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Reflection on 1 John 3:11-24

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Scripture

Dear children, let us not merely say we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.

Observation

The message we heard from the beginning is we should love one another. Love for our christian brothers and sisters shows we have God’s life. Anyone who hates another person is a murderer at heart and does not have God’s life in him.

Jesus showed us real love by giving up His life for us. So we should give up our lives for others. If we have enough money to live well, we should share with a brother or sister in need.

We must believe in the name of Jesus, and love one another as He has commanded us.

Application

One of the unexpected features of the internet age has been the rise of tribalism on social media. It seems that the more we are connected, the more we feel the need to identify with a particular group.

Some groups are happy to welcome and endorse people as long as they toe the party line. When someone expresses an opinion contrary to the correct position, the mob descends with virtual pitch forks and harries them until they recant.

Christians are not to be like this. We are to love one another with genuine love. We must not love one another in words alone, or merely in theory. Love must be practical.

So we must continue to love people when it is not convenient or when they say things or do things a little outside our comfort zone.

John gives the example of someone who has enough money to be comfortable. They must have genuine compassion on those who are struggling financially.

Our love for one another must be like God’s love to us. It must be unconditional, unfailing, giving, costly.

We are the people who embrace the unlovely and the different ones. We are the people who hang in there with people through their struggles and challenges. We are the people who love because God first loved us,

Prayer

Father, your love for us is ever lasting. Help me to love the people around me and to be as consistent in that as you are. Amen.

Ephesians 3:12

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Here is my commentary on Ephesians 3:12. I am publishing these once or twice a week, but you can read all of the available articles at our web-site, http://www.new-life.org.au

Ephesians 3:12

“In [Christ] and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.”

In Christ we can approach God with freedom.

It is our relationship with Christ that opens up access to the Father. Our sin created a chasm that separates us from God. The cross, the sacrifice of Christ, crosses that divide .

We who were once”far off” from from God are now in His presence – not because of our own goodness or our own deeds, but because we are in Christ.

To be in Christ means that I have become one with Him. I have asked Him into my heart and in so doing I have come into His heart, so to speak.

To be in Christ is to be united with Him, knowing that our sins are forgiven and we are now children of the Living God.

It is through faith in Christ that we gain access to the Father .

To have faith means that we believe that His death is sufficient and effective. His death is sufficient because there is nothing else that we can add to it. We are saved through faith not by works. Therefore, we must trust that Christ’s death on the cross is an adequate sacrifice. We cannot keep going back to the temple to add to this sacrifice. We must not believe that any good work that we may do can in any way add to or replace this one sacrifice.

We must also believe that Christ’s death is effective for us. I need to understand that there is no limit to the number of people or the number of sins that can be covered by the blood of Christ. I must know that my sins are forgiven, the specific things that I confess each day.

When we believe in our hearts that Christ’s death means life for us, then we can put our trust in God. This combination of belief and trust is what the Bible calls faith. In the final analysis, our trust is in God’s faithfulness that he will do what he has said. Faith is always in a person not in a doctrine.

Now we can approach God in freedom and confidence.

We can approach God in Freedom because the sins that separated us from Him are gone. The burden of sin the kept us paralysed in fear of God has all been washed away.

The Book of Genesis tells of a “flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life.” (Genesis 3:24) Sin effectively barred the way to God’s life, but now that we are forgiven we have freedom to come into the presence of God – the flashing sword has been taken away.

A person might come into a king’s presence in freedom but be consumed by fear or anxiety. We can approach God with both freedom and confidence.

From being aliens in a strange country, we have been adopted into God’s family, through faith in Christ. So we can approach God with confidence because he is our Father and we are sons and daughters.

Because of the sacrifice of Christ, I not only know that my sins are forgiven, I know that God loves me and will never reject me or condemn me.

When Ruth approached her husband’s throne, she did so knowing that he could have her killed on the spot for her temerity. But we approach the throne of God with confidence because his love is eternal and unconditional.

