covenant. John makes it clear that, in order to have eternal life, we must believe in Jesus. Yet those who do not obey will never experience eternal life and remain under God’s wrath. It is an interesting choice of words John uses, one that clearly expresses our grave position without God. Notice he says those who do not obey Jesus “remain” under judgment. To remain somewhere means you were already there.

The sad reality is that we are born into judgment because of Adam’s sin. Let that sink in. That is all of us, no matter how good we think we are. Our salvation is not based on our works, but on His work, and it must be received in order for us to experience eternal life. The apostle Paul states it this way:

“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
—Ephesians 2:8–9 (NASB)

That, coincidentally, was the Scripture that led me to salvation. I was once asked, “If you died today, do you think you would go to heaven?” I replied that I thought I would because I wasn’t a bad person. The person responded by reading these two verses. Based on what they said—and who was I to argue with God’s Word—I realized I was not making it. My hope for salvation was based on my own merit, not on His.

That is why salvation is a gift that must be humbly received—it cannot be earned.

John understood this clearly. He provided such a powerful witness for the Lord and truly was a forerunner, preparing people’s hearts to receive Jesus when He came on the scene.

So what have we done with this gracious gift of salvation? The time is now to receive Him. We are not guaranteed tomorrow.

“For God says, ‘At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you.’ Indeed, the ‘right time’ is now. Today is the day of salvation.”
—2 Corinthians 6:2 (NLT)

Amen.