What is Salvation

The first thing that likely comes to the mind of most Christians is: salvation is about eternal life, making heaven our home, rather than going to a place of torment called hell, where we would be eternally separated from God.

That is the end result, but the path that leads to eternal life includes many opportunities to exercise our faith. God’s plan of salvation includes many trials and tests that will make us ready to spend eternity with Him.

Salvation can be viewed as both a finished work of Christ and an ongoing process that we walk out during our entire lives here on this earth. The two are interconnected, in that, we must respond to what Jesus Christ completed through His death on the cross before we will benefit from it. God is not willing that any should perish or be banished from His presence. (See John 3:16 & 2 Peter 3:9). God’s part in our salvation has been completed long ago; now His church must spread the message and those who hear must respond to be saved. Though God is not willing that any should perish, He will not override the individual will of man. Salvation is available to whoever is willing to believe and receive. (See Acts 16:31 & Revelation 22:17)

Salvation is truly a work of God: there is nothing we can do to earn or deserve it, yet we must respond in obedience to His will. In this age of grace, our salvation is a matter of entering into Christ, as partakers of the New Covenant. We must respond to His warning of judgment and promise of blessing. God made a covenant with Noah and he responded in obedience, built an ark and became a preacher of righteousness, warning the people of the judgment that was to come. Entering into the ark was a type of entering into salvation in Christ.

Because of God’s covenant with Abraham and his descendants, Lot and his family were declared righteous and escaped the judgment that came upon the wicked city of Sodom.

2 Peter 2:4-7 For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment; 5 and did not spare the ancient world, but saved Noah, one of eight people, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood on the world of the ungodly; 6 and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, making them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly; 7 and delivered righteous Lot, who was oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked NKJV

2 Peter 2:9 The Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment. NKJV

Salvation, for the Israelite slaves in Egypt, was also a matter of responding with obedience. They were saved from the judgment that God released upon the first born of the land, including their livestock. Israel was instructed to kill a lamb and put its blood above and on the sides of the doorway to each of their houses. They were to stay in their houses, eating roast lamb. When the Lord saw the blood, He passed over their homes and did not smite them with the plague that came on all Egypt. Salvation, for them, was remaining in their houses under the covering of the blood, partaking of roast lamb. As they prepared to head out of Egypt, the scripture says that there was not one feeble person among them: their bodies were also healed.

Our salvation, today, parallels their experience of coming out of Egypt. We must remain in Christ, trusting His blood to cleanse us and keep us from the judgment that will come on the wicked. Our salvation includes saving the soul, deliverance from slavery to sin, judgment on our enemies, and the healing of our bodies.

As God led Moses and the children of Israel out of Egypt, they came upon the Red Sea and noticed that Pharaoh had sent his armies in pursuit of them. They had no apparent way of escape so they began to cry out in fear and complained to Moses. God was not taken by surprise, as if He had to quickly come up with a plan, but He led them that way to show His might on their behalf.

Ex 14:13-14 And Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. 14 The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace." NKJV

God told Moses to stretch forth his rod over the sea and the waters parted before them. After the Israelites had passed through the sea on dry ground, the armies of Pharaoh continued, following them into the parted water. Then the Lord commanded Moses to, again, stretch forth his rod and the water returned to normal, covering over every last one of them. (See Exodus 14) In this we see that salvation includes deliverance from our enemies and all those who desire to enslave God’s people. He has buried our sins in the deepest sea. (See Micah 7:19)

Ex 14:30-31 So the Lord saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. 31 Thus Israel saw the great work which the Lord had done in Egypt; so the people feared the Lord, and believed the Lord and His servant Moses. NKJV

The people then responded to their salvation with joy and singing. Exodus 15 records the song of Moses and the song of Miriam.

Water baptism is an important element in our salvation. The children of Israel were, in a sense, baptized in the sea and left behind those who had kept them in slavery. Baptism for us is, figuratively, burying, or we could say drowning, the part of us that yields to the slavery of sin. Without that experience, our flesh is more likely to be hounded by the appeal of sin. Water baptism is typical of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. If we truly want to be raised with Him, and walk in the newness of life, we must first be buried with Him. Though water baptism does not literally save us, doing so is an important response to His command. It is a testimony and a declaration to all, including our enemies.
Rom 6:4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. NKJV

Our salvation in Christ is to be experienced now in this life and forever.

Acts 17:28 for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, 'For we are also His offspring.' NKJV

Romans 12:5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. NKJV

Salvation is a continuing work and requires that we remain yielded to the leadership of Christ. Our salvation is best preserved through joy and a thankful heart.

Rom 1:21-22
21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.NKJV

Heb 3:14-15 For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end, 15 while it is said:" Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion." NKJV

This rebellion spoken of refers to the unbelief and continual complaining against God and Moses concerning the conditions they had to face in the wilderness. They so quickly forgot about their mighty deliverance from slavery in Egypt and continually focused on their present conditions, disregarding all the promises of God. After watching Pharaoh’s army drown in the sea, they began to sing for joy, but no sooner than they ran into another challenge, they began to moan and complain. God was leading them to a land that flowed with milk and honey, to a place where they would have rest from slavery and all their enemies. Because of their complaints and unbelief, God became angry with that generation.

