1 John 1:1-10

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life- 2 the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us- 3 that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. 4 And these things we write to you that your joy may be full. 5 This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.

In chapter 1 of first John the apostle gives a summary of the Gospel, and the evidence of it.  The sum of the Gospel is Jesus Christ, who is described both as God and man; His deity is expressed by being that which was from the beginning, the Word of life, life, and eternal life.  Next His humanity is expressed by being the life manifested in the flesh, of which the apostles had full evidence by the several senses of seeing, hearing, and handling, and so were capable of bearing witness to the truth.  The primary reason John writes is to provide his readers with an understanding of what they must do to have fellowship with the apostles, with God and one another.  Simply put, God is light, and none can have fellowship with Him who do not walk in the light; those who walk in the light are cleansed from all unrighteousness by the blood of Christ, (vs. 5-7). No man can say that he has not sinned; but God is faithful and just to cleanse from all unrighteousness them who confess their sins, (vs. 8-10).

What stands out to me this morning is how John was confronting the false teachers who said that we can have fellowship with God and still walk in darkness. Here John is saying that no one can claim to be a Christian and still live in evil and immorality. In other words we can't love God and court sin at the same time, this would be spiritual adultery.  The good news (Gospel) however is that God has provided a way for us to be free from the bondage of sin so that we can have true fellowship.  It is all because of the blood of Jesus, that purifies us from every sin, that we have fellowship with the Father and Son.  In Old Testament times, believers symbolically transferred their sins to an animal, which they then sacrificed (an example can be seen in Leviticus 4). The animal died in their place to pay for their sin and to allow them to continue living in God's favor. God graciously forgave them because of their faith in Him, and because they obeyed His commandments concerning the sacrifice. Those sacrifices anticipated the day when Christ would completely remove sin. Real cleansing from sin came with Jesus, the "Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world" (John 1:29).

Sin, by its very nature, brings death?that is a fact as certain as the law of gravity. Jesus did not die for His own sins; He had none. Instead, by a divine transaction that we may never fully understand, He died for the sins of the world. When we commit our lives to Christ and identify ourselves with Him, His death becomes ours. He has paid the penalty for our sins, and His blood has purified us. Just as Christ rose from the grave, we rise to a new life of fellowship with him.

Romans 6:4 (NKJV)

Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

I pray that you would enjoy maximum fellowship and joy with Him today.

Love in Christ,

Alan J. Schrader

1 John 2:1-29

My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 2 And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world. 3 Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. 4 He who says, "I know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. 6 He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked. 7 Brethren, I write no new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you heard from the beginning. 8 Again, a new commandment I write to you, which thing is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining. 9 He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. 10 He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. 11 But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes. 12 I write to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for His name's sake. 13 I write to you, fathers, because you have known Him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you have overcome the wicked one. I write to you, little children, because you have known the Father. 14 I have written to you, fathers, because you have known Him who is from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the wicked one. 15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world-the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life-is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. 18 Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour. 19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us. 20 But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things. 21 I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and that no lie is of the truth. 22 Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son. 23 Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either; he who acknowledges the Son has the Father also. 24 Therefore let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father. 25 And this is the promise that He has promised us-eternal life. 26 These things I have written to you concerning those who try to deceive you. 27 But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him. 28 And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming. 29 If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him.

In chapter 2 of first John the apostle exhorts his readers not to sin; yet encourages those who may have fallen, by the hope of mercy through Christ.  He explains that this Advocate from the Father, Jesus Christ, is a propitiation for the sins of the whole world.  Next we read that he who knows God keeps His commandments; and he who professes to abide in Christ ought to walk as Christ walked.  Then we have the old and new commandment, and the apostle reminds the reader that they should walk in the light, and love the brethren.  Next the apostle gives description of the different states in the family of God; little children, young men, and fathers; and directions to each stage of life.  We also read a statement of what prevails in the world, and cautions are given against the antichrists. The chapter concludes with exhortations to persevere in what they had received, and to continue to follow that anointing of the Divine Spirit, by which they could discern all men, and know all things necessary to practice righteousness.

What stands out to me today is how the apostle gives very clear instruction on how we can be sure that we belong ("I know Him") to Christ.  This passage gives two ways to know Him: if you do what Christ says and live as Christ wants. What does Christ tell us to do?  In the next chapter we will read how John answers in 1 John 3:23: "to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another." True Christian faith results in loving behavior; that is why John says that the way we act can give us assurance that we belong to Christ.  Simply put, to walk today as Christ did we must obey His teachings and follow His example of complete obedience to God and loving service to people.

For many this may seem overwhelming.  How can I live as verse 6 describes?  Do you remember how many times in the Gospels we see Jesus going into prayer?  Just as we need to eat healthy food to stay physically strong, we must have daily spiritual food (prayer, bible study, fellowship) to stay spiritually strong.  And don't forget verse 1 "My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous."

