Through the Bible - Ezekiel 47-48, 1 John 2
Good morning,
Today marks the first day of the advent calendar, we begin to focus more and more of the birth of Jesus, the Light of the World coming down to us.
If you watch television, you might get quite a different idea of what "the season" is all about. You might see a lot of giving going on in the commercials but the real focus is getting things, whether it be cars, jewelry or even exotic vacations.
Today's verse comes from the New Testament reading from above, it points out that love of the worlds way of doing things will "squeeze out", as The Message says, love for the Father.
MacArthur writes, "Love here signifies affection and devotion. God not the world, must have the first place in the Christian's life."
1 John 2:15-17 Don't love the world's ways. Don't love the world's goods. Love of the world squeezes out love for the Father. Practically everything that goes on in the world — wanting your own way, wanting everything for yourself, wanting to appear important — has nothing to do with the Father. It just isolates you from him.
(from THE MESSAGE)
1John 2:15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world — the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life — is not of the Father but is of the world. NKJV
Martyn Lloyd-Jones writes, "I think we can agree in saying that there are no more solemn words addressed to Christian people anywhere in scripture than these." They can help turn our focus, our ways, back to where they should be.
In this season, in all seasons, where should our joy be found? Lloyd-Jones continues, "Not only that, it is a word that reminds us of something that is absolutely essential to the enjoyment of the fellowship of the Father and of the Son. There are so many people within the Christian world who are unhappy in their Christian life and who are not getting the benefits and enjoyment simply because they have not faced a text like this; they have not allowed it to search them and influence their whole life."
It is ironic, or worse, that during a season where we celebrate the greatest gift ever given, that many are only thinking of this world and life, who have no thought of God. In fact, the whole outlook upon life is exclusive of God.
Joy to the world, the Lord is come, why would you want to "isolate yourself from him"?
1 John 2:28-And now, children, stay with Christ. Live deeply in Christ. Then we'll be ready for him when he appears, ready to receive him with open arms, with no cause for red-faced guilt or lame excuses when he arrives.
Once you're convinced that he is right and righteous, you'll recognize that all who practice righteousness are God's true children. (from THE MESSAGE)
In Christ,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net
1 John 2:12-3:1
Loving the World
I remind you, my dear children: Your sins are forgiven in Jesus' name. You veterans were in on the ground floor, and know the One who started all this; you newcomers have won a big victory over the Evil One.
And a second reminder, dear children: You know the Father from personal experience. You veterans know the One who started it all; and you newcomers — such vitality and strength! God's word is so steady in you. Your fellowship with God enables you to gain a victory over the Evil One.
Don't love the world's ways. Don't love the world's goods. Love of the world squeezes out love for the Father. Practically everything that goes on in the world — wanting your own way, wanting everything for yourself, wanting to appear important — has nothing to do with the Father. It just isolates you from him. The world and all its wanting, wanting, wanting is on the way out — but whoever does what God wants is set for eternity.
Antichrists Everywhere You Look
Children, time is just about up. You heard that Antichrist is coming. Well, they're all over the place, antichrists everywhere you look. That's how we know that we're close to the end.
They left us, but they were never really with us. If they had been, they would have stuck it out with us, loyal to the end. In leaving, they showed their true colors, showed they never did belong.
But you belong. The Holy One anointed you, and you all know it. I haven't been writing this to tell you something you don't know, but to confirm the truth you do know, and to remind you that the truth doesn't breed lies.
So who is lying here? It's the person who denies that Jesus is the Divine Christ, that's who. This is what makes an antichrist: denying the Father, denying the Son. No one who denies the Son has any part with the Father, but affirming the Son is an embrace of the Father as well.
Stay with what you heard from the beginning, the original message. Let it sink into your life. If what you heard from the beginning lives deeply in you, you will live deeply in both Son and Father. This is exactly what Christ promised: eternal life, real life!
I've written to warn you about those who are trying to deceive you. But they're no match for what is embedded deeply within you — Christ's anointing, no less! You don't need any of their so-called teaching. Christ's anointing teaches you the truth on everything you need to know about yourself and him, uncontaminated by a single lie. Live deeply in what you were taught.
Live Deeply in Christ
And now, children, stay with Christ. Live deeply in Christ. Then we'll be ready for him when he appears, ready to receive him with open arms, with no cause for red-faced guilt or lame excuses when he arrives.
Once you're convinced that he is right and righteous, you'll recognize that all who practice righteousness are God's true children.
(from THE MESSAGE)
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