Read Today's Passage
I get the very distinct impression that the recipients of John's letter needed a thorough explanation of just what love is. Again in this chapter we see more explanation that in order to be called Christians we need to love God and follow His commands. But what sin is John talking about that does not lead to death? Is it just sins that do not affect the physical body directly, such as lying, stealing and cheating? Or is it something else entirely? And why are we only supposed to pray for those who have committed sin that does not lead to death? Are we talking grieving the Holy Spirit here, or something else? Perhaps we need to look at what else John has said about Christians. According to John, people born of the Spirit do not sin willingly, so is this here implying that it is not a Christian sinning, a person who has willingly sinned in such a way that they have delivered themselves into Satan's hands? Is it public sin? Visible? How do we see it? Or perhaps this person who we are forbidden to pray for is not only someone who has not been truly born of Christ, but claims to be and is sinning willingly while being a part of the church? In that instance should we not pray for blessings of life on that person, but judgment, reconciliation and forgiveness for that person? Lots of questions..
I do love how John wraps up this letter, with a plea for the readers not to give into idolatry. For what is at the heart of idolatry, but love and devotion for something other than God?
Hmmm...
(Check out the commentary for the second half of this passage)
Showing posts with label 1 John. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 1 John. Show all posts
Friday, September 26, 2008
Thursday, September 25, 2008
1 John Chapter Four
Read Today's Passage
Ever needed a good passage that tells you to double check what others are saying in the name of Christ? Go no further. Do you double check what pastors tell you? What your friends tell you? What I tell you here in this blog? Many of us do not, and as a result we get led down the wrong paths in the name of Jesus, declaring lies as truth.
And if you ever needed an exhaustive definition of what love is, look no further than the second half of this passage. What do you think of what John says about love?
Ever needed a good passage that tells you to double check what others are saying in the name of Christ? Go no further. Do you double check what pastors tell you? What your friends tell you? What I tell you here in this blog? Many of us do not, and as a result we get led down the wrong paths in the name of Jesus, declaring lies as truth.
And if you ever needed an exhaustive definition of what love is, look no further than the second half of this passage. What do you think of what John says about love?
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
1 John Chapter Three
Read Today's Passage
It is interesting how John keeps using love and sin throughout the book so far. Each time he brings up sin it is to point out that a person who willingly sins is not showing love for God. In fact, here John calls those who willingly sin children of Satan, not of God. But what exactly does he mean in verse 9 when he says that anyone born of God cannot sin?
And then he takes it even further by saying that we need to do more to love than just say that we love. We need to show it through our actions. And if we don't show it? We do not love. And if we do not love? We are not children of God. Wow. Tough stuff.
A side note: 1 John 3.16-19 is among the most impacting passages on my life.
What do you think?
It is interesting how John keeps using love and sin throughout the book so far. Each time he brings up sin it is to point out that a person who willingly sins is not showing love for God. In fact, here John calls those who willingly sin children of Satan, not of God. But what exactly does he mean in verse 9 when he says that anyone born of God cannot sin?
And then he takes it even further by saying that we need to do more to love than just say that we love. We need to show it through our actions. And if we don't show it? We do not love. And if we do not love? We are not children of God. Wow. Tough stuff.
A side note: 1 John 3.16-19 is among the most impacting passages on my life.
What do you think?
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
1 John Chapter Two
Read Today's Passage
Wow. Not only are those who do not live according to the commands of Jesus deceiving themselves, but anyone who does not love their brother is doing the same thing. How does this translate into our broken homes today? Love is not just playing nice, so how does this passage impact and translate into sibling squabbles? Divorce? Declaring your undying hatred for a sister who has gone "too far"? Ignoring a younger sibling just because they annoy you? Does this expose us for being frauds? Or are we content to just rationalize it as acceptable family behavior?
Speaking of love, what do you love in the world so much that you place it as more important in your life than God (or even family) is? We all have something, what is yours?
Did you ever think that the whole buildup to a singular "Anti-Christ" is misleading? According to John here, anyone who denies Jesus Christ is an anti-Christ. Have you ever been guilty of being and anti-Christ? We need to remember to remain within the protection and guidance of Jesus' teaching, lest we become and anti-Christ. If we go outside of His directives, if we do or own thing and ignore what He says, we are denying His Lordship, and are saying that we are against Him.
Deep thoughts. What about you?
Wow. Not only are those who do not live according to the commands of Jesus deceiving themselves, but anyone who does not love their brother is doing the same thing. How does this translate into our broken homes today? Love is not just playing nice, so how does this passage impact and translate into sibling squabbles? Divorce? Declaring your undying hatred for a sister who has gone "too far"? Ignoring a younger sibling just because they annoy you? Does this expose us for being frauds? Or are we content to just rationalize it as acceptable family behavior?
Speaking of love, what do you love in the world so much that you place it as more important in your life than God (or even family) is? We all have something, what is yours?
Did you ever think that the whole buildup to a singular "Anti-Christ" is misleading? According to John here, anyone who denies Jesus Christ is an anti-Christ. Have you ever been guilty of being and anti-Christ? We need to remember to remain within the protection and guidance of Jesus' teaching, lest we become and anti-Christ. If we go outside of His directives, if we do or own thing and ignore what He says, we are denying His Lordship, and are saying that we are against Him.
Deep thoughts. What about you?
Monday, September 22, 2008
1 John Chapter One
Read Today's Passage
So simple does John lay this core truth of Christianity out for us. If we claim to be Christians, but o not live our lives to show it, we are deceiving ourselves. And the world. If we claim to love Him and say that we follow His commands, but continue to live our lives the way that WE want to, we are not really Christians. But if we do indeed admit that we are sinful, that we are imperfect and that we do indeed need saving, Jesus' sacrifice is all that we need to restore our fellowship with God.
Brief, simple, bold. No fence-sitting from John here. I can't wait to see what's next.
How about you?
So simple does John lay this core truth of Christianity out for us. If we claim to be Christians, but o not live our lives to show it, we are deceiving ourselves. And the world. If we claim to love Him and say that we follow His commands, but continue to live our lives the way that WE want to, we are not really Christians. But if we do indeed admit that we are sinful, that we are imperfect and that we do indeed need saving, Jesus' sacrifice is all that we need to restore our fellowship with God.
Brief, simple, bold. No fence-sitting from John here. I can't wait to see what's next.
How about you?
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