Heb 3:7-11 Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says: "Today, if you will hear His voice,
8 Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, In the day of trial in the wilderness,
9 Where your fathers tested Me, tried Me, And saw My works forty years. 10 Therefore I was angry with that generation, And said, 'They always go astray in their heart, And they have not known My ways.' 11 So I swore in My wrath, 'They shall not enter My rest.'" NKJV

These scriptures apply to us today in a spiritual sense. Our promised land of rest and peace is in Christ and His Kingdom. Everything God has promised us is realized in His Son. We are partakers of His Spirit and we are joint-heirs with Him. (See Romans 8)

1 John 5:10-12 11 And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. NKJV

We are admonished in the scripture, not to loose heart and complain when we come into challenging circumstances but to remain thankful for what God has brought us through: to stand fast and see the salvation of the Lord.

What is Sin

To understand what sin is, let us go back to Genesis 3, where sin first entered the earth. The serpent, who was called the devil, through deception and lies, introduced sin into the world. Adam and his wife, Eve, were given charge over all earthly creation but lost that position of authority by yielding to the enticing words of the serpent. Their disobedience to the command of God, coupled with their obedience to the serpent, opened the door to sin and death. Man became a servant, or slave, to sin and the devil because he obeyed him. We are servants to the one we obey. The devil and his hordes are now called the prince of this world, the prince and power of the air, and the powers of darkness because Adam surrendered his authority by obeying the devil.

Rom 5:12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned. NKJV.

Sin is a lie and the devil is the father of lies. (see John 8:44) Sin is deceitful in that it promises fulfillment but leaves us empty and broken. The lie suggests that we were not created whole, but lacking. Sin claims to be the solution and able to complete what is lacking in us. Ironically, sin is the cause of lack and has left man searching for something to fill that gap ever since. Like most addictive substances, sin provides momentary relief and pleasure but, in turn, creates a greater emptiness within, and requires an even larger dose to fill the gap.

Sin also promises to be a shortcut route to the things God has already given us or has set in motion to be in our future. In the wilderness, the devil tempted Jesus saying:
Matt 4:8-9 Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to Him, "All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me." NKJV

Jesus’ destiny was, and still is, to be ruler over all the nations but He had to first go to the cross. He had to defeat the devil, and remove him from his position as the prince of this world, or mankind would be forever a servant to the devil.

God made man in His own image and likeness, yet the serpent suggested that God only forbid Adam and Eve to eat of the tree of knowledge because its fruit contained power to make them like God. Sin promised to make them something they already were. The serpent suggested they were defective or deficient and that God was holding back a god-likeness from them, as if they would become a threat to His position as “The Almighty.” The devil’s recruiting method was to project his belief about God into Eve’s consciousness, in hopes she would agree. Lucifer had recruited many of the angels in heaven to rise up in rebellion against God, for which they were cast down to the earth. (see Isaiah 14:12-15, 2 Peter 2:4 and Jude 1:6). It appears that, after they were cast out, he continued his practice and recruited mankind to join in the great rebellion.

Sin destroys the innocence that allows intimacy. Adam and Eve were clothed in God’s glory prior to sin entering in, but shame caused them to take cover and hide. Eating the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil made them suspicious of God. Their new found knowledge left them feeling naked and vulnerable. They no longer trusted the motives of their creator. Their innocence was gone. The knowledge they found in the fruit made them god-like in a perverted sense. They became the judge of what was good or evil and what was best for them, something they had not previously had to consider.

Innocence allows for complete trust. We will not expose ourselves to, or become transparent with, someone we do not trust. Fear of rejection or punishment will cause us to remain hidden. We have been declared innocent through the blood of Christ, yet, today, the devil will look for every excuse to condemn us, or to remind us of past failures, in hopes that we will agree with him and go back into hiding from God.

>Rom 5:17 For if by the one man's offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.) NKJV

Adam’s transgression gave way to the rule and reign of sin over this world, but the gift of righteousness reigns in greater power over sin in this life, through Jesus Christ. We that have entered into Christ have been given a greater authority: that sin is no longer our master.

Sin has been defined as missing the mark. In terms of hitting a target, if our arrow misses, it would be considered sin. It is more likely that our arrow doesn’t just miss the bull’s eye, it falls way short of the target. People who could care less about obeying God don’t even shoot an arrow, but none the less have fallen short of His glory. Anyone who strives for righteousness through human effort may shoot their arrow in the right direction, but lack the power needed to reach the target. Sin always causes us to lack; it never brings strength or fulfillment.

Rom 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; KJV

No one has enough power required to reach that glorious target without the empowering grace of God. Adam and Eve were clothed in the glory before sin entered. It is now God’s plan that we be clothed with the glory that is revealed in Christ. Those who have entered into Christ are clothed with Him. In Him we are declared innocent and righteous. Now we can have intimate fellowship with the Father as Adam did in the Garden.

The good news is that sin has been defeated. The plans and strategy of our enemy have been exposed and we no longer need to be hoodwinked by the devil. It is evident that, at least for now, until the devil is cast into the bottomless pit, he still rules over all who have not entered into Christ. Our victory over sin and the devil is a matter of maintaining our position and standing in Christ. The devil still rules over those who obey him. Though we have made a choice to follow Christ, the serpent is still at work to deceive and convince us that God is not all we need, that He is holding back something good that only sin can fulfill.
1 John 4:4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. NKJV

Self righteousness is sin. Probably the most deceptive form of sin is self righteous religion. It appears to be in submission and obedience to God, but only outwardly. The devil uses religion as a disguise to appear good and righteous. If he can not drag us back into gross, outward sin he offers an appearance of holiness, while appealing to our fleshly desires for power, position or wealth, just to name a few. He does not like loosing his servants to God’s Kingdom so he will pose as a servant of God himself to try to hoodwink God’s people, to lure them away from the faith. He appears as an angel of light and as a wolf in sheep’s clothing. He offers God’s people counterfeit religious practices to sidetrack and shipwreck them if possible.

