Robes

611.  "Robes"                          September 20, 2012
1 John 2-Part 6  (verse 28-29)
If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him. 
1 John 2:29  KJV

If you know he is righteous, you know that everyone who does what is right has been born of him. 1 John 2:29 NIV

Since we know that Christ is righteous, we also know that all who do what is right are God's children.  1 John 2:29 New Living Translation

LET IT GLOW

I have an old, thick, light blue robe that I wear only in the wintertime after I have showered. It keeps me covered and warm while I iron my clothes that I am going to wear for the day. I have another robe that I wear, spiritually speaking. It is one that Christ has provided for me-His Robe of Righteousness. You see, I can't purchase a righteous robe on my own because my righteousness is as filthy rags. (Isaiah 64:6) It is a free gift to me, but it cost Christ His very life to provide it.
  

Christ is righteous, which means He is the justifier or who pronounces righteous, but the substantial meaning is holy, that quality by virtue of which he hates and punishes sin. 
Righteousness refers to do righteousness, to live uprightly.  (Thayer's Lexicon)

I have no righteousness on my own, but it is the robe of righteousness of Christ that clothes me so I can be right with God. It is blood stained, I believe, because He shed his blood for me, a sinner.
Friend, are you clothed in this robe?

According to John Gill, Christ is:

• as righteous as God in His nature and in His works;
• as a man in His obedience;
• as a Mediator, in faithfully discharging the work He undertook;
• the author of an everlasting righteousness;
• imputed by God;
• revealed in the Gospel;
• received by faith.

A life of righteousness shows that we have the life of Christ and proof that we have been born again.
(People's New Testament)

John is not talking about a person who performs one or two righteous acts, but about a person whose conduct can be characterized as righteousness. Of such a person it may be said that he is born (gennao), or rather "has been truly born of God.  (Liberty Bible Commentary)

Is there enough proof that I am a Christian to convict me of such? How about you?

LET IT GROW

In verse 28, John tells us to:

• remain in fellowship with Christ;
• be full of courage;
• do not shrink back from him in shame;
• do what is right since I am God's child.

Am I looking for Jesus' Second Coming with joyous confidence?

LET IT GO

What do I need to let go of so I can live uprightly?

Thank You, Jesus, for Your Robe of Righteousness provided for me as a gift.

Have courage, don't shrink back, do what's right, stay in fellowship with my Savior.

Antichrists

610.  "Antichrists"        September 19, 2012
1 John 2-Part 5   (verses 18-27)
I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray.  1 John 2:26 NIV

LET IT GLOW

According to The MacArthur Bible Commentary:

Two characteristics mark genuine Christians in contrast to the anitchrists.

1. The Holy Spirit guards them from error (Acts 10:38, 2 Cor. 1:21). Christ as the Holy One imparts
     the Holy Spirit as their illuminating guardian from deception.
2. The Holy Spirit guides the believer into knowing "all things" (John 14:26, 16:13). True Christians
     have a built-in lie detector and persevere in the truth.

Am I studying and learning the truth so I can detect the false teachings?

LET IT GROW


Antichrist, in Thayer's Lexicon, opposes God, is the adversary of the Messiah. The name was formed perhaps by John, the only writer in the N.T. who uses it (5 times); he employs it of the corrupt power and influences hostile to Christian interests, especially that which is at work in false teachers who have come from the bosom of the church and are engaged in disseminating error. The Antichrist (my emphasis) will be an individual man, instigated by the devil to try to palm himself off as God. Being plural-antichrists, refers to the false teachers.

Characteristics of these antichrists, false teachers:
1. depart from the faithful, from Christian fellowship (verses 22-23);
2. deny the Father and the Son, the Christian faith;
3. deceive the faithful, the Christian faithful (verses 26-27).

Am I watching out for the false teacher? Do I warn others of false teachings?

LET IT GO

Listen to the Holy Spirit.

Learn the Truth so I can detect the false teachings.

Resisting Cute Little Pink Things

609.  "Resisting Cute Little Pink Things"          
September 18, 2012
1 John 2-Part 4      (Verses 15-17)
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. and the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.  1 John 2:15-17 KJV


LET IT GLOW

I have been painting my office/playroom in pink (trim only). Now let me tell you, I am enjoying changing my decor from green to pink. Therefore, when I am in a store, pink things draw my attention. I can't afford to change everything in the room to be changed to pink, so I am making a mental list of what I can afford, a little at a time. I had to " nip it in the bud" as Barney Fife said, before it got out of hand. Rather before my money left my hand. So I realize my present temptations are pink things. What can I do to resist buying every cute little pink thing I see? I need help, John.


