Burunche’s Blog

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.

1 John 5:13 – 15 “I have written these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life. And this is the confidence that we have before Him: If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we already possess what we have asked of Him.”

2020 has been the year of COVID and things have been terrible in many parts of the world! Sometimes the measures taken against COVID have seemed far worse than the actual disease itself. Yes, people have died from COVID and some have developed long – term health problems. COVID is real. But many more have lost businesses and educational opportunities. For working parents who have depended on the schools caring for their children for most of the workday, the COVID restrictions have become a nightmare. For workers who must receive a daily wage or see their families starve, COVID restrictions have created havoc. Some families in various countries have even committed suicide rather than slowly starve.

Although it might be tempting to criticize those who were tasked with advising governments regarding COVID measures, we must remember that the situation was an ongoing and ever – developing and changing one. Even now, we are still learning more about how the COVID virus operates and the simple measures that might help protect us. Nothing is easy, and health policy makers have had a difficult time! By this point, it has become difficult to know whose word to trust. Even internationally recognized sources have found themselves changing and revising their stances in key areas.

All of us are aging and all of us one day will die, whether we die from COVID or from something else. But the question is this: what happens after we die? The God of the Bible tells us that if we believe in Jesus Christ and what He has done for us, we will have eternal life, and that this will be a wonderful thing. WE CAN TRUST THE GOD OF THE BIBLE!

Many times, we pray and then wonder if God has really heard our prayers. Does God really care, or is He sitting someplace watching Netflix? The answer is absolutely yes! God does care and God hears every prayer that we pray. There is a series of photos being posted as a single unit on Facebook showing children have temper tantrums after they don’t get their own way and the reason the parents refused. These children were generally demanding something that would be hurtful, dangerous, or impossible. No caring parent would have honored these requests.

Just as good parents refuse to give their children everything they ask for, so God as a good Parent does the same thing. God hears our prayers, and if we are asking something that lines up with His perfect Will, then He will grant our requests. But we also need to realize that God’s timing is perfect. There is a meme that reads, “God, give me patience and give it to me RIGHT NOW!” For obvious reasons, some positive answers to prayer must be delayed until the timing is right. Perhaps you are praying for a different job. Only God knows when and where that job will open up. Trust Him.

“And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we already possess what we have asked of Him.” One of the problems with divine answers is that sometimes they come disguised as problems. Perhaps you want to lose weight and others have been urging you to walk or run; meanwhile, you have a bad knee. But if you will do non – weight bearing exercises such as swinming or cycling, you can take the stress of your knee, improve your cardiovascular system, and lose weight all at the same time. Who knows? You might become the Senior Cycling Champion for your state!

There is one prayer that never fails. It is the prayer Jesus prayed the night before He was crucified. It is very simple. “Lord, not my will, but Your Will be done.” If we ask God to have His Kingdom come and His Will be done in our lives, God will move and do far more than we can possibly imagine. Try it! What do you have to lose?

PRAYER: Father God, let Your Kingdom fully come and Your perfect Will be fully done in our lives. We ask this in the precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

1 John 5:9- 12 “Even if we accept human testimony, the testimony of God is greater. For this is the testimony that God has given about His Son. Whoever believes in the Son of God has this testimony within him; whoever does not believe God has made Him out to be a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given about His Son. And this is that testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.”

“Oh, if only God would speak to me!” It was 1978 and I was in a prayer meeting in Charleston, WV. Throughout the meeting, people had been sharing things that God had shown them while they were praying. Group members were using phrases such as “God showed me” or “God told me.” Now, these people were not trying to lie. As they were having private devotions throughout the previous week, the Holy Spirit was quietly bringing things into their minds and hearts. In a very real sense, God had told them things. But one group member – call her Linda, although that was not her real name – thought that all of us were hearing audible voices from God! This lady was legally blind and had to wear very thick glasses to see. Despite her visual problems, Linda held down a responsible job in downtown Charleston. Linda’s morning commute involved taking two different buses and making sure that she got off at the right stops each time; in other words, Linda was exhibiting more faith than most of the rest of us twice a day when she commuted to and from work! It took a considerable amount of time and explanation for Linda to grasp the fact that God was actually directing her each day as well and that God was not ignoring her.

