Those People

624.  "Those People"               October 9, 2012
1 John 4-Part 3      (verses 5-6)
Those people belong to this world, so they speak from the world's viewpoint, and the world listens to them. But we belong to God, and those who know God listen to us. If they do not belong to God, they do not listen to us. That is how we know if someone has the Spirit of truth or the spirit of deception.  1 John 4:5-6 NLT

LET IT GLOW

Look at those people. What are those people doing? Just listen to those people. Why are those people here? I can't stand those people. I may not have said it, but I have thought it. Those may not have been a group of people either, but one person. How do I react to them? Is it with compassion, love, humility, a heart of service? Or is it with jealousy, envy, strife, bitterness, resentfulness?
Perhaps I am one of those people to someone. How would I want them to treat me? I used to be one of those people which John is speaking of, an unbeliever in Jesus. Now I am one of those labeled as a believer in Jesus Christ. John contrasts the two groups of those.

What does John say about those who know and are of God, a believer?

• They hear us(apostles) because they know God. We willingly accept and listen to what the apostles in God's Word are saying.
• They cling to Jesus, who said, "I am the Truth." (John 14:6)
• They recognize that the Redeemer's kingdom is not of this world.
• They have and know the Spirit of Truth and proclaim the truth.
• They are not of this world, so the world does not know them. (1John 3:1) 

I want to be one of those people, don't you?

LET IT GROW

I contrast to the believers, John is speaking about the unbelievers of Jesus, the Antichrist's group, the Gnostics of his day.
What does John say about those people?

• They speak from the viewpoint of the world. The influence of the world is evident in their speech.
• Their conversatin, feelings, opinions are of this world.
• The world hears them. They are rich, proud, ambitious, sensual.
• The world doesn't reject them because they are friends with the world.
• They have the spirit of error, falsehood, deception.
• They are wholly influenced by the world.

[References: Barnes' Notes on the Bible; Matthew Henry's Bible Commentary;Guzik's Bible Commentary; Jameison, Fausset, Brown Bible Commentary]

I don't want to be like those people.

LET IT GO

Turn from the world's ways and turn to Jesus.

Act like a follower of Jesus, one of those.

Don't be one of those who don't beleive in Jesus and follow the world.

Make sure there is an obvious distinction as to to which group I am included.

Greater Than

623.  "Greater Than"                 October 8, 2012
1 John 4-Part 2    (verses 4)
Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.  1 John 4:4 KJV

LET IT GLOW

HSNU>dnwld     Can you read that equation using our key verse?

When I was in high school, I loved my algebra classes. One of the terms we used was "greater than" which stood for the sign ">". (Perhaps I should say, > stood for greater than.) It meant that a number/numeral or the unknown (letter) was more than another. I always liked the challenge of solving for the unknown.
As a Christian, there is something in me that is > something that is in the world. What is it? The Holy Spirit in me is greater than the demons/devil. Now can you read the equation? Modern texting may help.

Now you can read HSNU>dnwld can't you? (The Holy Spirit that is in you is greater than demons or the devil that is in the world.)

John didn't want this to be unknown to his readers. He is still warning believers about those false teachers.

The MacArthur Bible Commentary says:

Those that have experienced the New Birth have a built-in check against false teaching.The  Holy Spirit leads into sound doctrine for genuine Christians, evidencing that salvation has actually occurred. True believers have nothing to fear, for even Satan's hosts with their perversions can't take them out of the Lord's hands. Here, as in 2:18-27, protectin againsst error or victory over it are guaranteed by sound doctrine and the indwelling Holy Spirit who illumines the mind.
 

I like that equation, don't you?

John is telling us:

1. We are God's child, His little children.
2. We have overcome the false teachers and the devil.
3. the Holy Spirit that is in me is greater than the devil and all his demons in the world.

Now that is encouraging to know.

LET IT GROW

Did you notice John used the word overcome?

Overcome, nikao in Greek, means to gain the victory. It is used of one who by Christian constancy and courage keeps himself unharmed and spotless from his adversary's devices, solicitations, assults: the devil, false teachers.

Romans 12:21 says Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

So whenever I get mad at someone, I am to do good to them, say good things to them, instead of bad, returning evil for evil. Then I am not being overcome with evil. Victory can be had, instead of sinning. It takes my being controlled by the Holy Spirit and not my flesh. (You know I am talking to me.)

I like that song that goes: Greater is He that is in me, greater is He that is in me, greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.

Watch out for the roaring lion that is seeking whom he may devour. Let others know and be prepared when they hear a roar, recognize a temptation. I think I will teach that chorus to my grandchildren. I should sing it more often. Why? Because HSNU>dnwld.

(And you  thought  you couldn't do algebra? You just did!)

