See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are. For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.
1 John 3:1 NASB
Can you truthfully say with John that the world does not know you? As Christians we are a peculiar people. True Christians do not blindly conform to the ways of this world (Romans 12:2). They do not run in the same course of sin that the world does, and the world cannot understand this (1 Peter 4:3-4).
Jesus told His disciples that they were not of this world, He had in fact chosen them out of it.
If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you.
John 15:18-19 NASB
There is something wrong with your Christianity if you are loved and accepted by the world. Jesus said that Christians are chosen out of the world, therefore they are hated by the world. The world loves those who belong to the world! If you belong to the world you are not of the Kingdom of God!
Just as the world hated and rejected Christ, so too His followers will be hated and rejected, the reason being, they do not know God (John 15:21, 23).
There is so much compromise and tolerance today. Everyone is seeking to feel accepted by the world, and yet be called a Christian. This is a great error, that leaves one feeling secure in their sins. Jesus said that the road a disciple travels is narrow with few on it. It is a lonely thing to be a follower of Christ, while the broad road to destruction is filled with people enjoying the fellowship of darkness as they travel to hell (Matt 7:13-14).
The one who compromises with the world, who remains silent while the world around is filled with wickedness, is seeking acceptance by the world. They would rather be safe and loved by what they profess to have come out of, than to take a stand for Christ and His word, Jesus will be ashamed of them at His coming (Matt 10:33; Mark 8:38; Luke 12:9).
These kind of professors are those whose heart is filled with the things of this world, the things that Jesus warns us about seeking. They are pursuing the material treasures of this temporal world, rather than laying up eternal treasure in heaven. They seek their best life now rather than giving Christ and His kingdom the highest priority (Matt 6:19-21, 33).
We have been chosen out of this world. We are not of this world. If this is true in our lives, we will be despised by this world for our testimony of Christ's redeeming work in our lives. If we find ourselves loved and accepted by this sinful world, something is lacking in our profession of Christ!
Sunday, November 9, 2014
Saturday, November 8, 2014
Confidence or Shame?
There are professed Christians who do not look forward to meeting Christ, because they know deep down, that they are not right with God. Their hearts condemn them according to their actions as Paul teaches in Romans 2:12-16.
John tells us that we must abide in Christ if we are to have confidence at His appearing (1 John 2:28). Those who abide in Christ are those who bear much fruit (John 15:4-5).
To abide in Christ is to live in obedient submission to Him as Lord and master. It is to be totally surrendered to Him and His will. It is to live in dependence on Him, trusting Him to empower us to do every good work. It is to be connected to Him through faith. Just as a branch must remain connected to the vine if it is to have life, so we too must remain in Christ or we will be unfruitful, and die spiritually.
The one who abides in Christ will not shrink in shame at His appearing because he is living righteously. John goes on to tell us that if we believe God is righteous, we will also practice righteousness, because we are born of God (1 John 2:29).
The one who is born again now lives by a new standard. He no longer lives selfishly, in rebellion against God, but he lives to please God in all he does. Such an individual finds that what the law requires is being fulfilled in his life as he walks in the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:4).
This kind of individual is doing what is right in the sight of God and man. He loves God with all his heart, soul, mind and strength, and loves his neighbor as himself. this love shows itself in how he treats others. True biblical love must act, it must prove itself by deeds, or it is not love, just as faith without works is dead, because faith works by love (Gal 5:6; James 2:17, 26).
Look at the bride of Christ at the marriage supper of the lamb in the book of Revelation. She had made herself ready, dressed in fine linen, bright and clean. What did this fine linen represent? The righteous deeds of the saints (Revelation 19:7-8).
The true Christian is a new person, living for the glory of Christ, working out his faith by doing deeds of righteousness. Christians do not work to earn God's favor, they are producing the fruit of righteousness because they are branches abiding in the vine, which is Christ. It is inevitable that they do such things, because if there is no fruit, they are not in Christ, but lost.
Do you look for His appearing with joyful confidence, knowing that you are born again, and faithfully serving Jesus Christ? Or, do you fear His return, knowing you must stand before Him in shame, because you are not born again, and your actions prove it?
John tells us that we must abide in Christ if we are to have confidence at His appearing (1 John 2:28). Those who abide in Christ are those who bear much fruit (John 15:4-5).
