Chapter 5:1-5
The theme of love continues by John speaking on ultimately whoever believes in God is His child and He loves His children. The term "child of God" literally means "has been begotten by God." In verse 2 it talks about how if we are children of God then we need to love all children of God. By doing this act of love it is necessary that we keep His commandments because they are not burdensome for us. Even though no one is able to keep the commandments perfectly He still enables us to try. Verse 5 speaks about "faith that overcomes the world". This isn't just any kind of faith, but faith in Jesus as the Son of God.
Chapter 5:6-12
There is some dispute about what verse 6 is actually talking about when it says "came by water and blood". The 1st theory is that it refers to baptism and the Lord's Supper (these don't really fit with John's words). The 2nd is that it is symbolic for the water and blood that came from Jesus' side on the cross after He was speared. The 3rd which fits the context of the passage the best is that the water refers to when Jesus was baptized and the Holy Spirit came down on Him and the blood is when Jesus died on the cross. The second part of verse 6, John is once again disputing the Gnostic doctrine. They taught that Jesus was born an ordinary man, God "adopted" Him at baptism, and dismissed Him at the cross. So when it says "not with water only" this is what John is referring to. In verse 12 the scripture is written in an either or matter when it comes to salvation. You either have life with Jesus or you don't, there is no neutral ground.
Chapter 5:13-15
Verse 13 is the main theme of 1 John and what he really wanted the readers to remember. That Christians would have assurance that they are a child of God and with this assurance they would have encouragement and boldness to pray to Him for anything.(14) There are two main things to remember when we pray; not to ask in selfish demand and not to ask timidly with no real expectancy that God will answer.
Chapter 5:16-17
These verse are surrounded by alot of questions as to what John actually was talking about when he says "sin leading to death and sin not leading to death" We are not sure if he was speaking on spiritual or physical death. Within each of those topics there are even more questions but to continue on I am afraid that I will either confuse you more or just bring up unneeded questioning. To the best of my knowledge it would seem that he is speaking on blasphemy against the Holy Spirit by an unbeliever. It would be best if you looked at these verses and thought about them yourselves. (Hebrews 6:4-8;10:26-31 James 5:19-20 Acts 5:1-11 1 Cor 11:30)
Chapter 5:18-21
These verses are mainly focused on assurance again in the Lord. In verse 18 when it says that "the evil one does not touch him" these doesn't mean that we won't ever be tempted but that Satan can never cause permanent harm to us. (John 10:28) The ending of this epistle is very strange if you just read the words and don't think about it. John closes by saying "guard yourselves from idols." If you really think about it, anything we put in front of God is considered an idol. This isn't just talking about material things but could also be geared toward false teachings and other mental things. By having any form of an idol would be breaking the first commandment and we would be going against what John has spoken about throughout these past five chapters.
* I am so thankful that I have assurance in Him and know that He is always with me. I will start 2 John and 3 John tomorrow.
Showing posts with label 1 John. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 1 John. Show all posts
Saturday, June 11, 2011
1 John 4:1-21
Chapter 4:1-6
John warns against evil spirits that are out in the world. In verse 2 we are given a promise that if we have the Holy Spirit in us then no evil spirit can be within us either. He is mainly just warning the people to open their eyes to what is around them. In verse 6 he brings out the point that since we have communication with God then we will notice the evil spirits by who listens to us and who doesn't. "By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error."
Chapter 4:7-12
Again he speaks on love in these verses from now till the end of the chapter. God is the source of love and expects us to be proper channels of love to those around us. In verse 10 and 19 it talks about God taking the initative not us because of His love to send us His only Son. When we love one another, God's love is more and more perfected in us.
Chapter4:13-21
Paul continues to reassure the people that they are saved because the Holy Spirit is within them. He also brings out the big point that not only he but also several others have actually seen Jesus. He knew that Jesus was really sent to save us from our sins. John walked beside Jesus for three years, watch His miracles, listened to His words and then stood at His feet when He died. Because of this assurance and promise we as Christians can have confidence when Christ comes again that we will not perish.
John warns against evil spirits that are out in the world. In verse 2 we are given a promise that if we have the Holy Spirit in us then no evil spirit can be within us either. He is mainly just warning the people to open their eyes to what is around them. In verse 6 he brings out the point that since we have communication with God then we will notice the evil spirits by who listens to us and who doesn't. "By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error."
Chapter 4:7-12
Again he speaks on love in these verses from now till the end of the chapter. God is the source of love and expects us to be proper channels of love to those around us. In verse 10 and 19 it talks about God taking the initative not us because of His love to send us His only Son. When we love one another, God's love is more and more perfected in us.
