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The Godhead
In 1 John, we are given a glimpse of the Godhead, the Father (1 John 2:16), the Son (vs. 23), and the Holy Spirit (1 John 5:6). The main emphasis, however, is on Jesus and the Father. The letter tells us that God is light and that darkness (evil) is not found in Him. It tells us that God is righteous and that He is love. Indeed, our ability to love is dependent on the God who is love. God's relationship to the believers is expressed with the term children, which itself reveals the love and care He has for us. In short, 1 John paints for us a very positive and hopeful picture of what our God is like.
But the chapter also tells us something else. It tells us what the Lord is doing for us. Here's where our real hope and encouragement should lie.
According to 1 John, what has God done for us and what is being done now for us?
1 John 1:9, 1 John 2:1, 2, 1 John 2:27, 1 John 3:8, 1 John 4:8-10, 1 John 5:11, 1 John 5:14
The letter refers to Christ's coming in human flesh, as well as His death for us, which offers us the opportunity to have eternal life. At the same time, His death defeated the works of the devil, our enemy. According to 1 John, God forgives our sins, cleanses us, intercedes for us, and gives us eternal life. He offers us assurance and makes us His children. The bottom line is that it is the Cross and the blood of Jesus alone that saves us, nothing else.
Are there any areas of your life that you have not fully surrendered to the Lord? That is, are you doing things that you know, deep down, are wrong and yet haven't given up? If so, in the end only you can make the choice to give it up. If the Spirit is touching you, why not make the choice now? The longer you wait, the harder it gets.
In 1 John, we are given a glimpse of the Godhead, the Father (1 John 2:16), the Son (vs. 23), and the Holy Spirit (1 John 5:6). The main emphasis, however, is on Jesus and the Father. The letter tells us that God is light and that darkness (evil) is not found in Him. It tells us that God is righteous and that He is love. Indeed, our ability to love is dependent on the God who is love. God's relationship to the believers is expressed with the term children, which itself reveals the love and care He has for us. In short, 1 John paints for us a very positive and hopeful picture of what our God is like.
But the chapter also tells us something else. It tells us what the Lord is doing for us. Here's where our real hope and encouragement should lie.
According to 1 John, what has God done for us and what is being done now for us?
1 John 1:9, 1 John 2:1, 2, 1 John 2:27, 1 John 3:8, 1 John 4:8-10, 1 John 5:11, 1 John 5:14
The letter refers to Christ's coming in human flesh, as well as His death for us, which offers us the opportunity to have eternal life. At the same time, His death defeated the works of the devil, our enemy. According to 1 John, God forgives our sins, cleanses us, intercedes for us, and gives us eternal life. He offers us assurance and makes us His children. The bottom line is that it is the Cross and the blood of Jesus alone that saves us, nothing else.
Are there any areas of your life that you have not fully surrendered to the Lord? That is, are you doing things that you know, deep down, are wrong and yet haven't given up? If so, in the end only you can make the choice to give it up. If the Spirit is touching you, why not make the choice now? The longer you wait, the harder it gets.
God Bless! Betty