They had known each other since they were ten years old. They grew up in the same neighborhood, went to the same school, played ball together, spent the night at each other’s house, and did all of the other things that good friends do. Somewhere in their early to mid-teens, they began to drift apart.Continue reading “Obedience And Love”
Category Archives: 1 John
The Leader of the Band
Dan Fogleberg was a singer-songwriter who enjoyed his greatest popularity during the late seventies and early eighties. He had several hit songs: Part of the Plan, Longer, Same Old Lang Syne, and the song he is best known for—Leader of the Band. Leader of the Band is a tribute song to his father, Lawrence, who was a high schoolContinue reading “The Leader of the Band”
Laying Down
In 1 John 3, John has a lot to say about disciples loving one another. He tells us that the call to love each other . . . 1. Is embedded in God’s love for us. In 3:1 John writes: See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called childrenContinue reading “Laying Down”
Overcoming
If there is anything disciples should hold near and dear to their heart, it’s a message about overcoming. After all, it doesn’t always feel or seem as if we’re overcoming, does it? And there are times when we’re convinced it is anything but that. We feel overwhelmed, discouraged, and quite possibly, defeated. At such times,Continue reading “Overcoming”
There Is No Substitute!
I have much to write to you, but I do not want to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to visit you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete. (John in 2 John v. 12) John had a lot on his heart that he wanted to share withContinue reading “There Is No Substitute!”
To Pray or not to Pray? (The Sin Leading to Death)
John is speaking of the confidence we have in prayer in 1 John 5:14-15. Building on the theme of assurance that runs throughout the letter (note all the places where the word “know” is used), he wants us to understand that when we ask anything according to His will, it will be granted! God isn’tContinue reading “To Pray or not to Pray? (The Sin Leading to Death)”
This Is Love!
The Gnostic influencers John was opposing in 1 John were not known for their love. They were spiritual elitists. Anyone who was “in the know” as they were was okay, but everyone else was looked down upon in contempt. They were like some of the religious officials of Jesus’ day “who were confident of theirContinue reading “This Is Love!”
What Are You Doing?
Why is it whenever someone starts to talk about keeping God’s commands, people get uneasier than a long-tailed cat in a room full of rockers? Why when John pointedly tells us, “His commands are not burdensome” (1 John 5:13), do so many people act like they are? Well, what are you doing? 1 John Home
The Joy of Obedience
1 John is a brief but marvelously rich letter. But when you first get into it, there’s a good possibility it will overwhelm you with its repetition of a cluster of words. In its 105 verses, “know” is used 32 x’s, “love” is used 27 x’s, “sin” is used 20 x’s, “life” and “brother” areContinue reading “The Joy of Obedience”
Living in the Light
John assures the disciples he is writing in 1:1-4 of his first letter that the message they had shared with them about Christ was rooted in historical reality. There were Gnostic influencers who were spreading the heresy that Christ had not come in the flesh (see this in 2 John v. 7). John wants themContinue reading “Living in the Light”
A Taste of Grace with Bruce Green 