Chapter4:13-21
Paul continues to reassure the people that they are saved because the Holy Spirit is within them. He also brings out the big point that not only he but also several others have actually seen Jesus. He knew that Jesus was really sent to save us from our sins. John walked beside Jesus for three years, watch His miracles, listened to His words and then stood at His feet when He died. Because of this assurance and promise we as Christians can have confidence when Christ comes again that we will not perish.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
1 John 3:1-24
~So I had an extra burst of energy tonight and was able to study through another chapter.
Chapter 3:1-3 Children of God
We are blessed to have such a great title given to us when we come to know the Lord. We become children of God. What a comfort that is in itself. For the people who do not have a personal relationship with Him they can not understand what this feels like. Peter states this truth in the passage of Acts 5:29-32. In verse 3 it talks about purifying ourselves so that we will be pure like Christ. The is also call sanctification. As Christians we should be constantly growing closer to the Lord. By us doing this He will continue to make us more complete in Him till the day He returns.
Chapter 3: 4-10
The word "lawlessness" in vs 4 is another term for antinomianism. Yeah I know big, crazy word. This is another form of the Gnostic teachings if I understood correctly. They believed that there were certain people who were not subject to the moral law. I guess they thought that they could live in sin and not have the consequences for it. If we are Christians we shouldn't have sin be a main characteristic of our lives since it was not that way in Christ's life.
Chapter 3:11-18
These verses speak on how we should love one another. The example of Cain and Able is listed because it portrays the perfect setting of how a brother who had hatred in his heart was willing to murder his brother who was seen a man who was righteous. In verse 15 when it says that a murder doesn't have eternal life within him, this doesn't mean that murder is an unforgivable sin. Our God forgives if we repent. John is just making the point that if there is hatred in our hearts than how can we say we are a child of God.
Chapter 3:19-24
These verses really stuck out to me cause it talks about the power of prayer. In vs 22 it says that He will give what we ask if we keep His commandments and do what is pleasing to Him. Now this doesn't mean that He will gives us every little thing we ask for. It all depends on our hearts and motives. James 4:3 says that, "if you ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may not spend it on your pleasures." We can't be selfish with our prayers. God will give us just what we need exactly when we need it. And lastly in verse 24 it gives us proof that we are true believers if the presence of the Holy Spirit is in our lives. (Romans 5:5, 8:16)
*First today, please check your hearts and see if there is any hatred towards your fellow believers. If there is repent of it and give it all to the Lord. Ask that He will take this struggle away.
*Second, as you begin to pray next time see if your heart is in the right place. Don't let selfishness hinder you from receiving God's blessings. From personal experience, whenever I have truly asked the Lord for something on my knees, He has always been faithful to bless me and usually in ways I hadn't imagined.
Chapter 3:1-3 Children of God
We are blessed to have such a great title given to us when we come to know the Lord. We become children of God. What a comfort that is in itself. For the people who do not have a personal relationship with Him they can not understand what this feels like. Peter states this truth in the passage of Acts 5:29-32. In verse 3 it talks about purifying ourselves so that we will be pure like Christ. The is also call sanctification. As Christians we should be constantly growing closer to the Lord. By us doing this He will continue to make us more complete in Him till the day He returns.
Chapter 3: 4-10
The word "lawlessness" in vs 4 is another term for antinomianism. Yeah I know big, crazy word. This is another form of the Gnostic teachings if I understood correctly. They believed that there were certain people who were not subject to the moral law. I guess they thought that they could live in sin and not have the consequences for it. If we are Christians we shouldn't have sin be a main characteristic of our lives since it was not that way in Christ's life.
Chapter 3:11-18
These verses speak on how we should love one another. The example of Cain and Able is listed because it portrays the perfect setting of how a brother who had hatred in his heart was willing to murder his brother who was seen a man who was righteous. In verse 15 when it says that a murder doesn't have eternal life within him, this doesn't mean that murder is an unforgivable sin. Our God forgives if we repent. John is just making the point that if there is hatred in our hearts than how can we say we are a child of God.
Chapter 3:19-24
These verses really stuck out to me cause it talks about the power of prayer. In vs 22 it says that He will give what we ask if we keep His commandments and do what is pleasing to Him. Now this doesn't mean that He will gives us every little thing we ask for. It all depends on our hearts and motives. James 4:3 says that, "if you ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may not spend it on your pleasures." We can't be selfish with our prayers. God will give us just what we need exactly when we need it. And lastly in verse 24 it gives us proof that we are true believers if the presence of the Holy Spirit is in our lives. (Romans 5:5, 8:16)
*First today, please check your hearts and see if there is any hatred towards your fellow believers. If there is repent of it and give it all to the Lord. Ask that He will take this struggle away.
