◆“The Light Has Come to Your Heart” (John 1:9-14) November 16, 2025

John introduces Jesus as the true Light. He is the Light that shines on everything. He is the Light that brings brightness and warmth, and He is also the Light that exposes sin and leads us to repentance. This Light shines upon every person—those who believe they stand in the center and those who feel pushed to the margins. The Light does not choose people. Christ came in such a way.
However, not everyone accepted this Light. Verse 10 says:
“The Word was in the world, and the world came into being through Him, yet the world did not recognize Him.”
This “Word” refers to Jesus Himself. Jesus says in Matthew 7:13–14:
“Enter through the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life, and only a few find it.”
Why do so many not find that gate and not walk that path? Because of self-righteousness. It is a difficult word, but it means thinking, “I’m fine. I don’t need forgiveness,” or knowing one’s sin yet believing, “I can handle it myself.” Such a person will not come to the Light.
Even if there is bright light, if one does not realize one is in darkness, one will not come. Even if there is warm light, if one does not feel the cold, one will not come. It is the same spiritually.
But look at verse 12:
“Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God—children born not of blood, nor of the flesh, nor of human will, but born of God.”
Those who believe and receive Jesus are given the right to become children of God. This word “right” is difficult to translate. Other translations render it as authority, privilege, or power. In any case, those who believe that Jesus is the Savior from their sins—that He bore the sin that separated them from God and received the judgment in their place—and who receive that truth personally, are given the privilege of becoming God’s children.
So, what does it mean to become children of God? First, it means that we were not children of God before. Yes, God created us, so in that sense we are His creatures. But in relationship, we were not His children. We opposed God, stood under His wrath, were already under judgment, and were destined for destruction.
But that relationship has ended. Romans 5:1–2 says:
“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.”
Beautiful words indeed. But the Gospel of John speaks even more deeply. Not only has the conflict ended and peace come, but we have been made children of God. We are not simply told, “I forgive you.” We are loved as children, treasured, protected, guided, and brought into a relationship that cannot be broken.
And so that we misunderstand none of this, verse 13 emphasizes:
“Children born not of blood, nor of the flesh, nor of human will, but born of God.”
“Not born of blood” means not by lineage—not “my parents are Christians, so I am too.” Becoming God’s child is personal; parents cannot do it for us.
“Not of the flesh” means not by our strength or good works—not by morality, not by accumulating good deeds. The Pharisees stumbled here, thinking the Law would earn them acceptance.
“Not of human will” means not by someone else’s merit—not being saved by another’s virtue. In Mahayana Buddhism there is the idea of the Bodhisattva, who delays entering Nirvana to help others achieve salvation. But Scripture says this is not how salvation works.
The Son of God, Jesus Himself, gave His life, received our judgment in our place, and through His resurrection became the way to the Kingdom of Heaven.

Sermon script modified based on proofreading and translation with ChatGPT.