So far in our study of 1 John, we have talked about walking in the Light, sin, with the Advocate, and under commandment. Already we learned that we are to love our brethren, Christian brothers and sisters. Today, we are continuing to discuss walking in love.

He that does the will of God abideth forever. I want to abide forever, don't you? What does it mean?

Abideth refers to love towards God. (Thayer's Lexicon)

But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever, says New Living Translation of verse 17b.

If I am interested enough in finding out what the will of God for my life is, then I surely love God and want to please Him with my life.

God's will is permanent and unchangeable. Those who follow God's will abide as His people forever. While God offers eternal life to His children, the present age is doomed. (MacArthur Bible Commentary)

How much wiser to invest our lives into that which cannot be lost: doing the will of God.
We are in contact with three eternal things:
1. the Holy Spirit of God
2. the people around us
3. eternal words-the Bible.
Time, attention, expense put into those things pays eternal rewards.  (David Guzik)

Where am I spending my time, money, and attention? Am I loving God with all my heart, soul, and mind?

LET IT GROW

If I love the world (worldly affairs), more than God, more than doing His will, then:

• the love of the Father is not in me;
• lust of the flesh prevails in me;
• lust of the eyes conquers me;
• I am prideful.

When Satan tempted Eve, found in Genesis 3, KJV, it was in these three ways:
1. Lust of the flesh-the forbidden fruit was good for food;
2. Lust of the eyes-it was plesant to look at;
3. boastful pride of life-knowing good and evil, she would be as gods/make her wise.

I don't know which one of the temptations or perhaps all of them cinched it, but verse 6 says she took the fruit and ate it.

Let's consider Satan's temptations of Jesus in the wilderness. Keep in mind, He had been fasting for 40 days. It's found in Luke 4.
1. Lust of the flesh-tempted to turn the stone into bread;
2. Lust of the eyes-Satan would give Jesus the world if only He would worship Satan;
3. Pride of life-throw Himself down from the pinnacle of the temple, angels would protect Jesus.
If you will notice, after all three temptations, Jesus refutted Satan using Scriptures.

This tells me, friends, the way for us to get ride of the Devil-use Scripture. James 4:7 says, Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

Am I resisting  the forbidden fruit, sweets, drinks, overindulgance?
Am I careful what my eyes see and want-magazines, movies, tv, revealing clothing, gagets, home, cars, status?
Am I humble or prideful-material things, power, decisions, positions, impressing others with my outward appearances?
Am I persuaded to spend my time, attention, and money on the things of this world instead of the things of God?

Where is my weakest resistance?

Why are the three sinful? They aren't of God. Instead of being flesh satisfied, be spirit satisfied; instead of outward beauty, develop an inner beauty; replace pride with humility. (Guzik)

The things in the world, its profits, pleasures, and honors are strong allurements. (Clarke)

It is impossible to love the world to coexist with love to God, as it is impossible for light and darkness to coexist.  (Vincent's Word Studiles)

Since I am a sojourner, pilgrim, or stranger here, this is not my dwelling place, rest. Heaven is.

Don't pamper the appetite, please the eye, nor pormote pride in living. (Barnes' Notes)

Wow! Do I have homework today!

LET IT GO

Drop those fleshly items that want to take me down a sinful road.

Close my eyes to the gagets that tempt me to get in financial bondage.

Fall on my face in repentance of pride.

Turn to Jesus, His Word, and His Spirit for strength to resist those temptations to sin.

Make sure I don't put a stumbling block in my brothers and sisters' way.

Growing Up

608.  "Growing Up"            September 17, 2012
1 John 2-Part 3     (Verses 12-14)
I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father. 1 John 2:13 KJV


LET IT GLOW

When I was a child, Dad was my hero, provider, and protecter. Even as an adult, Dad is my hero still. Having gone through some of life's experiences, I am better able to understand why he did things the way he did. I wish I could tell him how much I love him. I don't think I ever did. Our family did not say those words when I was growing up.

In verses 12-14, John is writing about the three stages of spiritual growth in God's family:

1. Little Children have only the basic awareness of God and need to grow. Their sins are forgiven;
    they know the Father; they ssink roots deep in His love and care; they are proud of being His child.

    Little children, in verse 12, is teknia in the Greek, which has more of an emphasis on a child's
    relationship of dependence on a parent.
    Little children, in verse 13, is paidia in the Greek, which has more of an  emphasis on a child's
    immaturity and need for instruction.

2. Young men have not yet the mature experience of knowing God in the Word and through life, but
    know sound doctrine. They are strong against sin and error because they have His Word in them.
    They overcome the wiles of the devil, who makes havoc of children. (Eph. 4:14) Spiritually young
    men know victory. They are on the front line of God's work among His people; are engaged in
    battle with the wicked one; overcome spiritual foes that seek to destroy their spiritual life.