To abide in Christ is to live in obedient submission to Him as Lord and master. It is to be totally surrendered to Him and His will. It is to live in dependence on Him, trusting Him to empower us to do every good work. It is to be connected to Him through faith. Just as a branch must remain connected to the vine if it is to have life, so we too must remain in Christ or we will be unfruitful, and die spiritually.
The one who abides in Christ will not shrink in shame at His appearing because he is living righteously. John goes on to tell us that if we believe God is righteous, we will also practice righteousness, because we are born of God (1 John 2:29).
The one who is born again now lives by a new standard. He no longer lives selfishly, in rebellion against God, but he lives to please God in all he does. Such an individual finds that what the law requires is being fulfilled in his life as he walks in the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:4).
This kind of individual is doing what is right in the sight of God and man. He loves God with all his heart, soul, mind and strength, and loves his neighbor as himself. this love shows itself in how he treats others. True biblical love must act, it must prove itself by deeds, or it is not love, just as faith without works is dead, because faith works by love (Gal 5:6; James 2:17, 26).
Look at the bride of Christ at the marriage supper of the lamb in the book of Revelation. She had made herself ready, dressed in fine linen, bright and clean. What did this fine linen represent? The righteous deeds of the saints (Revelation 19:7-8).
The true Christian is a new person, living for the glory of Christ, working out his faith by doing deeds of righteousness. Christians do not work to earn God's favor, they are producing the fruit of righteousness because they are branches abiding in the vine, which is Christ. It is inevitable that they do such things, because if there is no fruit, they are not in Christ, but lost.
Do you look for His appearing with joyful confidence, knowing that you are born again, and faithfully serving Jesus Christ? Or, do you fear His return, knowing you must stand before Him in shame, because you are not born again, and your actions prove it?
Friday, November 7, 2014
The World, or Christ?
John tells us that we cannot love the world and love God at the same time.
Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves 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 boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.
1 John 2:15-16 NASB
This is what Jesus taught in the sermon on the mount.
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and thieves do not break in or steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.
Matthew 6:19-20, 24 NASB
This comes down to the basic question of who or what are we living for? For most, they are living selfishly for themselves. They are storing up their treasures in this life. They are pursuing the things that please their flesh and look good to their eyes. Their lives are spent trying to get ahead in this life. This is where their heart is, as Jesus said.
An individual living for self, and temporal things cannot love God, or live for those things that please Him, because they are exact opposites. A believer in Christ is no longer selfishly pursuing this world and its ways, but living to please God in all he or she does.
Jesus even addressed our need for food and clothing, saying we are not to worry about these things, but instead seek first His kingdom and righteousness. The world seeks after these things. The word seek means to pursue, to live for. For many, their ambition does not rise any higher than the basic essentials of life. Jesus shows us a higher way. When we pursue Him, live for Him and His kingdom, we need not worry about the basic needs of life, He will provide for us (Matthew 6:25-34).
Many professed believers in Christ show by their lives that they are not serving Christ, Their lives are lived primarily for self. This is wicked and shows that they do not love God, or truly desire to serve Him.
Take an honest look at your own life. What motivates the choices you make each day? Can you truly say that you are not living for the temporal gratification of self? What kind of things do you pursue? Do you seek first the kingdom of God in your daily life, or do you seek first your own wants and needs? Is your life about Jesus Christ and living righteously before Him, or is it about getting ahead in this world?
This is an indicator of one's spiritual condition. We cannot love God while we try to hang on to this world with all it has to offer us. This world and all of it's lusts will pass away some day, but the one who does the will of God will live forever (1 John 2:17).
Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves 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 boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.
1 John 2:15-16 NASB
This is what Jesus taught in the sermon on the mount.
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and thieves do not break in or steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.
Matthew 6:19-20, 24 NASB
This comes down to the basic question of who or what are we living for? For most, they are living selfishly for themselves. They are storing up their treasures in this life. They are pursuing the things that please their flesh and look good to their eyes. Their lives are spent trying to get ahead in this life. This is where their heart is, as Jesus said.
An individual living for self, and temporal things cannot love God, or live for those things that please Him, because they are exact opposites. A believer in Christ is no longer selfishly pursuing this world and its ways, but living to please God in all he or she does.
