Burunche’s Blog

Jude 8 – 16 “Yet in the same way, these dreamers defile their bodies, reject authority, and slander glorious beings. 9 But even the archangel Michael, when he disputed with the devil over the body of Moses, did not presume to bring a slanderous charge against him, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!” 10 These men, however, slander what they do not understand, and like irrational animals, they will be destroyed by the things they do instinctively. 11 Woe to them! They have traveled the path of Cain; they have rushed headlong into the error of Balaam; they have perished in Korah’s rebellion.

12 These men are the hidden reefs in your love feasts, shamelessly feasting with you but shepherding only themselves. They are clouds without water, carried along by the wind; fruitless trees in autumn, twice dead after being uprooted. 13 They are wild waves of the sea, foaming up their own shame; wandering stars, for whom blackest darkness has been reserved forever.

14 Enoch, the seventh from Adam, also prophesied about them: “Behold, the Lord is coming with myriads of His holy ones 15 to execute judgment on everyone, and to convict all the ungodly of every ungodly act of wickedness and every harsh word spoken against Him by ungodly sinners.” 16 These men are discontented grumblers, following after their own lusts; their mouths spew arrogance; they flatter others for their own advantage.”

WHEW! JUDE, WHY DON’T YOU TELL US HOW YOU REALLY FEEL?

We find ourselves in a time when people join churches and then try to change the church to suit themselves. Things weren’t that much different in Jude’s time. Some people had joined the church under false pretenses and were now trying to re – make the church to accommodate gross immorality. These people might have been trying to incorporate fertility rites or other pagan practices into church services. Whatever be the case, Jude compares such people to a number of rebellious wrong – doers in the Bible. Who were the people to whom Jude compared these pseudo Christians?

Cain: Cain killed his brother Abel because Abel offered a sacrifice that was pleasing to God while Cain tried to take God for granted and just offered God any old thing. When God rejected Cain’s sacrifice, Cain killed Abel out of jealousy and spite.

Balaam: Balaam was a pagan seer who evidently really did hear from God; however, Balaam could be bought. When the King of Midian offered Balaam enormous riches if Balaam would curse the Israelites, Balaam agreed, despite the fact that God had already told him not to go. Even when Balaam viewed the Israelites, God still forced him to bless them and not to curse them. Balaam also taught the Israelites “false practices” (?fertility rites) and caused the Israelites to sin. Eventually, Balaam was killed during a battle between the Israelites and the Midianites.

Korah: Korah led a revolt against Moses documented in Numbers 16:31-33. The earth swallowed up Korah and all his co – conspirators.

The main thing all of these men had in common was rebellion against God. 1 Samuel 15:22 -23 says, “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.”

Contrast these men with Enoch. Genesis 5:24 describes Enoch as “a man who walked with God, and then he was no more because God had taken him away.” Enoch was so holy that God took him into heaven. Although this is the only information we have about Enoch, there must have been an oral tradition or other writings that preserved Enoch’s prophecies.

Jude wanted Christians to be on their guard against those would compromise or subtly promote rebellion against God and His holiness. Yesterday I quoted the first verse of James Russell Lowell’s poem “Once to Ev’ry Man and Nation.” Here is the second verse:

Then to side with truth is noble, 
When we share her wretched crust, 
Ere her cause bring fame and profit, 
And ’tis prosperous to be just; 
Then it is the brave man chooses 
While the coward stands aside, 
Till the multitude make virtue 
Of the faith they had denied. 

We are continually facing choices: righteousness or compromise. How will you choose?

PRAYER: Father God, help us to remain close to you, to study your Word, to pray, and to seek your face. Help us to love but not to compromise, to stand for truth without being cruel, and to demonstrate your holiness to a lost and fallen world. In the mighty Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Jude 1 – 7 “Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James, To those who are called, loved by God the Father, and kept in Jesus Christ: Mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you.

