Exclusively Known

[0:00] A pastor's reflections, exclusively known, John 1-2.! The same was in the beginning with God.

[0:11] ! God created us as people to love new things.

[0:47] We love the idea of having the latest and the greatest. In fact, if there is an opportunity to be an early adopter, we are often quick to jump on the privilege of being one of the people who have exclusivity.

[1:02] This can work the same way in relationships. We want to be a part of the inner circle, to be those who are in the know. Neither of these tendencies are in themselves bad.

[1:15] But when coupled with man's fallen nature, they very often cause people to use their privilege of newness and confidence as a reason to put others down and raise themselves up.

[1:26] They feel that their exclusive position and opportunity sets them above those who do not have the same privilege. How different is the heart of God?

[1:38] John tells us that Jesus had the greatest opportunity to be in the know, that Jesus was the ultimate early adopter. John 1.1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

[1:54] Colossians 1.15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature. Jesus, who had relationship with God before anyone else ever had the opportunity, was there at the very beginning of creation.

[2:12] He was the ultimate early adopter. Jesus saw what no human eye had ever seen, the start of all things. And Jesus knows what no human mind could ever comprehend, the thoughts and mind of God.

[2:27] Yet remarkably, that did not cause Jesus to hold himself aloof or apart from those beneath him. In fact, he responded in quite the opposite way.

[2:38] He used his position and know to reach out to those who could never have what he had, except it was willingly shared. Colossians 2.9-10 For in him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily, and you are complete in him.

[2:58] 1 Corinthians 2.16 For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ. The heart of God is not to use the greatness of his knowledge and position to push people away, but to draw them near.

[3:18] In Christ, God has given us an exclusive look into the person and heart of God. Jesus reveals that God wants everyone to be in the know, to know that they can come and be a part of something new, something special, something exclusive, and something for everyone.

[3:39] Today, let the heart of God be your heart. Use what God has given you not to push people away in exclusivity, but to draw them near into the knowledge of the love of God.

[3:54] 1 Corinthians 15.1-3 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you. For I delivered unto you, first of all, that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures.

[4:13] Father, thank you that Jesus did not come to this earth just to declare his exclusivity with you, but to share that exclusivity. Thank you that in Christ we can now be in the know regarding your heart, help us to live lives that are exclusively God's, but that also declare a God who will willingly include any into the exclusivity of his love.

[4:40] Amen.