*Second, as you begin to pray next time see if your heart is in the right place. Don't let selfishness hinder you from receiving God's blessings. From personal experience, whenever I have truly asked the Lord for something on my knees, He has always been faithful to bless me and usually in ways I hadn't imagined.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
1 John 2:1-29
Alright this chapter has alot of info in it so I hope I don't loose anyone.
Chapter 2: 1-6 Christ is our Advocate (helper, comforter, called alongside)
In John's opening statement when he refers to little children he is not really talking to a group of kids but rather is showing a sincere side or concern for the people. He keeps mentioning the word sin throughout the passage and this I believe is more geared towards the "acts" of sin than someone having a sinful lifestyle. Because Christ is our Advocate He then steps in and completes us. We ourselves will never be perfect and that is why through Christ and only Him we are able to have eternity with God. In verse 4 it begins to talks about "His Commandments." This isn't referring to the 10 Commandments that God gave Moses but instead it talking about the passage John 13:35 that commands us to love and then also in Matthew 28:19-20 where we are to share His Word (bear witness to Him).
Chapter 2: 7-11 In verse 7 it is stated that he is not writing a new commandment but an old one that they already knew about. This is talking about how usually the first thing most Christians learn first is to love. Not only God but your neighbor as well. Look at Deut. 6:5 and Lev. 19:18. John also writes about a new commandment as well seen in John 13:34, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one one another; even as I have loved you, that you also love one another." John continues to say later on in the passage that if we hate our brother that we are in darkness and does not know what he is doing. Hate =self-destruction.
Chapter 2: 12-17 In verse 12 it mentions little children again like in the opening but this time it is not determined if it is referring to actual children or the beginning stage of Christianity. There are three levels that are talked about each illustrates a different level of knowledge or strength. The "children" know that there is a God and that they are forgiven, the "fathers" are mature in their knowledge, and the young men are strong and have overcome struggles. You will have to read these verses closely to see which area you believe John is talking about. In 15 it states that we are not to love the world. This isn't talking about not loving the people in the world but not to love any opposition against God. Read Romans 8: 19-20-23 to better understand what John is talking about when he says the world will pass away. The earth awaits purification and renewal.
Chapter 2:18-23 In this part of the Scripture John writes about the last hour is near. He truly thought that the Lord would return during his lifetime. We have to remember that John was an eyewitness to all the things Jesus did during his ministry. Not only was Jesus His teacher but He was also his close friend. Why wouldn't John not want Jesus to return soon. The big topic in this group of verses is the appearance of the Antichrist (against Christ). Yes one day there will be a main Antichrist that will come but this is not what John is referring to. He is stating that the Gnostic teachers were all around them then and they were denying Christ and God of their power. He is asking the people to acknowledge that these teachers are spreading lies and are not of truth.
Chapter 2:24-29 When we are anointed by Him, He will teach us all the things that are truth we need. When we learn these things we then need to follow what He says. This will give us boldness and we won't back away when He returns. By knowing these things we will recognize righteousness in others and know that they are also believers in Him.
* As Christian we need to be on constant alert that we are not letting false teachers fill our minds and hearts with wrong doctrine. If you question something you hear from someone, please take the time to sit down and research it in the Scriptures for yourself.
Chapter 2: 1-6 Christ is our Advocate (helper, comforter, called alongside)
In John's opening statement when he refers to little children he is not really talking to a group of kids but rather is showing a sincere side or concern for the people. He keeps mentioning the word sin throughout the passage and this I believe is more geared towards the "acts" of sin than someone having a sinful lifestyle. Because Christ is our Advocate He then steps in and completes us. We ourselves will never be perfect and that is why through Christ and only Him we are able to have eternity with God. In verse 4 it begins to talks about "His Commandments." This isn't referring to the 10 Commandments that God gave Moses but instead it talking about the passage John 13:35 that commands us to love and then also in Matthew 28:19-20 where we are to share His Word (bear witness to Him).
Chapter 2: 7-11 In verse 7 it is stated that he is not writing a new commandment but an old one that they already knew about. This is talking about how usually the first thing most Christians learn first is to love. Not only God but your neighbor as well. Look at Deut. 6:5 and Lev. 19:18. John also writes about a new commandment as well seen in John 13:34, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one one another; even as I have loved you, that you also love one another." John continues to say later on in the passage that if we hate our brother that we are in darkness and does not know what he is doing. Hate =self-destruction.
Chapter 2: 12-17 In verse 12 it mentions little children again like in the opening but this time it is not determined if it is referring to actual children or the beginning stage of Christianity. There are three levels that are talked about each illustrates a different level of knowledge or strength. The "children" know that there is a God and that they are forgiven, the "fathers" are mature in their knowledge, and the young men are strong and have overcome struggles. You will have to read these verses closely to see which area you believe John is talking about. In 15 it states that we are not to love the world. This isn't talking about not loving the people in the world but not to love any opposition against God. Read Romans 8: 19-20-23 to better understand what John is talking about when he says the world will pass away. The earth awaits purification and renewal.