Beloved, although I made every effort to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt it necessary to write and urge you to contend earnestly for the faith entrusted once for all to the saints. For certain men have crept in among you unnoticed—ungodly ones who were designated long ago for condemnation. They turn the grace of our God into a license for immorality, and they deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. Although you are fully aware of this, I want to remind you that after Jesus had delivered His people out of the land of Egypt, He destroyed those who did not believe. And the angels who did not stay within their own domain but abandoned their proper dwelling—these He has kept in eternal chains under darkness, bound for judgment on that great day. In like manner, Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities around them, who indulged in sexual immorality and pursued strange flesh, are on display as an example of those who sustain the punishment of eternal fire.”

He’s politically incorrect, but for years Yosemite Sam was a beloved Looney Tunes Cartoon figure with bristling mustaches, blazing guns, and a hair trigger temper. It didn’t take much to get Sam riled up and he spoke his mind, no matter what! Jude the disciple sounds a lot like Yosemite Sam.

Who was Jude? Scholars think it most likely that he was a brother or half brother to Jesus and that his name originally was Judas. But English translations shorten it to Jude to avoid confusing the writer of this epistle with Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus. In the beginning, none of Jesus’s brothers believed in Him, but after His death and resurrection, they believed and many of them became missionary teachers. Chuck Swindoll says, “From this scant portrait, we begin to picture Jude as a man who lived in skepticism for a time but eventually came to a powerful faith in Jesus. And as he traveled on behalf of the gospel—telling the story in city after city with his name Judas butting up against that of Judas Iscariot—he would stand as a living example of faithfulness, a stark contrast to the betrayer.”

This epistle is one of the shortest books of the Bible. Just like Yosemite Sam, Jude has no time for “varmints,” that is, evil doers. While the Apostle John was writing to warn churches of false doctrine, his warnings sound positively mild by comparison with Jude’s! Again, Swindoll says, “Jude’s edgy brevity communicates the urgency of his notion that false teachers needed to be condemned and removed from the church. Few words meant that Jude would not waste space dancing around the issue. He saw within the church people and practices that were worthy of condemnation, including rejecting authority and seeking to please themselves. In response to these errors, Jude marshaled much biblical imagery to make clear what he thought of it all—anything from Cain killing his brother Abel to the punishment of the sinful people who populated Sodom and Gomorrah.”

Jude sees the church in danger, poised on the edge of a theological and moral cliff, and is doing everything he can to sound a warning. In the old days, trumpets were used to announce all kinds of things, but there were certain trumpet calls that told people they were under attack. The Book of Jude is a verbal trumpet call to righteousness.

One of the challenges facing Christians today is that of political correctness. Those who wish to pursue their own morality attempt to control others by shaming them and labeling them. But ironically, the same people who have demanded that cartoon figures such as Yosemite Sam be withdrawn find nothing wrong with children playing violent computer games such as Grand Theft Auto.

Christians have always found themselves opposing popular culture in every age. Standing for righteousness has never been easy. More than a century ago, James Russell Lowell wrote a poem entitled “Once to Every Man and Nation” At the time, Lowell was writing to oppose slavery. Here is the first verse of that poem:

Once to ev’ry man and nation 
Comes the moment to decide, 
In the strife of truth and falsehood, 
For the good or evil side; 
Some great cause, some great decision, 
Off’ring each the bloom or blight, 
And the choice goes by forever 
‘Twixt that darkness and that light. 

The choices have never changed: bowing to popular culture or standing for righteousness. And the choices have never been easy.

PRAYER: Father God, show us your goodness! Show us your truth! Show us your righteousness! And help us never to waver and never to bow to the pressure of culture. Forever, O Lord, your Word is settled in heaven! Let your Word be engraved on our hearts and let us follow hard after you all the days of our lives. In the matchless Name of King Jesus. Amen.

3 John 1:13 – 14 “I have many things to write to you, but I would prefer not to do so with pen and ink. Instead, I hope to see you soon and speak face to face. (Some translations say “mouth to mouth.”) Peace to you. The friends here send you greetings. Greet each of our friends there by name.”

If the last several months have taught us nothing else, they have taught us the importance of face to face contact! Many of us have found ourselves learning about zoom meetings, on – line courses, and all kinds of things we never anticipated. But throughout all of these experiences, one thing has become increasingly evident: There is NO substitute for face to face meetings!

