November 4, 2025
“And Jesus said, ‘For judgment I came into this world, so that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may become blind” (John 9:39 NASB95).
Why did Jesus come into this world? It was for judgement. But how can this be reconciled with Jesus’ earlier statement in John chapter 3? Jesus said to Nicodemus, “For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him” (John 3:17). Jesus did not come to earth with the goal of condemning mankind. No, He came to save. He came to offer eternal life. Nevertheless, the words of Jesus, which embody truth and light, will by their very nature create a separation. In John 9:39, Jesus uses the word “judgement” not in the sense of condemnation, but in the sense of separation based on the response of people to His word. Some, when they hear the words of Jesus, will come into the light, but some will reject His word and go farther into the darkness. This type of judgement is unavoidable.
And what is the judgment? That those who do not see may see. Who are those who do not see in this passage? It is those who have been in darkness but who long for the light. It is those who recognize their spiritual poverty but hunger and thirst for righteousness. It is those who recognize their spiritual ignorance and their need for God. It is those who, like the tax collector of Luke 18, beat their breast and cry out to God, “Be merciful to me, a sinner!” (Luke 18:13). It is people like this to whom Jesus will grant sight!
But on the other side of this separation are those “who see.” Jesus came that those who see may become blind. Who are those who see? It is those who are like the Pharisees. It is those who are self-righteous. It is those who think they already know all the answers. It is those who think they already have their lives together. It is those who are impressed with their own spiritual performance. It is those who are so sure that they already see. Jesus says it is these who will become blind because they will reject Christ and His word. It is those who say, “we see” who will remain in their sins (John 9:41).
In all of this, there is encouragement and warning for you and me. On which side of the divide will you fall? Will Jesus grant you sight? It all depends on our willingness to recognize our spiritual need and to humbly listen to the words of Jesus.
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Posted by Scott Colvin
October 21, 2025
Jesus is the light of the world, and His light shines upon all, but people will have vastly different reactions to Him. What is your response to the Light?
John writes in the opening of his gospel, “In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it” (John 1:4-5 NASB95). Jesus stepped in to this dark world as a blazing beacon of light. What was the response of the darkness? They didn’t comprehend it. What do we learn from this? Don’t be surprised if the world cannot grasp who you are or what you stand for. John continues, “There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man” (John 1:9) Those who will step into the light of Jesus will find enlightenment. God will shine light into their hearts and onto their path.
In John 3, we learn more about how people respond to the Light. “This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God” (John 3:19-21). We learn some profound truths here. Why will some people refuse to come to Jesus? It is because they don’t want the light shining on how they are living. If we live in darkness we can come to love the darkness and desire to remain in it. What a dangerous situation to be in! It is like spiritual Stockholm syndrome, where abused captives begin to love their captor. What else can we learn from these verses? We should not be surprised if the world hates us. It is the nature of darkness to hate the light, and we are light in the Lord (Ephesians 5:8).
But there is also good news here. We see that those who practice the truth will come to Jesus. It may not always be comfortable for us to come, because the light does expose our sinfulness. But those who love truth will come. And even those who are walking in darkness can choose to come, as you and I did. Not everyone in darkness wants to remain there.
Let us be encouraged by the offer of Jesus, made to all people: “Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life’” (John 8:12) Let us continue to follow Jesus and let Him light up our world.
—Scott Colvin
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Posted by Scott Colvin
September 30, 2025
Is it the case that God chose some individuals, before time began, to be saved, but chose that others to be eternally lost? Are some people “elect” and others not? This is a doctrine that is taught by many well-meaning people in Christendom. But does it line up with the scriptures? Is it in line with the nature of God as revealed in the scriptures? This is a dangerous doctrine that leads to some very serious errors. Let’s take a closer look.
Jesus said, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” (John 3:16 NAS95)Did Jesus die only for the elect, or for the entire world? Is His offer of salvation only for some, or for whoever will believe? Jesus said in John chapter 5, “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life…” (John 5:24a NAS95) Again, is Jesus offering eternal life to anyone who will hear and believe? Or is He only offering life to the elect?
Someone may say, “Ah, but what about John chapter 6?” Jesus said, “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me…” (John 6:37a NASB95). And also, “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him…” (John 6:44a NASB95) Don’t these statements prove that some are elect, and some are not? That some can come to God and some cannot?
