2 John 1 - 7.20.23
Scripture
2 John 1:10-11 NLT
“If anyone comes to your meeting and does not teach the truth about Christ, don’t invite that person into your home or give any kind of encouragement. Anyone who encourages such people becomes a partner in their evil work.”
Observation
In this epistle, John is more than likely writing a letter to the early church. He is reminding them the importance of the commandment that Jesus has given them, which is to love one another, and to remain living in the truth, (which is living in the way Jesus has called them to live). One of the ways the early church showed love to one another was by displaying their warm hospitality. They would invite people into their homes, share a meal, conversation, but most importantly share the gospel of Christ with them. But this love and hospitality had to come with some boundaries. John warns the church that there are people out there who don’t teach the truth about Jesus. They may twist the message of the gospel, try to dilute the power of its meaning, and deny who Jesus really is. John instructs the church to not invite these kind of people into their homes or even associate with them. These people are deceivers and will try to cause a division amongst them, and try to break them apart in their beliefs. This cannot happen!
Application
Stand strong in your faith, your convictions, and your trust that Jesus Christ is Lord!
Believe it or not, these deceivers are still out there to this day denying who Jesus Christ is. They come knocking at your doors. They even have booths set up at malls and stores giving you flyers and reading materials that may seem very familiar to our own beliefs. But beware! Look closely at it. They may mention God and helping others, but if you look closely or look deeper into their religious organization, they will deny who Jesus Christ is. And that is what John was warning us about in this chapter.
So stay on your guard! Truly study your Bible and know God’s Word so you will not be deceived. Don’t allow anyone to confuse you from God’s truth and gospel message. And like we learned these past couple of weeks, put on the full armor of God. Be sure we are prepared from any attacks that the enemy will throw our way.
“Be careful that you do not believe any false teachers. The ideas that they teach may seem clever. But they really want to deceive you. They are ideas that have come from the human minds of our ancestors. Or ideas that come from spirits that belong to this world. They are not the true message about Christ.” -Colossians 2:8
Prayer
Father God I pray for Your protection over not only my mind and heart from the deceivers in this world, but I also pray for the protection over my brothers and sisters in Christ. May we stand strong in our faith and not be deceived. Lord, You even tell us to love our enemies. And so I want to pray for those people out there trying to deceive Your people and others out there. I pray that You may open their eyes and their hearts to their wrongdoings. May You reveal the truth about Jesus in their lives so that it can bring them to repentance. In Jesus name I pray, Amen. 🙏🏽
-Moses Gaddi
1 John 5 - 7.19.23
Scripture
I John 5:3-4 In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.
Observation
In his death on the cross, Jesus entered into mortal combat with the powers of darkness and overcame them in his death. When by faith we appropriate the benefits of his atoning work, we enter into the power by which he gained this victory and thus in him we have (and do) overcome the world. (Asbury Bible Commentary)
Application
In multiple places in the bible, it says that if we love God, we will keep His commands. But how can we do that when we are all sinners? We can try as hard as we can, and we are still destined to fail. Following God’s commands all the time seems impossible. But that is when we are trying in our own strength.
Through faith, we believe that Jesus conquered sin. By faith, we must believe that Jesus, living in us, empowers us with that same victory over sin. We don’t have to fight and strive – we have to believe. There is power in the name of Jesus – sin you have no hold on me!
Prayer
God, help me to remember today that the battle is already won. I don’t have to fight, I have to believe. And if I believe, then your commands are not burdensome. I have the power of Jesus on my side.
- Debbie Dunn
1 John 4 - 7.18.23
Scripture
1 John 4:19-21
"We love because He first loved us. Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister."
Observation
In this chapter, John speaks about testing the spirits and how to discern whether they are from God. Is it the authentic Spirit of God?
He then goes on to write about what real love looks like. Being able to love others originates from God’s love for us. His love for us is not meant to be kept for ourselves, but shared with others, especially our brothers and sisters in the faith.
Application
Love our brothers and sisters in the faith.
On Sunday, part of Pastor Levi’s sermon addressed how there are people who say they don’t need the church. Their relationship with God is just between them and Him. I have also had people tell me that they love God, but they don’t love people.
Why would John, through the Holy Spirit, need to encourage us to love our brothers and sisters in the faith? Because let’s be real, sometimes it’s not easy. Sometimes, we get hurt, blindsided or feel betrayed by family members. Some people have been sinned against too. Another example is in Matthew 18:21-22. Peter asked the Lord how many times he should forgive his brother and sister who sins against him. Peter didn’t ask Jesus how many times to forgive the people in the world, but rather his own brothers and sisters in Christ. This just proves that even in the church, we will hurt others and be hurt by others.
Human relationships can be complicated, but no matter how hard it may be, we are called to love AND forgive our brothers and sisters in the Lord. Scripture says that we can say we love God all we want, but we would be liars until we start loving the Church too!
In a family, there are always ups and downs, yet we do not quit on each other. It’s important to always pray for each other (it’s hard not to love people you pray for), forgive each other, and love/serve each other.
Prayer
Dear Lord, I don’t want my faith and my relationship with You to be a lie because I refuse to love my own brothers and sisters in the faith. Please help me to always forgive, show mercy and love the way You have FIRST shown me. Amen.
-Michelle Gaddi