LET IT GO

Remember, greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.

Overcome evil with good.

Listen for that lion and be prepared with Scripture, my weapon.

 

Fake or Genuine

622.  " Fake or Genuine"              October 5, 2012
1 John 4-Part 1    (verses 1-3)
Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus is come in the flesh is of God.  1John 4:2

LET IT GLOW

While on a mission trip to Brazil, my husband bought a genuine leather billfold. It has lasted him eleven years, which proves how genuine it is. Other materials, such as fake leather, do not last that long, especially in the back pocket of a man. It seems to me that nowadays there are few things which are genuine. We look for genuine leather purses, diamond rings, silver platters, gold necklaces, but do we look for teachers who are genuinely from God? How can we know if a teacher or preacher is genuine or fake? John helps us answer that question.

(Genuine means not counterfeit, authentic, real, according to Webster's Dictionary.)

 Who is truly a Christian teacher? The teacher who has the Word of God, who confesses that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God. They follow the Spirit of Truth and proclaim the truth.
The readers, who truly know God, will recognize and willingly accept the word of the apostles for what it really is, the Word of God (1 Thess. 2:13). (Falwell)

A true teacher acknowledges and proclaims that Jesus is God incarnate in human flesh to the earth. His human body was physically real. Both the full humanity and full deity of Jesus must be equally maintained by the teacher who is to be considered genuinely of the Spirit. The Holy Spirit testifies to the true nature of the Son. God's Word is the only absolute and trustworthy standard. (MacArthur)



LET IT GROW

I always say, "Not all things are as they appear." People  may say one thing and do another. They may actually be a wolf in sheep's clothing. So how do we know which is which?
John tells us, in verse 1, to believe not every spirit and to test the spirits.

The word spirit, in Thayer's Lexicon, ascribes to God, God's power and agency, manifest in the course of affairs, and by its influence upon souls productive in the theocratic body (the church) of all the higher spiritual gifts and blessings. In the New Testament, it is called the Holy Spirit, full of majesty, adorable, utterly opposed to all impurity; pneuma in the Greek. (Other Greek words for spirit are neshamah, meansing breath, and ruach, meaning wind.)

John tells us to do two things:
1. Believe not every spirit. False prophets and teachers claimed to have spiritual leading from God,
    but in reality, it was/is from the devil.
2. Try the spirits. Try means to test, examine, prove, scrutinize, to see whether a thing be genuine or
    not, as metals; try men. Liberty Bible Commentary says try (dokimazo in Greek) means to check
    out by a pattern or standard that never changes; the standard intended is the Word of God.

If a spirit, a person, false prophet, teaches a false doctrine, gives a false message.

A false prophet does  not believe Jesus was God, nor do they believe Jesus was a real man. Both diety and humanity of Jesus are essential to our salvation. The Antichrist opposes the true Jesus and offers a substitute Jesus. (Guzik)

John reminds his readers that behind human teachers who propagate false doctrine and error are demons inspired by Satan. Human false prophets and teachers are the physical expressions of demonic, spiritual sources (Matt. 7:15, Mark 13:22).  (MacArthur)

LET IT GO

Check out teachers and preachers to see if they are genuinely teaching the Truth, God's Word.

Study the Bible so I will recognize false teachings.

Ask the Holy Spirit for discernment.

Teach the Truth.

*I do believe Jesus is God and He came in the flesh as a man, lived a perfect life, was a perfect sacrifice for our sins, yours and mine, showed grace and mercy by dying in our place.

Knitting

621.  "Knitting"                October 4, 2012
1 John 3-Part 10      (verse 24)
And he that keepth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.  1 John 3:24

Those who obey His commands live in Him, and He in them. And this is how we know that He lives in us: We know it by the Spirit He gave us.  NIV

Those who obey God's commandments remain in fellowship with Him, and He with them. And we know He lives in us because the Spirit He gave us lives in us.  NLT


LET IT GLOW

Our first child was born in the month of November. While I awaited her birth, I decided to knit my younger five brother and sister in laws scarves for Christmas. I found directions on how to knit and pearl, bought the knitting needles and yarn, then worked diligently on the project. It was quite an easy thing to do, and fun to watch the yarn being knitted together into something useful. The two needles are used, maneuvered, intertwining the yarn around them, to accomplish a good thing. The Holy Spirit is in me to accomplish something good, too. When I read the definition of abideth and dwelleth, I thought of my knitting forty years ago.

The words abideth and dwelleth in this verse use the same Greek word, meno, which means to stay, not depart, not to leave, to continue to be present. The Thayer's Lexicon also said: Christians are to be rooted as it were in Him, knit to Him by the Spirit they have received from Him. Hence, one is said to abide in Christ or in God, and coversely Christ or God is said to abide in one.