Yes, Jesus says that no one can come to Him unless the Father draws him—but how does the Father draw people? The very next verse explains: God draws people through His word. Jesus said, “… Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father, comes to Me.” (John 6:45b NASB95). God invites all people, through the word, to come to Jesus, but only those who have heard and learned from the Father will come to the Son. Those who do not know the Father will reject Jesus. A second way in which the Father draws all people to Himself is through the cross. Jesus says in chapter 12, “And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself. But He was saying this to indicate the kind of death by which He was to die.” (John 12:32-33). All are invited, but many will reject Jesus and His sacrificial death.
This rejection of the word and the cross is not what God desires. Remember these words of Paul, that God “…desires all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:4 NAS95) Or consider what Peter wrote that the Lord is “not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9 NAS95) What is God’s desire? It is for all people to be saved! He does not wish for any to perish, but for all to repent! Is this really God’s desire? If so, are we to believe that He would condemn most of mankind to the fires of hell before they were even born? Are we to believe that God truly desires all to repent, but created most people with the complete inability to repent? Do these ideas line up with the plain statements of the word of God?
I am so thankful that God does indeed desire all people to be saved. He gives all people the opportunity to hear and respond to the gospel. This is the plain testimony of the scripture. Praise God for sending His Son to rescue us from eternal condemnation!
—Scott Colvin
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Posted by Scott Colvin
September 23, 2025
In John chapter five, Jesus healed a lame man who was lying by the pool of Bethesda. This man had been ill for 38 years and Jesus healed him by simply telling him to get up, pick up his pallet and walk. (John 5:8) While one might expect that this great miracle and blessing bestowed on this man would induce great rejoicing in those who heard of it, quite the opposite occurred. Jesus healed the man on the Sabbath day, and because of that, the Jewish leaders persecuted Him. They even sought to kill Him. Why? Because Jesus said these words: “… ‘My Father is working until now, and I Myself am working.’” (John 5:17 NASB95)
Why did this statement so enrage the Jews? The next verse explains: “…because He not only was breaking the Sabbath, but also was calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God.” (John 5:18 NASB95) They were not wrong. Jesus was indeed claiming equality with God, and in His teaching in the following verses, He reinforced this claim very clearly in multiple ways. But how is Jesus’ claim to be working on the Sabbath a claim of equality with God?
The creation account in Genesis tells us that on the seventh day (the Sabbath) God rested from His work which He had done (Genesis 2:2-3). God made the Sabbath for man as a day of rest, but does God work on the Sabbath? He certainly does. People are born and people die on the Sabbath. The sun shines, the rain falls, and the crops grow on the Sabbath day. People can be healed from disease on the Sabbath. We could multiply examples. Aren’t all of these things the work of God? In fact, if God stopped working on the Sabbath day, the entire universe and everything in it would cease to exist!
So, when Jesus said that He works on the Sabbath just as God does, He was clearly claiming to be more than a mere human. Man was to rest on the Sabbath, as commanded. But just as God has the divine prerogative to continue His work on the Sabbath, Jesus, too has that divine prerogative! Thus, He made Himself equal to God!
What is the takeaway for us? If Jesus is God (and He is!) we had better listen very carefully to His word! Because Jesus is God, He also has the right and the ability to judge, to raise the dead and to give eternal life to whomever He wishes (see John 5:19-29). Jesus said to the Jews of that day, and His words remain true today, “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.” (John 5:24 NASB95). Are you listening to the words of Jesus and believing in Him? Jesus is God the Son! Let us listen to His almighty voice!
—Scott Colvin
Leave a Comment » | following Jesus Christ, Jesus called God, John 5:17-18, John 5:24, Sabbath | Tagged: Bible, Breaking the Sabbath, Christianity, faith, God, Jesus, Jesus' claims to be God, John 5, Sabbath, The Deity of Jesus, The Divinity of Jesus, Was Jesus God? | Permalink
Posted by Scott Colvin
August 19, 2025
In John chapter 4, Jesus spoke these profound words to the Samaritan woman after asking her for a drink of water from the well: “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.” (John 4:10 NASB95) The woman is initially confused and perhaps a bit resistant, but Jesus continues, “… Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again; but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.” (John 4:13-14 NASB95) What does this mean? Let’s take a closer look.
We learn more about this living water in chapter 7, when Jesus stands up at the feast and cries out, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’ But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive…” (John 7:37-39a) So, we see that the living water Jesus is offering is a reference to the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of God is like a fountain or a river of water that flows from our inner being.
