Truth From Apostle John For Today
Truth From Apostle John For Today
By Dennis Huebshman
1 John 2:15-17; “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/her. (16) For all that is in the world – the desires of the flesh, and the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life – is not from the Father, but is from the world. (17) And the world is passing away (obviously) along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.” (any emphasis mine)
1 John 2:22-23;25; “Who is the liar, but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son. (23) No one who denies the Son, has the Father. (also John 3:18; 1 John 5:12) Whoever confesses the Son, has the Father also. (25) And this is the promise that He made to us – eternal life.”
1 John 1:5-7; “This is the message we have heard from Him, and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all! (6) If we say we have fellowship with Him while we 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, His Son, cleanses us from all sin.”
1 John 3:23-24; “And this is His commandment, that we believe in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another; just as He has commanded us. (24) Whoever keeps His commandments abides in God, and God in him/her. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the (Holy) Spirit whom He has given to us.”
1 John 4:2-4; “By this you know the Spirit of God; every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God; (3) and every spirit that does not confess Jesus, is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist which you heard was coming, and now is in the world already. (4) Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for He who is in you is greater than he (satan) who is in the world.”
Please note, satan has worked hard from the time of creation, and has not let up one bit. Once the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus took place, he saw that his end was approaching. His “antichrists” have been paving the way for the ultimate end-time evil one. John is letting us know that antichrists and false prophets were active even in his time, and that their activity would increase toward the end of this age. Jesus, Paul and others also spoke of this, and it’s obvious that we’re in that time right now.
1 John 4:7-8; “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves, has been born (again) of God, and knows God. (8) Anyone who does not love, does not know God, because God is Love.”
The book of 1 John is absolutely bursting with information that all who are, or are about to be, true believers, will find essential. As with the Gospel of John, this book is written in a way that is quite easy to understand.
For example; 1 John 1:8-10; “If we say 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 we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.” Plain, simple and to the point.
It should be obvious that our Creator knows our every thought and deed, and to try to cover up a sin is foolish. After all, He is the one that provided a pathway to forgiveness for those who accept Jesus as Savior. In 1 John 2:1, he writes; “My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But, if anyone does sin, (actually “when” not “if”) we have an Advocate with the Father; Jesus Christ the Righteous.”
Back when David was King, he wrote a Psalm about just how much our Father cares for us and loves us. Psalm 103:11-12; “For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His steadfast love toward those who fear (love and respect) Him; (12) as far as the east is from the west, so far does He remove our transgressions from us.” This never changes. Hebrews 13:8; “Jesus Christ (who is also God-John 10:30) is the same yesterday, and today, and forever.” David had sinned, and unlike some others, he always repented afterward, and accepted responsibility.
We can be forgiven of all our sins, but are still liable for discipline for our actions. Hebrews 12:6; “For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and chastises every son/daughter whom He receives.” David was disciplined, but never lost his love for the Father.
The one unforgiveable sin is to take your last breath on this earth without ever having accepted Jesus as your eternal Savior. For the false prophets of today that say Jesus was just a prophet, or that He isn’t necessary for Salvation; John 14:6; “Jesus said, I am the Way, the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except by Me.” And in Acts 4:12 we have Peter’s declaration; “And there is Salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under Heaven given by men by which we must be saved.”
John’s writings tell us of a divine loving Savior, who presented a message of Salvation for all who would accept Him. In John 10, Jesus is described as the “Good Shepherd”. His love for us was so great that John 10:11 states; “I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays His life down for the sheep.” In Verse 16, Jesus says; “I have other sheep that do not come from this (Jewish) sheepfold. I must bring them too (everyone else), and they will listen to My voice, so that there will be one flock, and one Shepherd.” Verse 18 tells us He “willingly” made the sacrifice for us.
All who have Jesus as their Savior are considered to be a part of His flock. It doesn’t matter what part of this world they are from. Consider John 10:27-30; “My sheep listen to My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. (28) I give them eternal life (through His shed blood), and they will never perish; no one will snatch them from My hand. (29) My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all, and no one can snatch them from My Father’s hand. (30) The Father and I are One.”
Jesus, Paul, John and others told us there would be troubling times at the end of this age. We’re witnessing events that have gone from bad to worse to ridiculous, and there is no end in sight.
Our justified hope is the promise that Believers would be kept from the Wrath/Tribulation that is coming. (1 Thessalonians 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 5:9) Prior to the ultimate antichrist coming forth to cause the worst 7-year period that has ever been experienced on this earth, we will be “taken up” or “Raptured” as a part of Jesus’ flock, to be with Him for all eternity. (1 Corinthians 15:51-53 and 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17) Even though we may very will return with him for the Millennial reign, we will be in our forever immortal and imperishable bodies; and with a mindset the same as our Savior’s.
On the other hand, all who refuse to receive and accept Jesus as their Savior will be setting themselves up for the White Throne Judgment of Revelation 20:11-15. After that, it will be eternal punishment, in eternal darkness, in the Lake of Fire with no end – ever.
The only hard part is to have faith and believe Jesus is truly our Savior. No amount of money or other valuables can purchase our Heavenly Home; and we cannot earn it thought any “good works”. Jesus’ sacrifice was complete and final. He is willing to share His gift with all who will truly call on Him. (Acts 2:21 and Romans 10:9-13)
Today would not be too soon to call on Him; we are not guaranteed another hour here, much less another day. All who call will secure their Home with the One who Loves Us more than we could ever understand, and that is pure Truth.
Shalom!