Isolation due to COVID has hit certain groups particularly hard: the elderly, those with autism, those with dementia, and those who only thrive on skin to skin contact. While many introverts have weathered the isolations imposed by COVID regulations, groups dependent on personal contact have suffered! Some hospitals and nursing homes have tried to compensate by using tablets so that loved ones can face time patients; however, these measures still do not provide the tactile stimulation so necessary in many situations.

Many years ago, there were experiements done with baby monkeys who were divided into three groups. One group of babies was cared for nicely but impersonally – food and water were provided, but there was no cuddling and there were no other sources of comfort such as stuffed toys, blankets, etc. The second group was given good care plus they were also supplied with stuffed toys and blankets, but they were not cuddled. The third group received everything the first two groups did; and in addition, their care takers took them out of the cages and played with them and cuddled them. The predictable happened: the group of babies without tactile stimulation sickened and died. The group furnished with toys and blankets did better but did not grow well, while the third group flourished. This experiment was done at a time when infants were placed in incubators and care givers were ordered to touch them as little as possible to avoid spreading infection. The results of this experiment revolutionized the care of human babies in nurseries and led directly to programs in which volunteers and parents were trained to cuddle babies.

We all need human touch. We all do better when we are free to hug, to hold hands, to pat others on their shoulders, and to otherwise establish physical contact. The early Christians were no different. Consider the isolation the early Christians endured. Many times, Christians were a minority within their communities. They might face persecution from governmental officials. They might be driven from town to town. A visit from John, one of the most beloved church leaders, would be an incredible opportunity. We can imagine church members gathering in someone’s home, listening to John teach as long as he could continue to speak. And then there would be hugs, kisses, and prayers. Those present would be soaking up as much as possible, knowing that this might be the last time they would be able to gather together and worship together.

Notice that John is still being careful to be extremely vague – “The friends here send you greetings. Greet each of our friends there by name.” Remember that John is sending this message with someone who might be arrested and the letters taken away and sent on to some impersonal Roman official. John is writing passionately but also cautiously.

We have spent most of the last 32 years working in district hospitals in remote parts of northern Ghana. Through the years, we have missed birthdays, anniversaries, graduation parties, family gatherings on holidays, and all kinds of other celebrations at which friends and family would be hugging, kissing, patting, shaking hands, and soaking up affection. Missing these celebrations has been very difficult; not because of the food,or the presents but because we have lost the chance to hug family and friends and to hear them laugh and tell stories.

Many people have written about heaven. For us, one thing we look forward to in heaven is that there will be no good – byes. One day we will join with our loved ones around the throne of God and worship there forever. But there is a catch: Jesus said of himself, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No man comes to the Father, except through Me.” (John 14:6) The Bible advises us that we must believe on the Lord Jesus Christ if we are to be saved. (Acts 16:31 “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, you and your household.” Romans 10:9 “that if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”

Nothing we can do is good enough to pay for our sins. We must accept the blood sacrifice Jesus Christ made for us on Calvary, believe in Him, confess our sins, and ask God to forgive us and to cleanse us. Only then are we assured of being reunited with our loved ones in heaven.

PRAYER: Father God, we believe! Help our unbelief! Thank you that you are a God of love who has made a way for us to be with you forever. Help everyone who reads this devotional to come to a saving knowledge of your Love and your Grace. In the matchless Name of King Jesus. Amen.

3 John 3: 9 – 12 “I have written to the church about this, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will not accept our instruction. So if I come, I will call attention to his malicious slander against us. And unsatisfied with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers and forbids those who want to do so, even putting them out of the church.

Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God. Demetrius has received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself. We also testify for him, and you know that our testimony is true.”

Sometimes pastors and other church leaders might like to fantasize about the early church where everyond loved one another and was dedicated to Jesus and was generous and compassionate and ……. WAIT A MINUTE! WHAT???? The early church was made up of fallible human beings and unfortunately, the problems the early leaders faced are the same problems confronting church leaders today.