We are in an election year and throughout the world, politicians are criticizing the opposition and declaring the wonders their parties have performed or are going to perform. It’s most unfortunate that so many campaign promises are mere puffery, something said to entice voters. Countries are littered with half – completed projects that were begun before the elections four years ago and still that still lack finishing touches to make them functional. After awhile, voters become confused. One cynic has remarked that we know when politicians are lying because their lips are moving!

The question is this: Is God a liar? What does God say about Himself? In Numbers 23:19, Balaam the seer gives a message to Balak, the King of Midian, who hoped Balaam would curse the Israelites for him. “God is not a man, that He should lie, or a son of man, that He should change His mind. Does He speak and not act? Does He promise and not fulfill?”

St. Paul says in Romans 3:3-4 “What if some did not have faith? Will their lack of faith nullify God’s faithfulness? Certainly not! Let God be true and every man a liar. As it is written: “So that You may be proved right when You speak and victorious when You judge.”

WHAT GOOD IS A GOD WHO LIES? Why worship an imperfect God? If you worship an imperfect being, sooner or later, whatever or whomever you worship will disappoint you. But the God whose Word is written in the Bible is perfect, without any failings of any kind. He is unchanging, all – powerful, all – knowing, always kind and loving. God is not a politician; His Word is true and settled forever.

Psalm 119:89- 91: “Your word, O LORD, is everlasting; it is firmly fixed in the heavens. Your faithfulness continues through all generations; You established the earth, and it endures. Your ordinances stand to this day, for all things are servants to You.”

Yes, there are times when many of us wish that God would simply speak to us in an audible voice. But the point John is making here is that God has done better than simply speak to people; He has sent Jesus, His only Son, to die for the sins of all mankind and then to be resurrected and taken up into heaven. And these events were witnessed by hundreds of people. Not only that, but since the time when Jesus walked this earth, those who have believed in Him have testified to the truth of His life, death, and resurrection and to the hope they have found in Him.

“And this is that testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.” We stand on the brink of eternity, making decisions that will determine where we will spend the rest of eternity after we die. Should we trust earthly rulers who will die just as we will? Should we trust religions without the promise of eternal life? Or should we trust the One True Living God whose words are faithful and true?

PRAYER: Father God, help all who read this to put their trust in You. Send Your Holy Spirit into all of our hearts, that we might completely follow you and acknowledge you as our Lord. We thank you for sending Jesus to die for our sins. Help us to believe in your Word and to believe in Jesus and what He has done for us. In the matchless Name of King Jesus. Amen.

1 John 5:5 – 8 “Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? This is He who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not only by water, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is truth. For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness on earth: the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree as one.”

Nothing in Jesus’s life was ever wasted or unnecessary. Even though we have very few details about Jesus’s life between the time He was in the temple at age thirteen and the time He began His ministry, we can rest assured that God was using those silent years to prepare Jesus for three years of intense activity. During those three years, Jesus discipled many who would later go and change the world. At the beginning of Jesus’s ministry, He went to His cousin, John the Baptist, who was baptizing at one of the fords of the Jordan River.

Matthew describes the scene in Matthew 3:13 – 17 “At that time Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?” “Let it be so now,” Jesus replied. “It is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness in this way.” Then John permitted Him. As soon as Jesus was baptized, He went up out of the water. Suddenly the heavens were opened,d and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and resting on Him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased!”

