Category: 1 John

1 John, The Daily WordLeave a comment

Famous Last Words (1 John 5:21)

georgepwood

As we come to the end of our study of 1 John, I find myself thinking about famous last words. Some last words are anything but profound. On his deathbed, P.T. Barnum, the great circus impresario, asked, “How were the circus receipts in Madison Square Gardens?” Prompted for some final words of wisdom, the hotelier Conrad Hilton said, “Leave the shower curtain on the inside of the tub.” Other last words are tragic. One thinks, in this regard, of what Julius Caesar said after being stabbed by a friend: “Et tu, Brute?” (“You too, Brutus?”) Still other last words are … Continue reading Famous Last Words (1 John 5:21)

1 John, The Daily WordLeave a comment

What Christians Know (1 John 5:18-20)

georgepwood

What do Christians know? According to 1 John 5:18-20, they know three things: We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the one who was born of God keeps him safe, and the evil one cannot harm him. We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one. We know also 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—even in his Son Jesus Christ. … Continue reading What Christians Know (1 John 5:18-20)

1 John, The Daily Word1 Comment

Mortal Sin (1 John 5:16-17)

georgepwood

What should you do if you see someone sinning? In our culture, the typical answer to that question is, “Absolutely nothing!” There are several reasons for this answer. For one thing, we have drunk deeply from the cup of John Stuart Mill. In 1869, Mill published an influential essay, On Liberty, which advocated “one very simple principle”: “the sole end for which mankind are warranted, individually or collectively, in interfering with the liberty of action of any of their number, is self-protection.” In other words, if you see someone sinning, unless he is sinning against you, leave him alone. For … Continue reading Mortal Sin (1 John 5:16-17)

1 John, The Daily WordLeave a comment

God’s Obligation in Prayer (1 John 5:13-15)

georgepwood

Is God obligated to answer our prayers? Yes…and no. Let’s start with no. God is not obligated to answer any number of prayers. For example, he is neither obligated nor able to answer impossible requests, such as squaring a circle or revoking the law of non-contradiction. Furthermore, he is not obligated to grant immoral requests. He will not – and morally cannot – help you cheat on your high school geometry test, your spouse, or your taxes. Finally, although he is able, he will not answer immodest requests, such as praying for the winning lottery numbers or getting a date … Continue reading God’s Obligation in Prayer (1 John 5:13-15)

1 John, The Daily WordLeave a comment

Spirit, Water, Blood (1 John 5:6-12)

georgepwood

When a juror hears evidence in a trial, he asks two questions: (1) what is being said and (2) who is saying it. Yesterday, we looked at the content of the testimony presented in 1 John 5:6-12, which I summarized as God’s life through God’s Son. Today, let’s look at the character of the witnesses. Verses 6b-10 provide the relevant information: And it is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. For there are three that testify: the Spirit, the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement. We accept man’s testimony, but God’s testimony … Continue reading Spirit, Water, Blood (1 John 5:6-12)

1 John, The Daily WordLeave a comment

God’s Life through God’s Son (1 John 5:6-12)

georgepwood

Sometimes, the Bible is hard to understand. Reading First John 5:6-12 is one of those times. So, over the next two days, I’ll try to make it a bit easier to understand. Here’s what John writes: This is the one who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ. He did not come by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. For there are three that testify: the Spirit, the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement. We accept man’s testimony, but God’s testimony is greater … Continue reading God’s Life through God’s Son (1 John 5:6-12)

1 John, The Daily WordLeave a comment

Faith, Love, and Hope (1 John 5:1-5)

georgepwood

The Christian life is a life of faith, hope, and love. First John 5:1-5 shows how these theological virtues play out in the everyday life of the Christian: Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has … Continue reading Faith, Love, and Hope (1 John 5:1-5)

1 John, The Daily Word1 Comment

Microscopic Philanthropy (1 John 4:19-21)

georgepwood

Love begins at home, or it never begins at all. In the fourth chapter of Bleak House, Charles Dickens narrates the arrival of Esther Summerson at the home of Mrs. Jellyby. Although her house is ramshackle and her children clothed in tattered garments, Mrs. Jellyby’s best time and efforts are spent organizing help for “the natives of Borrioboola-Gha, on the left bank of the Niger.” Mrs. Jellyby is a fine example of what Dickens calls “Telescopic Philanthropy,” charity for strangers far away combined with neglect of people near and dear. First John 4:19-21 offers a different model of charity, what … Continue reading Microscopic Philanthropy (1 John 4:19-21)

1 John, The Daily WordLeave a comment

Grounds for Assurance, Part 2 (1 John 4:16b-18)

georgepwood

According to 1 John 4:13-18, the subjective experience of the Holy Spirit, the objective truth about the Savior, and our effective action in the world are three grounds for assurance of salvation. In a previous Daily Word, I discussed subjective experience and objective truth. Today, I want to take a close look at 1 John 4:16b-18 and discuss effective action in the world. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this … Continue reading Grounds for Assurance, Part 2 (1 John 4:16b-18)

1 John, The Daily WordLeave a comment

Grounds for Assurance, Part 1 (1 John 4:13-16a)

georgepwood

How do we know that we are truly Christian? One of the most haunting passages I have ever read in the Bible is Matthew 7:21-23: [Jesus said:] “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” The reason … Continue reading Grounds for Assurance, Part 1 (1 John 4:13-16a)