The antichrist is called the man of sin, a man that will come onto the world’s scene in the last days, but his spirit is alive and active even now. (see 1 John 2:18) He is not only the counterfeit messiah that will come, but he is now operating in the church world through false teachers, and false converts, claiming to be children of God. According to the book of Jude, the angels who have fallen are at work to promote and integrate evil practices and ungodly lusts into the true worship of God’s people. They follow the example of Cain, who killed his own brother because he was righteous. They greedily follow the way of Balaam, the prophet, using their gifts for financial gain. They boldly show up to feast at the table God has spread for His children. Sin has robbed them of life. They are like clouds with no water, a mirage in the desert. Thirsty souls race to them for a drink, yet are left even more dry and thirsty.

The book of Jude describes those who are recruited into false religion, even those who are found mixed among the true. Many have taken cover behind a religious garment of good works in an attempt to cover their own sin. They follow the example of Cain, who trusted in the fruit of his own toil and sweat as a payment for sin. As a result, they are alienated from the intimate presence of God and their end is destruction. We are not of those who abandon the faith to follow after vanity: we continue in the faith that is empowered by grace and God’s love.

Principles of Prayer

1. Talk with God about everything

Phil 4:6
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; NKJV

2. Ask in Jesus name.

John 15:16
16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. NKJV


John 16:23-24
23 "And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. NKJV

3. Believe and praise God

Mark 11:23-24
23 For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart , but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.
24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray believe that you receive them, and you will have them. NKJV

Phil 4:6
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; NKJV


4. Be Persistent

1 Thess. 5:17-18
17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. NKJV

Rom 12:10-12
10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; 11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; NKJV

5. Pray alone and with others

Matt 6:6-7
6 But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. NKJV

Mark 6:46
46 And when He had sent them away, He departed to the mountain to pray. NKJV

Luke 9:18
And it happened, as He was alone praying, that His disciples joined Him, and He asked them, saying, "Who do the crowds say that I am?" NKJV


John 6:15
Therefore when Jesus perceived that they were about to come and take Him by force to make Him king, He departed again to the mountain by Himself alone. NKJV

Matt 18:19-20
19 "Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them." NKJV

Acts 12:12
12 So, when he had considered this, he came to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose surname was Mark, where many were gathered together praying. NKJV

6. Let the Spirit Help You

Rom 8:26
26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. NKJV

Jude 20
But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, NKJV


Luke 18:1-8, The Parable of the Persistent Widow

Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, 2 saying: "There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man. 3 Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, 'Get justice for me from my adversary.' 4 And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, 'Though I do not fear God nor regard man, 5 yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.'"

6 Then the Lord said, "Hear what the unjust judge said. 7 And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? 8 I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?" NKJV

This parable spoken by Jesus was intended to give a contrasting view between God, who is perfectly just, and a judge, who was unjust. If an unjust judge, who did not fear God or regard man, was convinced to avenge the persistent widow by her continual requests, how much more will God avenge or answer the requests of His own children who cry out to Him continually? God will not put them off but will act speedily to answer their requests.

This story ends with a good question to be considered. “When the Son of Man comes, will He find that persistent kind of faith on the earth?” Some have suggested that it is a lack of faith to keep asking for something over and over, because God has heard already so we should just wait for the answer. Repeating the request over and over implies we do not believe God has heard or that our faith is somehow deficient.

In this parable, Jesus is saying that faith will not quit until the answer comes. It is not that God is reluctant to act on our behalf but often He tests our tenacity to see just how serious we are. Are we asking something just because we know we should or is it because we want it really badly? God rewards those who diligently seek Him. Whatever is achieved through much diligence will also be cared for with the same diligence.

The unjust judge became wearied by the widow’s continual asking, but God does not: we are more likely to get tired of hearing our own prayers repeated than God ever would. God responds more to faith than to the need. Faith is expressed by a continual persistence to get the desired answer. When the blind man heard that Jesus was passing near where he was begging, he cried out with a loud voice to attract His attention. Some standing near by told him to be quiet but he cried out all the louder, with persistence, because he wanted Jesus to restore his sight. Jesus may have passed him by if he had not cried out: not because He did not care or know about his condition, but because Jesus was searching for someone with faith that He could respond to.

Another example is the woman from Canaan, in Matthew 15:22-28, who came to Jesus asking for healing for her daughter. He ignored her request at first and then His disciples told Him to send her away. He informed her that he was sent only to the household of Israel and that healing was the children’s bread, not to be given to dogs. She persisted, willing to receive the crumbs that fell from the master’s table. Jesus then responded to her faith. She was not intimidated by those who wanted her to go away nor was she put off by Jesus’ slow response. The insinuation that she was a dog did not offend or cause her to hesitate, but her persistence got the answer that she needed.


Luke 18:1
Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart. NKJV

THE SPIRIT AND THE WORD II

The Spirit of God speaks the word of God through His people.