3. Fathers are the most mature, having a deep knowledge of the eternal God. The pinnacle of spiritual
    maturity is to know God in His fullness (Phil 3:10). They have experiential knowledge of Jesus
    Christ.
[Reference: The MacArthur Bible Commentary, Guzik's Bible Commentary]

Can I identify which stage I am in concerning my spiritual maturity? Do I continue to grow in faith and love?

LET IT GROW

Here are some questions to ponder, dear friends:
-Have I asked Jesus to forgive me of my sins?
-Have I trusted Jesus as my Savior?
-Do I overcome the temptations before me?
-Do I overcome the evil one?
-Am I strong in faith in Jesus, trusting Him throughout the day?
-Is my life in God's hands and not mine? Am I serving Him always?

LET IT GO

Grow spiritually by remaining in God's Word, praying, experiencing His grace and mercy.

Thank God for His unconditional and unfailing love.

Share with others how God has been faithful to me.

High Heels

607.  "High Heels"               September 14, 2012
1 John 2-Part 2      (verses 9-11)
Anyone who loves another brother or sister is living in the light and does not cause others to stumble.   1 John 2:10 NLT

LET IT GLOW

I have stumbled over a crack in the sidewalk, stepping upon the sidewalk, going down stairs. You name it and I have stumbled from it. Actually, I have only fallen a few times. I don't think I was wearing heels at the time, though. Anyway, I decided, no more high heels for me. In fact, it has been several years now since I have worn them. So it's flat shoes for me and no more, well few stumbling. Oh, I miss those pretty, white heels with a bow and of course my bright red heels. Then there are the green ones, brown ones, black ones, along with the navy blue ones. Girlfriends, it is not worth taking a chance of falling flat on my face and breaking a bone or my pride. So I threw them all out. No more stumbling-block for me, hopefully. come to think of it, do I cause others to sumble, even stumble into sin? That is one of the things John mentions today.

What is the fulfillment of the law?
Love is the fulfillment of the law. Jesus told us in Matthew 22:34-40 to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind, then to love our neighbor as ourself. In John 13:34 and John 15:12 and 17, Jesus gave us a new commandment-love one another as I have loved you, which is a sacrificial love.

In Romans 13:8 Paul tells us Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

James 2:8 states If ye fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself, ye do will.

The person whose life is characterized by love and light is a true believer.  (Falwell)

True enlightenment is to love. God's light is the light of love, so to walk in light is to walk in love.  (MacArthur)

God's Word Translation says in verse 10: Those who love other believers live in light. Nothing will destroy the faith of those who live in the light.

The second part of our key verse says there is none occasion of stumbling in him. 

Stumbling means to put a stumbling-block in one's way, to do that by which another is led to sin. (The Greek word John uses is skandalon, for which we get our English word scandal.)

Love prevents him from giving offense to his neighbor and receiving any. (Clarke)
What lies in his way he shuns and avoids occassion of stumbling and falling. (Gill)
Romans 13:9, 1 Corinthians 13:4, Psalm 119:165

Am I loving all believers as Jesus does? How careful am I to not cause another to stumble into sin?

LET IT GROW

Let's look at verses 9 and 11, where John talks about the one who hates his Christian brother or sister:

• they are still living in darkness;
• they are still walking in darkness;
• they don't know the way to go, having been blinded by the darkness.

Am I helping the believers who have a problem with another to live and walk in the Light instead of darkness? do I take time to show them the way to go? the way to forgive and love?

LET IT GO

Love others period.

Don't hate, but love.

Watch what I wear, say, and do so I don't cause a brother or sister to stumble into sin.

Help those who are walking in dark sin to find the Light, Jesus.

Show others how to live pleasing God.

I Need a Defense Attorney

606.  "I Need a Defense Attorney"         September 13, 2012
1 John 2-Part 1    (Verses 1-8)
He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked. 1 John 2:6

LET IT GLOW

I have only served on a jury once. The young man was in a car with two others, where a gun and illegal drugs were hid under the seat. The big deal about this is that the guy was on parole, and was not supposed to be in possess of a gun and drugs. In the court proceedings, there was a prosecutor who accused the young man of violating his parole and breaking the law. Of course, he had a lawyer to defend him before the judge and jury.

I realize that every day I break God's laws. I am guilty of sin, breaking fellowship with the Father. Satan is acting as prosecutor, accusing me before the Judge, God my Father, bringing up my sins, laws I broke. The good news is that I have a defense attorney, Jesus, who intercedes for me.
Because Jesus took my place in paying for my sins, I don't have to pay for them. There is no fine or payment due. It is marked paid in full. I am set free, no longer guilty. I am thankful for God's mercy.

