Know You Are In The Light

 


It has been a hot minute since I've read the book of 1 John. But when the sermon at my church sent me there today, I realized I've been needing it this past week.

The book really isn't that long. Five very short chapters. Yet there is so much packed inside!

For a brief overview:

Chapter 1

-The purpose of this letter is to make your joy complete.

-If we walk in the light, we have fellowship with the Lord.

-If we confess our sins, He is faithful to forgive.

Chapter 2

-Jesus is our atoning sacrifice.

-If we keep the commandments of Jesus, we can be sure we have come to know Him.

-If you hate your brother, you still walk in darkness.

-Whoever loves his brother remains in the light.

-The world, fleshly desires, the pride of life, the lust of our eyes... These things are passing away. Do not love them.

-Those who departed from the faith were not in it to begin with, and are antichrists.

-We have received an anointing from Christ, which teaches us all things.

Chapter 3

-When Christ returns, we shall see Him as He is, and shall be in his likeness.

-Anyone born of God refuses to practice sin.

-We should love one another.

-Jesus laid down His life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.

-this is His commandment: that we should believe in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ, and we should love one another just as He commanded us.

Chapter 4

-By this you will know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God

-We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us.

-And love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as the atoning sacrifice for our sins.

-If anyone confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.

-There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear, because fear involves punishment. The one who fears has not been perfected in love. 

-Even if our hearts condemn us, God is greater than our hearts, and He knows all things.

-Whoever loves God must love his brother as well.

Chapter 5

-By this we know that we love the children of God: when we love God and keep His commandments.

-For there are three that testify: the Spirit, the water, and the blood—and these three are in agreement.

-I have written these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.

Now, the part that really hit hard was Chapter 3, Verse 20. Even if our hearts condemn us, God is greater than our hearts, and He knows all things.

I struggle a lot. With anxiety, with depression, with guilt, with feeling that I'm failing. And a lot of people can relate, I'm sure. Especially in this era, depression, general anxiety disorders, suicidal temptations, and other mental health issues run rampant. But the Lord is greater than our hearts, which are deceitful and desperately wicked. He knows us. And id we love in action and truth, this is our assurance that we are in the Father, and Him in us.

 My brothers and sisters in Christ, keep his commandments and do what is pleasing in His sight. love by your actions and live in truth. And in this, know that you are redeemed by His blood and secure in his love.

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