1 John
How to stay committed to God
| 1 John / 9 |
There are many different ideas, ideologies, religions, cultural influences etc., that try to undermine our faith in God. This is not a new thing. In this section of the letter, John writes to warn his readers about the dangers of false teachers, who he refers to as antichrists. John also encourages his readers that they have all they need to stand firm against these influences and stay committed to God. This is because we have been anointed by God. We have received the Holy Spirit who guides us in all truth. Read more
There are many different ideas, ideologies, religions, cultural influences etc., that try to undermine our faith in God. This is not a new thing. In this section of the letter, John writes to warn his readers about the dangers of false teachers, who he refers to as antichrists. John also encourages his readers that they have all they need to stand firm against these influences and stay committed to God. This is because we have been anointed by God. We have received the Holy Spirit who guides us in all truth. Read more
Do not love the world
| 1 John / 7 |
John gives his readers a rather stark warning. Do not love the world or anything in it. This might seem harsh but John is warning us not to be infatuated with the world of sin and evil that is governed by Satan and works in opposition to God. This infatuation with the world is characterised by 3 elements: what the sinful self desires, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. Read more
John gives his readers a rather stark warning. Do not love the world or anything in it. This might seem harsh but John is warning us not to be infatuated with the world of sin and evil that is governed by Satan and works in opposition to God. This infatuation with the world is characterised by 3 elements: what the sinful self desires, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. Read more
Stages of Faith
| 1 John / 6 |
In our passage for this week, John addresses the different people he writes to, and he gives a word of encouragement to each one. Dear children, young followers and veterans in the faith are all addressed, making it clear that John is speaking to everyone, whatever stage of your faith journey you are in. The dear children are the new blood that refreshes the church. The young followers are the muscles that engage in the battles of life and advance the gospel The veterans are the skeleton that gives stability and structure to the Church. Read more
In our passage for this week, John addresses the different people he writes to, and he gives a word of encouragement to each one. Dear children, young followers and veterans in the faith are all addressed, making it clear that John is speaking to everyone, whatever stage of your faith journey you are in. The dear children are the new blood that refreshes the church. The young followers are the muscles that engage in the battles of life and advance the gospel The veterans are the skeleton that gives stability and structure to the Church. Read more
An Old-New Command - Love
| 1 John / 5 |
John speaks to the Church and reminds them that we have a command, that has been given to us since the beginning. But this is also a command that has been made new through Jesus. This command is for us to love. We are called to love all people, not just those we like, not just those that believe what we do, but all people, because by the way we love, people will know we are Jesus’ disciples. We are also called to love not with our fleeting human love, but the love of God that Jesus pours into our hearts so we can pour it out to others. Read more
John speaks to the Church and reminds them that we have a command, that has been given to us since the beginning. But this is also a command that has been made new through Jesus. This command is for us to love. We are called to love all people, not just those we like, not just those that believe what we do, but all people, because by the way we love, people will know we are Jesus’ disciples. We are also called to love not with our fleeting human love, but the love of God that Jesus pours into our hearts so we can pour it out to others. Read more
Love and Obedience
| 1 John / 4 |
How do we know that we know God? This was a question that the Christians that John was writing to were asking. They were getting very confused about how they could be sure that they knew God. John wanted his audience to know that to truly know God, our knowledge should not be just intellectual, not just obedience, but relationship with God. Readings 1 John 2:3-6 Quotes Salvation cannot be bought with the currency of obedience; it is purchased by the blood of the Son of God. Thinking that we can trade our good works for salvation is like buying a plane ticket and then supposing we own the airline. Or thinking that after paying rent for our home, we now hold title to the entire planet earth. Dieter F. Uchtdorf Read more
How do we know that we know God? This was a question that the Christians that John was writing to were asking. They were getting very confused about how they could be sure that they knew God. John wanted his audience to know that to truly know God, our knowledge should not be just intellectual, not just obedience, but relationship with God. Readings 1 John 2:3-6 Quotes Salvation cannot be bought with the currency of obedience; it is purchased by the blood of the Son of God. Thinking that we can trade our good works for salvation is like buying a plane ticket and then supposing we own the airline. Or thinking that after paying rent for our home, we now hold title to the entire planet earth. Dieter F. Uchtdorf Read more
