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
1 John 1 - 6.12.24
Scripture
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9, NIV)
Observation
The epistle of 1 John is written by Apostle John, in which he addresses believers of the early church. We are God’s children, and we need to walk in the light as Jesus walked. When we walk in the light, we have fellowship with one another. We do not hold grudges towards anyone. Most importantly, everytime we sin in thought, word or deed, we need to listen to the gentle, convincing voice of the Holy Spirit and confess our sins immediately. When we repent of our sins and confess them, the blood of Jesus Christ washes us, and He purifes us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:7,9).
Application
Once we accept the Lord and put our trust in Him, we become a new creation. (2 Cor 5:17). It is important for us to walk as He walked. People who go back to their sins after being are likened to a dog who goes back to his vomit (2 Peter 2:22). We are called to be holy, just as He is holy (1 Peter 1:15,16). Anytime we sin and grieve the Holy Spirit of God, we need to confess our sins, and allow the blood of Jesus to wash over us and cleanse us. We need to keep our conscience tender. When the still small voice of the Holy Spirit convicts us, we need to immediately repent. Let us not rationalize our sin, however big or small, and find excuses to continue in the sin that grieves our God.
Prayer
Dear Father, Thank you for choosing me. Thank you for washing me with the blood of Jesus and forgiving my sins. Thank you for making me your child. Please make me sensitive to the voice of your Holy Spirit. Forgive me for the times I have rationalized my sin and did not submit to your gentle convicting voice. Remind me of any unconfessed sin in my life, so that I can confess and be purified by you. May my life be a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to you (Romans 12:1). In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.
- Asha Chacko George
2 Peter 3 - 6.11.24
SCRIPTURE: 2 Peter 3:17 “Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever! Amen
OBSERVATION: Peter knew it was important to write this second letter, warning the Christians about the false teachers, as he strongly encouraged them to grow in their faith and knowledge of Jesus.
Peter reminded Christians that in the last days false teachers would become prevalent. They will do and say anything for money, distort the truth, reject the things of God, and be proud and boastful as they do whatever they feel like doing. Sound familiar? We are living in the last days. Those descriptions fit perfectly with the world we are living in today, which is filled with many false teachers who claim to have the truth.
APPLICATION: Since the Word of God is truth, we all need to take heed to the warnings in it. Peter’s letters give guidance for danger, and hope for growing Christians. No matter how mature we become in our walk with the Lord, this sinful world will always challenge our faith. That’s why it’s vitally important that we take heed to the red flag warnings regarding the dangers up ahead if we follow the pattern of this sinful world.
PRAYER: Thank You Lord for the warnings that protect us from danger as we follow You. I pray we will respond by holding fast to Your Word as we grow in our faith, and that You will help us to discern the truth from lies. Thank You for helping us to keep a careful watch against falling into false doctrine as we grow in the grace and knowledge of You, and for giving us the wisdom, strength, and courage to take a stand for truth in all circumstances.
- Robin Orefice