Acts 4:31
31 And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness. NKJV

The infilling of the Holy Spirit empowered them to speak the word of God with boldness. The chief priests and the elders had threatened Peter and John and commanded them to no longer speak in the name of Jesus, but when they returned to their companions they gathered together and prayed that they all would receive boldness to speak the word of God. They refused to be intimidated by man but obeyed God.

1 Corinthians 12:3
3 Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit. NKJV

The Spirit of God and the word of God agree as one. Anyone who is speaking under the influence of the Holy Spirit could not curse the name of Jesus or speak against Him. It requires a revelation of the Spirit for one to confess and declare Jesus as Lord and Christ. Peter received a revelation and declared Jesus to be the Christ, the Son of the living God. He did not come to that revelation through human reasoning or from observing Jesus in the natural realm, but through the Father, by the Spirit.

Eph 5:18-19
18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit , 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord. NKJV

Men who are filled with wine lose control of their speech, usually to foolishness and vulgarity, but being filled with the Holy Spirit leads to inspirational songs, hymns and spiritual songs. On the day of Pentecost, all who had been filled with the Spirit began to speak in different languages under the influence of the Spirit. Some bystanders accused them of being drunk on new wine. They had lost control of their speech, not to cursing, but to blessing and proclaiming the mighty works of God.

Heb 4:12
12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. NIV

Whenever God speaks, whether through the lips of humanity or from the pages of scripture, His words are like a sharp, two-edged sword, having the ability to cut through and expose the contents of the heart. When Peter preached in Acts 2:36-37:

36 "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ."

37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" NKJV

And again when Stephen was preaching in Acts 7:54:

When they heard these things they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth. NKJV

Even though, in both situations, the people were cut to the heart by the word that was preached, one group became repentant and the other flared up in vicious anger. The word discerned and exposed the thoughts and intents of their hearts and brought them to a place of decision.

This is evangelism in the book of Acts. They went everywhere preaching the word with signs and wonders following them. They were led of the Spirit of God and spoke under the unction of the Spirit. We need both the Word and the Spirit at work with us to be affective evangelists.

In combination with the power of the word, spiritual gifts are given to minister to both unbelievers and believers alike. In 1 Corinthians 12: 8-10 we find a list of the gifts that are a supernatural manifestation of the Spirit through the believer; the word of wisdom, the word of knowledge, faith, healing, and the working of miracles and so on. Through these gifts God reveals Himself to those in need. Powerful gifts can add a real “wow” factor to the ministry but the potential for spiritual pride to enter also increases.

Another work of the Spirit is to produce fruit in the lives of every believer. In Galatians 5: 22-23, we find them listed as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. These are qualities in a believer’s life that are foundational for the operation of the supernatural gifts. Though we may have great faith to move mountains, work miracles, prophesy or speak in other tongues, if we lack the fruit of love we are only a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.

We cannot put off evangelism until we master all these areas or we will never get started.
The Christian life is a growing process. Eating healthily (the word of God), coupled with plenty of exercise (sharing our faith), causes strong growth in our personal lives and, in turn, adding souls to the Kingdom.

Relationships in Marriage

Eph 5:22-33

Marriage — Christ and the Church

22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. 24 Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. 25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. 28 So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. 30 For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. 31 "For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh." 32 This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. 33 Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

NKJV

Wives willingly submit and yield to your husband just as you would to the Lord, knowing that God has given him the lead position. Christian marriage is to be a mirror image of Christ as the head of the church, His bride. The church is now His body and is one with Him; likewise, the Lord sets the husband as head, or leader, in the marriage union. He ought to love his wife even as his own body. Husbands demonstrate their God given leadership skills best by loving their wives in the same way that Christ loves His church. Christ went directly to the front lines to take on sin and to destroy every enemy that would cause separation and alienation in relationships. He poured out the life blood of His own flesh that He might purchase for Himself a bride that would become His body, made up of many members. He sought her out and has washed and cleansed her, by the water of the word, that she might be a glorious and holy bride, without one wrinkle or blemish.

John 15:3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. NKJV

When a man leaves his parents’ home, and is joined to his wife, the two become one flesh and the husband is established as head. Their covenant union is recognized by God and a new authority structure is put in place. Though children ought always respect and honor their parents, once married, they are no longer under the authority of their parents’ house. When we as believers abandon self rule and submit to the leadership of Christ, as His bride, we are brought into a new authority structure. Our union with Him allows us to be partakers of His authority and to come under the covering of God’s household. Though this is a great mystery, and easily overlooked, a husband’s sacrificial love for his wife, as for himself, positions him for power and authority with God. Wives that understand this truth will have a greater respect for their husbands.

A believing wife whose husband does not obey the word has a unique situation. Though her husband has not submitted to the authority of God, she is directed to submit to his leadership in faith. In doing so, she trusts God to work in and through her husband to bring about the will of God.

1 Peter 3:1-4

Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, 2 when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear. 3 Do not let your adornment be merely outward — arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel — 4 rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.

NKJV

Wives should not focus on winning their husbands through what appeals to their natural senses alone, but allow the beauty of Christ to shine from the inside, through a gentle and quiet spirit: a beauty that increases and doesn’t fade away with time. The respectful conduct of believing wives, living the word before their husbands, will be more effective in winning them to the Lord than preaching or quoting scriptures to them.