Jesus even addressed our need for food and clothing, saying we are not to worry about these things, but instead seek first His kingdom and righteousness. The world seeks after these things. The word seek means to pursue, to live for. For many, their ambition does not rise any higher than the basic essentials of life. Jesus shows us a higher way. When we pursue Him, live for Him and His kingdom, we need not worry about the basic needs of life, He will provide for us (Matthew 6:25-34).
Many professed believers in Christ show by their lives that they are not serving Christ, Their lives are lived primarily for self. This is wicked and shows that they do not love God, or truly desire to serve Him.
Take an honest look at your own life. What motivates the choices you make each day? Can you truly say that you are not living for the temporal gratification of self? What kind of things do you pursue? Do you seek first the kingdom of God in your daily life, or do you seek first your own wants and needs? Is your life about Jesus Christ and living righteously before Him, or is it about getting ahead in this world?
This is an indicator of one's spiritual condition. We cannot love God while we try to hang on to this world with all it has to offer us. This world and all of it's lusts will pass away some day, but the one who does the will of God will live forever (1 John 2:17).
Tuesday, November 4, 2014
Which Jesus Do You Believe in?
People have all kinds of beliefs when it comes to Jesus.
Some believe that He was only a man. They believe He existed, taught about God's ways, and did good things for others. Some even believe He died for sins, but was only a man, not God.
There are those who believe that He was God, but not a man. He came to this earth as God only, although looked human in appearance, but He possessed no humanity.
Some believe that although He existed, He was not the Messiah or Savior of mankind.
These views of Christ are all false and present a different Jesus than the one the Bible shows us. They are just idols, the inventions of man's futile thinking. John warn us that if we believe in a different Jesus we are unbelievers. In fact He calls those who believe this way antichrist!
It is vital to our salvation that we know who Jesus is, and that we are following the true Christ whom the scriptures present.
John writes that we must believe Jesus is the Messiah, that is anointed one or Christ (1 John 2:22).
To deny the Son, is to deny God (1 John 2:23).
We must confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh (1 John 4:2-3).
Jesus is God in the flesh, and we must confess Him as such (John 1:1-5, 14-18; 1 John 4:15).
To step out of the doctrine of Christ is fatal to our souls (2 John 1:7-9).
We must be careful that we do not receive a different Jesus than the one taught by the Apostles, and presented to us in the word of God (2 Cor 11:4). There are many deceivers in the world, and to put our faith in a different Jesus will lead us to hell. there is only one Jesus who can save our souls, and we must follow Him.
Some believe that He was only a man. They believe He existed, taught about God's ways, and did good things for others. Some even believe He died for sins, but was only a man, not God.
There are those who believe that He was God, but not a man. He came to this earth as God only, although looked human in appearance, but He possessed no humanity.
Some believe that although He existed, He was not the Messiah or Savior of mankind.
These views of Christ are all false and present a different Jesus than the one the Bible shows us. They are just idols, the inventions of man's futile thinking. John warn us that if we believe in a different Jesus we are unbelievers. In fact He calls those who believe this way antichrist!
It is vital to our salvation that we know who Jesus is, and that we are following the true Christ whom the scriptures present.
John writes that we must believe Jesus is the Messiah, that is anointed one or Christ (1 John 2:22).
To deny the Son, is to deny God (1 John 2:23).
We must confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh (1 John 4:2-3).
Jesus is God in the flesh, and we must confess Him as such (John 1:1-5, 14-18; 1 John 4:15).
To step out of the doctrine of Christ is fatal to our souls (2 John 1:7-9).
We must be careful that we do not receive a different Jesus than the one taught by the Apostles, and presented to us in the word of God (2 Cor 11:4). There are many deceivers in the world, and to put our faith in a different Jesus will lead us to hell. there is only one Jesus who can save our souls, and we must follow Him.
Sunday, November 2, 2014
Brotherly Love, A Mark of Salvation.
A mark of true Christian conversion is the love that brothers and sisters in Christ have for one another. John has this to say about the love of the brethren.
The one who says he is in the Light and yet hates his brother is in the darkness until now. The one who loves his brother abides in the Light and there is no cause for stumbling in him. But the one who hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going because the darkness has blinded his eyes.
1 John 2:9-10 NASB
God is love, and those who have been born again and indwelled with the Spirit of God will love one another (1 John 4:7-11). As Christians we are taught by God to love each other (1 Thess 4:9). Therefore to say we are walking in the light while we hate a fellow believer in Christ is an impossibility!
