1 John 5:19 "And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness."
When this verse says we are "of God", it is speaking of our origin, where we came from. Our origin is God. We are His children now, born into this new, miraculous life. This is not what we were, or used to be. Our origin prior to this new birth was the world.
The word "lieth" here can refer literally to one buried or to a foundation. Metaphorically speaking, it refers to something that "lies in the power of the evil one, i.e. is held in subjection by the devil." This was our origin before salvation. And it is the origin and dwelling place of those apart from Christ.
Our calling is to bring the Good News of salvation to those dwelling in this wickedness, to show them the path from darkness to light. We are of God. Think about that! If you were "of the Navy Seals", if the Navy Seals were your origin, how would that change your outlook on life? Now multiply that by infinity!
Am I living today like I am "of God"? How would my life be different if I truly were living that way?
Thursday, August 31, 2017
Wednesday, August 30, 2017
Keepeth Himself
1 John 5:18 "We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not."
We've discussed before what it means for a child of God to "sin not". But this verse takes another step - a child of God will keep himself. While we rest in God's completed work, His love, mercy, and power, we are not absolved from responsibility for our spiritual well-being.
To "keep" means to: "to attend to carefully, take care of, to guard, metaph. to keep, one in the state in which he is..."
The victory over sin has been won by Christ's death. Yet we still have our sinful flesh to contend with. This is done through resting every day in Christ's victory as well as through diligently taking care of, guarding our hearts. This is a struggle, a war, but we fight knowing that victory is already ours.
Do I fight daily to keep myself in the sanctified state in which I am in Christ?
We've discussed before what it means for a child of God to "sin not". But this verse takes another step - a child of God will keep himself. While we rest in God's completed work, His love, mercy, and power, we are not absolved from responsibility for our spiritual well-being.
To "keep" means to: "to attend to carefully, take care of, to guard, metaph. to keep, one in the state in which he is..."
The victory over sin has been won by Christ's death. Yet we still have our sinful flesh to contend with. This is done through resting every day in Christ's victory as well as through diligently taking care of, guarding our hearts. This is a struggle, a war, but we fight knowing that victory is already ours.
Do I fight daily to keep myself in the sanctified state in which I am in Christ?
Tuesday, August 29, 2017
God's Will & Prayer
John 5:14-15 "And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him."
God's will is often thought of as a vague concept. It's that far off something that we should seek, but we're not quite sure how. This couldn't be further from the truth. God makes His will very clear in the Scriptures.
We know His will is for us to give thanks, be sanctified, avoid sexual immorality, deny ourselves, take up our cross, follow Him. It is God's will that we do good works, be filled with the Spirit, act justly, love mercy, and to walk humbly with God. And this is just scratching the surface.
Stop wondering what God's will is, and start praying with confidence that He will hear, according to that revealed will. While we may still desire to know specifically what God's will is in a specific life circumstance, the fact remains that His revealed will is enough to keep us busy while we wait for His direction.
What part of God's revealed will am I going to pray about, asking in faith, today? Do I believe God's promise that He will hear me and grant that petition?
God's will is often thought of as a vague concept. It's that far off something that we should seek, but we're not quite sure how. This couldn't be further from the truth. God makes His will very clear in the Scriptures.
We know His will is for us to give thanks, be sanctified, avoid sexual immorality, deny ourselves, take up our cross, follow Him. It is God's will that we do good works, be filled with the Spirit, act justly, love mercy, and to walk humbly with God. And this is just scratching the surface.
Stop wondering what God's will is, and start praying with confidence that He will hear, according to that revealed will. While we may still desire to know specifically what God's will is in a specific life circumstance, the fact remains that His revealed will is enough to keep us busy while we wait for His direction.
What part of God's revealed will am I going to pray about, asking in faith, today? Do I believe God's promise that He will hear me and grant that petition?
Monday, August 28, 2017
The Son and Life
1 John 5:11-12 "And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life."
It is very important to be reminded at times of the simplicity of the Gospel and the Christian life. Too often we see people get caught up in specific doctrines while losing sight of the simple truths that led to them to Christ in the first place. There is nothing wrong with studying and knowing biblical, sound doctrine. However, our "first love" comes from a simple Gospel, a simple Truth.
True life can only be found in one place - the Son of God. Nowhere else. Life, not as the world gives, but as the Father gives.
