June 12, 2004

THE ONLY BEGOTTEN SON

"No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him" (John 1:18, NKJV).

This unique title, "The Only Begotten Son," is used five times in reference to Jesus in the New Testament and is found only in the writing of John.

The expression is derived from two Greek words meaning "only" and "kind." Properly translated, it would mean the "Unique One" or the "only one of a kind." Hence, Jesus is the "Unique One," the "Unparalleled One," or the Incomparable One." He is the Son of God in a unique sense that is totally different from any human father-son relationship. This title is used to indicate the uniqueness of Christ in the plan of salvation.

The apostle John identifies several important reasons why Christ is the Unique One. First, because He is the unique manifestation of the nature and character of God the Father. Second, as the unique one, Christ was singularly qualified to save a lost world. Therefore, God gave Him as His unique Son to die for the world (see John 3:16).

Third, in the final judgement of the world, the criterion of acceptance before God is belief in "the only begotten Son of God" (John 3:18, NKJV). John's fourth reason is that God manifested His supreme love to all humanity by sending His "only begotten Son" (1 John 4:9, NKJV). Therefore, Christ was the unique manifestation of God's redeeming love and grace. Indeed, everything about Jesus Christ is unique! "When God gave His Only Begotten Son to our world, He gave all the treasures of heaven... The greatest display of majesty and power is given to the world through the Only Begotten Son of God."--The Southern Work, p. 32.

My Prayer Today: Lord, You have given Your only begotten Son for my salvation. May I treasure this unique gift. Amen.