Verse of the Day 3/7

John 1:43 (NLT) The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, "Come, follow me."

You've probably heard the conversation about which came first the chicken or the egg.  The same kind of discussion often happens regarding our faith.  Some will say that God called them others will say that they found God.  Which is it?

 

Today's passage gives us a good idea as to what happens.  Verse 43 states that Jesus found Philip and asked him to follow him.  A few verses later we see Philip finding Nathanael and telling him that "they had found Jesus" who had been spoken about by Moses and the prophets.  A few verses later Nathanael proclaims "you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel."

 

In a sermon on 1 Peter 1:3 which speaks to us about being "born anew to a living hope through God's mercy", John Piper states, " Think on it! If you have any truly spiritual desire for God, it is owing to the work of God in regeneration. If you have any love for holiness, it is owing to the work of God in regeneration. If you have any hatred for sin, it is owing to the work of God in regeneration. If you have a mustard seed of faith in Christ, it is owing to the work of God in regeneration. To God be the glory for our conversion to Christ! Consider and be astounded, all you who by nature are children of wrath, that you believe in Christ and are new children of the Almighty"

 

No matter which side of the discussion you are on, may we, like Nathanael, declare that Jesus is the Son of God and King of Kings, to God be the glory!

 

Blessings,
Mike
Follow the verse of the day at www.mikesvotd.blogspot.com

John 1:43-49 (ESV) Jesus Calls Philip and Nathanael

⁴³  The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, "Follow me." ⁴⁴ Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. ⁴⁵ Philip found Nathanael and said to him, "We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." ⁴⁶ Nathanael said to him, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see." ⁴⁷ Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!" ⁴⁸ Nathanael said to him, "How do you know me?" Jesus answered him, "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you." ⁴⁹ Nathanael answered him, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!"