1 John 2 - 6.2.26

SCRIPTURE: 1 JOHN 2:9 - 11

“Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness. Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble. But anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness. They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them.”

OBSERVATION:

The Apostle John is writing to the believers he has ministered to and warning about false teachers. The church body was under attack from these false teachers and John was trying to guide and direct them through it all. These specific verses were for both sides - the faithful believers and the false teachers. The false teachers were the ones who were claiming to be “in the light” of God yet had treated others with hate. There’s also the chance some of the true believers were also hating their brothers and sisters who were false teachers. John is showing that if you claim the light of God is within you, and you hate another in the church, you are the one in darkness.

This scripture makes a compelling yet straightforward case of how to treat our brothers and sisters in Christ. Even if they are spreading false teachings, we are told to love them. If we show that kind of love, we are living in the light. On the opposite side, hating others in the Church means we are not fultilling Christ’s commandment in John 13:34 NIV:

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”

I remember a message Pastor Levi spoke about which included the darkness he experienced in a Colorado cave. As he shared his memory, it reminded me of the time our family was probably in that exact same cave. We were instructed to turn off our flashlights and then bam - the darkness was incredible. I put my hand up in front of my face and could not see anything. The darkness was almost tangible and eerie. The thought of living in that type of darkness is scary. Not living in the light of Jesus is the scariest of all to me.

APPLICATION

Everything is centered around love - our salvation, faith, and ministry all hinge on the love Christ gave to us. Christ’s love is lived out in action. It’s not just a word to throw around but in how we treat one another and handle conflict. Our life and actions should be seen through and lived out with the lens of Christ’s love.

John 15:12 NIV: “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.”

Love and light are one in the same. If you love one another, you are in the light. If you don’t love, you’re not only living in darkness but you don’t know where you’re going and are blinded. Hate is darkness with no light at all. I can’t imagine living in darkness like that cave. Can you imagine, just for moment, that type of darkness and separation from Christ?

I encourage you to make amends with any brother or sister that you hate. Confess the hate so you don’t live in darkness. Turn your hate into love. Not sure how? Remember Christ showed his love for us all on the cross. Use the same love that Christ showed to you towards others. Put on your Jesus glasses and see the light. Even false teachers in the Church deserve the same love that Christ showed in His death on the cross.

Romans 5:8 - “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

PRAYER

Lord, thank you for your never ending love. When I think of the depth of love that you showed me by dying an awful death, just so I can have eternal life with you, it brings me to tears. Your love is deep. Your love is the light in my life. Forgive me for any time I didn’t show love to a brother or sister - for any reason - because you command us to “love one another as I have loved you.” Let your light and love in my life permeate to others. Being in the darkness, stumbling and not knowing where I’m going is a scary thought. I never want to be in that position. Help me to love the unloveable. Thank you for loving me even when I make mistakes and don’t do what’s right. I love you, Lord. Thank you for loving me. In Jesus name! Amen and Amen!!

- Mary Oberg

1 John 1 - 6.1.26

SCRIPTURE

1 John 1:5-10 

    This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin.

    If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make Him out to be a liar and His word is not in us.

OBSERVATION

The book of 1 John was a letter written to Early Church Believers to warn them of heresies that were being spread during the late first century. The Apostle John directly addresses and opposes the belief of gnosticism, the denial of the humanity of Christ, and antinomianism, the belief that Believers do not have to live holy lives. This passage lays out the gospel message that the blood of Jesus Christ and the sacrifice of His body are what purifies mankind from sin, and gives us fellowship with God and each other. As Romans 3:23 states, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”. Every human being is in desperate need of God’s mercy through His Son, Jesus Christ. When we accept Christ’s sacrifice, we are declaring to Him that we have sinned and will no longer walk in sin and darkness.  

APPLICATION

After salvation, we are walking in fellowship with God in the light and following His leading. Although our obedience does not save us, it is the response of the finished work of Christ on the cross. Believers will make mistakes but should not live in sin. As John mentions in a later chapter, that we have an advocate with the Father, who is Jesus, 1 John 2:1. True repentance comes with a change of the heart, but first we must confess where we fall short.

PRAYER

Lord Jesus, I thank You for your sacrifice and love for us. I thank You for Your Word and the clarity of who You are, that is revealed through scripture. Thank You for being my advocate when I sin. It was You who lifted me out of darkness and embraced me to be in fellowship with You and the rest of Your children. Help me to live a life that is pleasing to You in obedience, and help me to press in to know You more, Amen.

- Darrence Hamilton

2 Peter 1 - 5.29.26

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:1-4

Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ,

To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours:

Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

Observation: 

The way to have grace and peace in abundance is through the knowledge of God and Jesus. This knowledge and power of God working in us also gives the ability to live a godly life. God’s divine power gives us everything we need. Through God’s glory and goodness He has given us great and precious promises that enable us to participate in the divine nature that keeps us away from the world’s corruption.

Application:

Knowledge of God is key to so many things in our walk with God.  When I am feeling life’s circumstances overwhelm me, diving into remembering who God is can pull me back to peace.  Knowing who God is can also give me His grace to deal with trying times or people.  God has forgiven me so much, I need to show the same grace to others.

Knowing who God is helps me become more like Him and live the godly life He has called me by His glory.  I can do this by reading his word, spending time in prayer and listening to His voice.  I can see Him in His creation. I want to cling to the great and precious promises God has given me and grow in knowledge of Him.

Prayer:

Lord, you are such a wonderful God.  None compares to you.  Please help me grow in knowledge of you.  May your character grow in me as I read your Word.  Give me ears that listen for your voice.  Help me obey when you speak.  Thank you for your great and precious promises.  You will fulfill all your have spoken.  Help me keep my eyes on you and be a light to others. Amen

= Cindy Howard