1 John: 1-14 (1). In the beginning was the WORD, and the WORD was with GOD, and the WORD was God. (2) The same was in the beginning with GOD. (3) All things were made by HIM, and without HIM was not anything made that was made. (4) In HIM was life, and the life was the light of men. (5) And the light shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehended it not.

The majority of qualified Bible scholors agree that the greatest message in the Christian Bible is found in the first chapter of Saint John's Gospel. If the true message in the first few verses are understood it will do three important things. It will show you who Jesus Christ is, it will show what Jesus Christ is, and it will show why God sent Jesus into this world of flesh and blood life. The first of those is easy. Many scriptures tell us that Jesus is the only begotten Son of God. God chose a young virgin woman and sent His Spirit to over shadow her and impregnate her. She gave birth to a baby that was a boy with a flesh and blood body just like you and I have and was named Jesus. The woman was the mother, but God was the Father. But for a valid reason God did not choose to repeat that act and Jesus is therefore known as the "only begotten Son of God".

Then it is extremely important for us to understand what Jesus was. The very first verse states: "and the WORD was God." That should alert your mind to make an effort to know just what the WORD is, and how it could be God. All people including you and I are identified by our word. If our word is truthful, honest and sincere, our friendship will be coveted and our life will benefit and bless others. In the same sense God had his Word which was all powerful and perfect. That almighty and powerful Word was actually given life of flesh and blood and became Jesus. That allowed Jesus to say, "(if you have seen Me, you have seen the Father)." Then after He was crucified He said, "(All power and glory is given unto Me; both in Heaven and in earth)".

The 3rd verse tells us that all things were made by Him, the powerful and perfect word of God, that became Jesus was the pattern God used to create and make all things at the beginning. Can your mind even imagine there was nothing before the beginning? There was no heavens, no earth, and then God made everything by the pattern of His Word Jesus.

And now the vital message our Nation and the whole world needs most is clearly given in the 4th and 5th verses. Jesus is the life and light of men.

But let us now look sincerely at the history and present status of our nation and decide if we are letting Jesus be a guiding light for our individual and National life. Have Americans forgotten the bravery and faith of our ancestors who started this Nation so they could worship God as they pleased? Do you feel all the bad things that our nation is experiencing is permitted by Almighty God to try to get us to turn back to Him? We are certainly turning away from Him to enjoy the pleasures of life, and unless repentance for that is seen, our future will be mighty unpleasant and fearful. God can still punish without mercy and we may not be far from seeing that.