Because I have been adopted by God I can call him “Abba Father”. That means I can speak to him in intimate and familiar terms. He is not impressed by formal language or flowery prayers. He sees my heart and He loves me.

Key points in this verse:

  • Our relationship with Christ opens up access to the Father
  • To be in Christ means to be one with Him
  • To have faith in Christ means to believe his death is sufficient and effective
  • We can approach God with freedom and confidence
  • We are sons and daughters of God

Reflection on 1 John 3:1-10

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Scripture

Those who have been born into God’s family do not make a practice of sinning, because God’s life is in them.

Observation

God’s love for us is amazing. He calls us His children. We don’t yet know what we will be when Christ returns, but we will be like Him.

Sin is breaking God’s law. Jesus came to take away our sin, so if we continue to sin, it shows we are not following the ways of Jesus.

When people keep sinning they show that they belong to the devil. People who have been born into God’s family do not continue to sin. They cannot keep sinning because God’s life is in them.

Application

If you are genuinely born again, you will turn away from sin. That is what it means to be born again.

This does not mean we become instantly perfect. There is a process, a life- time of becoming more like Jesus.

As christians we are not allowed to keep our pet sins- whether it is anger or drugs, coveting or pornography.

A christian who keeps his or her sins is like a husband who keeps a lover or two on the side. This is a contradiction.

Of course, we all struggle with sin. We all have our weaknesses, those temptations that seem to particularly entice us. We need to be like the alcoholic who knows he is only ever one drink away from falling.

While christians should not engage in repeated sin, we all fall. For that there is the remedy of 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.”

If you think this is a loophole that lets us get away with stuff, then you are not thinking straight. It is not about what we can and can’t get away with. We are not motivated by a counting of right and wrong. God has lavished His love upon us and it should be our overwhelming desire to walk in friendship with Him.

Prayer

Father, I admit my sinful ways to you. Please change my heart so deeply that I am no longer attracted to the things that break my relationship with you. Amen.

Reflection on 1 John 2:18-29

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Scripture

Dear children, the last hour is here. You have heard that the antichrist is coming, and already many such antichrists have appeared. From this we know that the last hour has come.

Observation

The last hour is here, and many antichrists have already appeared. They have left the church, but they never really belonged.

Those who remain faithful don’t just know the truth, they know the difference between the truth and lies. Anyone who denies Christ is a liar, and anyone who denies the Father and the Son is an antichrist.

If we remain faithful to Christ, the Holy Spirit will teach us what is true. So we must remain in fellowship with Christ.

Application

In my early christian years, I like many at the time, was bombarded with end-times teachings about the scary demonic Antichrist and the Great Tribulation that was coming very soon. Various names were suggested for the identity of the Antichrist, but all failed to attain the title, and most are not even remembered these days.

Here, John tells us that already there were many antichrists who had come. In fact, John is the only one that uses this term. He uses it to describe not an apocalyptic demon- possessed world ruler, but many false teachers who deny that Christ is the Son of God.

This would seem to include atheists, Muslims, Hindus, New Agers, irreligious secularists and sceptics, and many more.

The spirit of antichrist is simply any spirit that opposes Christ.

Even in the first century, they believed that they were in the “last hour.” Peter says in Acts 2 that Pentecost is the day foretold by Joel- “In the last days I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh.”

We don’t have to worry about a demonic Antichrist seizing power and persecuting christians. That has been going on for 2000 years and will continue to do so until Jesus returns- which could be tomorrow or another 2000 years.

Rather, we need to be faithful to Christ, serving Him in our daily life, and staying steadfast until the end.

Prayer

Thank you Father for your unfailing love. Thank you for the Holy Spirit who protects us from false teachings and false spirits. Please help me to be faithful to you in all things. Amen.

