I JOHN:God Keeps His Promises; "And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son!"

Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot [God] also loves him who is begotten of Him [Christ Jesus].  For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? (I John 5:1, 4-5)

What does "Christ" mean?  We often use it like it's Jesus last name, but it's a title.  Christ means anointed one , chosen by divine intervention, to fulfill the promises of God, of the coming "Messiah", the savior of the Jews and the world, as written and told in the Old Testament prophecies.  From the first to the last book of the Old Testament, everything that God spoke and commanded was to prepare the people for what Christ would fulfill in the flesh: For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect. For then would they not have ceased to be offered? For the worshipers, once purified, would have had no more consciousness of sins.  But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year.  For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins. (Hebrews 10:1-4)

Therefore, when He [Christ Jesus] came into the world, He said:

“Sacrifice and offering You did not desire,
But a body You have prepared for Me.
In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin
You had no pleasure.

Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come—
In the volume of the book it is written of Me—
To do Your will, O God.’”[Psalm 40:6-8]

Previously saying, “Sacrifice and offering, burnt offerings, and offerings for sin You did not desire, nor had pleasure in them” (which are offered according to the law), then He said, “Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God.” He takes away the first [old covenant or testament] that He may establish the second [new covenant or testament].  By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. (Hebrews 10:5-10)

Many people don't believe that Jesus is important or necessary in having a relationship with God, but God makes it clear that we have to believe in His Only Begotten Son (John 3:10-21)!  All the patriarchs that died before Christ came in the flesh were saved because they believed the Word of God and had faith that they would see The Promised One of God (Romans 4).  Just like Noah obeyed God and built the ark, even though the people of the world thought he was crazy.  They probably wished they had believed what God told Noah, after they saw the flood, as they were drowning (Genesis 6-8).

If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater; for this is the witness of God which He has testified of His Son. He who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself; he who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed the testimony that God has given of His Son. And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God. (I John 5:9-13)  

When Jesus died on the cross for the sins of the world, a most unique thing happened: But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out. (John 19:34) This is He who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not only by water, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is truth. For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word [John1:1-18], and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness on earth: the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree as one. (I John 5:6-8)  

Jesus explained in great detail that these witnesses have to be believed, because these witnesses aren't of men but are from God: “If I bear witness of Myself, My witness is not true. There is another who bears witness of Me, and I know that the witness which He witnesses of Me is true.  You have sent to John, and he has borne witness to the truth. [John 3:22-36] Yet I do not receive testimony from man, but I say these things that you may be saved.  He was the burning and shining lamp, and you were willing for a time to rejoice in his light.  But I have a greater witness than John’s; for the works which the Father has given Me to finish—the very works that I do—bear witness of Me, that the Father has sent Me.  And the Father Himself, who sent Me, has testified of Me. You have neither heard His voice at any time, nor seen His form. But you do not have His word abiding in you, because whom He sent, Him you do not believe. You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life. (John 5:31-40)

“I do not receive honor from men.  But I know you, that you do not have the love of God in you.  I have come in My Father’s name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, him you will receive.  How can you believe, who receive honor from one another, and do not seek the honor that comes from the only God?  Do not think that I shall accuse you to the Father; there is one who accuses you—Moses, in whom you trust.  For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me.  But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?” (John 5:41-47)  

So how should we respond to so great a promise from God, that was fulfilled completely in His Son, Christ Jesus?  By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. (I John 5:2-3)  We have to obey the Word of God, in faith, believing without seeing that whatever he promises, He will do. Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: 

"For yet a little while,
And He who is coming will come and will not tarry.
Now the just shall live by faith;
But if anyone draws back,
My soul has no pleasure in him.”[Habbakuk 2:3-4]

But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul. (Hebrews 10:35-39)  

Just like Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, David, Solomon, Ruth, Ester, all the prophets and a host of others, These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland.  And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return.  But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them. (Hebrews 11:13-16) ...and for all of us, who believe!

