1 John 2 - 06.13.24

SCRIPTURE: 1 John 2:4-5a AMP

Whoever says, “I have come to know Him,” but does not habitually keep [focused on His precepts and obey] His commandments (teachings), is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

But whoever habitually keeps His word and obeys His precepts [and treasures His message in its entirety], in him the love of God has truly been perfected [it is completed and has reached maturity].

OBSERVATION:

The words in this letter clearly express a writer, John, who was intimately acquainted with Jesus AND His Teachings. John KNEW Jesus firsthand. He walked, ate, ministered with, learned from, and experienced the miracles with Jesus. John witnessed the Transfiguration of Jesus AND the death and resurrection of Jesus.

“We proclaim to you the ONE who existed from the beginning, whom we have heard and seen. We saw him with our own eyes and touched him with our own hands. HE is the Word of life.”

(1 John 1:1 NLT)

In his letter, John explains there is a clear distinction between those who are “Living in the Light” and those who “say they have fellowship with God but go on Living in spiritual darkness” (vs 6).

APPLICATION:

Living in the Light = Loving what God Loves

When a person becomes a believer [or a Child of God as John says] they receive the LIFE of God-eternal Life. And everyone that has this Life will demonstrate it by the way they live. There used to be a question posed in a water baptism class, “Can you see my faith?”  The supposed answer was “no”, which led to the reason for water baptism. But, I respectfully disagree with that premise. When you look at John’s guidelines that match the teachings of Jesus—it’s very clear to me as we live our lives in this broken world there is a powerful testimony waiting to happen. IF I am able to not surrender to my flesh [which is so so difficult] and just completely surrender to Jesus in the midst of my circumstances—I think many people would SEE my faith-including unbelievers. I’m feeling more convicted as God continues to bring these waves of testing.

A Child of God:

·       Acknowledges Jesus Christ as both their LORD and Savior (vs 1,2,17)

·       Loves God (vs 5)

·       Loves other believers (vs 9,11)

·       Obeys God’s commands-they do NOT go on sinning (vs 3-6)

A Child of God is evidenced by “Loving what God Loves”

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:30-31)

Love your neighbor-Neighbor from the Greek- plésion-meaning any other person irrespective of race or religion with whom we live or whom we chance to meet (see the Good Samaritan parable-Luke 10:25)

Jesus said THAT all the commandments and prophets hang on these two commandments.

Jesus continued to up the ante in His teachings. HE calls us to so much MORE-and I have been meditating lately on the “More” since so many of us have been stretched and tested lately.

Jesus tells us as His Children we are Called to Live differently from the world.

”..Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:44,45)

“If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that.” (Matthew 5:46,47)

PRAYER

Heavenly Father,

Forgive me for my grumbling. YOU are a Good Good Father. Your Gift of Salvation is reason enough to Praise YOU all the days of my Life. YOU have been abundantly exceedingly Good to me. Bring me through this season of testing faithfully. May my endurance Grow so that it will be fully developed that I may be made complete in YOUR eyes for Your Work. Help me by the Power of Your Holy Spirit to Love and Pray for those who are causing us harm right now. Forgive me for the times I think I can’t do this. It feels too hard. Thank You for sending people and prayers to strengthen and hold me up. Draw me deeper into Your Heart where my strength is revived. You are my supply. YOU are my Rock. Apart from You we can do NO-thing---WITH You—NO-Thing is Impossible.

In Jesus Name, amen.

Tina L Kudelka