The Word Became Flesh: An Advent Devotional Day 7

 Day 7: Life in His Name

By Dr. Dimas Castillo

Scripture: John 20:31
"These things are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name."

Additional Reading: John 1:12-13, John 3:16-18, Romans 10:9-13, Ephesians 2:4-9

Reflection

We've spent six days exploring who Jesus is—the eternal Word, the divine Word, God who is love, the creative Word, the living Word who came to die for us. But John didn't write his Gospel just to give us information. He wrote with a purpose: "These things are written so that you may believe...and that by believing you may have life in His name."

God is talking to you. That's the significance of calling Jesus "the Word." He is God's message, God's invitation to you. Jesus is God reaching out to you, pursuing you, calling you to come to Him. For all the majesty and glory of Jesus—eternal, divine, Creator of all things, the living One—the response He asks for is profoundly simple: faith. Trust Him. Rest upon Him. Bend your knee to Him. Surrender yourself to Him, and He will give you life.

Jesus doesn't demand that you understand every theological mystery. He doesn't require that you fix yourself before coming to Him. He doesn't ask you to clean up your life first. He invites you to come as you are, with all your sins and failures and brokenness, and take from His nail-pierced hands the life that is His to give.

What does this mean practically? It means believing that Jesus is who He said He is—the Christ, the Son of God. It means acknowledging Him as Lord. It means trusting that His death on the cross paid for your sins completely. It means receiving the life He offers as a gift, not something you earn or deserve.

If you've never trusted Christ, today is the day. Don't wait. Don't think you need to get better first. Come to Him now, just as you are, and He will give you life. If you're already a believer, let this week's reflections renew your wonder at who Jesus is and what He's done for you. Let your faith be more than just words—let it transform every part of your life.

Personal Application

1. Have you truly trusted Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord? If not, what's holding you back?
2. If you have believed, is your faith being expressed in your daily life—in your choices, priorities, relationships, and pursuits?
3. What specific step of faith is Jesus calling you to take today?

Prayer

Lord Jesus, You are the eternal, divine, creative, living Word who came to die so I could live. I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, and I trust in You for salvation.

[If you're just now coming to faith, pray:] Today I surrender my life to You. I confess that I am a sinner in need of a Savior. I believe that You died on the cross for my sins and rose again from the dead. Forgive my sins, give me new life, and help me follow You all my days.

[If you're already a believer, pray:] Thank You for the life You've given me. Help me live today in the fullness of that life. May my faith in You be more than words—may it transform every part of my life. Give me fresh eyes to see Your glory, a renewed heart to love You more deeply, and renewed strength to serve You more faithfully.

Thank You that there is life, real life, abundant life, eternal life in Your name alone. Amen.