Life: "of the absolute fulness of life, both essential and ethical, which belongs to God, and through him both to the hypostatic "logos" and to Christ in whom the "logos" put on human nature."
Life: "real and genuine, a life active and vigorous, devoted to God, blessed, in the portion even in this world of those who put their trust in Christ, but after the resurrection to be consummated by new accessions (among them a more perfect body), and to last for ever."
Today, can I return to the simplicity of my life in Christ? Rest peacefully, content in the knowledge that I have the Son, I have life.
It is very important to be reminded at times of the simplicity of the Gospel and the Christian life. Too often we see people get caught up in specific doctrines while losing sight of the simple truths that led to them to Christ in the first place. There is nothing wrong with studying and knowing biblical, sound doctrine. However, our "first love" comes from a simple Gospel, a simple Truth.
True life can only be found in one place - the Son of God. Nowhere else. Life, not as the world gives, but as the Father gives.
Life: "of the absolute fulness of life, both essential and ethical, which belongs to God, and through him both to the hypostatic "logos" and to Christ in whom the "logos" put on human nature."
Life: "real and genuine, a life active and vigorous, devoted to God, blessed, in the portion even in this world of those who put their trust in Christ, but after the resurrection to be consummated by new accessions (among them a more perfect body), and to last for ever."
Today, can I return to the simplicity of my life in Christ? Rest peacefully, content in the knowledge that I have the Son, I have life.
Wednesday, August 23, 2017
3 Witnesses
1 John 5:8 "And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one."
A faith, powerful enough to overcome the world, must have a Heavenly source. And not only that, it must be backed up in a powerful way with evidence. God provided us with plentiful evidence in His recorded Word, we see evidence in Creation. But He doesn't leave us with that alone.
The Holy Spirit dwells within each saved soul. He is our Comforter, not only in times of trial, but at all times, He comforts us with the knowledge that we are safe in Christ's accomplished work. The Holy Spirit is a witness of our faith.
The blood and water are also witnesses. Matthew Henry puts it beautifully:
"By the water our souls are washed and purified for heaven and the region of saints in light. By the blood God is glorified, his law is honoured, and his vindictive excellences are illustrated and displayed."
Take some time to dwell on the witness of the faith in your life today. Allow these witnesses to strengthen that faith, to empower it to the strength of an overcoming faith.
A faith, powerful enough to overcome the world, must have a Heavenly source. And not only that, it must be backed up in a powerful way with evidence. God provided us with plentiful evidence in His recorded Word, we see evidence in Creation. But He doesn't leave us with that alone.
The Holy Spirit dwells within each saved soul. He is our Comforter, not only in times of trial, but at all times, He comforts us with the knowledge that we are safe in Christ's accomplished work. The Holy Spirit is a witness of our faith.
The blood and water are also witnesses. Matthew Henry puts it beautifully:
"By the water our souls are washed and purified for heaven and the region of saints in light. By the blood God is glorified, his law is honoured, and his vindictive excellences are illustrated and displayed."
Take some time to dwell on the witness of the faith in your life today. Allow these witnesses to strengthen that faith, to empower it to the strength of an overcoming faith.
Tuesday, August 22, 2017
Overcome
1 John 5:4 "For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith."
"Faith: conviction of the truth of anything, belief; in the NT of a conviction or belief respecting man's relationship to God and divine things, generally with the included idea of trust and holy fervour born of faith and joined with it."
"World: the ungodly multitude; the whole mass of men alienated from God, and therefore hostile to the cause of Christ."
How can it be that our conviction of the truth is what overcomes the mass of ungodly, hostile men? Because true faith produces works. It is only dead faith that does not have works accompanying it. True faith moves us to action.
If I am truly convicted in my heart of hearts that God raised Christ from the dead, that He dwells with me and I have a relationship with Him, how can I do anything but act in accordance with this radical belief? Where is my holy fervor that burns within my soul? Conviction of the Truth results in no fear, because if God is for us, then who can stand against us?
"Faith: conviction of the truth of anything, belief; in the NT of a conviction or belief respecting man's relationship to God and divine things, generally with the included idea of trust and holy fervour born of faith and joined with it."
"World: the ungodly multitude; the whole mass of men alienated from God, and therefore hostile to the cause of Christ."