Today, pastors have all kinds of communication available to them, but John had only letters and word of mouth. Evidently, Diotrephes was one of the church leaders with an ego that wouldn’t quit; he was a legend in his own mind. And nobody in his family was conceited because he had gotten all the conceit! We know nothing of his background, other than he was probably a Gentile (his name means “nurtured by Jupiter”). Names are very important, and this guy started out with a name that simply dripped arrogance.

The photo shows Mohammed Ali Abdul Somed, the Secretary for the Smock Makers Association in Ghana, wearing a traditional fugu hat. Here in Northern Ghana, such hats can be worn in several different ways, depending on the occasion, the nature of the wearer, and whether or not dignitaries are present. If someone is a paramount chief or the most important chief present, he can wear the hat slanting straight up to show that he is higher than anybody else; however, if another more important chief arrives, the first chief will have to rearrange his hat!

Hats slanted to the left indicate the wearer is a man of peace and is not looking for trouble. Hats slanted to the right indicate the individual is self – dependent. In some areas, hats slanted backwards indicate that the wearer is not looking for trouble; however, others claim that a hat slanted backwards indicates a chief who is yet to be enskinned. A hat slanted forward can either mean that the individual is looking for trouble or that he feels he has no equal in any sphere of life.

If Diotrephes had lived in Northern Ghana, he would have made sure that his fugu hat was upright at all times! Diotrephes refused to accept instruction, spread malicious slander, and even forbade church members to offer hospitality to visiting church elders – an unthinkable practice in an era in which church elders were routinely received into the homes of church members.

What had happened to Diotrephes? We may never know. Perhaps he had some educational advantages. Perhaps he was wealthy. Diotrephes certainly appears to have had a forceful personality, since he was even attempting to throw church members who entertained traveling church leaders in their homes out of the church! But John analyzes the situation in one succinct sentence: Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God.

Jesus told his disciples that they would know true followers by their fruits, and the fruit Diotrephes was producing was rotten! Contrast that with the church leader named Demetrius, who was spoken well of by everyone. Demetrius would have worn his fugu hat slanted to the left to indicate that he was a man of peace.

Centuries have come and gone, but the names of these two men remain recorded in the Bible. God has acknowledged Demetrius as a faithful servant, someone who has been approved by all who have known him. Diotrophes, on the other hand, remains famous for his arrogance and his rebellious attitude.

Sometimes we think that God isn’t really paying attention to the things we think or say or do. Nothing could be farther from the truth! God as our Heavenly Father is passionately interested in the state of our hearts. How it must have grieved God to see Diotrephes with all his talents using his abilities of leadership to bring division and strife! And how many misguided church members may have taken their cues from Diotrephes just because he could speak glibly, speading vicious innuendos and poisoning relationships?

PRAYER: Father God, please help us to humble ourselves before you at all times. Help us to imitate what is good and not what is evil. Lord, search our hearts and minds and cleanse us from anything that is not of you. And help us to be careful about imitating anyone else, no matter how smoothly they talk. In the mighty Name of King Jesus. Amen.

2 John 1:1 “The elder, To the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in the truth…”

2 John 1:12 – 13 “I have many things to write to you, but I would prefer not to do so with paper and ink. Instead, I hope to come and speak with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete. The children of your elect sister send you greetings.”

We read these vague salutations and scratch our heads. Why be so indefinite? Why not just come out and address the recipients of the letter by name? What is the problem?

Remember that by the time John was writing these letters, the persecution of Christians had already begun. Paul had already been beheaded and Peter might have already been crucified. John was actually the only original disciple who did not die a martyr’s death, but he endured living martyrdom when exiled to the salt mine island of Patmos.

Letters had to be carried by messengers, some of whom might prove to be untrustworthy if they were tortured enough. Here we see an old man with a heart full of love writing to those whom God has entrusted to his leading. Christians were meeting in houses, in caves, in open fields, and even in the Catacombs below the city of Rome. It was far preferable to keep wording as vague as possible; that way, any letter falling into the wrong hands would not lead to betrayal and death for innocent believers. These salutations were probably not that different from the secular ones employed by letter writers of that period. At the same time, John wants to assure those who receive the letter that he hopes to visit them personally.

