Everyone stands condemned if left to their own credentials. There is one safe place: the Lord Jesus, raised on the cross for our sins and raised again to life to provide us eternal life.
The gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ is the genius of God on display. God came as a child, vulnerable and humble, and called the unlikely ones to follow Him.
John's message, Jesus Himself, is radical and it changes everything. Do our practises replace our true purpose, to enjoy a restored relationship with God? Only through Jesus can we be in His presence.
Fix your eyes on Jesus. Listen to Him as teacher, follow Him as Messiah, depend on Him as the Lamb of God, love Him as Son of God and King and allow yourself to be loved by Him who is God unveiled.
John's testimony calls us to prepare for Lord's return - it is good and right that we prepare ourselves with true repentance. Forgiveness is ours. God has done all that is necessary to wipe away all our sin. Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.
The Gospel is a story of tragic rejection, are you willing to live in such a story? The Gospel is a story of marvellous acceptance. Are you willing to part in this story?
There are many competitors for our affections and our loyalties. As we look to Christ alone as the true light we will find ourselves breathing in the atmosphere of Christ's love.