1John 3, God's Love

 

1 John 3, God’s Love

No one can love more than God. The thought of God's astounding love bestowed on sinful humanity is beyond understanding. It's incomprehensible that while we were still sinners in rebellion against God, Christ died for us. Through that sacrifice, God brought his own to himself, bestowing the title and relationship of “children.” He allows us to call him Father. No believer should ever feel alone, worthless or unimportant. Everyone who has faith in Christ is a beloved child of God!

People say “I love you” in many ways besides speaking the words. In fact, while words are important, saying words without backing them up with actions will make the words meaningless. Jesus wrote to believers, “Let us not love in Word or in tongue, but indeed and in truth.”

When expressing love to a spouse, children, or dear friends, we should consider their “language.” Certainly, they will understand the words, but they will hear the message better through certain kinds of actions. For some people, their love language is physical touch; for others a gift will show love; still others would prefer to have quality time. As we learn what “language” our loved ones speak, we then can add to our words the deeds that will show our love.

To understand true love, we need only to look at the Cross, where Christ performed the ultimate act of love. Christ loved us so much that he died for us. This should motivate us to love others. This means not just saying we love people but really loving them by our actions. We can love our families by showing respect, patience, and understanding in many ways. We can love our neighbors as we reach out in kindness. We can love the needy of the world by sharing our possessions with them. Loving actions reveal the truth and depth of our love.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com. Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible. Through the Bible by J. Vernon McGee

 

 

1 John 2, Love One Another

 

1 John 2, Love One Another

As Christians we are joint heirs with Jesus Christ to the Eternal kingdom. Notice that John does not say we cannot sin, but he is writing to us so that we may not sin. God wants us to walk in a manner that is pleasing to Him, in obedience to Him. It is our relationship to Him that is most important. Our Salvation rests upon what Christ has done for us. It is a finished work, and nothing can be added to it. When we do sin we have an advocate. Another word for advocate is comforter. The Holy Spirit is our comforter down here and Christ is our comforter up there. He intercedes for us. He goes to our Heavenly Father and pleads our case for us all while satan is making accusations against us. The Holy Spirit brings conviction to us so that we will confess our sin to the Father. A sincere child of God wants to please Him in every way. We are in the family of God. He wants to fellowship with us. When we do, we walk in the light. He also wants us to walk in Love with each other. We have assurance that we are part of His family when we obey His commandments. Some of those commandments are “Bear you one another burdens.” Gal. 6:2. “Rejoice ever more.” He wants us to be joyful. “Pray without ceasing”. Have a prayerful attitude.e “Quench not the Spirit.” Don’t say “no” to God. A child of God not only wants to obey the commandments of God, but he also wants to please the Father in everything he does.

We cannot do or be all that Jesus Christ did or was, but if we are walking in God’s will, then we are walking in the same manner as Jesus walked. If you Love God, you can’t help but keep His word. He gave us no new commandment. It is the same one Jesus gave His apostles that “you love one another, as I have loved you.” John 13:34. This commandment becomes a new commandment to new believers. God loves everyone and so should we, not just friends, family and other Christians. That doesn’t mean there won’t be things about others that we dislike, that is understandable. But to hate another reveal that we are in darkness and our relationship with Christ is not as it should be. Christianity is based on a Love relationship. Salvation is a Love affair. We Love God, because He first Loved us.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com. Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible. Through the Bible by J. Vernon McGee.

 

 

 

I john1, Fellowship with God.

 

I John 1, Fellowship with God

The Apostle John wrote this book. He was known as the “Son of thunder” because of his fiery temper. After he met Jesus, he was transformed into a loving, caring man. He became known as the Godly counselor and comforter.

John wrote his three letters to those who were unstable in their faith. His goal was to affirm believers’ faith with certainty and so they can have assurance in their salvation. He described the Christian life as an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ.

Although God created people to be good and holy, He also gave them the choice to disobey and they did. Since the first sin, all people have been born with a sin nature. God is holy, and He cannot have a relationship with sinful people, unless something is done about sin. But instead of sending punishment upon sinful human beings, God took the punishment Himself: “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8. Through His death Christ paid the penalty for sin so that we could have a relationship with God.

The problem is that we still have our sin natures. We still sin, but we can come to God to be forgiven. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. When we confess, God forgives, because His Son paid the penalty. We will never be completely sinless in this life, but as believers our lives should be characterized by the desire to follow Christ and avoid sin.

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com. Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible. Through the Bible by J. Vernon McGee.

