Saturday, November 28, 2009

1 john 5 teaches that we achieve victory of the evil world through our faith in Jesus Christ, who has given us eternal life. John says that we may "know that we have eternal life" and that we can be "confident that He hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases Him". He says that God's children don't make a practice of sinning because "God's Son holds them securely and the evil one cannot touch them". Jesus has "given us understanding so that we can know the true God" and live in fellowship with Him. Finally, John warns that we need to "keep away from anything that might take God's place in your hearts".

Friday, November 27, 2009

1 John 4 warns of false prophets who deny the truth about Jesus. We are reminded, however, that we are indwelled by the Holy Spirit, who is "greater than the spirit who lives in the world" and therefore we "have already won a victory over those people".
Next, John explains that God is love, and the love of God is in us "who confess that Jesus is the Son of God" . Since God so loved us that he sent his one and only Son in order for us to have eternal life, "we surely ought to love each other". Furthermore, John says, "those who love God must also love their Christian brothers and sisters".

Thursday, November 26, 2009

1 John 3
We are God's children, so "let us show the truth by our actions".

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

1 john 2 teaches us that since Jesus is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, we are made complete in Him and can rightly claim to live in Him and consequently have the power and freedom to walk as He did. Through our relationship with Him, we are enabled by His grace to live a lifestyle in obedience to His word and commands. The truths of His word were evident in His life and walk, and therefore should be evident in our lives. As one begins this relationship with God, our old lifestyle of "darkness is passing and the true light is already shining", which is Christ in us. Our old worldly ways ("cravings of sinful man") pass away, "but the man who does the will of God lives forever". We are warned not to lose faith that Jesus is the Christ, which is "what you have heard from the beginning", even though some (antichrists) will try to persuade us to deny Him. Our indwelling Spirit of God teaches and guides us in truth and will faithfully remain in us, preserving us and allowing us to continue in confidence awaiting His return.

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

1 John 1 is about the reality of Christ the Messiah , who came as "the Word of life" from the father, so that we might have fellowship with the Father and receive Him, who is our eternal life. Fellowship with Him means that we walk with Him in His light, but if we deny Him we can only walk in darkness. By denying Him, we deny His Word and therefore will not have the truth and give up the privilege of resting in the eternal life available in Christ. But, if we confess our sins , He is faithful and will forgive us and we can enter into fellowship with Him and with one another in the Body, and the blood of Jesus purifies us and He becomes our eternal life.

Monday, November 23, 2009

2 Peter 3 reminds us that the day of the Lord is coming soon. Scoffers will mock the prophesies of Christ's return and will deny their creator and the only Way to eternal life. Peter encourages us to live holy and godly lives, looking forward to that day and the new heavens and new earth He has promised. We are to make every effort to be found "living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in His sight", as He continues to grow us in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Sunday, November 22, 2009

2 Peter 2 describes false teachers among us. They will cleverly teach destructive heresies, and will follow their evil teaching and shameful immorality. They are proud and arrogant, and they act like "unthinking animals", behaving by instinct and indulge themselves in evil pleasures. They delight in deception and "are as useless as dried-up springs". Peter says they would have been better off if they had never known the way to righteousness, since they reject the command to live a holy life. They prove true the proverb: "A washed pig returns to the mud". Their destruction is their reward as they live under God's curse.