"But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through His name" (John 20:31).

John's Gospel is perhaps the best tool with which to lead people to saving faith in Christ, for this was John's very purpose in writing. He presents the claims of Christ and evidences for the deity of Christ, along with His substitutionary death and resurrection, in a uniquely effective way.

It is very important to note, however, that John begins with an affirmation of the truth of special creation. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. . . . All things were made by Him; and without Him was not any thing made that was made" (John 1:1, 3). This creative word was Jesus Christ, for "the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us" (v. 14).

John also points out the world's rejection of its Creator. "He was in the world, and the world was made by Him, and the world knew Him not" (v. 10). The world, on the whole, then rejected--and still rejects--its Creator, who was "the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world" (v. 9). But not all rejected, for "as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name" (v. 12).

And what is His name? In context, His name is given as "the Word," "God!" "the true Light," (vv. 1, 9). Only after this is He revealed as the Lamb of God; the Son of God; the Messiah (vv. 29, 34, 41), names which imply His functions and attributes.

If we would be more effective evangelists, we would do well to follow the approach used by John. Christ must first be accepted as the omnipotent (but offended and rejected) Creator, before He really can be understood and received as incarnate, dying, sin-purging, glorified Savior. HMM