Ephesians 3:11

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Here is my commentary on Ephesians 3:11. I am publishing these once or twice a week, but you can read all of the available articles at our web-site, http://www.new-life.org.au

Ephesians 3:11

“This is according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

God’s intent was to make known through the church His wisdom to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms. This was His eternal plan.

People are changeable, and at times, fickle. For many people, a long-term plan means as far as next weekend.

But God is not like us. When God makes a plan it is not provisional or conditional on what happens. When God makes a plan it is perfect from the beginning, and is not subject to change or improvement.

God’s plan commenced in “eternity past,” that before time began. Before the creation of the world, God made plans for a physical universe that was distinct from the heavenly realms. In that plan, God would create a race of people who could choose to reject God’s love. He would give people an option to obey God, to worship God, and to surrender to him. Or not.

This choice had been made available to the angels , but some, led by Satan, rebelled against God. While angels who have stood in the glory of the presence of God and still rejected him, are beyond repentance, human beings who only see God dimly, like a distorted reflection, they could have the ability to be redeemed and rescued.

So while God did not create sin, he did allow for it. He foreknew that Adam and Eve would fall as would every single person since. But he made a plan long before this happened that would provide a way out.

In the book of Revelation, Christ is described as “ the Lamb who was slain from the creation of the world” ( Revelation 13:8). Thus it was always God’s intention from before creation that Jesus would pay for our sins.

God’s eternal purpose stretches into the future also. What was proposed before the beginning of time is eternal and unchanging, and so will continue past the end of time. There is no expiry date on salvation. The offer will always be there because God’s purpose is eternal and does not change.

It might be possible for God to change His mind about how people are brought into His Kingdom. It is possible that God could say that only people born again before the year 2020 could be saved. But he will not do that because his plan and purpose are eternal and will last for eternity.

God’s purpose is eternal also in the sense that it will carry us through to eternity. He has said that we will live with him forever. There will be no time limit in heaven. We will not be transient visitors as we are on Earth. We will be there forever.

His eternal purpose, that is to save people from sin and equip them for eternity, was accomplished through Jesus. His death on the cross was the moment in time when the eternal plan was activated.

The mystery, the plan, the purpose was this: God gave himself to rescue a fallen race. The revelation to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms was that sin will not steal away God’s glory. His love and righteousness come together to defeat all sinfulness and wilfulness.

All of this is through Christ Jesus our Lord.

Christ literally means “ anointed one” and refers to the Messiah. Jesus was the one sent by God to rescue His people. He was anointed by the Holy Spirit for this task.

Jesus is the Greek form of the name Yeshua which means “ the Lord is our saviour” or “ the Lord saves.” It is God’s nature to save his beloved people .

Lord is the name for Yahweh, the one true God. Jesus is not just a man. He is divine. He is the Lord.

Key points in this verse:

  • God’s purpose was commenced before time began
  • Jesus is the Lamb who was slain at the beginning of time
  • God’s plan will not change and Salvation will not stop
  • Jesus is the Messiah and he is the Lord God

Reflection on 1 John 2:12-17

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Scripture

For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasures, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions.

Observation

John writes to three groups- children, young men and fathers, These are spiritual categories, not chronological ones. God’s children are people who know they are forgiven. The young men are those who know God’s word and have won battles against the evil one. Fathers are those who know Christ in a deep and mature way.

We must not love the world, because that leads us away from God. The wold offers only superficial attractions, and it is passing away.

Application

The world system is opposed to God. It relies on our physical nature to lure us away from the things of God.

This is not to denigrate the physical body. God made us as physical beings. When the physical part of life dominates what we think about and what we do, then we are in danger of turning away from God completely.

The world offers a craving for physical pleasure. We are not to pursue sexual immorality, possessions, unrestrained desire for food, and so on, because these things of themselves are not good for us. The world entices us but God says, “No.”

The craving for what we see can be strong. This covers things like new and better possessions, greed for wealth, that special holiday that will fix everything, a better house in a more prestigious postcode. None of these things will satisfy us, but they are so tempting. The ten commandments forbid coveting, but the world thrives on it.