I JOHN:Definition of Love; "God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him!"

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God [John 3:16]; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. (I John 4:7-8)

God is love, and "God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4:24) We can't see God with our natural eyes, because as He told Moses, “You cannot see My face; for no man shall see Me, and live.” (Exodus 33:20) But the evidence that He is real is throughout creation, and was manifested in the person of Christ Jesus. In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him [John16:27].  In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins [Romans 5:8].  Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another [John 15:13]. (I John 4:9-11)

No one has seen God at any time [John 1:18]. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us [John 17:23].  By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit [John 16:13].  And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world [John 1:29].  Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.  And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him [John 15:9]. (I John 4:12-15)

Christ Jesus was the perfect manifestation of God being love and of God's love towards us all! Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them,... (II Corinthians 5:18-19) "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved." (John 3:17) The definition of love is clear that love is an action word, not merely feelings, like the world tends to portray and misuse. Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. (I Corinthians 13:4-8)

Christ Jesus life and death demonstrated that kind of love perfectly!  Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world [Acts 13:46].  There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love [II Timothy 1:7].  We love Him because He first loved us. (I John 4:16-19) God does not desire to punish us and destroy us, for there is no fear in love. The Lord is ...longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. (II Peter 3:9) ... Who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (I Timothy 2:4)

God, the Creator of All things, feels this way about all of us, True Love!  That should cause us to be humbled and really see how much we mean to Him!  If it doesn't, we need to keep reading it over and over again, until we can somewhat grasp God's love for us.  Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.  For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come,  nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:37-39) 

God loves All of us so much, but we won't reap the benefits eternally if we don't believe in Jesus Christ! For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:16) Once we accept God's Love towards us, His Son, Christ Jesus, then we can demonstrate that same love towards others.  And the second [commandment] is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ (Matthew 22:39; Mark 12:31) If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also. (I John 4:20-21)

God loved us first, and He proved it by sending His Son to die in our place, for our sins! God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),... (Ephesians 2:4-5)  We must love Him, and we show it by how we treat each other; and then we must prove it by obeying His Word. Jesus said, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35) AMEN!

I JOHN:Christianity vs. Spirituality; "do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world!"

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. They are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them. We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error. (I John 4:1, 5-6)

How timely is this scripture for today.  There's a spirituality movement in the world that teaches that all paths lead to God, that Jesus Christ is not the only way to God.  This movement also teaches that we don't have to believe everything in the Word of God, that there are errors and the Word is only to be used to help us have christ-consciousness, whatever that means.  This movement also teaches that God made us the way we are, and that we don't have to change, even if the lifestyle we are living clearly goes against the Word of God.  We're going to deal with these three issues directly from the Word of God.

First, God tells us, through the hand of the Apostle John, By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world. (I John 4:2-3)  And what did Jesus come in the flesh to do? Jesus answered that questions definitively for His disciples, before He was arrested and crucified: But Jesus answered them, saying, “The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified. Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor. (John 12:23-26)

"Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour. Father, glorify Your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, saying, “I have both glorified it and will glorify it again.” Therefore the people who stood by and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, “An angel has spoken to Him.” Jesus answered and said, “This voice did not come because of Me, but for your sake. Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.” This He said, signifying by what death He would die. (John 12:27-33)

But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation.  Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.  For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh,  how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?  And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.  (Hebrews 9:11-15) 

God sent Jesus to die, for our sins! John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God [sacrifice from God] who takes away the sin of the world! (John 1:29) Then God spoke from heaven after John the baptist baptised Jesus and said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!” (Matthew 17:5) Jesus is very clear about who He came from and where He gets His instruction from: For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak.  And I know that His command is everlasting life. Therefore, whatever I speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I speak.” (John 12:49-50)  With that being said, then we should believe Him when He also says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?  Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works. Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves." (John 14:6, 9-11)

Secondly, as for the Word of God and whether we should believe all of it or not, God was very clear from the beginning when He gave His Word to man: “Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it nor take away from it. (Deuteronomy 12:32) God was clear throughout the scriptures, when He reiterated this truth repeatedly: The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. (Psalm 19: 7-9) 

Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him. Do not add to His words, Lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar. (Proverbs 30:5-6)  And God makes a final declaration that we are not to change anything written in His Word in the last book of the scripture also: to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. (Revelations 22:18-19)

Jesus confirmed the validity of the Word of God (From A-Z, Genesis to Revelations), and He adds, “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.  For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot [dot of the i] or one tittle [cross of the t] will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.  Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.  (Matthew 5:17-19) 

Lastly, God knew we couldn't obey His commandments perfectly, that why He sent His Son, to fulfill all of His requirements of the law.  But God does not excuse us from the responsibility of our sin. God’s law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful grace became more abundant. So just as sin ruled over all people and brought them to death, now God’s wonderful grace rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord [Romans 10:9]. (Romans 5:20-21 NLT)

Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace? Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it? Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined him in his death? [Acts 2:38-39] For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives. Since we have been united with him in his death, we will also be raised to life as he was. We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin. And since we died with Christ, we know we will also live with him. We are sure of this because Christ was raised from the dead, and he will never die again. Death no longer has any power over him. When he died, he died once to break the power of sin. But now that he lives, he lives for the glory of God. So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus.  (Romans 6:1-11 NLT)

God has made it very clear that we have to believe the Word of God, in Christ Jesus His Only Begotten Son (John 1), in order to be saved. We have to believe the Word of God in its entirety, not picking and choosing what we will believe and what we won't: And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed [obey] ...; knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. (II Peter 1:19-21)  

And we have to allow His Holy Spirit to make us into the person God created us to be, not for Him to accept us the way we want to be, The law of the Lord is perfect, converting [changing] the soul - we have to change, NOT GOD! “But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me. (John 15:26) But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; (Acts 1:8) And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (Romans 12:2) You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. (I John 4:4) AMEN!

I JOHN: Love Loves, No Matter Who and No Matter What; "let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth!"

Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us. (I John 3:24)

The Holy Spirit, who dwells in us, is our proof and confirmation that we are children of God. “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:38)  We can't "see" the Holy Spirit with our eyes, nor can we "touch" Him with our hands, but we can be sure that He is in us because ...the fruit [evidence] of the Spirit [in us] is love, joy, peace, longsuffering [patience], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. (Galatians 5:22) We will continue to grow in these characteristics and behaviors, as we more and more turn away from ...adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like (Galatians 5:19-21).

Two physical manifestations, or visible evidence of this change in us will be in how we treat others.  The first is, By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. (I John 3:16) Jesus demonstrated this first manifestation of agape love, unconditional love towards us, and expects us to demonstrate it towards each other, when He taught us, "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. These things I command you, that you love one another." (John 15:13-15, 17) “Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.” (John 10:17-18)

For those of us who live in America, we are very fortunate to live in a country where we have religious freedom, as outlined in Amendment 1 of the Bill of Rights.  But there are still a large number of Christians throughout the world who are persecuted and killed everyday, just because they believe in God and try to share their belief with others, even in this country.  But, we must not forget that throughout history there have been times when people, who profess to be believers of God, have also persecuted and killed people, believing that they were helping the cause of God: the Apostle Paul, before his encounter with Christ (Acts 22, 26); the "Christian" Crusades of 1095-1291; Religious Wars of 1560-1715; the Holocaust of the Jews by Hitler during WWII of 1933-1945; Catholicism of Europeans towards the Native People of America; the Civil War with the Confederate States not wanting to abolish slavery; Muslim attacks of westerners, prior to and since 9/11; Hate Crimes against gays; etc. 