Those who are abiding in Jesus know they are abiding in Jesus, because of the presence and assurance of the Holy Spirit. You can't be abiding in Jesus and not know it; though you may be attacked with doubt from time to time.  (Guzik)

Believing, loving, and obeying are the major evidences of true salvation. A benefit of love is the abiding presence and empowering of the Holy Spirit.  (MacArthur)

When I became a Christian, the Holy Spirit came to dwell in me at that moment. Another person doesn't give His Spirit to me, since I already have Him in me. I know He lives in me.

Am I allowing the Holy Spirit to guide me, control me, use me for God's glory? It will be evident as the fruit of the Spirit are produced in my life (Gal. 5:22-23).


LET IT GROW

What am I to do? John tells me to keep God's commandments.

John 14:15 NIV says, If you love Me (Jesus), you will obey what I command.
John 14:25 NIV says, Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.

His will for us involves trusting in Him, loving one another, and in general, living the Christian life, and enjoying the gift of the Holy Spirit. (Falwell)

It is an all day thing, to be surrendered to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Sin tries to creep into my heart and mind, to keep me from obeying His commands and commandments. I battle the old sin nature just as you do, friends. I still have to slame the door on bad thoughts.

If I confess my sins, God is faithful to forgive me and to cleanse me of all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)

Am I allowing the Holy Spirit to to knit Himself with my spirit?


LET IT GO

Slam the door on those sinful thoughts, words, actions and ask the Holy Spirit to rule my heart.

Be knit together with the Holy Spirit of God.

Little Prayers

620.  "Little Prayers"                October 3, 2012
1 John 3-Part 9    (verses 22-23)
And whatsoever we ask, we receive of 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.
1 John 3:22-23 KJV


LET IT GLOW

It is a joyful time when God answers my prayers. Of course, those the major ones, such as salvation for my family, finding His Will, but I am talking about answered minor prayers, such as helping me find something. I am always misplacing things and asking my All-knowing Father to help me find it. He must have a sense of humor and giggle when I pray, "It's me again Lord. Will You help me find this?" He is so very faithful in the little things and big things. Is there such a thing as a little thing in God's eyes? Maybe not. Maybe there are no little or big prayers, either. Maybe there are no little things that I ask for.

So how can I ask with confidence that God will answer one specific prayer?
Our previous lesson taught that if I don't feel guilty, I can come to God with bold confidence. (verse 21 NLT) If my conscience is clear, my sins are confessed and forgiven, He will hear me.

Next, to what does whatsoever refer? According to Webster's Dictionary, whatsoever can be either an adjective or a pronoun, of whatever nature or kind. Thesaurus.com defines it as meaning "anything." Synonyms are "any" and  "everything."

Receive means to get back, apart of a thing, according to Thayer's Lexicon.

If I substitute those words into this phrase, it would say:
Anything or everthing I ask, I will get.

So anything I ask, I will receive? Everything I ask, I will receive? Of course! The answer God will give me is either yes or no. It may not be exactly in the way or in the form which I asked, nor may I get it in my time, but in God's way and God's time.

The key to answered prayer is being in such close fellowship with God that we ask for things that are on His heart; we take up His agenda with our requests and intercession. The spirit of true prayer is Thy will be done, not My will be done-we turn to prayer to call into action what God desires; even knowing that some of the things God desires will directly and personally benefit me.(Guzik)

That makes sense to me. If anything I ask is in accordance to God's will, I will get it-a yes answer.
If my heart is in tune to God's heart, then I will only want what He wants, not what I want. If I believe, not ask for my own selfish lust, in accordance to God's will, then I will get what I asked.

Here are some other Scriptures pertaining to this topic-1John 5:14; Matthew 7:7,21:22; John 9:31; James 4:3.

LET IT GROW

What is John ssays that are prerequisites to my receiving a prayer answered?

• I keep God's commandments. (doing righteousness)
• I do those things that are pleasing in God's sight. (I want to do God's will.)
• I believe on the name of Jesus Christ. (saved)
• I love other believers.
• Believe, love, obey, which are the major evidences of true salvation.

Keeping God's commandments is not meritorious ground of our being heard, but that it furnishes evidence that we are His children and He hears His children. God is pleased with those who by obedience and submission do His will. We have no hope that He will hear us unless we do so live to please HIm. (Barnes' Notes)

We receive of HIm, for He delights to bless the humble, upright, sincere soul. (Clarke)

Am I doing those things which are pleasing in God's sight?
Do I really love other believers as myself?

Things to ponder and apply.

LET IT GO

Your will,
Your way,
Today,
I pray.

Love God and others so much that I let go of my will.

