John is filling his role as over seer in the early church here as he addresses the problem of false prophets and anti-christs. I am impressed here that, although John is addressing a different problem, the answer seems to be the same. LOVE.
There are many scriptures that should be stored up in your heart - 1John 4:7- 11 are a few of them! "Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. God's love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another." 1 John 4:7-11 NRSV. Love does not begin in us - it comes from God who loves us - each one of us - first! But love should flow out of us! Love should be our calling card, our pedigree, our way of life. I need to check myself on this all of the time. Is love, real Godly love flowing out of my life? Lord, help me to show and sow love.
About Me
- Pastor Bill
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One on the most conforting verses in the Bible is found in this chapter; "...the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world." (4:4) I use this verse almost daily. Trials and tribulations included, but mostly pressure, depression and fear are wiped out of our lives if we come to know this verse as it is meant to be. God, who is in control of EVERYTHING is the one we are to turn these problems over to. As the scripture says, He is greater than the one who causes these things. Our problem, however, is that we tend to lack the faith that is needed to put this verse into effect in our lives. When we feel pressure in our lives, when we are depressed, when we fear what is happening to our lives, our children's lives, the country and the world, we need only to remember this verse and place ALL of of faith in our Lord and Savior, who does only what is good in our lives. He has the perfect plan for us, but we need to trust Him to complete it.
Amen! Amen! Amen! brother Lynn.
This text gives us a powerful shield in the enemies attacks. I have several verses written down around the house and office - I need to add this one!
Bill
Love should in fact be what flows out of every aspect of our being. We, however, must remember that love is not always saying yes, always giving in, or allowing someone to continue on a path of destruction. There are times when having love as our calling card means confrontation an tension.
Amen Aaron,
How often do people try to hide behind a false conception of love! Sunday I preached to myself (thankfully others listened in) about the two arms of our faith; 1) unconditional love that welcomes all people through and to the free gift of grace and 2) Spiritual Holiness that insists on radical obedience. One without the other is either "sloppy agape" or pharisaism.
Bill
I never really understood the warning on the false prophets part. I guess I always thought that would happen towards the end of the world - the tribulation period.
But as I was recently researching a "Pastor" and his writings, I became uneasy as I read his teachings.
I made it halfway through one of his books before I pulled the plug, called on Pastor Bill and asked for advice.
He did some reasearch for me and the results were scary.
The author wrote enough truths to seem like a true saint - but there were enough subtle differences that made his work contrary to the Word.
I got a few lessons here.
Trust my feelings; the Holy Spirit is alive and will warn me when I need it.
Seek advice and counsel from a learned man of God (Pastor Bill).
And I now understand that false prophets are alive and working today, in the present, using enough "near-truths" (like Satan) to try and lead Christians astray.
Thank you Holy Spirit.
Thank you PB.
Hi Mark,
God is good - Holy Spirit will be like an alarm bell sounding in me sometimes - just don't ignore the alarm!
The confusion comes with the teachings about Anti-Christ in end times teachings and anti-christs tha have been among the church since the beginning and will be among us until the end.
Bill
I always liked "we love because he first loved us" (4:19). I had this verse on a shirt when I was a kid, so I didn't realize the magnitude of it until now. I know that my relationship with Sara has gone as well as it has because of our Christian love. We love each other because Jesus first loved us, and made it possible to share the love between humans. I know and have seen non-Christian love, and they really seem to be missing out.
False prophets are everywhere. Good point, MW. Been to college lately? "Scientists" like to say what they believe, and other professors like to ignore the true power of Christ. In politics, we see people going against Christian values in order to make the voters happy. Yeah, the world is great, but JESUS is greater than them all. It says right here.
AMEN.
Marshall
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