Why did Jesus have to be baptized? Couldn’t God have sent the Holy Spirit in some other form? John was baptizing people as a sign that they had repented of their sins and were dying to sin and starting new lives of righteousness. Jesus submitted Himself to baptism as an act of obedience to His Heavenly Father and as a sign to believers that we must die to sin before we can begin a new spiritual life. It is the water of baptism that is referred to in 1 John 5:6. The blood referred to is the blood Jesus shed on the cross at Calvary when He died for the sins of the world. The Spirit referred to is the Holy Spirit, who descended upon Jesus when John baptized Him.

Here John is emphasizing that there are three reliable witnesses in heaven and three reliable witnesses on earth. Why three witnesses? The Biblical principle of witnesses was established in Deuteronomy 19:15 “A lone witness is not sufficient to establish any wrongdoing or sin against a man, regardless of what offense he may have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.” Throughout the rest of the Bible, people are constantly called upon to act as witnesses. Three witnesses was considered a minimum if a man was to be sentenced to death. There are three heavenly witnesses and three earthly witnesses – twice as many as might be needed. But since Jesus is both the Son of God and the Son of Man, it is fitting to have witnesses from both heaven and earth.

God is never going to contradict Himself. Some Christians want to neglect studying the Old Testament, forgetting that this was all the Bible that Jesus had. Throughout the Old Testament, God was trying to prepare mankind for the coming of the Messiah, Jesus. But even when Jesus came and fulfilled innumerable prophecies, many religious leaders attempted to argue rather than asking God for guidance and enlightenment.

The testimonies are sure and God’s Word is certain. God’s Word is settled in heaven forever. The question for us is simple: will we believe?

PRAYER: Father God, we believe. Help our unbelief! Open our eyes that we might see what You are trying to teach us. And help all who read this experience Your unfailing love. In the matchless Name of King Jesus. Amen.

1 John 5:1 – 4 “Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the Father also loves the one born of Him. By this we know that we love the children of God: when we love God and keep His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome, because everyone born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world: our faith.”

There he goes again! LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! What is WITH this John character anyway? Why does he keep hammering on these same points? Hasn’t he made things clear already? Well, evidently John doesn’t think so.

Any experienced pastor can tell you of church members with personalities so toxic that entire families have left and joined other churches to avoid repeated confrontations.

Not everyone claiming to be a Christian actually is one. It’s likely that even in the early church, John was already encountering similar problems, hence the need to teach about love.

In an earlier age, we used to watch programs about Superman, a hero who was “faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, able to leap tall buildings in a single bound!” Part of the fascination of the program was the idea of someone with super powers. Most of us feel that on a good day, we might trip over our feet! So WHY is John insisting on setting such lofty goals?

News flash: by ourselves, NONE of us is a loving person. It takes the power of God working in our hearts to change us. And in the beginning when we first open our hearts to God, our capacity to love is miniscule. But the longer we go on with God, the more He stretches us and makes us over into His Likeness. God will do what we cannot do for ourselves, if we will only let Him.

Is this process simple? Yes. Is this process easy? No! We want our own way and we are determined to get it, no matter what! But the more we study God’s Word and the more we learn about God’s Son, Jesus, the easier it is for God to change us. In the beginning, our hearts are like rocks. But as God continues to pour his love into our hearts, we change and become more like Him.

The biggest leap of faith we must take is in the beginning when we choose to trust that God is real. Hebrews 11:6 says, “ But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”

“But I don’t have faith!” you say. “How am I supposed to get faith?” Here is one of the many wonderful things about God. If you will pray and ask God to help you to trust Him and to believe in Him, He will help you. And once you begin to trust, God will give you more proofs of His love and his faithfulness. And the faith you gain in this

fashion will protect you against the onslaughts of the world, the flesh, and the devil.

PRAYER: Father God, please give us the faith to trust you and to believe that you are a good Father who will give us the ability to love you and to love those around us. Thank you for sending Jesus to die for our sins. Lord, come into our hearts and change us s that we will be like You, loving those around us. In the mighty Name of King Jesus. Amen.