The beginning of John's gospel

The beginning of John's gospel (John 1:1-18) offers a succinct, yet powerful, summary of what faith means. It's worth reading that passage as often as needed, in order to re-focus our faith. But don't rush through it! Read it slowly, reflecting on every word.

After reading the passage, the question we must ask ourselves is this: Do we believe it? If not, it suggests that something has hardened our heart to that message. Perhaps unconfessed sin? Perhaps an attitude of self-sufficiency? Whatever the source, let us pray to God to remove those parts of our hearts, so that we can believe his message.

Here, I post parts of John 1:1-18 (NLT), but I encourage you to reflect on the whole passage.

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. 

...

He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.
...

From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another. For the law was given through Moses, but God’s unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ. ... He has revealed God to us.