So the good news is,, when I sin, I have Jesus as my:

• advocate, which refers to one who pleads anther's cause with one, an intercessor; so of Christ, inl His exaltation at God's right hand, pleading with God the Father for the pardon of our sins: (a type of defense attorney);
• propitiation for my sins, which means appeasing (satisfy).

Jesus met the requirements for sin that the Father established, which is a perfect blood sacrifice. The Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, willingly laid down His life for us so we would not have to pay for our sins. Isn't that something to shout about?

LET IT GROW

Whether I am walking in Light, Jesus, or if I am walking in sin, I can walk with the Advocate and walk under the Commandment. (My feet are tired already from all that walking.)

According to Liberty Bible Commentary, verse 3 is saying, "In this way we know that we really know Him," or, "By this we may be sure that we know Him."  "Everyone who trully knows christ keeps His commandment; a certain person does not keep HIs commandments-conclusion? he is a liar!"

Falwell explains that keeping His commandments is living according to His moral standards, means not only that we have ture knowledge of HIm but also that Love of God is perfected in him. He is a true Christian.

What is John telling me to do?
*Keep God's commandments, His Word. I must read it daily so I can know what it says.
*Let God's love be perfected in me. Show the  love of God, even to the the unlovely.
*When I say that I abide in Jesus, prove it. If I am going to talk the talk, then I must walk the walk,
   like Jesus did. If I am going to talk of Christianity, then I must live it, even to the extinct of
   forgiving others.

LET IT GO

Strive to keep God's Word.

Confess my sins to my Advocate, Jesus.

Let God's love be seen in my life and show love to others.

Talk Christian, walk Christian.

                      

Walking in Sin

605.  " Walking in Sin"            September 12, 2012
1 John 1-Part 3  (Verses 8-10)

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.  1 John 1:8-10

LET IT GLOW

I make mistakes. I am not perfect. I am only human. Yes, Linda is a sinner. In fact, I am a sinner in need of a Savior's forgiveness all day long. If I am not sinning in an action, then I am sinning in my thoughts. If I am not sinning in my thoughts, then I am sinning with my words. Are you with me friends? At least I am not alone in this.
Paul, in Romans 3:10, quotes Psalm 14:1-3, There is none that doeth good, no, not one. (verse 3)

The good part is that if I confess my sins, God will forgive me and cleanse me of all unrighteousness because He is faithful and just. So then, though I walk in sin some days, several days, most of the day, I don't have to. All I have to do is confess my sins and ask God to forgive me. Now why don't I do that all day long, several days? Why do I wait until the end of the day to confess my sins? I start out my morning with prayer, so why not pray without ceasing as 1 Thessalonians says? Why? Why? Am I walking in sin?

I think the key word is only two letters long-if. Forgiveness is waiting and available anytime I need it.

Confess means to admit or declare one's self guilt of what one is accused of. (Thayer's Lexicon)

Confess is a verb in present tense; it means we should keep on confessing our sin, instead of a one-for-all confession of sin at our conversion. We will be forgiven because Jesus paid the penalty of our sin. (Guzik)

I agree with God that I have disobeyed His Word, done wrong, need forgiveness. The only thing I have to do is confess. I don't have to work it off, do so many good deeds to replace the sinful ones.

God will keep His promise-He will forgive me. He will cleanse me from all unrighteousness. There aren't any degrees of sin, as we humans like to think. I should not compare myself with another, making me the good ole gal. There will always be people who are farther along in their Christian growth than I am and those not as far along. so I should not compare myself. Jesus is to be my standard for my life.
Is Jesus my standard for my life? Am I surrendering to Him?

LET IT GROW

John Gill said, "These words are not addressed to the Gentile sinners, but a generation which had grown up in the church. It emphasizes the Christian's constant need of a pardoning Savior."

On the other hand, if I do not confess my sins, saying I have no sin, then:

• I deceive myself (verse 8)
• the truth is not in me (verse 8)
• I make God a liar (verse 10)
• God's Word is not in me (verse 10).

Since God has said that all people are sinners, to deny that fact is to blaspheme God with slander that defames His name.  (MacArthur)

If a sinner never admits to being a sinner, salvation cannot result. (Matt. 19:16-22)

God makes known His forgiving love to the one who confesses his sins. (Gill)

As I said at the beginning, Linda is a sinner. Will we all admit it today? Am I walking in sin? Is my lifestyle that of an unbeliever or a believer? Am I living Christ-like?

LET IT GO

Let go of my pride and confess my sins.

Ask His forgiveness throughout the day.

Walk in the Light, not in sin.