Confidence

619.  "Confidence"                  October 2, 2012
1 John 3-Part 8  (verse 21
Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.  1 John 3:21 KJV

LET IT GLOW

We had not seen each other all summer long, yet we sat quietly in the same seat on the school bus, not saying a word. It was the first day of school and we were best friends in elementary. Why didn't I say something? I was very shy and quiet, and lacked confidence.
John tells me that I can have confidence toward God. Want to see how? Read on dear one.

Our key verse uses the word confidence, which means free and fearless confidence, cheerful courage, boldness, assurance, according to Thayer's Lexicon.
Webster's Dictionary defines confidence as a firm trust, reliance; self-assurance, boldness; an assured state of mind; a state of trust and intimacy.

How can I have confidence, courage, boldness toward God? It is because my heart does not condemn me. I have confessed my sins and asked God to forgive me. I have His love in my heart as a believer in Jesus. I can look forward to the Second Coming of Jesus with joyous confidence, as Falwell put it.

Love banishes self-condemnation. When a Christian recognizes in his life the manifestation of love in deeds and actions, it results in confidence about his relationship with God. (MacArthur)

If our conscience condemns us in known sin, or the neglect of known duty,God does so too.  (Matthew Henry)

NLT says: Dear friends if we don't feel guilty, we can come to God with bold confidence.

I can't agree with that translation because sometimes we try to justify how we act, think, or speak, thus doing away with our guilt. There may be sin in ones heart resulting in what they do. In that case, we should not have the confidence to come to God for His answering our prayers.

LET IT GROW

How do I get what I ask for from God?
Verse 22 says:

• I keep His commandments.
• I do those things that are pleasing in His sight.
• I have a clear conscious, confessed my sins.
• I love other believers.

If I am not doing those things, then it is my fault that my prayers are not answered, I don't get what I ask for. I should look at my life and see how much I do to please myself and how much I do to please the Lord.

LET IT GO

Stay 'fessed up.

Please the Lord Jesus.

Love others and God.

Strive to be obedient to His Commandments.

Wearing Two Different Colored Shoes

618.  "Wearing Two Different Colored Shoes"             
October 1, 2012
1 John 3-Part 7       (verses 20)
For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. 1 John 3:20 KJV


LET IT GLOW

One Sunday morning, as I was practicing with the choir at church, I looked down in the light and saw that I had on two different colored shoes-one navy blue and the other black. I didn't have time to go home and change one, so I shared my delema with the choir, so they would have a good laugh. Seriously, there are times I wear two different faces, one of a Christian, the other of my sinful nature.
I learned today that there is something I can do about it. Want to know what it is?

John gives three benefits of love for the true Christian:

1. The first benefit is the assurance of salvation since love in action is the test of Christian profession (John 13:34-35).
2. The second benefit of love is answered prayer. Since love is the heart of obedience to the law, its presence in one's life evidences submission to God which He blesses by answered prayers. (Romans 13:8-10)
3. The third benefit of love is the abiding presence and empowering of the Holy Spirit.

What are the evidences of true salvation? Believing, loving, and obeying are its true evidences.

[Reference: The MacArthur Bible Commentary]



LET IT GROW

Does my heart condemn me of my secret sins? What am I to do? Confess my sins to God and ask forgiveness.

Condemn means to accuse, according to Thayer's Lexicon.

Even if we feel guilty, God is greater than our feelings, and He knows everything.
 (NLT verse 20)

I will have no peace, I am currently indulging in sin.  He is acquainted with the sins that trouble my conscience. He sees all my guilt. God even knows if I try to persuade myself that my acts aren't sinful, which are actually evil in His sight. (Barnes' Notes on the Bible)

God is greater than our heart, for He knows every hypocritical winding and turning of the soul. He searches and tries the reigns, and sees all the deceitfulness and desperate wickedness of the heart which we can't see. He is the just Judge and He condemns us, strictly and extensively more than we can be by our own conscience. God is the maker of our heart; He has power over it, management of it; it is in His hands to be turned by Him as He pleases. He is the searcher and trier of it; a superior Judge of it. (Gill)

If we have a troubled conscience because we haven't kept the law of love, God is more than our heart. He knows all things, even our failure in duty.  (People's New Testament)

There is no hope of hiding my sin from God, who is an infinitely holier and impartial Judge. David reminds me that God's mercy endures forever in Psalm 136.
If  I will just confess my sins, God is faithful and just to forgive me of them and will cleanse me of all my unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9) The key is my confessing, admitting, agreeing with God about my sins.

I tell you friends, I have been confessing throughout this lesson today. Not only do I need to pray for a change heart for myself, but for others and our church. Only God can do that.

LET IT GO

Confess, confess, confess.













Does God approve of the manner in which I live?