E-mails, texts, Tweets, Instagram, Face Book messages – there are all kinds of ways in which printed communications can appear these days in addition to traditional “snail mail.” But all of these forms of communication have one thing in common: once a statement is in print in any form, it assumes a life of its own and the original writer has no control over it! Friends working in closed countries have warned us to keep any messages to them in very neutral language to avoid accidentally betraying them to authorities hostel to the Gospel. One large church in Birmingham, Alabama had to disband several ministries after one pastor “liked” a single tweet by a controversial political figure. A local politician used that single “like” to blame the church for all kinds of things. The net result? a big free clinic catering to the poor, outreaches and help in housing developments, and a host of other programs were canceled. All because of a single “like!”

Those of us who have enjoyed religious freedom need to appreciate what we have had and to pray that God continues to protect that freedom. But remember that throughout the world, there are Christians worshiping despite the threat of martyrdom. Christians are being killed in northern Nigeria and in southern Sudan. Churches are being bull dozed in China. The list of countries in which Christians face persecution grows daily. As we pray and as we worship, let us remember all those in the persecuted Church and let us thank God for the freedoms we currently enjoy.

PRAYER: Father God, we thank you that “where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” We thank you that your hand is not shortened and that you always hear our prayers wherever we are. Lord, we lift up those facing persecution for their faith. Protect them, guide them, guard them, keep them, and strengthen them. Send them special tokens of your Love. And help those of us who are not currently facing persecution never to take freedom of worship for granted. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

3 John 1-8 ”The elder, To the beloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth: Beloved, I pray that in every way you may prosper and enjoy good health, as your soul also prospers. For I was overjoyed when the brothers came and testified about your devotion to the truth, in which you continue to walk. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. Beloved, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers, and especially since they are strangers to you. They have testified to the church about your love. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God. For they went out on behalf of the Name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. Therefore we ought to support such men, so that we may be fellow workers for the truth.”

Yesterday we spoke about the persecuted church and the reasons that John was being very vague in his greetings in his letters. But today John is addressing this letter to Gaius! What has made the difference? First, the name “Gaius” was an extremely common Roman name, much like the name “John” or “Peter.” Second, John is still being very canny in his greetings and in his language. There is really nothing in this passage that would definitely expose Gaius as being a Christian. Those teachers he has hosted might be Zoroastrian for all you can tell from this letter. The only phrase that gives anything away is the reference to “the Gentiles.” Gaius might be presumed to be a convert to Judaism, but Rome was not worried about the Jews. Certainly, the Jews were a contentious lot who loved to argue, but in general they posed no threat to the Roman Empire. The Christians, on the other hand, were a different matter.

Here in Africa, one of the favorite choruses children sing is “We are Walking in the Light of God.” It’s a good song to use in Children’s Church, particularly when the kids need a legitimate reason to wiggle. You can get them up and let them march around the room while they sing. It’s a simple song. But many times, things of faith are also quite simple. Remember the Gnostics and their passion for secret knowledge and “special” practices. John has already admonished us that” 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 1:7) We must study and memorize God’s Word if we want to walk in His Light and know His Truth. Even memorizing a few scriptures is very helpful. Find those that speak most to you and write them on a card or put them into your cell phone. Bible apps for cell phones are an enormous help, and many come with memorization programs as well.

Having just warned believers about false teachers, John is now commending Gaius and those working with him for the way they have helped teachers of the truth, especially those who were strangers to the local believers. Notice that these itinerant teachers have steadfastly refused to take anything from non – believers and are depending on the charity of the local church for their feeding, lodging, and travel expenses. Contrast that with many televangelists today who own their own airplanes, drive luxury cars, and live in enormous mansions. One wonders what John might have to say about millionaire preachers!

We have been on the mission field for most of the last 32 years. It would be totally impossible for us to remain were it not for those who have faithfully supported us all these years, either with cash or with other assistance. There are those who have opened their homes to us. Some people have lent us vehicles. Many people have fed us. And at least one friend has kept our accounts and our tax records for us all these years. Doing all that from a remote part of rural Africa would be impossible!

