We take after those in our family. It is a signature of our identity. Our father is the creator of the universe, and we have been adopted into His family as children (1 John 3:1-3). That should be our primary identity. We don’t need to convince God of our holiness, we pursue His holiness because of His love for us. So, we should turn from sin, and live our identity a children of God. Sin is not who we are;…
Late in his life the apostle John wrote to the Christian churches warning them of false teaching (1 John 2:18-29). This type of false teaching still hangs around today. John called those who deny Christ, the anti-Christ. Christians then and now need know and abide in the truth. Go back to the what drew you to Christ in the first place. Jesus is the living God. Be careful to not drift in your beliefs and ideas. Know who you are…
There is a Christian maxim, origin unknown, “Sin will take you farther than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and cost you more than you want to pay.” Take sin seriously! Sin ruins. However, do not carry your sin (or others) as a burden; we have an advocate. “[Jesus] is the propitiation for our sins,” meaning He has turned God’s wrath into favor through His love (1 John 2:1-2). Jesus’ love language is obedience.…
Navigating in darkness has its dangers. The light offers clarity and direction. The apostle John’s first letter invites us in to God’s light; a light of truth, wisdom and cleansing. John was an eye witness, he knew Jesus. This invitation he writes of, is an invitation into fellowship with others and with God. To truly be in the light, we must acknowledge sin. Without confession, it cannot be identified and cleansed. It is a matter of continual spiritual hygiene to…