John’s letter was coming to its conclusion, but not without the apostle first reminding us of the nature of Christ, and the benefit of walking in His footsteps. Addressing wickedness among the people, John warns us of the temptation and persecution that await believers, as each one works out his or her salvation, rooted in […]

The faith or Christians was tested in similar ways as we are challenged today. The enemy, Satan continues his attack on humanity, preying on the weak, always lurking. Because those with faith in Jesus Christ are empowered by the Holy Spirit, a renewed spiritual self named after the spiritual character of God almighty. John now […]

Within the Mosaic law, obedience to God’s commandments had been an integral part of one’s righteousness until Jesus came to fulfill prophecy as the messiah, the savior of man. Replacing obligation with loving desire, Yeshua, the living Son of God was born of immaculate conception, lived a perfect life, dies on the cross and was […]

John continues his exhortation of the believers scattered among the churches throughout the Roman province of Asia. The principle that God was symbolic with love was nothing new, however the revelation about brotherly love needed clarification to fully blossom among and beyond the apostle’s beloved flock. “17 Love has been perfected among us in this: […]

In his letter to the churches scattered throughout the Roman province of Asia, the apostle John teaches us how, by faith, believers can rejoice in the sight and comfort of God’s presence. By faith, and through Agape, Greek for “brotherly love,” the presence of Yahweh can be seen and felt in others. “12 No one […]

John’s love for his audience was obvious in the tone he used in his admonition of scattered believers he considered his flock. Christians throughout the Roman Asia Minor region were under spiritual attack by the enemy, disguised as Gnostics, Judaizers or Greek philosophers out to deceive on behalf of Satan. Having battled sin previously in […]

God gave us commandments so we could fail. In turn, failure to equal our divine creator grew into submission, which itself blossomed to bear fruit according to a perfectly devised plan, crafted by a supreme being we cannot understand or imagine. Through the humbling experience involved in one’s spiritual growth, believers are made righteous as […]

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 […]