John recognizes all those who are making ministry possible, and he has a special name for those helpers. John calls them “fellow workers.” Some people are called to go. Some people are called to stay home. But as long as they are helping in any fashion, whether by prayer or by financial support or by any other means, they are fellow workers and have a great share in the ministry to which God has called us.

PRAYER: Father God, thank you for your Word which is Light and Truth. Thank you for all those who are walking in the Light and who help minister in any fashion. May all of these helpers be blessed abundantly above all that they can ask or think. In the mighty Name of King Jesus. Amen.

2 John 1:7 – 11 “For many deceivers have gone out into the world, refusing to confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist. Watch yourselves, so that you do not lose what we have worked for, that you may be fully rewarded. Anyone who runs ahead without remaining in the teaching of Christ does not have God. Whoever remains in His teaching has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you but does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your home or even greet him. Whoever greets such a person shares in his evil deeds.”

WOW! John is really upset! In John’s time, hospitality was a major virtue. There were few inns and most traveling Christians, especially traveling teachers, would expect to be welcomed into someone’s home as soon as they reached a new town. For John to issue such a strong warning goes against established culture. Why should John say these things?

John is still referring to false teachers, particularly those teaching that Jesus had to either be purely spiritual (Son of God only) or purely physical (Son of Man only.) Remember the theological problems that these teachers were attempting to address. To re – quote John Dummelow, “These dangers resulted from the great main problem which lay at the foundation of all Oriental religions—the relation of finite man to the infinite God. How could that chasm be crossed? how had it been crossed in the work of creation? how were spirit and matter related? how did evil enter the world, and what was evil?

Almost all early thinkers were driven by these questions into some form of Dualism. There were, they must believe, two Powers in conflict. Since spirit was the higher, matter was evil; it was the work of the inferior god. The material, the natural, was therefore to be fought against; the spiritual man could have nothing to do with it. Indeed, so far as he was truly spiritual, he was already freed from and above it. Hebrew religion, in its moments of clearest insight, set itself against this Dualism. The creation, it declared, was not the work of an inferior deity or deities, but both worlds, those of spirit and matter, were called into being by one and the same infinite God. (This is why the Shema, the foundational statement of Judaism, states that “The Lord, He is God, the Lord, He is One.”)

John has a right to be concerned. Once one of these false teachers has gotten entry into someone’s home, they might stay for an indefinite period doing all kinds of damage to the faith.

Several years ago, when we were raising funding to return to Ghana, we visited a congregation that had hosted a Ghanaian pastor who had stayed with one of the deacons for several weeks. This same pastor had preached in the church we were attending, and we doubted his honesty. After this pastor had preached on a Sunday evening, I greeted him in Twi, his native tribal language. Most Ghanians would have been thrilled; this preacher was not at all happy. This man stayed in one big city in America for several months. Subsequently, when we reached Ghana, we learned that he had defrauded several people to get the money to come to America. There were also other evidences of major fraud; however, when we attempted to warn the church that had been hosting him of our concerns, they refused to listen, claiming we were merely jealous.

How can you tell a false teacher from a real one? 1. Does their teaching line up with the Word of God, the Bible? 2. What do they teach about Jesus? If they teach anything less than Jesus as the Son of God and Son of Man, or if they refuse to believe the necessity of a blood sacrifice for sin, don’t listen to them. 3. If they are pushing some kind of special knowledge, leave them alone! Twenty – two years ago, we had Ghanaian acquaintances who were in a special prayer group, so special that only “advanced Christians” should be part of that group. The teachings studied by the group included chanting various slogans such as “Money coming! Money coming!” Supposedly, if you changed such slogans long enough, then you would become rich. Eventually, the group developed into a bizarre cult. 4. What are the results of the teaching? God has promised that if we ask Him, He will give us wisdom. (James 1:5 “Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.”)

John was right! Don’t be misled by slogans or by smooth words! Don’t alloy yourselves to be manipulated. When in doubt, go to God and ask Him for guidance. Pandering to strange philosophies is like trying to clean up after your dog has defecated in your neighbor’s yard. No matter how hard you try, the stuff will stick and smell and getting rid of it will be difficult!

