Deeper Reflection
IF YOU WATCH ENOUGH AMERICAN TELEVISION, YOU WOULD be familiar with the stereotypical scene where a child excitedly rips open a Christmas present only to find out that it is (another) ugly knitted sweater. The child’s face falls in disappointment and he mumbles an insincere “thank you”. The gift is completely not what he had hoped for!Christ’s gift of life and light can also appear to some as a present that they never asked for or wanted. We should not be surprised when people reject the Lord – because the Bible plainly states that this will happen! This rejection is ironic for two reasons, according to John. First, although humankind is created by God, we fail to recognise the Creator (v.10). Second, although humankind belongs to God, God Himself finds no belonging with us (v.11). Instead of receiving Him, we reject Him!In our postmodern age, the rejection of God may not be an outright attack on Christianity. It is more likely to be a dismissive reduction of faith to a matter of personal preference – something along the lines of “good for you if Christianity floats your boat, but it’s just not my thing”.What then is our Christian response? We must not lose hope in sharing the Gospel, even if rejection is likely. This is because John reminds us, that if people do believe, He gives them the right – the amazing privilege – to become children of God (v.12)! What a privilege it would also be for us, as God’s children, to welcome someone else into the family of God and see that person experience God’s life and light!