 

2 Peter 5, Give it to God

 

2 Peter 5, Give it to God

Discouragement often occurs when people shoulder their own worries, cares, and fears, and then begin to collapse under the weight. Discouragement is not a godly attitude because it reveals an unwillingness to trust God. Discouragement can be dealt a death blow, when we constantly cast all our cares upon God, because he cares for us.

Casting our cares on God takes a great amount of trust and humility. We need to give him all our cares, not just the ones we think are big enough or important enough. God will even shoulder the cares that we have brought upon ourselves, we can give them all to him. His shoulders are big enough to carry all our fears, worries, and troubles. When we give our cares to God, we can brush off our discouragement and get back to work. We have much to do for God!

The moment a person becomes a Christian. Satan tries to make them ineffective through struggles and discouragement or suffering. Believers must be sober and vigilant, resisting satan by remaining “steadfast in the faith.” This is a strong defensive action, Satan is a defeated enemy, so believers need not fear him. When we resist satan, he will flee (James 4: 7). We resist satan through maintaining our steadfast faith in Christ, wearing the armor that God provides (Ephesians 6: 10- 20), and remembering that we are not alone in our suffering. The same sufferings are being experienced by believers everywhere. Through these sufferings, we will “establish, strengthen, and settle” His people.

 

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible, J. Vernon McGee Through the Bible

 

2 Peter 2, False Teachers

 

2 Peter 2 False Teachers

Peter didn't leave much room for doubt about how he perceived false teachers. As these evil men infiltrated the churches, bringing with them their false teachings, wrong motives and sinful lifestyles, they harmed many believers. They claimed to be followers of Christ, having heard the gospel message, but then they distorted that message. Peter wrote that “it would be better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment.”

Peter did not say that believers should be tolerant and understanding of these false teachers. He did not say that the false teachers should be treated carefully and lovingly. Instead, he called them evil and commanded believers not to be deceived by them.

Overall, believers should be tolerant, accepting people from many different races and backgrounds. This is vital for the growth of the church. But we should not tolerate anyone who teaches what is opposed to God's word.

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com. Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible. Through the Bible by J. Vernon McGee.

2 Peter 1, God's Promises and Values

 

2 Peter 1, God’s Promises and Values.

When God looks at believers, He sees His people as righteous, and He bestows upon them “exceedingly great and precious promises.” Because God is faithful and trustworthy, we know that what He says in his word will surely come to pass. His promises of salvation and transformation, and glorification will come true for all believers. God’s promises of punishment and eternal separation will also come true for those who reject Him. Because of God’s promises, we can be confident about the present and the future. God is in control, and He always keeps His promises.

What people value says much about their character. Some people value possessions, positions, power or wealth. The values listed here in this chapter reveals a persons spiritual character. Believers who desire to mature in their faith and be fruitful for Christ will value, virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, kindness and love. Christ gives us His divine nature, but we are responsible to use that nature to set aside sinful desires and follow Him. We have to value Christ above all else.

Peter knew he was dying and he faced death calmly. He wanted to make sure believers had a reminder of the gospel message that had brought them salvation, and of the power of God that had brought them true life. Believers should live each day remembering the power of God and sharing with others. If we had to say our last words today, what would we say to our loved ones?

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com. Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible. Through the Bible by J. Vernon McGee.

 

I Peter 5, Give it to God.

 

I Peter 5, Give it to God

Discouragement often occurs when people shoulder their own worries, cares, and fears, and then begin to collapse under the weight. Discouragement is not a godly attitude because it reveals an unwillingness to trust God. Discouragement can be dealt a death blow, when we constantly cast all our cares upon God, because he cares for us.

Casting our cares on God takes a great amount of trust and humility. We need to give him all our cares, not just the ones we think are big enough or important enough. God will even shoulder the cares that we have brought upon ourselves, we can give them all to him. His shoulders are big enough to carry all our fears, worries, and troubles. When we give our cares to God, we can brush off our discouragement and get back to work. We have much to do for God!

The moment a person becomes a Christian. Satan tries to make them ineffective through struggles and discouragement or suffering. Believers must be sober and vigilant, resisting satan by remaining “steadfast in the faith.” This is a strong defensive action, Satan is a defeated enemy, so believers need not fear him. When we resist satan, he will flee (James 4: 7). We resist satan through maintaining our steadfast faith in Christ, wearing the armor that God provides (Ephesians 6: 10- 20), and remembering that we are not alone in our suffering. The same sufferings are being experienced by believers everywhere. Through these sufferings, we will “establish, strengthen, and settle” His people.

 

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible, J. Vernon McGee Through the Bible