Learning to Abide,

Alan J. Schrader

1 John 3:1-24

Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. 2 Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. 3 And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. 4 Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. 5 And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin. 6 Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him. 7 Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. 8 He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. 9 Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God. 10 In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother. 11 For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another, 12 not as Cain who was of the wicked one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his works were evil and his brother's righteous. 13 Do not marvel, my brethren, if the world hates you. 14 We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death. 15 Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. 16 By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 17 But whoever has this world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? 18 My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. 19 And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him. 20 For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. 21 Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. 22 And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. 23 And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment. 24 Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.

In chapter 3 of first John the apostle exhorts his readers to a holy life and conversation in general, and to the exercise of brotherly love in particular.  We learn that sin is the transgression of the law, and Christ was manifested to take away our sins (vs.4-6). Next the children of God are known by the holiness of their lives, the children of the devil by the sinfulness of their life style (vs.7-10). Then the apostle shows how we should love one another, for he that hates his brother is a murderer; as Christ laid down his life for us, so we should lay down our lives for the brethren (vs. 11-16). Love is a fruit of brotherly love; our love should be active, and not just in word or in tongue (vs. 17-18). Next the apostle talks about how we may know that we are of the truth and how those whose ways please God, have an answer to all their prayers (vs. 19-22). The chapter concludes with the necessity of keeping the commandment of Christ, that He may dwell in us and we in Him by His Spirit (vs. 23-24).

The Christian life is a process of becoming more and more like Christ. This process will not be complete until we see Christ face to face but knowing that it is our ultimate destiny should motivate us to purify ourselves. To purify means to keep morally straight, free from the corruption of sin. God also purifies us, but there is action we must take to remain morally fit:

1 Tim. 5:22 (KJV) 

    Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure.

James 4:8 (KJV) 

    Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

1 Peter 1:22 (KJV) 

    Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:

1 John 3 echoes Jesus' teaching that whoever hates another person is a murderer at heart (Matthew 5:21-22). Christianity is a religion of the heart; outward compliance alone is not enough. Bitterness against someone who has wronged you is an evil cancer within you and will eventually destroy you. Don't let a "bitter root" (Hebrews 12:15) grow in you.

I pray that you would experience and demonstrate this love.

Love in Christ,

Alan J. Schrader

1 John 4:1-21

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, 3 and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world. 4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 5 They are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them. 6 We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error. 7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9 In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us. 13 By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. 14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world. 15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. 16 And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. 17 Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. 19 We love Him because He first loved us. 20 If someone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? 21 And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.

In chapter 4 of first John the apostle cautions against seducing spirits; advises to try them, and gives rules by which they may be known, and by which they are distinguished from others.  Then the apostle returns to his favorite subject, brotherly love. He exhorts the saints not to believe every man that came with a doctrine to them, but to try them, since there were many false teachers in the world.  Those who deny that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh have the spirit of antichrist (vs. 2-3). Next the apostle show that the followers of God have been enabled to discern and overcome them (vs. 4-6). Then the necessity of love to God and one another is shown, from God's love to us (vs. 7-11). Though no man hath seen God, yet every genuine Christian knows Him by the spirit which God has given him (vs. 12-13). The apostles testified that God sent His Son to be the Savior of the world; and God dwelt in those who confessed this truth (vs. 14-15), and that God is love, (v. 16). The chapter will conclude with the nature and properties of perfect love (vs. 17-18), the fact that we love Him because He first loved us (v. 19), and the fact that it is wicked to pretend to love God while we hate one another because he that loves God should love his brother (vs. 20-21).

What stands out to me today is how the apostle exhorts us: "Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits." This means that we shouldn't believe everything we hear just because someone says it is a message inspired by God. There are many ways to test teachers to see if their message is truly from the Lord. One is to check to see if their words match what God says in the Bible. Other tests include their commitment to the body of believers (1 John 2:19), their life-style (1 John 3:23-24), and the fruit of their ministry (1 John 4:6). But the most important test of all, says John in this chapter, is what they believe about Christ. Do they teach that Jesus is fully God and fully man? Our world is filled with voices claiming to speak for God. We need to give them these tests to see if they are indeed speaking God's truth.

It is easy to be frightened by the wickedness we see in the media and all around us.  Sometimes we can battle being overwhelmed by the problems we face. Evil is obviously much stronger than we are in the natural. John assures us, however, that God is even stronger "because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world."  This is the Good News: He will conquer all evil?and His Spirit and His Word live in our hearts!

I leave you would one last thought: The day of judgment (vs. 17) is that time when all people will appear before Christ and be held accountable for their actions. With God living in us through Christ, we have no reason to fear this day, because we have been saved from punishment. Instead, we can look forward to the day of judgment, because it will mean the end of sin and the beginning of a face-to-face relationship with Jesus Christ.

Holding on to the promises that can not fail,

Alan J. Schrader