There is a thirst within all people, modern and ancient, for something that will satisfy the soul. There is a yearning for meaning and wholeness. Man tries to fulfill this desire with earthly things—worldly pleasures, wealth, career, substances, and the like—but these things will never take away the inner longing. The thirst will always return. But what Jesus is offering is a never-ending source of life that will truly satisfy. The Spirit of God, dwelling within us, brings satisfaction. He brings joy and peace! He brings true life! With the Spirit dwelling within us, our souls become like well-watered, fruitful gardens which bring forth His beautiful fruit. The water is a blessing not only to our own souls, but as it flows forth, it brings refreshment to those around us.
But notice that we have to come to Jesus for this living water. We have to ask Him. We have to believe in Him (and continue to believe). If we spend our lives living with one foot in Jesus and one foot in the world, we will deprive ourselves of the living water. But if we will continue to trust in Jesus and follow His voice, He will grant life and peace through His Spirit. The living water will spring up to eternal life.
—Scott Colvin
Leave a Comment » | contentment, Holy Spirit, John 4:10-14, John 7:37-39, living waters, spiritual life, the gift of the Holy Spirit | Tagged: Bible, God, Holy Spirit, how to be content, inner being, Jesus, John 4, John 7, living water, refreshment for the soul, rivers of living water, satisfied soul, woman at the well | Permalink
Posted by Scott Colvin
August 7, 2025
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.” (John 1:1-2 NASB95)
These opening words of the gospel of John have been thought of by many as an overture that beautifully introduces the coming symphony. These words frame how we are to see and understand the rest of John’s gospel. With the phrase, “In the beginning,” John calls to mind the opening words of Genesis which tells us about God’s creation of the universe. Here in John’s gospel, we will be told of a new creation which God is bringing about through the Word. “In the beginning was the Word.” The Word already existed in the beginning. John wants us to know that the Word is not a created being but existed from all eternity.
“The Word was with God.” Not only did the word exist from the beginning, but He existed in the closest possible fellowship with God, so much so that it can be said, “The Word was God.” John is not saying that the Word had some divine qualities, but that the Word “is fully God.” (NET) The Word, in His essence, was fully deity, just as God the Father is. Or we might say, what God is, the Word is.
Who is the Word that John speaks of? We find that answer in verse fourteen which says, “And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14 NASB95) As this sentence indicates, and the rest of the gospel shows us, the Word is Jesus Christ. And so, we learn this profound truth: Jesus is God. He is God the Son. Everything that God is, Jesus is. As the author of Hebrews says of Jesus, “And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power…” (Hebrews 1:3 NASB95)
God has expressed Himself to mankind through the Word. God has revealed to us who He is by sending His Son Jesus to “tabernacle” among us. Jesus is the exact representation of God’s nature. When we look at the glory of Jesus, we see the glory of God. And Jesus, as I write, is upholding all things by the word of His power.
Given all of this, what an amazing thought it is that God in the flesh came down to die for us. Through the death of God the Son, those of us who have received Him have received eternal life. We have become children of God. We have been born again as a new creation. Let us praise God for this amazing truth.
—Scott Colvin
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Posted by Scott Colvin
May 9, 2025
Everyone wants to live “the good life,” but what does that mean? Many think the good life is being wealthy, living in comfort, or retiring early. Some think the good life is one of partying and fun. Some may think it is found in a very successful career. How would you define the good life? And how can you obtain it?
Listen to these inspired words of David:
“Do you want to really live? Would you love to live a long, happy life?
Then make sure you don’t speak evil words or use deceptive speech.
Turn away from evil and do what is right. Strive for peace and promote it.” (Psalm 34:12-14 NET)
So, how can we really live? First, we must control our speech. We need to choose to not speak evil. Evil words include things like gossip and slander. It would include words that are spoken in a fit of anger that wound another person. Things like these can make our lives miserable (by our own doing) and rob us of the good life. We must also choose to not speak words that are deceitful. Lying or misleading people with our words brings much trouble and sorrow. On the other hand, using words that are filled with love, with truth, and encouragement will not only bless those around us, but will bring God’s blessings into our lives.
Second, to really live, we must turn away from evil. We live in a world that is full of evil. You and I must choose not to participate in deeds of darkness, and we must strive to not let it influence us or our families. But it is not enough to turn away from evil. We need to also do what is right. We face the choice to do right or wrong on a daily basis. If you want to really live, choose what is right! Then the rich blessings of God will flow into your life.
