Though Christians commonly think we need to move beyond having doctrinal differences, John informs us that this is an impossible task. We are in the last hour (2:18), so we…
1 John 4:1-6 “Testing the Spirits”
Though Christians commonly think we need to move beyond having doctrinal differences, John informs us that this is an impossible task. We are in the last hour (2:18), so we need to constantly test those that come to us, claiming to teach God’s word. Though Satan is mortally wounded, he is still a great danger; […]
1 John 3:11-24 “Comforted by Our Love for the Church”
John’s writings are characterized by an “eschatological perspective,” i.e., he speaks of people as they are related to their ultimate destinations – heaven & hell. This means that all people are recipients of either truth or lies, standing in light or in darkness, in a state of life or death, filled with love or hatred, […]
John's writings are characterized by an "eschatological perspective," i.e., he speaks of people as they are related to their ultimate destinations - heaven & hell. This means that all people…
1 John 2:28-3:10 “Abiding as God’s Children”
False teachers were trying to upset the faith and confidence of John’s audience, which was composed of one or more churches. In this letter, John provides the church(es) with great comfort and reassurance in a number of ways. In this text, he focuses on the fact that they were born again in the past, are […]
False teachers were trying to upset the faith and confidence of John's audience, which was composed of one or more churches. In this letter, John provides the church(es) with great…
1 John 2:18-27 “Hold Fast in this Last Hour”
It’s common to hear well-intentioned Christians look at current events in our world and say, “We’re definitely in the last days.” The Apostle John would agree with that sentiment, but he would add to it, saying “We’ve been in the last days (or ‘the last hour’) ever since Christ ascended to Heaven and poured out […]
It's common to hear well-intentioned Christians look at current events in our world and say, "We're definitely in the last days." The Apostle John would agree with that sentiment, but…
1 John 2:7-17 “The Light Changes Your Life”
The course of history changed when Christ, the Light of the World, first appeared. He brought truth and light to bear upon this sinful world. Then, having ascended into Heaven, He diffused this light by sending forth His Holy Spirit, Who creates a new kind of people, those that belong in the light and keep […]
The course of history changed when Christ, the Light of the World, first appeared. He brought truth and light to bear upon this sinful world. Then, having ascended into Heaven,…
1 John 2:1-6 “Obedience to Your Savior”
One of the great purposes of John’s letter is that this troubled church obey Christ’s commandments (cf. 1 John 1:4; 5:13), a great calling for Christians. John reassures them that their regard for Christ’s law was further proof that they know Him. They weren’t to expect perfect obedience (cf. 1 John 1:6,8,10) but a sincere […]
One of the great purposes of John's letter is that this troubled church obey Christ's commandments (cf. 1 John 1:4; 5:13), a great calling for Christians. John reassures them that…
1 John 1:5-10 “Living in the Truth”
John is especially concerned that his audience, which has been battered by false teaching, walks in truth and light. Whereas many assume that this is all about obedience to the Law, John clarifies that this is, first and foremost, about confessing one’s sins in faith and receiving the blessing of forgiveness. The wonderful news is […]
John is especially concerned that his audience, which has been battered by false teaching, walks in truth and light. Whereas many assume that this is all about obedience to the…
1 John 1:1-4 “Your Trustworthy Guide to Fellowship with God”
John’s audience is in a dangerous situation. They are being confronted with false teachers, “antichrists,” who are trying to lead them astray. John begins his letter by reassuring them that he and the other Apostles are trustworthy messengers. They were with Christ, the Word of Life, from the beginning of His public ministry and have […]
John's audience is in a dangerous situation. They are being confronted with false teachers, "antichrists," who are trying to lead them astray. John begins his letter by reassuring them that…
Psalm 46 “God is Our Refuge”
Book two of the Book of Psalms opens with a series connected with the Sons of Korah (Pss 42-49), a priestly family who experienced great suffering (Pss 42-44) and whose ancestor was a notorious rebel (Num. 16; Jude 11). Unlike many in our day, these trials didn’t provoke doubt, but the Sons of Korah took […]
Book two of the Book of Psalms opens with a series connected with the Sons of Korah (Pss 42-49), a priestly family who experienced great suffering (Pss 42-44) and whose…
Psalm 32 “Blessed are the Forgiven”
Rather than directing us toward Christ by his typological righteousness (as is the case in Pss 1-24), David is here shown to be a sinner needing forgiveness. He recounts how he experienced God’s fatherly displeasure. This was because he was consciously harboring sins. But after confessing them in faith and being renewed in his justification, […]
Rather than directing us toward Christ by his typological righteousness (as is the case in Pss 1-24), David is here shown to be a sinner needing forgiveness. He recounts how…