Pride can be a downfall for many. It is fine to feel good about our achievements, but we can become over-impressed with ourselves. Pride leads us to believe that we are better than other people and ultimately that we are infallible.

The world leads us to worship ourselves and our fleshly appetites. We make idols that displace the one true God.

Prayer

Lord, I confess the many temptations that I feel every day. Please help me to take my eyes off the things of the physical world and worship you alone. Amen.

Reflection on 1 John 2:1-11

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Scripture

Dear friends, I am writing a new commandment for you, rather it is an old one you heard from the beginning. This old commandment – to love one another- is the same message you heard before.

Observation

If we sin we have an advocate, Jesus Christ, who pleads our case with the Father. We can be sure we know Him if we obey His commandments. Someone who claims to love God but disobeys His commandments is a liar.

The commandment to love is not new. It is the same message we heard from the beginning. Jesus lived the truth of this commandment, and those who are in fellowship with Him do so too.

If a person claims to be in the light, but they hate their brother or sister, they are still living in the darkness. Anyone who loves their brother or sister is walking in the light of the Lord.

Application

The commandment to love one another is at the heart of God’s plan for us. Jesus made it clear. “A new commandment I give to you that you love one another as I have loved you.”

John says in this passage that a person’s attitude to other christian brothers and sisters shows whether or not they are truly in the light. If we fail to show love to any brother or sister, we are not really following Jesus.

In the parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus taught us that love has to be costly and extend to people beyond our normal circles, to the people we consider to be outsiders- whether that s ethnic, class or sex.

The commandment to love others is unlimited. There is no boundary placed on this.

Because Christ has loved us and all the world, we too must love everyone.

Prayer

Lord, let your love explode in my heart. Help me to love everyone with your love, and to live that out in every encounter today. Amen.

Ephesians 3:10

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Here is my commentary on Ephesians 3:10. I am publishing these once or twice a week, but you can read all of the available articles at our web-site, http://www.new-life.org.au

Ephesians 3:10

His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms.

God’s intention in revealing this mystery now, after it was hidden through the ages, is to make known his wisdom to the spiritual powers.

While we often focus in on the human dimensions of God’s salvation plan, there is a more profound agenda, the spiritual or supernatural dimension.

It is the church that embodies the wisdom of God. Paul had a very high vision of the church. Even though he had to provide correction and discipline, he had very high ideals of what the church is.

When we are tempted to cynicism about the church, we need to recall that it is through the church that the wisdom of God is being revealed. Every time the church gathers for worship, encouragement, or edification, it is displaying God’s wisdom. When the church proclaims the gospel, it is displaying God’s victory over Satan. Whenever the church stands up for jjustice or for the poor, it is proclaiming God’s Kingdom. Whenever the church ministers healing or miracles it is revealing the power of God.

What we, the church, do together in the name of Christ is not insignificant or weak or boring. The world may portray it as boring, weak or irrelevant, but the powers of hell tremble..

The manifold wisdom of God is manifested through the church.

God’s wisdom operates at many levels simultaneously. People can usually act in wisdom according to their experience or expertise. It is folly to do otherwise, unless we are advised by the Holy Spirit .

Wise leaders seek out the wisdom of other people to augment their own wisdom .

God has no need for advisers and experts. He has infinite wisdom and is able to plan goals and strategies at every level right across time and space. He is not limited by a lack of knowledge because he has all knowledge about all things. He is not limited in strength because he is all powerful. He simultaneously sees the big picture and the individual hearts of billions of people. He sees the beginning and the end, and all points in between .

The wisdom of God is based in his love. He loves his creation, and so His wisdom is rooted in lifting up people, and seeing us achieve our potential as sons and daughters.

God’s love requires also an abhorrence of sin because of the way it destroys people. Therefore, all who refuse to receive his forgiveness will be condemned. There can be no tolerance of sin and evil in God’s wisdom .