Finally, to really live, we need to strive for peace and promote it. How does one promote peace? By being humble toward others, by speaking with gentleness and grace, by being patient with others, and by forgiving those who have wronged us—just as the Lord forgave us. We promote peace by refusing to keep a record of wrongs and by choosing to not harbor resentment and bitterness toward others. When we fail to pursue peace, we will bring a lot of sorrow into our own lives. But if we will follow the way of peace, we will be richly blessed. Those who sow peace will reap its beautiful fruit.
How might we summarize these instructions? Live like Christ. Reflect His love. Those who do will find true life!
—Scott Colvin
Leave a Comment » | evil, good, peace, Psalm 34:12-14, the tongue | Tagged: Advice for a good life, Bible, Christianity, faith, God, How to have a good life, Jesus, Living the good life, Psalm 34 | Permalink
Posted by Scott Colvin
November 12, 2024
In his sermon in Acts chapter 17, Paul reveals some magnificent things about the true God of heaven to a group of Athenian philosophers who did not know God. Paul tells them that God made the world and all things in it. He tells them that God does not need to be served by humans as if He needed anything. No, God is the one who serves mankind by giving us everything we need—life and breath and all things. He tells them that it is God who made all mankind and determined where they would live.
But why has God been so kind and generous to all people in these ways? This brings Paul to his central point. He said it was so “that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us…” (Acts 17:27 NASB95) God has poured out His blessings on all so that we would seek Him! What a profound truth it is that God wants all to search for Him, and He wants all to find Him!
And what a profound truth it is that God does require that we search, that we grope for Him, feeling our way toward Him to discover who He is. God does not reveal the wonders of Himself to just anyone. He only reveals Himself to those who will seek Him. God has been very clear about this throughout scripture. Take this verse, for example: “How blessed are those who observe His testimonies, Who seek Him with all their heart.” (Psalm 119:2 NASB95) Or take the words of Jesus as another example: “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7 NASB95) Or consider this verse, where Paul explains that in Jesus “… are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” (Colossians 2:3 NASB95) You see, the treasures of God’s wisdom and knowledge are not available to just anyone. They are hidden in Christ. God desires that we do some digging before He will allow access to these blessings.
But the beautiful thing is that God will allow us to find Him. He wants to be found. He wants a relationship with you and me. The question for us is, are we still searching for Him? Even if we have already found Him, there is still more to be found. We must continue to dig deeper to explore even more of the beauty and the delight that is found in God and in His beloved Son. May God lead us ever deeper into Himself!
—Scott Colvin
Leave a Comment » | Acts 17:27, Colossians 2:3, Matthew 7:7 | Tagged: Bible, Christianity, faith, Finding God, God, Groping for the Lord, Jesus, Paul in Athens, Seeking God | Permalink
Posted by Scott Colvin
October 15, 2024
“I would rather see a sermon than hear one.”
I have heard this statement many times in various forms. I can agree with the sentiment expressed. It is very important that we live out the gospel—not just saying the right things but living in a right way. A life lived for God shows the beauty of Jesus to those around us.
But we must remember that being a “living sermon” is not the entirety of the church’s responsibility. The word must also be spoken. As the angel said to Cornelius in Acts chapter 11, “Send to Joppa and have Simon, who is also called Peter, brought here; and he will speak words to you by which you will be saved, you and all your household.” (Acts 11:13b-14 NASB95) Peter was going to speak words that would save Cornelius and his household. If anyone is going to be saved, they must hear the words of the gospel of Christ. They must hear who Jesus is. They must hear the words about Jesus dying and being raised for us. They must hear what to do to accept His gracious offer of forgiveness of sin.
I do encourage you to continue to be a living sermon. I encourage you to continue living a life that adorns the doctrine of God (Titus 2:10). I encourage you to continue walking in wisdom toward outsiders, letting your speech around them be with grace (Colossians 4:5-6), and while you do these things, be looking for open doors to also speak the word of God.
It’s very interesting to me that God, if He wanted, could announce the saving message to the lost through angels or through personal visions or dreams, but He has not seen fit to do so. We see over and over again in the scriptures that God sends people (like you and me) to speak the words that lead to salvation.
Are there people in your life that need to hear the message? Perhaps they have seen your way of life and felt your love and concern for them. And perhaps because of that, their heart is ready to hear. May God prepare you and direct you to those who need to hear the words by which they can be saved.
—Scott Colvin
Leave a Comment » | Acts 11:13-14, Cornelius, evangelism, gospel, sharing the gospel | Tagged: a living sermon, Bible, Christianity, faith, God, Jesus, Reaching the lost, sharing the gospel | Permalink
Posted by Scott Colvin
while today 