Col 3:18-19

Wives, submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them.

NKJV

A wife’s submission to her husband should always be kept in the context of submitting as unto the Lord. God would never expect anyone to submit to activity that is condemned in scripture. A husband that truly loves his wife would never use manipulation, or demand obedience; loving submission is always voluntary. Because many of us have been under abusive authority, and do not understand loving submission, we can naturally be suspicious of anyone who exercises authority. But, we must learn to discern what is of God and yield, as unto the Lord. Husbands must be patient and not become bitter against their wives, but allow time for them to trust their godly leadership.

Guarding and Maintaining Relationships

Eph 5:1-7

5:1 Walk in Love

Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. 3 But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; 4 neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not be partakers with them.

NKJV

Relationships hold the greatest value to God and are highest on Satan’s list to target for destruction. In 2 Corinthians 2:10 -11, we see that uncertainties about our forgiveness toward offending brothers can leave a door open for the devil to take advantage and abort the process of restoration.

If we are to be imitators of God, as a child would imitate his father, we must follow the example of God’s son, Jesus Christ. He freely gave himself as an offering, a sacrifice with a sweet smelling aroma. Fornication, uncleanness and covetousness had no part in His life and should not even be considered among those who are His saints. Filthiness, foolish talk and coarse jesting found no place in His vocabulary: it was filled with goodness, thankfulness and encouragement. Let’s not be deceived; not all who claim an inheritance as children of God will receive the kingdom, but only those who are like Him. All those who follow after promiscuous, filthy, and covetous men, who are in fact idolaters, will partake of the reward of the wicked. They will not inherit the kingdom of God; His wrath will come upon them. So, let us flee from all these things lest we be partakers with them.

The bottom line is that God loves the aroma of a sacrifice that is given up to save, restore or protect relationships. But acts of sexual immorality, uncleanness and idolatry, coupled with foolish speech and degrading comments toward others, are destructive to the very relationships that He paid so great a price to redeem. Those who practice these things are offering up relationships as sacrifices, enjoying the aroma of the destructive flame, while sending up a stench into the nostrils of God.

Eph 5:8-14

8 Walk in Light

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9(for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), 10 finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. 13 But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. 14 Therefore He says:

"Awake, you who sleep,

Arise from the dead,

And Christ will give you light."

NKJV

Now that you have stepped out of the darkness and into the light of the Lord, walk in His light. Only in the light will you bear the fruit of the Spirit, goodness, righteousness and truth and be able to discern what is acceptable to the Lord. Walking in the light will remove those who hide in darkness from your fellowship; in fact, it will expose them for who they really are. You will, not only want to avoid their company, but the shameful things they do in secret will not enter into your conversation. The light not only exposes the acts of sin, but evil thoughts and words as well.

We are no longer children of the darkness; we are now of the light. It is time to wake up and arise from the dark grave and come into the light of Christ.

Our relationship with God, and His children, must be in the light. There can be no mixing with darkness because the two have no fellowship, or communion, one with another. (See 2 Corinthians 6: 14-15) Fruitfulness requires light. Darkness only provides a hiding place for evil’s destructive work.

Eph 5:15-21

15 Walk in Wisdom

See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, 20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another in the fear of God.

NKJV

Be careful how you walk; spend your valuable time wisely, not allowing evil to claim even one minute. The unwise spend their time foolishly and will not understand what the will of the Lord is. You that are wise know that too much wine will lead to a wasted life of drunkenness and debauchery, under the control of alcohol. Let us rather become regular partakers of the Holy Spirit, filled until we overflow with songs and hymns, even spiritual songs that result in an inner melody from our hearts to the Lord. Overflowing with thankfulness to God the Father, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, results in a holy fear of God and a willingness to submit to one another in love.

We need the infilling of the Holy Spirit, regularly, to walk with wisdom and light. Darkness has the ability to present itself as light by using half truth. We need the Holy Spirit’s guidance into all truth. Remembering that relationships are of utmost value to God, and are Satan’s number one target, makes us aware that he will use what appeals to human flesh in order to lead us astray into darkness. Those who indulge in too much wine are easily led to defile relationships through foolish talk, sexual immorality and covetousness. All the sins listed in the previous verses can more easily manifest in the lives of those who practice drunkenness. The bottom line again is: avoid anything that threatens holy relationships and be willing to sacrifice temporary, earthly pleasures, protecting that which has eternal value.

THE LORD’S SUPPER

1 Corinthians 11:17-22

Conduct at the Lord's Supper

Now in giving these instructions I do not praise you, since you come together not for the better but for the worse. 18 For first of all, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you, and in part I believe it. 19 For there must also be factions among you, that those who are approved may be recognized among you. 20 Therefore when you come together in one place, it is not to eat the Lord's Supper. 21 For in eating, each one takes his own supper ahead of others; and one is hungry and another is drunk. 22 What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and shame those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you in this? I do not praise you.

1 Corinthians 11:23-26

Institution of the Lord's Supper

(Matt 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:14-23)

For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; 24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, "Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me." 25 In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me."

26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes.

1 Corinthians 11:27-34

Examine Yourself

Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. 30 For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep. 31 For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. 32 But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world.

33 Therefore, my brethren, when you come together to eat, wait for one another. 34 But if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, lest you come together for judgment. And the rest I will set in order when I come.