As the scriptures tell us we are walking blindly in darkness if we harbor hate towards a fellow believer.
Love is not a fuzzy feeling about someone. It is a genuine desire to see the best for someone other than yourself. It acts in the best interest of others. So to withhold good from someone in need is to hate that individual, and thus prove our salvation is not grounded in truth (1 John 3:17-19).
Remember as believers we have a common goal, which is Christ. Therefore it is a great evil to despise someone who shares with us in the kingdom of God. To look down on another Christian, to harbor prejudice against another, to show favoritism, is wicked, and acts against the law of love by which we will be judged (James 2:1-13).
Are you walking in the light, loving your brothers and sisters in Christ? If not, I would question your salvation, you can have no assurance unless you walk in love.
The one who says he is in the Light and yet hates his brother is in the darkness until now. The one who loves his brother abides in the Light and there is no cause for stumbling in him. But the one who hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going because the darkness has blinded his eyes.
1 John 2:9-10 NASB
God is love, and those who have been born again and indwelled with the Spirit of God will love one another (1 John 4:7-11). As Christians we are taught by God to love each other (1 Thess 4:9). Therefore to say we are walking in the light while we hate a fellow believer in Christ is an impossibility!
As the scriptures tell us we are walking blindly in darkness if we harbor hate towards a fellow believer.
Love is not a fuzzy feeling about someone. It is a genuine desire to see the best for someone other than yourself. It acts in the best interest of others. So to withhold good from someone in need is to hate that individual, and thus prove our salvation is not grounded in truth (1 John 3:17-19).
Remember as believers we have a common goal, which is Christ. Therefore it is a great evil to despise someone who shares with us in the kingdom of God. To look down on another Christian, to harbor prejudice against another, to show favoritism, is wicked, and acts against the law of love by which we will be judged (James 2:1-13).
Are you walking in the light, loving your brothers and sisters in Christ? If not, I would question your salvation, you can have no assurance unless you walk in love.
Do You Walk Like Jesus?
John tells us that if we say we abide in Christ, we ought to walk like Him (1 John 2:6). The proof of our relationship with Him is shown by our living and acting just as He did.
It is impossible to have a close personal relationship with someone with whom you cannot agree with. If you do not desire to be like Jesus in His life and conduct you cannot say that you truly abide in Him. What kind of fellowship can you have with Him when His holy ways are so disagreeable to you?
Peter tells us that Jesus left us an example to follow(1Peter 2:21-24). His life was one that was spent on behalf of others. He suffered and died for us so that we could live righteously. He was reviled but did not revile in return. He uttered no threats. He forgave His persecutors.
Look at the sermon on the mount and see that Jesus taught His followers to be forgiving, peacemakers, gentle, to even love their enemies! He taught us not to take revenge, not to retaliate, not to even pursue our own rights! This is so opposite what the world believes, and puts into practice.
Jesus was not one to teach something that He was not willing to put into practice. When He told us that the greatest act of love was to lay down one's life for his friends, He proved it by dying for our sins (John 15:13).
What does your life look like? Are you faithfully following in the steps of Jesus by loving those who do not love you? Are you obeying His commands as He obeyed His heavenly Father (John 6:38)? Do you freely forgive? Do you let go of wrongs done you, do you suffer wrongs without complaint? Are you patient and gentle, do you seek to be a peacemaker as far as it depends upon you (Romans 12:18)?
Jesus was not always meek and mild either. He spoke out against sin and hardened unbelief. There was no compromise with evil for Him, and there can be no compromise for us either. There are times when like Christ, we too must stand against sin, no matter what others may say or do to us. This is where suffering and persecution enter in. We are told that if They persecuted Christ, they will persecute us as well (John 15:20).
This is what Jesus taught us, and how He lived in this world. This is the litmus test of our salvation. Do you walk as Jesus walked?
It is impossible to have a close personal relationship with someone with whom you cannot agree with. If you do not desire to be like Jesus in His life and conduct you cannot say that you truly abide in Him. What kind of fellowship can you have with Him when His holy ways are so disagreeable to you?
Peter tells us that Jesus left us an example to follow(1Peter 2:21-24). His life was one that was spent on behalf of others. He suffered and died for us so that we could live righteously. He was reviled but did not revile in return. He uttered no threats. He forgave His persecutors.
