TEXT: ‘By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren’ (1 John 3:16) THOUGHT: Gold and silver are hallmarked to denote their purity and value. Without that hallmark there is no guarantee those metals are genuine. It has to be added by the Official Assayer offices. “By this” is the verification code for the Christian. This phrase helps us to know whether our faith and lifestyle is genuine Christianity, and also to protect us from being deceived by anyone pretending to be a true Christian when they are not. It’s not what we say about ourselves that is important, but whether our lives line up with the Word of God. Part 1 studied, “Our relationship with the Father”, through love and obedience, knowing the truth and experiencing His abiding presence. Part 2 studied, “Our relationship with the Holy Spirit”. The Spirit of Truth in a world full of error. His indwelling presence brings the assurance of salvation and the promise to comfort, teach, empower and lead the believer. Finally we consider, ”Our Relationship with Fellow Christians”. Our Relationship With Fellow Christians ‘By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love...
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TEXT: ‘By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren’ (1 John 3:16) THOUGHT: “By this” is the verification code for the Christian. I have certain online accounts which need an access code sent to my mobile phone, whenever I want to enter. The code ensures it is the real me, not an imposter trying to hack into my account. This phrase helps us to know whether our faith and lifestyle is genuine Christianity, and also to protect us from being deceived by anyone pretending to be a true Christian when they are not. It’s not what we say about ourselves that is important, but whether our lives line up with the Word of God. In Part 1, we studied our relationship with the Father, through our love and obedience, knowing the truth and experiencing His abiding presence. Part 2 studies our relationship with the Holy Spirit Our Relationship With The Holy Spirit For many Christians, the Holy Spirit is a mystery or a thing, not a person. Jesus used “He” when describing the Holy Spirit. He can be worshipped as part of the Godhead. He can be grieved1 and lied to.2 He is Eternal.3...
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TEXT: ‘By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren’ (1 John 3:16) THOUGHT: In previous Today’s Teachings we studied the “This is” statements found in 1 John. Each one is a declaration of biblical truth we can have absolute confidence in and build our lives upon. In the same epistle John frequently used another phrase, “By this”. This is the verification code for the Christian. I have certain online accounts which need an access code sent to my mobile phone, whenever I want to enter. The code ensures it is the real me, not an imposter trying to hack into my account. John used this phrase so we can know whether our faith and lifestyle is genuine Christianity, and also to protect us from being deceived by anyone pretending to be a true Christian when they are not. It’s not what we say about ourselves that is important, but whether our lives line up with the Word of God. Today’s Teaching checks out our relationship with the Father, the Holy Spirit and with fellow Christians. 1. Our Relationship With The Father There are four key aspects to our relationship with the Father. Obedience –...
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TEXT: ‘ Here is another illustration Jesus used: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a farmer sowing good seed in his field; but one night as he slept, his enemy came and sowed thistles among the wheat”’ (Matthew 13:24-25 TLB) THOUGHT: I remember seeing a cartoon of the devil sat outside a church saying, “It’s not fair, I do all the nasty work but God gets all the credit!” When witnessing, people often mention about God being the author of the bad experiences in their life. I usually reply, “If you do not give God the glory for the good things in your life, why should He take all the blame when things go wrong?” 1. Bad Things Happen To Everyone It is almost impossible for anyone to go through life and not be affected by the bad, whether directly or indirectly. The blessing that can be found in the midst of tests, trials and tragedies is that God is able to work all things together for good.1 People have found through suffering and tragedy they have come to faith in God, or have experienced other benefits and blessings. The Bible has many of examples of this, the classic being the life of Joseph when he said to his brothers, ‘Don’t be...
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TEXT: ‘ When He had come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, “Who is this?” So the multitudes said, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth of Galilee”’ (Matthew 21:10-11) THOUGHT: “This is!” Fact not fiction! Christians can have absolute confidence in these statements. In the Anglican Church when the Bible is read, the reader finishes with, “This is the Word of the Lord”. The congregation responds, “Thanks be to God”. What they are saying in reality is, “This is true, we believe it, are thankful for it, and are going to do it!” Mental assent is not enough, God’s Word has to change our lives. Paul commended the Thessalonian Christians who, ‘Became followers … of the Lord, having received the Word … and welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the Word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe’ (1 Thessalonians 2:6, 13). Do not make apologies for the Word of God. Read it, speak it, preach it and stand on it. If people do not like or agree with the Bible, you did not write. Let them talk to the Author themselves. Paul urged Timothy to, ‘Preach the Word! Be ready in season and out of season’...
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