NKJV

The apostle Paul found it necessary to correct the Corinthian church concerning their observance of the Lord’s Supper. Paul heard that there were divisions and factions among them. They managed to segregate God’s family, according to their differences in the natural, disregarding the unity of the Spirit. On the day of Pentecost, those who were baptized in the Spirit became one in heart and mind, counting nothing they possessed as their own, but had all things in common. Just a few years later, the Corinthian church showed no signs of being in one accord, in one place, but had become self centered.

What they called the Lord’s Supper no longer resembled what Jesus demonstrated and instituted. This was to be a covenant meal, demonstrating the willingness of all participants to lay down their lives for their brothers and sisters. Covenant with God, basically, is an agreement that places everything that each one has at the disposal of the other and is available to defend them against the enemy. God of course has no lack or need of anything, but asks for our participation anyway. When Lot and his family were captured in the attack on the city of Sodom, Abraham used all at his disposal to go after and retrieve everything that was stolen. Lot was not just Abraham’s nephew, but was part of a family covenant with God. Abraham had faith in God’s promise to be involved, with all at His disposal, to defend his family; thereby he was able to defeat armies with only a couple hundred men. They not only brought back Lot and his household, but all the people of the city with their goods. Abraham boldly acted, counting on God’s agreement to be involved in the recovery of Lot and his family, as part of the covenant.

Jesus demonstrated by His broken body and shed blood that He put His all in harm’s way, even to death, to capture and save all that had been stolen by His enemy, Satan. It was the most selfless act ever demonstrated on this earth: one that He now wants us to show forth or portray regularly until He returns. Eating of His body (bread), and drinking of His blood (wine), demonstrates our willingness to become one with Him in heart and mind: valuing what He values, placing all we have, even our very lives, on the line just as He did, that others might have abundant life.

Every time we eat the bread and drink the cup of the Lord, we proclaim, and prophetically display, the Lord’s selfless act of death, in remembrance of Him, until He comes again. Therefore, if we partake in an unworthy manner, we are guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord. The word unworthy refers to the actions, not the person; it does not refer to the value or worth of a soul, but the unequal manner in which His death is portrayed. The most selfless act on earth can not be demonstrated through selfishness and division.

The actions of the Corinthians were contrary to those of Christ: they resembled more the mockery of those who put Him to death. Many of the Corinthians were weak and sick, some had even gone to an early grave, because they did not discern or understand the implication of their actions. Jesus’ body received judgment and was condemned in our place: the innocent in stead of the guilty. All selfishness and sin was placed on Jesus, it was judged and condemned on the cross. But, if we are walking in selfishness (sin) and partake of His body in a covenant meal, we will eat and drink of the judgment and condemnation that was placed on Him. Instead of receiving the blessings that belong to the family of God, we partake of the judgment for sin that was placed on Jesus body.

The church is now considered the body of Christ and we are all members of that body. If we consider others as unimportant, or selfishly ignore them, it is a sign that we are not discerning the body of Christ. In the following chapter, I Corinthians 12, Paul speaks of the body having many parts that God has placed in order, as it has pleased Him. He says that we cannot say we have no need of the other parts; just as the hand cannot do without the eye, neither can we function properly without all the members in their place.

God’s judgment is not for the purpose of condemning us with the world but to correct us and get us back on track. We must learn to judge our own actions to determine if we are considering the body of Christ as one, in the unity of the Spirit.

1John 5: 13-21

13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.

John did not write just to inform us about God’s love, His Son, or eternal life, but that we might know based on the evidence he has given us. With this hard evidence we will continue to believe in the name of the Son of God. When scripture describes a love relationship that we are already experiencing, it is a confirming witness that we are His children.

14 Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.

Knowing produces confidence. When we know His will, we know what to ask for and that He hears us: then we know that we have the answer to our request. Knowing comes through abiding in Him.

16 If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death, he will ask, and He will give him life for those who commit sin not leading to death. There is sin leading to death. I do not say that he should pray about that. 17 All unrighteousness is sin, and there is sin not leading to death.

If we know that a fellow believer is lacking complete victory, but is not making a practice of sin, we should intercede for that one, asking God to restore him with overcoming life. The one who has repeatedly hardened his heart to correction, and has made a practice of his sin, is headed for death, so do not pray life for him. Though all sin is punishable by death, some are gaining ground toward the victorious life through repentance, while others’ hearts are being further hardened through the deceitfulness of sin, choosing to continue toward a dead end.

There are some examples in scripture of people who got into a death trap. Sampson played around with sin until he was caught in the trap of the enemy. Though God had mercy on him, empowering him to destroy his enemies, he died along with them. His life was cut short by many years because of his sin. It appears that, once a believer goes so far into practicing sin, God allows him to be trapped in the hope that he will then turn back toward life; yet, God will sometimes let their flesh be destroyed that their soul might be saved.

There was such a man spoken of in 1 Corinthians 5. Paul told them to turn the immoral man over to Satan for the destruction of his flesh that his soul might be saved. God must judge sin beginning, especially, in the house of God. There were those who were evidently partaking of the Lord’s Supper in an unworthy, self centered manner which led to sickness, and even death, among them. See 1 Corinthians 11:30. In both of these instances Paul mentions God’s judgment was taking place.

In Acts 5, Ananias and Sapphira, his wife, both came under the judgment of God for lying about their financial dealings. This portion of scripture has few details but we must conclude this was not their first lie or deceptive offering but that they had developed a hard heart toward the truth. God is truth, and they did not know or practice Godliness.