Chapter 2:18-23 In this part of the Scripture John writes about the last hour is near. He truly thought that the Lord would return during his lifetime. We have to remember that John was an eyewitness to all the things Jesus did during his ministry. Not only was Jesus His teacher but He was also his close friend. Why wouldn't John not want Jesus to return soon. The big topic in this group of verses is the appearance of the Antichrist (against Christ). Yes one day there will be a main Antichrist that will come but this is not what John is referring to. He is stating that the Gnostic teachers were all around them then and they were denying Christ and God of their power. He is asking the people to acknowledge that these teachers are spreading lies and are not of truth.
Chapter 2:24-29 When we are anointed by Him, He will teach us all the things that are truth we need. When we learn these things we then need to follow what He says. This will give us boldness and we won't back away when He returns. By knowing these things we will recognize righteousness in others and know that they are also believers in Him.
* As Christian we need to be on constant alert that we are not letting false teachers fill our minds and hearts with wrong doctrine. If you question something you hear from someone, please take the time to sit down and research it in the Scriptures for yourself.
1 John 1: 1-10
After talking with my husband I decided to dig into 1 John. My goal is to do at least a chapter a day maybe more depending on how long my kids let me study.
Theme and Message written by the apostle John he has two key things he wants to share 1) to reveal false teachers and 2) to help believers be assured of their salvation.
Chapter 1: 1-4 John is very excited to share the Word with those around him, so excited he repeats himself alot. He was an eyewitness to the life of Jesus and knew that He was truly the Son of God. There were many people during that time who said they were believers but in reality didn't believe that Jesus was really God in man form (manifested). These people were known as Gnostics and John spends the first verse here trying to dispute what they believe. In verse 4 he talks about wanting to have complete joy. When we are truly fellowshipping with one another in the Lord there is no way that we can't have joy. Joy shouldn't be based on things that are going on around us but what we know for sure in our hearts. Good example would be Paul rejoicing while he was in prison, "Rejoice in the Lord always." ( Phil. 4:4)
Chapter 1: 5-10 Throughout Scripture Jesus is constantly referred to as "the Light". When we are in an area that is well lite we are going to be able to see what is going on and know where to go. When we walk with the Lord He is going to show us where we need to go every step of the way. The problem is that so many people say they are walking with the Lord but really are going against Him. The scripture says that when we say we have not sinned or that there is no sin in our hearts that we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. (vs8) By saying we have no sin we are in effect making God out to be a liar, which in no way is this possible. To put it even more simply, to say we have no sin in our lives would be like saying we were just as good as God and that is self-righteousness. Thankfully we serve a forgiving God and when we repent to Him are sins He is faithful and righteous to forgive and cleanse us.
* Please take time now to see if there is any sin that you are denying that you have in your life. When you allow Jesus to show you what those sins are ask Him to cleanse you from them.
Theme and Message written by the apostle John he has two key things he wants to share 1) to reveal false teachers and 2) to help believers be assured of their salvation.
Chapter 1: 1-4 John is very excited to share the Word with those around him, so excited he repeats himself alot. He was an eyewitness to the life of Jesus and knew that He was truly the Son of God. There were many people during that time who said they were believers but in reality didn't believe that Jesus was really God in man form (manifested). These people were known as Gnostics and John spends the first verse here trying to dispute what they believe. In verse 4 he talks about wanting to have complete joy. When we are truly fellowshipping with one another in the Lord there is no way that we can't have joy. Joy shouldn't be based on things that are going on around us but what we know for sure in our hearts. Good example would be Paul rejoicing while he was in prison, "Rejoice in the Lord always." ( Phil. 4:4)
Chapter 1: 5-10 Throughout Scripture Jesus is constantly referred to as "the Light". When we are in an area that is well lite we are going to be able to see what is going on and know where to go. When we walk with the Lord He is going to show us where we need to go every step of the way. The problem is that so many people say they are walking with the Lord but really are going against Him. The scripture says that when we say we have not sinned or that there is no sin in our hearts that we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. (vs8) By saying we have no sin we are in effect making God out to be a liar, which in no way is this possible. To put it even more simply, to say we have no sin in our lives would be like saying we were just as good as God and that is self-righteousness. Thankfully we serve a forgiving God and when we repent to Him are sins He is faithful and righteous to forgive and cleanse us.
* Please take time now to see if there is any sin that you are denying that you have in your life. When you allow Jesus to show you what those sins are ask Him to cleanse you from them.
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