Look at the sermon on the mount and see that Jesus taught His followers to be forgiving, peacemakers, gentle, to even love their enemies! He taught us not to take revenge, not to retaliate, not to even pursue our own rights! This is so opposite what the world believes, and puts into practice.
Jesus was not one to teach something that He was not willing to put into practice. When He told us that the greatest act of love was to lay down one's life for his friends, He proved it by dying for our sins (John 15:13).
What does your life look like? Are you faithfully following in the steps of Jesus by loving those who do not love you? Are you obeying His commands as He obeyed His heavenly Father (John 6:38)? Do you freely forgive? Do you let go of wrongs done you, do you suffer wrongs without complaint? Are you patient and gentle, do you seek to be a peacemaker as far as it depends upon you (Romans 12:18)?
Jesus was not always meek and mild either. He spoke out against sin and hardened unbelief. There was no compromise with evil for Him, and there can be no compromise for us either. There are times when like Christ, we too must stand against sin, no matter what others may say or do to us. This is where suffering and persecution enter in. We are told that if They persecuted Christ, they will persecute us as well (John 15:20).
This is what Jesus taught us, and how He lived in this world. This is the litmus test of our salvation. Do you walk as Jesus walked?
Saturday, November 1, 2014
Obedience, the Proof of Our Love.
In 1 John chapter 2 we find another passage of scripture that show us if we are truly born again or not.
By this we have come to know Him if we keep His commandments. The one who says, "I have come to know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him: the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.
1 John 2:3-6 NASB
Jesus has shown us that the one who loves Him will obey His commands.
"If you love Me, You will keep My commandments."
"He who has my commandments and keeps them is the one who loves me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him."
"If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make our abode with him. He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine, but the Father's who sent Me."
John 14:15, 21, 23-24 NASB
You see, if we truly love someone, we will be absorbed in pleasing that person. If we truly love Christ from the heart, we will be careful to do what He commands us to do, not out of a sense of duty or slavish fear, but because we desire to please Him. The things that Christ desires are the things that we desire, because our highest goal as Christians is to see Jesus Christ glorified.
An individual who claims to know and love Jesus, and yet ignores and disobeys His clear teachings in the scriptures is nothing but a selfish fraud, caring only about themselves. Such a professor is deceived and lost in their sin and selfishness.
"Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?"
Luke 6:46
Jesus teaches us that it is useless to claim Him as Lord, and yet to live in disobedience to His commandments. He compares it to a builder who builds a house without a foundation upon sand, When a storm arose the house was destroyed (Luke 6:49).
Matthew records this same passage with the warning that Jesus will reject all those who claim Him as Lord, but do not obey Him (Matthew 7:21-23).
So how does your salvation line up with these words? Do you have a living faith that causes you to willingly obey Christ because He is the love of your life, or is your faith a dead empty faith that will lead you all the way to hell (James 2:26)?
By this we have come to know Him if we keep His commandments. The one who says, "I have come to know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him: the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.
1 John 2:3-6 NASB
Jesus has shown us that the one who loves Him will obey His commands.
"If you love Me, You will keep My commandments."
"He who has my commandments and keeps them is the one who loves me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him."
"If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make our abode with him. He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine, but the Father's who sent Me."
John 14:15, 21, 23-24 NASB
You see, if we truly love someone, we will be absorbed in pleasing that person. If we truly love Christ from the heart, we will be careful to do what He commands us to do, not out of a sense of duty or slavish fear, but because we desire to please Him. The things that Christ desires are the things that we desire, because our highest goal as Christians is to see Jesus Christ glorified.
An individual who claims to know and love Jesus, and yet ignores and disobeys His clear teachings in the scriptures is nothing but a selfish fraud, caring only about themselves. Such a professor is deceived and lost in their sin and selfishness.
"Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?"
Luke 6:46
Jesus teaches us that it is useless to claim Him as Lord, and yet to live in disobedience to His commandments. He compares it to a builder who builds a house without a foundation upon sand, When a storm arose the house was destroyed (Luke 6:49).
Matthew records this same passage with the warning that Jesus will reject all those who claim Him as Lord, but do not obey Him (Matthew 7:21-23).
So how does your salvation line up with these words? Do you have a living faith that causes you to willingly obey Christ because He is the love of your life, or is your faith a dead empty faith that will lead you all the way to hell (James 2:26)?
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