Peter did not pray life for them, but judgment. We have to know the mind of the Spirit in order to pray for people in these situations.

18 We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him. 19 We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one.

Everyone who is born of God has been given the authority of His family name to keep himself from the trap of the wicked one and to defeat habitual sin by that authority. This powerful name is not available to those who are of the world because the wicked one still has them under his authority. Those who choose to habitually sin do not to stand in the authority given them; they have allowed sin to, again, be their master.

20 And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.

The Son of God has come and has opened our understanding to know Him as truth. Abiding in Him, and in the truth, assures us of eternal life. In John 8: 31-32, Jesus said

"If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.

John’s closing comment is to keep away from idols. We usually think of an idol as a statue or graven image but it can also apply to mental images. Envisioning something in a covetous manner is a form of idolatry. Anything that takes our eyes and our affection away from the one true God is an idol. Colossians 3:5

1John 5: 1-12

1John 5: 1-12

Obedience by Faith

1Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him. 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.

Coming into God’s family requires faith, believing and trusting that Jesus is the Christ, is our entrance. God’s family love naturally causes us to love the children of God and keeping His commandments are joyous, not burdensome. Love for God’s family is a sort of birthmark, as evidence, upon all who are begotten of Him.

4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world — our faith. 5 Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

Our birth into God’s Family means we have an advantage over all those on the outside.

The power of the world’s influence to form thought patterns and actions has been broken for those who submit to Christ. Those who are born of God overcome the influence of this world through Christ by faith. We are transformed by the renewing of our minds. Romans 12:2. We have the mind of Christ Jesus, the one who overcame the world. John 16:33

The Certainty of God's Witness

6This is He who came by water and blood — Jesus Christ; not only by water, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is truth.

7 For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one. 8 And there are three that bear witness on earth: the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree as one.

The Father sent His Son Jesus, the Word, to take upon Himself flesh and blood submitting to both life and death in human form being anointed with the Holy Spirit of truth. All three; the Father, the Word and the Holy Spirit had a part in this incarnation of the Christ. These three in heaven agreed and conceived salvations plan that has been revealed on earth.

Earth must come into agreement with heaven and every truth must be confirmed by the word of two or three witnesses. 1 Corinthians 13:1. The truth of heaven is confirmed on earth by the Spirit, the water and the blood, all three agree as one. Each of these three play a vital part in our salvation. The Spirit draws men to Christ, the blood of Christ cleanses and saves us and baptism in water speaks of burying our old man of sin to then rise up and walk in newness of life.

9 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater; for this is the witness of God which He has testified of His Son. 10 He who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself; he who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed the testimony that God has given of His Son.

We might believe what men say but believing what God says is much more important. God’s testimony is that He sent His Son and all who believe in Him shall have life. Those who have believed and received the Son of God will have an inner witness to know what is from God. Those who do not believe God’s testimony concerning His Son Jesus have counted Him as a liar, thus excluding themselves from life.

11 And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. 12 He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.

Our testimony is that God has given us eternal life through receiving His Son. When we invited Him in eternal life entered, but those who would not receive Him do not have eternal life.

1 John 4:7-21

Knowing God Through Love

7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.

These statements concerning love must be understood from the context of God’s (agape, in the Greek) love. I am sure the vast majority of unbelievers and those who would not claim to be born of God would argue that they love others, especially their own families. God’s love is God Himself and those who live, or abide, in God will live and walk in His love. Those who do not know God cannot live and walk in His love because they have not yet made access to Him.

9 In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.

God put His great love on display by sending His Son to restore our access to His love and life through His Son Jesus.

10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

It was not our love for God that motivated Him to send His Son to die and pay the price for our sins, but it was His love for us. This is how God’s love is distinguished from human love: while we were in rebellion, our backs turned to Him, He pursued us.

11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

Are we loving those who do not love us? Jesus said that it is easy to love and do good to those who love us and could return the favor, but even sinners do that. To stand out as God’s children, we must love and do good to the ungrateful, expecting nothing in return. Our thanks and reward will be stored up for us in heaven. See Luke 6:30-36.

Seeing God Through Love

12 No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us.

Though we are not able to look upon God with our natural eyes, He is revealed to us by His creation. How could anyone say that they love God, yet despise a brother who has been made in the very image of God? If we love one another like He loves us, it proves that God lives in us and that His love is in complete control of us.

13 By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit.

God sent His Spirit to live in our spirits so that we could live in His Spirit, thus making us one with Him. When we invited Him to sit on the throne of our lives, He also invited us to sit with Him in His.

14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world. 15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.

God sent His Holy Spirit to reveal His Son, Jesus, to us, in us, and through us. Our confession of Jesus as the Son of God must be more than words, it must be a lifestyle of doing the works of Jesus. Confession must have corresponding action to be true. In the mouth of two or more witnesses every truth must be confirmed. Our words are one and our actions are the second witness.

16 And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.

Our spiritual life is inseparable from God. As earth’s atmosphere provides everything necessary to sustain life in the natural, God’s love and presence create the necessary atmosphere to sustain us spiritually. Our spirit man must breathe in, as it were, the Spirit of God, then eat and drink the word and the living water.

The Consummation of Love

17 Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.

