D.J. Gorena

There are times that I want to write and there are times I really don’t want to write. Today happens to be one of those days that I feel like writing. Nothing in particular, just to set down some thoughts to get them out of my mind.

I’ve been thinking about God’s blessings upon my family and me. He truly has blessed us with everything that He has entrusted to us. While there is a winter storm outside, we are inside a warm home. I’m about to start a fire in the fireplace. We just had a wonderful breakfast and I’m sitting here in my recliner typing on my computer. My two Sons are in their rooms doing stuff. They feel blessed because they don’t have school today due to the inclement weather. My wife is relaxing in her recliner as she doesn’t have to go into her office. My dog, Max, is sitting in front of me dressed in his thunder jacket as we have thunder sleet happening. Even though he’s a nervous wreck, he’s blessed, too!

I’ve been thinking about the church I pastor. It is the best ministry of which I have been a part. My Staff is excellent and each of us strives for excellence–not perfection as we know that we will not be perfect as of right now. Excellence in all that we do is one of our goals. Another goal is to keep the unity of the church. We do this with the idea that we are all part of the one ministry of our church: we love God, love people, and we’re doing something about it together. We go and share the Good News of Jesus Christ and the salvation that He gives to all who believe. We serve our community through prayer and ministering in various aspects. We want to serve Jesus Christ who is Lord of lords and King of kings.

I’ve been thinking about seminary. I’m taking an Old Testament class this semester. It is excellent and I have an excellent professor–even when he chases rabbits during his lectures (all the rabbits are in the same corral, so I think it’s alright). At my age I’m pursuing a Masters in Theological Studies. After I obtain this degree, I may attempt a PhD or some other higher degree just for my own satisfaction. It’s not necessary on the one hand, but it is something that is on my mind to do.

I’ve been thinking about my family. My dad and his wife are out of the country right now. My mom is in west Texas with my sister. My brothers are all close by even though we don’t get together as often as I’d like. Each person in my family is busy with so many things with their own families just like I’m busy with mine. When we are able to get together, we always have a good time together.

There are times … I just sit and think … I just ponder … I just thank God for the ability.

The Word became flesh. The Word that was in the beginning with God and was with God became flesh (John 1:1, 14). When before He was Spirit He took on flesh–He became flesh. When He came in flesh He did not have the sin nature that we have, but was born by the Holy Spirit (Matthew 1:18). He was not tainted by a human father’s sinful nature. Rather, the Word’s very  nature was that of God, namely God the Father. This Word that became flesh was perfect in every way. And in this Word we see His glory as the unique and only Son of God. There is none like Him nor will there be any like Him; for He is full of grace and truth being that He is Truth (John 14:6).

John testified about the Word who became flesh (John 1:6-9). John testified that he was not the Light that was to come into the world but the Word of God was the Light. He would illumine those who would believe in Him with grace and truth. It is by His grace and truth that John testified of the One who has a higher rank than he. For what reason did He have a higher rank? “He existed before me,” John said (John 1:15). “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being” (John 1:1-3). He existed before John and the Word was the Creator of all things. Being in the beginning means He was before time and space as we perceive it.

In the Word, we have received “grace upon grace.” This means that we receive one blessing after another. In the Word–in Jesus Christ–the only begotten Son of God–we receive every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Him (Ephesians 1:3). This is by His grace and He continually gives us grace upon grace, blessing upon blessing, and it is in His fullness or perfections. When the Word became flesh and dwelt among men, we have seen in Him the fullness of God being that He is fully and very God.

The Law was given to God’s people through Moses (John 1:17). Through the Word–Jesus Christ–grace and truth were realized. They were realized through the Creation story since He created all things. They are realized by the blessings He graciously bestows upon us because of His grace and truth. And it is in this grace and truth that we see His very character: that of grace and truth. There is no mixture of error in Him as with us. His nature is that of God while still being in the flesh. This Truth who is the Word of God lives in the reality of God’s grace and truth. He only speaks grace and truth; He can do no other.

So this Word of God is the final communique of God to mankind. Jesus Christ has explained God in grace and truth (John 1:18). No one has ever seen God face to face, but Jesus Christ, the Word, the only begotten Son of God, has been face to face with God who is His Father. He has shown who God is in grace and truth. There is no one else who could do this with preciseness like the Word of God who is Truth (John 14:6). Only Jesus Christ can fully explain God to us.

Praise the name of the Word of God: Jesus Christ!

“The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it” (John 1:5). It is this very Light that has come into the world and it enlightens everyone. There is not a single person in this world that does not know that there is a transcendent Being outside of themselves–namely God. Paul the apostle says in Romans 1:19 that this Light is evident in each of us, we know of this One who is outside of us. However, man has exchanged the truth of this Light for a lie (Romans 1:25).

The Light has come into the world but the world has not received Him. This Light being Jesus Christ; this Light being the Word of God (John 1:1-5). The world has exchanged this Truth (John 14:6) for a lie which says they can make life what they want and they can live this life on their own. The Light has come into the world to show us something different. Jesus Christ has come to show us who He is and what He has completed for us (1 Corinthians 15:3, 4).

So for those who have received Him and believed in His name, He has given them a right. In fact, Jesus Christ is the only One who has authority to give someone the right to be called a child of God. It is not based on our bloodline or the will of the flesh or even our own will, but on the will of God alone. This right is “to become children of God.” It is a right that is given by God’s grace (Ephesians 2:8-10). We receive and believe based upon this authority that is the Light that has come into the world.