God’s wisdom is to be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms .

The church is engaged in a spiritual war that started before recorded history. The rebellion of satan and his followers resulted in their expulsion from heaven and the institution of a separate kingdom, a false kingdom. Satan’s kingdom is less than God’s Kingdom in every way. It is less in numbers and it is less powerful. But it is real nonetheless .

The spiritual war revolves around the worthiness of people to participate in God’s realm. We are both physical and spiritual beings and we fall short in so many ways. While God loves people as the pinnacle of creation, higher even than the angels, satan wants only to destroy us.

The plan of salvation, the mystery, is now being revealed. God loved us so much that He sent His Son to die for us. In this act he demonstrated his love. He showed that humility is not weakness and that love is powerful. He uses the cross to draw sinful men and women to Himself.

So God reconciles the world to Himself. This is the wisdom being shown through the church to the rulers and powers in the heavenly realms .

In the end, God will be vindicated by the existence of the church, a huge number that is impossible to count, drawn from every tribe and nation on the earth.

Key points in this verse:

  • God’s plan of salvation is not just about people, but a demonstration of God’s wisdom
  • The church is greater than we often give it credit for
  • The church shares God’s wisdom to the spiritual powers
  • God’s wisdom operates at many levels and from infinite knowledge
  • God’s wisdom is based on his love
  • We are involved in a spiritual war

Reflection on 1 John 1:1-10

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Scripture

We proclaim to you what we ourselves have actually seen and heard so that you might have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son.

Observation

John has seen and heard and touched the one who existed from the beginning. He is the Word of life. John has seen the one who is life itself.

He proclaims what he has seen and heard so that we can have fellowship with him and share in his joy.

The message is that God is light. We cannot claim to be in the light and continue to do the deeds of darkness. If we confess our sins to God, He is faithful and just to cleanse us from our sins.

Application

John is one of the first apostles, the Twelve who walked closely with Jesus and continued to carry authority, the authority of Christ, in the early church. His authority came from this close relationship. He saw and heard and touched Christ. He continues to have fellowship with the Father and the Son.

Spiritual authority does not stem from knowledge about God. You can have a dozen degrees in theology and still not know God. It is about fellowship or relationship with God.

We cannot touch or see the Word in the same way that John did. But we can have fellowship with God through the grace of the Holy Spirit.

Fellowship with God is something that we pursue over many years. It comes from humble obedience, in prayer, in listening to the Spirit, and through reading and obeying Scripture.

Prayer

Thank you, Lord, for the wonderful privilege of fellowship with you. Come and dwell in me, fill me and direct my paths. Amen.

Reflection on Romans 16:1-27

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Scripture

All glory to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.

Observation

Paul sends greetings to many individual christians and leaders in the church at Rome.

His last appeal to them is to watch out for false teachers who teach things contrary to the gospel. They deceive everyone with their smooth talk and glowing words. The Romans, on the other hand, are faithful to Christ.

Application

This final doxology, or blessing, concludes the letter to the Romans.

All of Paul’s life was about glorifying God. He did this firstly in a zealous way fighting heretics including followers of Christ, but later just as zealous for Christ.

Paul counted even his extreme sufferings such as prison, beatings, being shipwrecked, all as nothing compared to the riches of Christ’s glory.

In comparison to Paul, I always feel somewhat inferior and lazy. We should not make comparisons, because God calls us all to live differently, but how wonderful it would be to have Paul’s zeal and boldness for Christ.

I need to learn to put aside everything that detracts from Jesus. This is not just about sin, but all the other distractions that stop me from following Jesus as I should.

I need also to get a clearer vision of Jesus- His grace and love and holiness, allowing Him to capture my heart so that nothing comes close to Him in my affections.

Prayer

Lord, please help me to see you more clearly, love you more dearly and follow you more nearly. Amen.