In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
John 1:1-5, 9-14
The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Too often conservative evangelicals want the wisdom and the insight of the Kingdom of God without the intimacy of the Kingdom. They want the depth of the word of God without the depth of the Word of God, the practical life application of principles without an encounter with a Person.
Too often progressive Christians want the justice and righteousness of God displayed in culture but not in their own lives. They want to see the righteousness of God manifest “out there” in society, but don’t see purity in their own lives as something to be bothered with.
Too often charismatics want the power of God but not the humility of Christ. They want to destroy the works of the devil, like sickness and demonic oppression, but forget to lock the back door where pride and arrogance slip in.
Too often contemplative Christians want the mystery of God but close their eyes to the revelation of God. They want to experience the transcendent reality of the Divine but forget that God put on flesh and bone to reveal Himself to us plainly and practically.
Each of these exaggerations of the faith embrace one aspect of the Kingdom of God without embracing Jesus Himself. And in this way they are disembodied expressions of Christianity. They hint of gnosticism.
The fullness of the gospel is embodied. It’s incarnational. It’s the fullness of Jesus as the Way, the Truth and the Life.
Fire and Light 