Blog Archives - Created through Him

Created Through Him

Clear teaching

6/30/2013

9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son (2 John 1:9).

Yesterday we discussed that much of 1 John concerns the proper view of Christ. 2 John, although very short (only one chapter), continues the theme of importance of a high Christology. Christ is the object of our faith and faith based upon any other person, object, or philosophy will not lead toward a proper relationship with God the Father. This is the clear teaching of 2 John. So, faith is in a person, Jesus Christ.

Overcoming the world

6/29/2013

4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. 5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? (1 John 5:4-5)

There is a lot of theology present in 1 John. The most prevalent aspect of this theology is the doctrine of Christ. John writes a very high Christology. That is Christ is the center of everything that is good. And so victory in the world is achieved simply through faith in Christ. This faith is effective solely on the basis of Christ’s identity. There is no doubt when reading John that Christ is God.

The love of God

6/28/2013

6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error. 7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. 8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. 9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. 10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins (1 John 4:6-10).

God is one and those that are God’s therefore are able to recognize truth from error since they are of one Spirit. The spirit of truth leads us to first love God and then subsequently to love one another. The love of God is manifested in the sacrifice of Christ. The sacrifice and therefore love is for a set purpose, and that purpose was to pay the penalty for our sin. The payment of the penalty for sin allows the love of God to be effective in our lives in time and for all eternity.

The pure hope

6/27/2013

3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure (1 John 3:3).

Our hope is not in ourselves, our hope is in Christ. This hope is well founded. It is well founded because Christ is the purest power in the Universe. He is above all things and before all things. When we place our hope in anything besides Christ we will eventually be disappointed. However, in Christ we will never be disappointed, he is the hope of all eternity.

There will come a time when

6/26/2013

17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. 18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time (1 John 2:17-18).

John is warning both about the temporary nature of the world and the coming of antichrist. There have been many in history that have opposed Christ and are therefore antichrists, but there is coming a time when one man will rise to power and oppose Christ like no other man in history. While we will not know the exact timing of the coming of the antichrist, we do know from elsewhere in scripture that his coming will be accordance with the works of Satan. We also know that John thought the time was near nearly 2000 year ago and we know then that the time is even closer now.

From the beginning

6/25/2013

1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; 2 (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) 3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ (1 John 1:1-3).

The Apostle John clearly makes the point that Christ was with the Father from the beginning. So, Christ is God. John also identifies that Christ was present on earth in human form. There were numerous eyewitnesses to Christ. These witnesses testify to Christ’s life, death and resurrection. John also reminds us that our fellowship with Christ is also a fellowship with God the Father. Our connection to God the Father is through Christ.

In the last days

6/24/2013

3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, 4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation (2 Peter 3:3-4).

There have always been those that choose not to believe that God is God. However, as time moves towards the consummation of all things, there will be an increase in those that doubt both existence and word of God. It seems that this is already occurring. There is an insidious slide away from belief in the God of the bible to the god of this world. But we should not be surprised as Peter warned of such an occurrence some 2000 years ago.

Consequences

6/23/2013

20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. 21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them (2 Peter 2:20-21).

Peter spends most of this chapter describing those that choose not to follow God’s commands. He first deals with those that are not believers and then he discusses those that profess faith but do not follow. It is very important to actually follow God’s commands and in fact Peter makes it clear that knowing God’s commands makes it worse for the individual if they then choose not to obey. In the end, we are accountable to God and the best place to be in relationship to this accountability is in compliance.

Qualities added to faith

6/22/2013

5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity (2 Peter 1:5-7).

Peter is describing a list of qualities that build upon one another. These qualities, if possessed, make a Godly person. Notice too that all these qualities are first added to faith. The veracity and effectiveness of virtues is present in the context of faith. Faith is the glue that connects all Godly virtues together.

God's care

6/21/2013

6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:6-8).

We are to trust in God. By placing our trust in God we are relying on His power and care. God’s power and care is complete. It is when we walk according to our way and ignore God that we are in danger. The danger is that we will then be under attack from Satan. The only sure way to avoid a successful attack for Satan is to be completely in God’s care.

Created Through Him