PRAYER: Father God, help us to study your Word, to love your Word, and to soak in your Word so that it becomes part of us. Help us to learn how to discern false teachings and keep our hearts far away from them. In the matchless Name of King Jesus. Amen.

2 John 1:1 “The elder, To the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in the truth—and not I alone, but also all who know the truth— because of the truth that abides in us and will be with us forever: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, will be with us in truth and love.

I was overjoyed to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father has commanded us.And now I urge you, dear lady—not as a new commandment to you, but one we have had from the beginning—that we love one another. And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the very commandment you have heard from the beginning, that you must walk in love.”

How many of us have ever belonged to any kind of an exclusive club or society? How many of us view ourselves as being just a little bit more special and a little bit more enlightened than the next fellow? The temptation to snobbery is very real. One of the ways the occult hooks people is by preying on their intellectual pride. Sometimes people refer to “the wisdom of the centuries” without stopping to think that wisdom can be both light and dark!

Things got off to a great start with the early church…..but there are no gardens of Eden without snakes! And Christianity was born in a time when there were already all kinds of gods and philosophies of various sorts. St. Paul, when speaking to the Greeks in Athens, observed that the Greeks were “very religious.” Paul was referring to the huge number of altars and temples of various kinds that dotted the city of Athens. But most other places were the same. Helping the early believers sort out truth from appealing fiction was a full – time job and not an easy one.

One of the groups that was particularly appealing to highly educated Christians was a group referred to as “Gnostics.” The term Gnosticism is a Greek word that refers to those who have special knowledge. Gnosticism was not an organized religion or philosophy, but the term rather refered to a group of teachings that distorted Christianity by trying to merge it with current philosophies. John Dummelow in his Commentary explains it this way: “ this (John’s Epistles) contained three warnings against the dangers of the time. These dangers resulted from the great main problem which lay at the foundation of all Oriental religions—the relation of finite man to the infinite God. How could that chasm be crossed? how had it been crossed in the work of creation? how were spirit and matter related? how did evil enter the world, and what was evil? Almost all early thinkers were driven by these questions into some form of Dualism. There were, they must believe, two Powers in conflict. Since spirit was the higher, matter was evil; it was the work of the inferior god. The material, the natural, was therefore to be fought against; the spiritual man could have nothing to do with it. Indeed, so far as he was truly spiritual, he was already freed from and above it. Hebrew religion, in its moments of clearest insight, set itself against this Dualism. The creation, it declared, was not the work of an inferior deity or deities, but both worlds, those of spirit and matter, were called into being by one and the same infinite God. When teaching about Jesus, these false teachers refused to accept the fact that Jesus was a perfect sinless man and instead had various explanations, none of which would fully acknowledge Jesus as both the Son of God and Son of Man. (For a much more lengthy discussion, check out “Gnosticism” on Wickepedia.)

Why was this teaching so dangerous? Jesus Himself taught that “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” (Luke 19:10) Carried to their logical conclusions, any form of gnosticism would ultimately deny the deity of Christ or His position as both Son of God and Son of Man. And this kind of thinking could in turn cause people to either become caught up with fasting and denying the flesh and pursuing a works – based kind of salvation, or they could turn in the opposite direction and go completely into gross immorality, using this philosophy as an excuse.

Technology may have advanced but human nature remains the same. Many of us want to work out our own philosophies or our own means of salvation. But Paul, that Jewish scholar was right when he said, ” There is no distinction, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” Romans 3:22-24 Jesus Christ, the Son of Man and the Son of God, came and laid down His life as a blood sacrifice for our sins because nothing less would pay that price. And John, who was closer to Jesus than any of the other disciples, was an eyewitness to this.

Don’t fall for the lure of secret rituals or incatations! God is a God of light and truth. Anything that takes you away from the light of God is evil and deadly!

PRAYER: Father God, help everyone who reads this devotional to seek Your truth. Speak to our hearts and give us Your light. In the mighty Name of King Jesus. Amen.

1 John 5:18-21 “We know that anyone born of God does not keep on sinning; the One who was born of God protects him, and the evil one cannot touch him. We know that we are of God, and that the whole world is under the power of the evil one. And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true—in His Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. Little children, keep yourselves from idols.”