In previous verses, John spoke of the boldness and assurance that those who walk in love would have to enter His presence and to receive the requests that they ask of Him. Now he speaks of the judgment day in a similar way. Love has been perfected, or made complete, in us when love’s desire and mission have been accomplished. God’s love judged and punished His innocent Son in our place and provided innocence for us, equal standing with the risen Christ at the right hand of the Father even while we are yet in this world. Jesus’ love for His bride fully consumed Him and love’s mission was accomplished. When love has fully consumed us, there is no room left for tormenting fear. The process of maturing in love includes self examination: judging ourselves here, in this life, that we will not fear that final judgment day.

19 We love Him because He first loved us.

We can only love God and others the way that He does as we receive His love. Without His love, we are an empty vacuum desiring to be filled. By nature, we usually seek fulfillment with the things offered by this world. His love has already been poured out. It endlessly flows toward us all: we only have to open up and receive it.

Obedience by Faith

20 If someone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? 21 And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.

Jesus summed up the whole law and the prophets in these two commandments. Love the Lord with all your heart, soul and mind and, love your neighbor as yourself. The two go together; we cannot truly love God if we do not love our neighbor. Some of us may have a problem loving self which will keep us from rightfully loving anyone else. We must loose our old identity, as a child of Adam, and grasp our new identity, as a child of God. It requires faith to see that which does not readily appear. Though my Adamic nature may rear its ugly head now and then, I must believe, by faith, that I am a new creation in Christ and focus on what God is making new in me.

1John 3:21— 4:6

Love Builds Confidence

21 Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence in the presence of God.

This verse is a continuation of the thought in the previous verses. If we love one another not only in word but actively, if we have shared of this world’s goods with those in need then we can confidently stand in God’s presence and our hearts will not condemn us. Those who only hear without doing the word have deceived themselves, see James 1:22.

22 Whatever we request we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him.

Doing all the things God has commanded us to do not only allows us to stand before

Him confidently, but we can be sure that we will have the request we ask of Him.

When our heart’s desire is the same as His, we will love one another and we will

have what we ask for because we do not ask to consume it selfishly. See James 4:3.

23 And this is his commandment: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us.

Believing is just as important as doing. All is done in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ, and for His glory. We must always remember that without Him we can do nothing: we have no righteousness of our own. He always empowers the believer to do, or keep, His commandments; loving God and one another are at the top of the list.

24 The person who keeps his commandments abides in God, and God abides in him. This is how we can be sure that he remains in us: he has given us his Spirit.

Those who abide in, or are vitally connected to, God, through the Holy Spirit, have tapped into His power, which enables us to keep the commandments. This is the evidence that God lives and remains in us because we know that, without His Holy Spirit remaining in us, we could not keep His commandments. Love for one another

identifies us as Jesus’ disciples. See John 13:35.

Testing the Spirits

4:1 Dear friends, stop believing every spirit. Instead, test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

Many false teachers and prophets are in the world, so we must be able to discern the true from the false. John says: test the spirits to prove if they are from God. The one from God will speak by the authority of the Holy Spirit but false teachers speak from a counterfeit spirit.

1Co 12:3 Therefore, I want you to know that no one who is speaking by God's Spirit

can say, "Jesus is cursed," and no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy

Spirit.

4:2 This is how you can recognize God's Spirit: Every spirit who acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God.

Those who speak on behalf of God will testify to the fact that Jesus Christ was, and is, God and that He came in the flesh. Jesus, the Word, became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory.

John 1:14 The Word became flesh and tabernacled among us. We gazed on his glory, the kind of glory that belongs to the Father's unique Son, full of grace and truth.

4:3 But every spirit who does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist. You have heard that he is coming, and now he is already in the world.

Jesus Christ: God taking on human flesh, living a sinless life then dying for the sins of all mankind, stripped the kingdom of darkness of its power and authority. Jesus disarmed principalities and powers, revealing their true identity. All who believe and confess Jesus as Lord and Christ will be removed from the power of the kingdom of darkness and positioned into the Kingdom of God’s Son. The kingdom of darkness and the spirit of antichrist only have power in darkness. A kingdom divided against itself cannot stand. The spirit of antichrist can not acknowledge Jesus as Lord, and God manifested in the flesh, because darkness cannot shine forth true light. The spirit of antichrist will only acknowledge Jesus as equal with other men, not God in human flesh.

4:4 Little children, you belong to God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

The Greater One, the Holy Spirit, resides in everyone who believes in, acknowledges, and confesses Jesus Christ as Lord. The believer has been placed on higher ground and has the overcoming advantage of that position. Our enemy is under our feet because of our position not because of our own crafty efforts in battle.

4:5 These people belong to the world. That is why they speak from the world's perspective, and the world listens to them.

4:6 We belong to God. The person who knows God listens to us. Whoever does not belong to God does not listen to us. This is how we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of deceit.

Previously, John spoke of identifying a spirit of error but now he brings it down to a

personal level. People of the world are tuned in, so to speak, to the spirit of the world

which is of antichrist. God’s people are tuned into the Holy Spirit’s broadcast on

the frequency of heaven. We can tell those who are listening to the spirit of error

because they are consumed with the cares of life and the things of this world. Those

who are tuned into God’s Spirit will agree with Him and with us. Their focus is on

eternal things above, using the resources of this temporary life to lay up treasures in

heaven, where the natural corruption of this world cannot devalue and the thief cannot

break in and steal.