How can it be that our conviction of the truth is what overcomes the mass of ungodly, hostile men? Because true faith produces works. It is only dead faith that does not have works accompanying it. True faith moves us to action.
If I am truly convicted in my heart of hearts that God raised Christ from the dead, that He dwells with me and I have a relationship with Him, how can I do anything but act in accordance with this radical belief? Where is my holy fervor that burns within my soul? Conviction of the Truth results in no fear, because if God is for us, then who can stand against us?
Thursday, August 10, 2017
Not Grievous
1 John 5:3 "For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous."
The general perception of the world is that rules are burdens. They limit our freedom and therefore are a bad thing. This is not to be the view of the Christian. The word 'grievous' here means burdensome or weighty.
Read Psalm 119. The longest chapter in the entire Bible is a tribute to the wonder and beauty of God's law. Psalm 119:14 "I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies [precept, ordinance, revealed law], as much as in all riches." David is not using hyperbole, he is pouring out his heart. He is saying that even if he had all riches, walking in the way of God's law would still make him more happy.
Do I view God's commands as grievous? Or are they my delight? Do I see the benefit and blessing that comes from keeping His law?
The general perception of the world is that rules are burdens. They limit our freedom and therefore are a bad thing. This is not to be the view of the Christian. The word 'grievous' here means burdensome or weighty.
Read Psalm 119. The longest chapter in the entire Bible is a tribute to the wonder and beauty of God's law. Psalm 119:14 "I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies [precept, ordinance, revealed law], as much as in all riches." David is not using hyperbole, he is pouring out his heart. He is saying that even if he had all riches, walking in the way of God's law would still make him more happy.
Do I view God's commands as grievous? Or are they my delight? Do I see the benefit and blessing that comes from keeping His law?
Wednesday, August 9, 2017
Love and Keep
1 John 5:2 "By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments."
Thank God that there is an "and" in this verse. Love without obedience is just as pointless as obedience without love. The way God made this world requires that both love and obedience work in concert.
The beauty of it is that obedience will lead to more love, which will lead to more obedience, and the cycle continues. Obedience leads to love because fulfilling God's commands is not only right, it is good. "...Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in his commandments." Psalm 112:1 Like a taste of honey makes us love sweetness, the blessing obedience makes us love the One Who blesses. As our love grows, so will our desire to please Him through the keeping of His commands.
Do I love God enough to obey Him? Do I obey Him enough to show my love for Him?
Thank God that there is an "and" in this verse. Love without obedience is just as pointless as obedience without love. The way God made this world requires that both love and obedience work in concert.
The beauty of it is that obedience will lead to more love, which will lead to more obedience, and the cycle continues. Obedience leads to love because fulfilling God's commands is not only right, it is good. "...Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in his commandments." Psalm 112:1 Like a taste of honey makes us love sweetness, the blessing obedience makes us love the One Who blesses. As our love grows, so will our desire to please Him through the keeping of His commands.
Do I love God enough to obey Him? Do I obey Him enough to show my love for Him?
Tuesday, August 8, 2017
He is a Liar
1 John 4:20 "If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?"
To the human mind, this may almost seem backwards. The human mind creates perceptions of the unseen. Often these perceptions are wrong. We think that because we haven't seen God, we can imagine what He might be like. This is idolatry, creating a "god" in our own mind, after our own thoughts.
We know what God is like. The Bible is very clear on His attributes. So even though we haven't seen Him, we know full well Who He is and what He is like. Yet we have never seen Him. We are missing that visual piece of knowledge.
The visual sense is very strong. Having seen our brothers and sisters here on earth, we know them not only by their attributes, but through sight and experience. If you do not love this earthly person whom you have seen and known, how can you say you love the God you claim to know and love?
To the human mind, this may almost seem backwards. The human mind creates perceptions of the unseen. Often these perceptions are wrong. We think that because we haven't seen God, we can imagine what He might be like. This is idolatry, creating a "god" in our own mind, after our own thoughts.
We know what God is like. The Bible is very clear on His attributes. So even though we haven't seen Him, we know full well Who He is and what He is like. Yet we have never seen Him. We are missing that visual piece of knowledge.
The visual sense is very strong. Having seen our brothers and sisters here on earth, we know them not only by their attributes, but through sight and experience. If you do not love this earthly person whom you have seen and known, how can you say you love the God you claim to know and love?
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