Any belief or religion that teaches we should oppress or kill another person or destroy a group of people is NOT of The One True and Living God, ...there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live.! (I Corinthians 8:6) God spoke all these words, saying: “You shall not murder. (Exodus 20:1, 13; Deuteronomy 5:17) And He [The Lord] said: Vengeance is Mine, and recompense; (Deuteronomy 32:20, 35); For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. And again, “The LORD will judge His people.” (Hebrews 10:30)  We are never to tolerate sin, but nor are we to tolerate injustice!  As the Apostle Paul stated, our job is to tell people the Truth, but it's God's job to change them (I Corinthians 3). ...God, who “will render to each one according to his deeds” [Psalm 28:4; Proverb 24:12]: eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil,... For there is no partiality with God. (Romans 2:5-9, 11);

With that being said, the second manifestation of our spiritual change is helping others: But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? (I John 3:17)  Jesus elaborated on this by explaining what we should do: Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ And [He] will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’ (Matthew 25:37-40) “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven;... For if you love those who love you, what reward have you?... And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others?... Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect. (Matthew 5:43-45, 46, 47, 48)

The long and short of it is this: My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him.  For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment. (I John 3:18-23) So [Jesus] answered and said, “ ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,’ and ‘your neighbor as yourself.’” (Luke 10:27) AMEN!

I JOHN:Works are Evidence; "Beloved, now we are children of God; And you know that Christ Jesus was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin!"

Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. (I John 3:1-3)

If we believe the Word of God, in Christ Jesus as our Savior, and are filled with the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption (Ephesians 4:30), then we have the assurance that we have received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” (Romans 8:15) And now that we have been adopted into the eternal family of our heavenly Father, and are children of God, we know for certain that Jesus made this promise to us, and to all who have believed in Him: And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. (John 14:3) So, since earth isn't our final destination, but we are ...sojourners and pilgrims,... (I Peter 2:11), there are some things God expects us to do: Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:16); As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. (Colossians 2:6-7)

Jesus said, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." (John 3:3) God, through the hand of the Apostle Paul, gives more detail about this new birth: Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption.  Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory. [Hosea 13:14]” “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?” The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (I Corinthians 15:50-57)

Through our belief and faith in Christ Jesus, we will pass from death into eternal life, with Him and God in the new heaven and new earth (Revelations 21); and we have overcome the power of sin in our lives while we're still here living on this earth, through His Holy Spirit that dwells in us (Romans 15:13).  When we sin, we are "choosing" to ...commit lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness.  And you know that He [Christ Jesus] was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin.  Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him. Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous.  He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.  Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God. (I John 3:4-9) 

We are freed from sin, and should not sin, but we are not perfect while still in the flesh. Therefore, ...if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. (I John 2:1)  Our perfect example of this is King David.  Before he became King, God said to the current king, Saul, "The Lord has sought for Himself a man after His own heart, and the Lord has commanded him to be commander over His people, because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you.” (I Samuel 13:14) David was a man after His own heart, not because he was perfect or a better person than Saul; but when he committed sin, he was wise enough to acknowledge it as such and pray to God to forgive him.  We could learn from his example in this prayer he prayed after committing adultery with Bathsheba and having her husband murdered: Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness; according to the multitude of Your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against You, You only, have I sinned, and done this evil in Your sight— that You may be found just when You speak, and blameless when You judge. (Psalm 51:1-4)

God forgave David for his sin, but He did not take away the consequences. So David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” and Nathan said to David, “The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die. However, because by this deed you have given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme, the child also who is born to you shall surely die.” Then Nathan departed to his house.And the Lord struck the child that Uriah’s wife bore to David, and it became ill. David therefore pleaded with God for the child, and David fasted and went in and lay all night on the ground. So the elders of his house arose and went to him, to raise him up from the ground. But he would not, nor did he eat food with them.  Then on the seventh day it came to pass that the child died. (II Samuel 12:13-18) 

