Semper Reformanda

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1 (KJV)

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The ‘Word’ apart from the doctrinal significance that it carries, also refers to the prime medium of God expressing His Will through Christ. (Calvin)[1] Piper reflects that the significance of the Word is in its clarity and communication; reason why various translators have settled for this instead of using words such as deed or thought in its place. The Apostle John in scripture seems to confirm not just a deed, a thought, or a promise or an act, but the personhood, identity of Christ Himself. He is the will of the Father made known. Piper writes, “the Son of God became divine communication to us.”[2] The advent may refer to this divine access that we have received in His grace. We can reach out to Him through Christ, no longer burdened by the demand of the Law.

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[1] https://www.crossway.org/articles/reading-the-bible-with-dead-guys-john-calvin-on-john-11/

[2] Piper, J. (2014). The Dawning of Indestructible Joy

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16 (KJV)

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The adverb ‘so’ means ‘in this way.’ (G3779)[1] The Apostle John seems to refer to the manner of God’s love. And it is one characterised by a giving nature. Piper writes “giving what’s good and serving the benefit of others is closer to the essence of God than getting and being served. God is without needs. God inclines to meet needs. God is a giver. God is love.” Calvin refers to it as the ‘unmerited love of God;’[2] because it is something that we cannot claim to be ours. It comes from God alone; needing nothing from us. This love has a sense of non-discriminatory exclusivity. (Sproul)[3] It does not discriminate between Jews or Gentiles; but it is reserved only for those who are elected by YHWH before time immemorial.[4] The love that we speak of during this advent is one marked by a definite intention. God gave His Son for the purpose of our redemption. (Owen)[5]

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[1] https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g3779/kjv/tr/0-1/

[2] https://www.ccel.org/ccel/calvin/calcom34.ix.iii.html

[3] https://learn.ligonier.org/podcasts/ultimately-with-rc-sproul/the-most-distorted-verse-in-the-bible

[4] Ephesians 1:4-5

[5] https://www.the-highway.com/Jh3.16_Owen.html

He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. 1 John 3:8 (KJV)

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The works of the devil is sin and sinning. The Son of God came to destroy sin. But what does these words really mean? It means Christ redeems a sense of certainty in our lives. I absolutely love the way Piper puts it. To quote, “the meaning of Christmas is that what is good and precious in your life need never be lost, and what is evil and undesirable in your life can be changed. The fears that the few good things that make you happy are slipping through your fingers, and the frustrations that the bad things you hate about yourself or your situation can’t be changed these fears and these frustrations are what Christmas came to destroy.”[1] The hope of the advent is for the eternity that awaits us. But that hope also manifests on this side of eternity.

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[1] Piper, J. (2014). The Dawning of Indestructible Joy