August 25th 2019
All Who Are Truly Sons And Daughters Of God Will Never Lose That Holy Relationship!
1 John 3:8-9 (NIV)
He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work. No-one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God.
John had a very strong faith that Jesus was the Christ who had been prophesied to come into this world to save mankind from their sinful nature, which we all have inherited from the first sin that Adam committed. John tells us why Jesus came into this world in the selected verses, where it says, “The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.” This is necessary because there is no way a member of mankind can save themselves, because they are born into this world as sinful beings. God will not live in heaven with sinful beings, because He is Holy, Holy, Holy! But if we start out as sinful beings, how can we be made to look holy to God the Father? Jesus told Nicodemus and us that to escape this sinful nature, we must be born again!
Paul wrote about this for the church at Corinth and us. So from now on we regard no-one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! (2 Corinthians 5:16-17). Note here Paul terms it as a transition from a sinful nature and causing us to become a new creation! We become more like Adam was before he sinned, and thus, we are more capable of avoiding our nature and desiring to be sinful. John wrote about this transition too and tells us how we can recognize this change in our self, and to somewhat see it in others. If you know that he (Jesus) is righteous, you know that everyone who does what is right has been born of him. (1 John 2:29). When people become twice born, they are changed immediately, and they become more aware of sinful temptations, thus less apt to commit sins. Sorry, my writing is not as bold as John’s, as it appears to me that our faith may not be as strong as his, therefore, we may not avoid all the temptations offered to us by Satan! However, we are absolutely made stronger and more able to recognize sinful opportunities offered by Satan! Every day we must be working on becoming more Christ-like.
John writes some wonderful words for us about how, because of what Jesus did in our stead, we have become like the children of God. How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. (1 John 3:1). When/if you talk to someone about what Jesus did for you and them, they may not take it as Good News, and in fact, they may react in a hostile way about what you have told them! John tells us about such a reaction, because as he wrote, “The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.” Paul wrote about this too, so we may be able to understand such hostility. The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. (1 Corinthians 2:14). So, what you are telling them as truth and a wonderful story, they will take it as untruth or even as a lie you are telling them! If they have not been born again, they are not totally capable of believing who Jesus is, or even that there is a personal loving God!
Another attribute of our sonship is brotherly love: Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. (1 John 4:7-8). Here John wrote that all love is anchored in God, because as John wrote, “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” A personal and loving God created us to be loving beings, and He has placed within us a soul, which was created in the image and likeness of Him! Yes, it is true each member of mankind has been created in the “image and Likeness of God!” Furthermore, each child of God should have a victorious faith. 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 overcome the world, even our faith (1 John 5:3-4). If you have the faith, you have the power too! As John wrote, “for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.” The writer of Hebrews describes this solid faith based on a sure understanding of what we know will happen when we leave this mortal lifetime. Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. (Hebrews 11:1). Even though we cannot see heaven, we believe it exists and we are destined to go there, because of what Jesus did for you to assure it! You passage was paid for by Jesus death and resurrection!
All who are truly sons and daughters of God will never lose that holy relationship! 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. (1 John 5:18-19). Although, Satan is in control of this world those who chose to become the children of God by following Jesus Christ will be saved from hell when they leave this world. They will not be shielded from all difficulties that this lifetime may bring, as this cursed world is still “under the control of the evil one.” However, you are being indwelt by the Holy Spirit and therefore, you have the power to overcome the devil’s snares even in this mortal lifetime. You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. (1 John 4:4). If you allow it, the Holy Spirit can shield you from the temptation of this cursed world. You have been given a free will by your Creator, so you can still choose what you will or will not do in this mortal lifetime!
Have you chosen to try and become more Christ-like for the rest of your mortal life? If you have the worldly people may not understand what motivates you to try to avoid sinful opportunities! If you get an opportunity, try to explain it to them!
Your brother in life through Adam, your brother in eternity through Jesus,
Bob Moak
1 John 3:8-9 (NIV)
He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work. No-one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God.
John had a very strong faith that Jesus was the Christ who had been prophesied to come into this world to save mankind from their sinful nature, which we all have inherited from the first sin that Adam committed. John tells us why Jesus came into this world in the selected verses, where it says, “The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.” This is necessary because there is no way a member of mankind can save themselves, because they are born into this world as sinful beings. God will not live in heaven with sinful beings, because He is Holy, Holy, Holy! But if we start out as sinful beings, how can we be made to look holy to God the Father? Jesus told Nicodemus and us that to escape this sinful nature, we must be born again!
Paul wrote about this for the church at Corinth and us. So from now on we regard no-one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! (2 Corinthians 5:16-17). Note here Paul terms it as a transition from a sinful nature and causing us to become a new creation! We become more like Adam was before he sinned, and thus, we are more capable of avoiding our nature and desiring to be sinful. John wrote about this transition too and tells us how we can recognize this change in our self, and to somewhat see it in others. If you know that he (Jesus) is righteous, you know that everyone who does what is right has been born of him. (1 John 2:29). When people become twice born, they are changed immediately, and they become more aware of sinful temptations, thus less apt to commit sins. Sorry, my writing is not as bold as John’s, as it appears to me that our faith may not be as strong as his, therefore, we may not avoid all the temptations offered to us by Satan! However, we are absolutely made stronger and more able to recognize sinful opportunities offered by Satan! Every day we must be working on becoming more Christ-like.
John writes some wonderful words for us about how, because of what Jesus did in our stead, we have become like the children of God. How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. (1 John 3:1). When/if you talk to someone about what Jesus did for you and them, they may not take it as Good News, and in fact, they may react in a hostile way about what you have told them! John tells us about such a reaction, because as he wrote, “The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.” Paul wrote about this too, so we may be able to understand such hostility. The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. (1 Corinthians 2:14). So, what you are telling them as truth and a wonderful story, they will take it as untruth or even as a lie you are telling them! If they have not been born again, they are not totally capable of believing who Jesus is, or even that there is a personal loving God!
Another attribute of our sonship is brotherly love: Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. (1 John 4:7-8). Here John wrote that all love is anchored in God, because as John wrote, “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” A personal and loving God created us to be loving beings, and He has placed within us a soul, which was created in the image and likeness of Him! Yes, it is true each member of mankind has been created in the “image and Likeness of God!” Furthermore, each child of God should have a victorious faith. 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 overcome the world, even our faith (1 John 5:3-4). If you have the faith, you have the power too! As John wrote, “for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.” The writer of Hebrews describes this solid faith based on a sure understanding of what we know will happen when we leave this mortal lifetime. Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. (Hebrews 11:1). Even though we cannot see heaven, we believe it exists and we are destined to go there, because of what Jesus did for you to assure it! You passage was paid for by Jesus death and resurrection!
All who are truly sons and daughters of God will never lose that holy relationship! 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. (1 John 5:18-19). Although, Satan is in control of this world those who chose to become the children of God by following Jesus Christ will be saved from hell when they leave this world. They will not be shielded from all difficulties that this lifetime may bring, as this cursed world is still “under the control of the evil one.” However, you are being indwelt by the Holy Spirit and therefore, you have the power to overcome the devil’s snares even in this mortal lifetime. You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. (1 John 4:4). If you allow it, the Holy Spirit can shield you from the temptation of this cursed world. You have been given a free will by your Creator, so you can still choose what you will or will not do in this mortal lifetime!
Have you chosen to try and become more Christ-like for the rest of your mortal life? If you have the worldly people may not understand what motivates you to try to avoid sinful opportunities! If you get an opportunity, try to explain it to them!
Your brother in life through Adam, your brother in eternity through Jesus,
Bob Moak