The first time I read these verses, I was really confused! Yes, I had prayed to God, confessing that I was a sinner and that I needed salvation through the blood of Jesus Christ. But now it appeared that the Apostle John was setting an impossible standard! I was honest enough to realize that the second I opened my mouth, I was likely to sin by saying something unkind. And driving in traffic was another problem. Then there were my relationships with fellow workers. All I could think of was “how am I supposed to keep from sinning? I mess up constantly!”

Pastor John Piper has described the discussion John gives here as a balancing act. Piper puts it this way: “1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins” — he doesn’t specify any particular kind — “he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” So that’s a very sweeping and glorious and wonderful and precious promise. If you can confess your sin authentically, agree with God that it is sin and that it stinks, hate it, turn from it, and fight against it, you will be forgiven.”

WHEW! What a relief! As children of God, we are to turn away from sin whenever possible; however, as imperfect human beings, we know that sooner or later, we will sin. God is promising to forgive us! How wonderful! But in addition, God also is promising to give us understanding so that we can know “Him who is true.” God is promising to help us so that we can know Him; in addition, God is promising us eternal life.

Why should we care about God forgiving us and helping us? Well, how many people addicted to alcohol, to tobacco, to drugs, to gambling, or to over-spending have found it nearly impossible to get free from their addictions? All of such things are idols. Anything that controls us has become an idol in our lives. Nothing is simple, and all of us need help from Someone stronger and better than we are. And here is the Everlasting God, our Heavenly Father who loves us offering to help us! That’s an unbeatable opportunity!

PRAYER: Father God, thank you so much for your promises! Thank you that if we confess our sins, you will forgive us. Thank you that you have promised to help us and to guide us and that you have promised eternal life to all who believe in you. In the mighty and precious Name of Jesus. Amen.

1 John 5:16- 17 “If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he should ask God, who will give life to those who commit this kind of sin. There is a sin that leads to death; I am not saying he should ask regarding that sin. All unrighteousness is sin, yet there is sin that does not lead to death.”

For years, Bible scholars have argued over the meaning of this passage. At times, churches have issued lists of mortal sins and have tried to qualify sins in various ways. What is the sin that leads to death?

Pastor John Piper (https://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/what-is-the-sin-not-leading-to-death-in-1-john-5) has an excellent answer to this problem. Here is one of his key statements: The sin that does not lead to death (that is, eternal death or damnation — which is what I think John means) is any sin that we commit that we are, by grace, capable of truly confessing and repenting from. 

Piper continues, “The reason I put it like that is because of what 1 John 1:9 says and what Hebrews 12:16 says. So 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins” — he doesn’t specify any particular kind — “he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” So that’s a very sweeping and glorious and wonderful and precious promise. If you can confess your sin authentically, agree with God that it is sin and that it stinks, hate it, turn from it, and fight against it, you will be forgiven.

However, Hebrews 12:16–17, when talking about Esau and what happened to him, says “[See] that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal. For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears.”

When it says he sought it, it means he sought repentance. He couldn’t find it. He was no longer capable of repenting. It’s not that he repented and repented and cried over his repentance, and God wouldn’t forgive him. No, no, no. He could not repent. He had sinned to a depth or a degree that God had given him up.

That’s what I think Jesus meant by the unforgivable sin. It’s not a particular sin, like some particular ugly act, but a particular depth or degree or aggravation or persistence in sin to the point where authentic confession and repentance have become impossible.“

Repeat any behavior for a few weeks and it will become a habit. And once formed, habits are terribly difficult to break or to change. Each of us is choosing for better or for worse, for good or for evil, each time we make any choice whatsoever. We can eat healthy food or junk food. We can exercise or zone out in front of the television or on cell phones. In the same way, we can choose to respond in anger and hatred and resentment, or we can love and forgive. One saying has it that “Love is an act of endless forgiveness.” Today what will you choose?

PRAYER: Father God, help us to make right choices. Help us to follow hard after you all the days of our lives. And help us to quickly confess and seek forgiveness. Thank you for loving us, for caring us, and for promising to forgive if we confess our sins. In the matchless Name of King Jesus. Amen.