Category Archives: 1 John

For the Bible Tells Me So

Back when peoplewrote letters, they did so for lots of reasons. They wanted to stay in contact with a loved one from whom they were separated (this was especially true in the days before there were phones and later when people had phones but long-distance calls were expensive). They also wrote to share news (thisContinue reading “For the Bible Tells Me So”

Something About 1 John

1 John is a powerful, vibrant read! There’s a lot packed into this brief letter that disciples need to hear. But as with any other writing, there are a few things about John and his style that are helpful to recognize if we are to glean everything that he has for us. John’s first letter isContinue reading “Something About 1 John”

Praying Up

In 1 John 3:21-22, John writes: 21 Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God 22 and receive from him anything we ask, because we keep his commands and do what pleases him. What does John mean by this? Is he saying God gives disciples carte blanche when it comes to them asking and Him answering? Understand,Continue reading “Praying Up”

John And Commandments (2)

In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, (1 John 5:3). Some friends of ours (Mark & Carol), were headed home Sunday after attending church and eating out. They live in a rural community, so they were traveling on a somewhat isolated stretch of road whenContinue reading “John And Commandments (2)”

John And Commandments (1)

Word association: commandment What did you come up with? Did you think of things like liberation, joy, freedom, and peace? Or, did your mind turn toward things like legalism, bondage, and burden? Or perhaps you landed somewhere in between these two extremes. I suppose to be totally accurate to the point I want to address I should have asked, “What do youContinue reading “John And Commandments (1)”

Assurance And The Spirit

“And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.” (1 John3:24)  “This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit.” (1 John 4:13) John tells us not once, but twice, that the proof we’reContinue reading “Assurance And The Spirit”

Assurance And The Disciples

When John writes of keeping commands (2:3,3:22,24,5:3), doing what is right (2:29,3:7,3:10), and not sinning (2:1,3:6,9,5:18), he is speaking directionally. Everyone is headed toward something and the disciple is headed in the direction of His Father. God is both the light (v. 5) and in the light (v. 7), (think of our sun, it is lightContinue reading “Assurance And The Disciples”