“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God–children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

For me, this is the most theologically significant passage in the Bible. This passage from John is what I base my understanding of salvation upon. It is through this passage that I read the rest of the Bible. At the end of the day I believe that Jesus reveals himself to all people and all those who receive Jesus are made a part of God’s family. That is the Fundamental Theorem of Christianity. If anyone receives Christ then I consider them my brother or sister, and look forward to spending eternity with them in the family of God. All other theological considerations are secondary family debates that should never be a reason to break fellowship.

I know lots of people who want the Psalms read on their death bed. I have always said if someone starts reading Psalms to me while I’m dying, I will tear the Bible from their hands. This is the passage I want read. When I leave this world I want to go out with the words of John 1 guiding my soul to the next.

O God, by the leading of a star you manifested your only Son to the Peoples of the earth: Lead us, who know you now by faith, to your presence, where we may see your glory face to face; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.