And the servants of David were afraid to tell him that the child was dead. For they said, “Indeed, while the child was alive, we spoke to him, and he would not heed our voice. How can we tell him that the child is dead? He may do some harm!” When David saw that his servants were whispering, David perceived that the child was dead. Therefore David said to his servants, “Is the child dead?” And they said, “He is dead.” So David arose from the ground, washed and anointed himself, and changed his clothes; and he went into the house of the Lord and worshiped. Then he went to his own house; and when he requested, they set food before him, and he ate. Then his servants said to him, “What is this that you have done? You fasted and wept for the child while he was alive, but when the child died, you arose and ate food.” And he said, “While the child was alive, I fasted and wept; for I said, ‘Who can tell whether the Lord will be gracious to me, that the child may live?’ But now he is dead; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.” (II Samuel 12:18-23)

What a response from David!  Most of us would try to blame God and call Him unfair, but there are consequences to our sins, and it doesn't just affect us, but also those we love.  God forbid we should have to experience the loss of a child because of our sin, but whatever the consequences, we must have a heart for God that acknowledges and understands that God is just when He speaks, and blameless when He judges. There's an old saying, "fake it 'til you feel it".  Well a twist on that phrase applies to how we overcome sin in our lives - "act like it until you become it"!  Daily we are to ...deny [ourself], and take up [our] cross daily, and follow [Christ]. (Luke 9:23) And if a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. (Mark 3:25)  Over time we will succumb less, and overcome more.  We no longer can use the excuse "I can't help myself", because No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. (I Corinthians 10:13) 

We who are Christians no longer have the excuse that "the devil made me do it" either, because we are not the children of the devil, but we are now the children of God. In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother. For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another, not as Cain who was of the wicked one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his works were evil and his brother’s righteous. [Genesis 4] Do not marvel, my brethren, if the world hates you.  We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death.  Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. (I John 3:10-15) AMEN!

I JOHN: "Anti" Not The Truth; "the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son!"

“Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or, ‘Look, He is there!’ do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will rise and show signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. But take heed; see, I have told you all things beforehand. (Mark 13:21-27; Matthew 24:26-31)

If we have been brought out of "darkness" and come into "light", and if we have been delivered from "sin", and if we have the "love" of God in us, then we should be able to ...discern Between the righteous and the wicked, Between one who serves God And one who does not serve Him. (Malachi 3:18); ...that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting,... (Ephesians 4:14)

Why are we to make sure that we can discern between people who are genuine in their faith and people who aren't?  Why are we to be careful what we hear, listen to and believe as doctrine and confirmation of the scripture? Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us. Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son. Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either; he who acknowledges the Son has the Father also. (I John 2:18-19, 22-23) 

How can we know the different between a false teacher and a true teacher of the Word of God? But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things. I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and that no lie is of the truth. Therefore let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father. And this is the promise that He has promised us—eternal life. (I John 2:20-21, 24-25) ...no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. (I Corinthians 2:11-12)

In order to make sure we don't believe a lie or a liar, we have to know and believe the Truth.  Jesus said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments. “A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also.  At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you. He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.” “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.  He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me." (John 14:15, 19-21, 23-24)

Once we are sure in Whom we believe and what we believe, then Jesus makes us a promise, that demonstrates His mercy towards us: And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. ...the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. (John 14:16-18, 26) 

John further explains the purpose of the Holy Spirit in our lives: These things I have written to you concerning those who try to deceive you. But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him. (I John 2:26-27) In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance... (Ephesians 1:13-14)

John is not implying that we don't need to be taught the Word of God, because How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?  And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things! [Isaiah 52:7; Nahum 1:15]" (Romans 10:14-16) But we shouldn't have to be retaught the same thing over and over again, For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food.  For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. (Hebrews 5:12-14)

Now that we are sure we are in the "light", free from "sin", believe in the Word of God, Jesus the Christ, and have the power of God in us, the Holy Spirit, then we should ...abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming. If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him. (I John 2:28-29)  

Then Jesus cried out and said, “He who believes in Me, believes not in Me but in Him who sent Me. And he who sees Me sees Him who sent Me. I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness. And if anyone hears My words and does not believe, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him—the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day. For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak. And I know that His command is everlasting life. Therefore, whatever I speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I speak.” (John 12:44-50) AMEN!