Archive for November, 2006
21:8 David said to God, “I have sinned greatly by doing this! Now, please remove the guilt of your servant, for I have acted very foolishly.” 21:9 The Lord told Gad, David’s prophet, 21:10 “Go, tell David, ‘This is what the Lord says: “I am offering you three forms of judgment from which to choose. [...]
The second letter of John is addressed to the “chosen lady and her children.” This may refer to a particular church and the subsequent members of that congregation, or to a specific person and family. In either case, John loved her and all those who are in the truth.
The greeting is [...]
Again, John reminds the readers that there are a few deal breakers for those who love God. We cannot love God without loving His children. We cannot love God without obeying His commands – and they’re not burdensome. This faith in action overcomes the world.
So what is our status with God when [...]
Friends, don’t believe everything you hear! (That’s timely advice.)
If you hear about Jesus being from God, that’s a message you can trust. If, however, you hear a message that is contrary to that, don’t believe it.
People who do not have the power of God in them will see the world from [...]
Previously in this letter John has used the phrase “dear children” to refer to the believers. But there is a more important concept that is introduced in 1 John 3. We are not just John’s children in faith, we are the children of God Himself.
After introducing this important concept, John returns to sin (lawlessness). I’m [...]
John writes this letter for the purpose of helping the recipients avoid sin. Certainly, we hope to avoid sin, and help others do likewise. But if anyone does sin, (and it’s pretty likely that we will at some point) we have someone who speaks on our behalf, atoning for us! How wonderful [...]
Ironically, we’re studying I John in our church Bible study, and I’ll be leading the study this Sunday. However, I can’t use this for this Sunday’s study – we already did chapter 1 – but at least it will get me in the mood for the Bible study that I still have to write.
So if [...]
