In many ways I am like my Father. My Dad likes science and math. He was a science teacher. I like science and math. I became an engineer. My Dad likes sports. He was and still is a coach. I like sports. I became a fan. People say our voices sound alike. We are about the same height. We both look darn good in gray hair.
When I became a Christian I gained a heavenly Father. John 3:1 reminds us that we are children of God. Have I picked up any qualities from my heavenly Father?
Jesus was like that. He told Thomas, "If you have seen me you have seen the Father". Jesus was the perfect earthly example of our heavenly Father. When people saw Jesus they saw His Father.
When people see you do they see your Father in you? Do they see evidence of your Father's heart. Do they hear your Father's voice? Do they feel your Father's touch?
John is really challenging us to "purify ourselves". Show the family resemblence. Stay away from sin, don't get sucked into things of the world and love one another. These are the things that Jesus did that showed the world what His Father was like.
It is great blessing to have a good earthly father for a role model. It is a great challenge to have a perfect heavenly Father and a big brother who never did anything wrong.
Are you becoming more like Jesus? Do you want to?
Friday, May 14, 2010
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
1 John 2B
This week we are in 1 John 2:15-29. John talks about remaining in Christ but first he talks about two things that are outside of Christ: the world and the spirit of antichrist. There is a big difference between being in Christ and outside of Christ.
In Christ we have the truth. In Christ we are in the light. In Christ we have fellowship with the Father through the Son. In Christ we have the anointing of the Holy Spirit. In Christ we have eternal life.
Outside of Christ is the world. Outside of Christ is the spirit of antichrist. Outside of Christ is darkness. Outside of Christ are things that can draw us away from Christ. Outside of Christ are things that will pass away.
John calls us to remain in Jesus. Jesus said the same thing, “Remain in me”.
How do we “Remain in Him”?
In Christ we have the truth. In Christ we are in the light. In Christ we have fellowship with the Father through the Son. In Christ we have the anointing of the Holy Spirit. In Christ we have eternal life.
Outside of Christ is the world. Outside of Christ is the spirit of antichrist. Outside of Christ is darkness. Outside of Christ are things that can draw us away from Christ. Outside of Christ are things that will pass away.
John calls us to remain in Jesus. Jesus said the same thing, “Remain in me”.
How do we “Remain in Him”?
Saturday, May 1, 2010
2 John
Light and Darkness. A new command and an old one. Obeying His commands.
God is light in HIm is no darkness at all. This is how Jesus lived. He walked in the light without sin and had perfect fellowship with God. This is our goal but we are not perfect and we sin. But when we sin we have Jesus on our side. He is our advocate to speak for us. But He is also the complete sacrifice for our sins. But we need to face our sins, confess, repent and be forgiven and purified. John makes is clear he is saying: "Do not sin", but when you do there is a remedy. Jesus will help you fix it.
When we focus on obeying Gods commands we need to be careful not to make the mistake of the Pharisees and fall into legalism. In John 13:34 Jesus said he was giving his disciples a new command. "As I have loved you so you must love one another. By this all men will know you are my disciples, if you love one another." This is not a new command to love one another. Jesus said that the second greatest commandment was to love your neighbor as yourself. What is new is this part: "As I have loved you". When God walked in a human body this is how he loved. Jesus has given us the example and He has given us the Holy Spirit.
What does it mean to walk in the light? Do not sin. When you do sin confess your sins to God and be assured of your forgiveness thanks to the blood of Jesus. But this is only the beginning. To love others as Jesus loved is far greater than just avoiding sin. The commands of Jesus are active they tell us what we should do much more often than they tell us what to avoid.
God is light in HIm is no darkness at all. This is how Jesus lived. He walked in the light without sin and had perfect fellowship with God. This is our goal but we are not perfect and we sin. But when we sin we have Jesus on our side. He is our advocate to speak for us. But He is also the complete sacrifice for our sins. But we need to face our sins, confess, repent and be forgiven and purified. John makes is clear he is saying: "Do not sin", but when you do there is a remedy. Jesus will help you fix it.
When we focus on obeying Gods commands we need to be careful not to make the mistake of the Pharisees and fall into legalism. In John 13:34 Jesus said he was giving his disciples a new command. "As I have loved you so you must love one another. By this all men will know you are my disciples, if you love one another." This is not a new command to love one another. Jesus said that the second greatest commandment was to love your neighbor as yourself. What is new is this part: "As I have loved you". When God walked in a human body this is how he loved. Jesus has given us the example and He has given us the Holy Spirit.
What does it mean to walk in the light? Do not sin. When you do sin confess your sins to God and be assured of your forgiveness thanks to the blood of Jesus. But this is only the beginning. To love others as Jesus loved is far greater than just avoiding sin. The commands of Jesus are active they tell us what we should do much more often than they tell us what to avoid.
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