There is a very curious piece of scripture you’ve probably read several times but probably not paid much attention to. It has a depth of meaning unimaginable, and it helps us to understand the world. It is John 1:1-9.
John 1:1-9 NLT: “In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it. God sent a man, John the Baptist, to tell about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony. John himself was not the light; he was simply a witness to tell about the light. The one who is the true light, WHO GIVES LIGHT TO EVERYONE, was coming into the world.” John 1:1-9 NLT.
The word translated “light” in “who gives light to everyone” in John 1:9 is the Greek word “Photizo”. Those who are science minded will already see why science calls light particles “photon.” The word “photizo” means seven things:
1. To give light, to shine
2. To enlighten, light up, illumine
3. To bring to light, render evident
4. To cause something to exist and thus come to light and become clear to all
5. To enlighten spiritually, imbue with saving knowledge
6. To give understanding to
7. To instruct, to inform, teach.
In other words, this word “photizo” in John 1:9 has four dimensions:
The first dimension of photizo is the creative dimension – bringing things to light through creation.
The second dimension of photizo is the human consciousness and God consciousness dimension.
The third dimension of photizo is the spiritual dimension – transcendent knowledge of salvation – knowledge that goes beyond the limits of ordinary experience.
The fourth dimension of photizo is the informational dimension of teaching, instruction and capacitation with immanent, indwelling information.
What John 1:9 NLT is saying in essence is, every man that enters this world is capacitated with two types of knowledge – the knowledge of salvation, which explains why man seems to have a compulsive need for God; the second is informational capacitation. You’re like a computer preconfigured and loaded with software and data before you entered the world. You came into the world preloaded with certain knowledge and information. You didn’t come into the world tabula rasa. You came loaded with information and capacitation. Science confirms this. It’s why a 2-year old can pick up a mobile phone and figure it out without being taught.
The BIG implication of John 1:9 is that Jesus the Creator does generational genetic batching. Each generation is technologically capacitated. There’s a knowledge capacitation God gives to every generation. But also in John 1:9 we see grace. Jesus lights EVERY man that comes into the world. It’s unmerited capacitation. You need to understand that you’re already potentiated in the natural. That’s what John 1:9 is saying. You’re the one holding you back. Having been potentiated, the difference between failure and success is therefore faith, application and discipline. It starts with self-belief.
Now, here’s where the Christian has an advantage – the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. The Bible says the world cannot receive the Holy Spirit, that they wouldn’t even recognise him. John 14:17. But it says the Helper will reside in Christ’s followers. Why do we need a resident mentor? Look at John 14:26 NET: “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and will cause you to remember everything I said to you.”
The Holy Spirit in essence is distributed intelligence who functions as external server, random access memory, mentor and teacher all rolled into one. Jesus said there’re two sets of instruction he’ll focus on – everything and very specific knowledge. John 14:26 NET.
It’s because of John 14:26 that the writers of the Bible could write copious notes about what Jesus said long after Jesus was gone. It’s why the writers of the New Testament could recall conversations Jesus had with pinpoint accuracy. That’s the work of the Holy Spirit.
The problem with the Christian is that he doesn’t think the Holy Spirit understands Economics, Business Management, Finance, Banking, Physics or Biology. He thinks the Holy Spirit only knows “spiritual” stuff.
As a physicist the Holy Spirit was involved in creation in Genesis. He was doing mathematical stuff, doing calculations. The Bible says he was brooding over primordial stuff. To brood is to think.
As an economist the Holy Spirit understands the law of demand and supply. The Bible says “my God shall supply all your needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus!” Philippians 4:16.
As a technologist the Holy Spirit pre-configured the database of the new creation. 1 Corinthians 5:17. How can he not understand Excel or PowerPoint presentation? He was the computational power in Genesis!
When you have your quiet time in the morning you ought to ask the Holy Spirit for advice about your business, about your job. You ought to discuss that presentation with him; he’ll lay it out for you. It’s child’s play to him. John 14:26.
Quit limiting the Spirit of God. Quit dimensioning and constraining him with your religiosity.
And so as a Christian you have three capacities: natural potentiation, grace and the Holy Spirit. All you need is focus, discipline and application.
If you’ll like to receive Jesus into your life please pray this prayer: “Father I acknowledge that I am a sinner, that Jesus died for me, that you raised him from the dead. Father please forgive me. I accept Jesus today as my Lord and my Saviour. Amen.”
© Leke Alder | talk2me@lekealder.com.
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