False teaching was only one of the numerous challenges faced by early Christians. The Mosaic law had been perfected by fulfillment of prophecy as Jesus lived, died and was resurrected as part of God’s perfect plan. The law would now be labeled “the law of love,” taught by Jesus himself when He walked as flesh […]

Constantly tempted by the enemy, first century believers needed positive encouragement rooted from biblical provocation to keep fighting the good fight against the army of darkness that surrounds us in this world. “10 In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of […]

Because they were under attack by the enemy, just as we are today, tempted by the enemy who preys on our sinful nature, John’s audience would now be blessed with biblical instruction regarding both sin and righteousness. “4 Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness.” (1 John 3:4) The word teaches us […]

John praises his readers for their faith and abiding to the truth about the risen Messiah, that all those who believe in Him will be given eternal life, at the conclusion of this earthly life, the vessel by which Christians are brought to their heavenly Father. The apostle teaches us, because His power is truly […]

John warned his readers of the Antichrist, and the antichrists before him, that believers should be on the lookout for evil, often hidden in idle or comfort in one’s life. Worse than sin, commonality toward Yeshua, the begotten son of God, is at the root of many Christians straying from the truth for a time […]

John knew full well the plan delivered onto him by the Christ Himself, which he knew personally among the living as Yeshua, the prophesied Messiah and Savior of sinners. Because the end felt near, as it should be for each believer who models his life after the risen Son of God, the apostle allowed the […]

Ever since Adam, and his divinely appointed bride, Eve, sin has always been a torment among the world. Because we are sinful creatures, we are led by instinct and self-preservation and driven by greed and selfishness. John continues his exhortation of believers, in hope their faith would be strengthened as each one endeavors to advance […]

Meant to edify and equip believers, John’s letters provide powerful scripture to be used as both pastoral and evangelical teaching. Much like today, first century Christians were engaged in battle with sin and evil. The apostle John teaches us that walking in Jesus’ footsteps will lead us to our Father in heaven, while straying off […]

In this, his first pastoral letter to the churches of Asia, the apostle John now addresses sin within the body, an evident ongoing battle against evil. John declares the almighty creator perfect and good, and man imperfect and flawed, unworthy of God’s mercy and grace. “5 This is the message which we have heard from Him […]

Written around A.D. 90 by the apostle John, the son of Zebedee and beloved apostle of Jesus Christ, this epistle targeted Gnostic which was spreading rapidly throughout the Roman provinces. Relying on the theory that matter is evil, and God is spiritual, gnostics preached a gospel other than Christ’s. John needed to expose this false […]