We're still looking at I John this week -- and probably a few more weeks to come ;). This week, I think we'll be looking at Chapter 2:12-17. Maybe more, but we'll just have to see how the week goes and how the Lord leads. I know we will definitely spend quite a bit of our time discussing verses 15-17 (hence, the title). These verses seem to state emphatically that we should not love the world. Take a look:
15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. 17And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
How about just some questions to start the conversation (plus, I'm limited on time today).
The first thing that comes to mind to me is wanting to REALLY know what the apostle meant here because he says if I love the world, the love of the Father is not in me. And he also writes that world is passing away, and I want to the eternal life given in Jesus (not passing away).
So, does this mean I can't love a certain kind of food or a football team or a country? We know that we're commanded to love God and others, but what about these other things (things of the world). How do we know if we slipped in to loving the things of the world?
Some obvious questions I'm asking myself are:
1) Are there things in my life that take priority over serving God?
2) Are there things or activities, etc. in my life that I'm more passionate about than God? What makes jump for joy? What makes your heart race (meaning excited not running on a treadmill)?
3) What do I crave or desire that I see shaping the things I do?
I think that John is communicating that we should not have any "loves" or "desires" that are from the World and not God. Hopefully, through discussion, reading of scripture, seeking wisdom from the Holy Spirit this week, we can unpack what this means and how it applies to our lives?
As my favorite pastor of discipleship would say: questions, comments, rebukes, or rebuttals? The floor (or the blog) is open.
In Christ,
Craig
Monday, September 24, 2007
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Spiritual Constipation
Nice title, huh?
You can thank John C and his King James Version for that. I've been thinking about posting some thoughts after our discussion in 1 John 2:9-11. Those verses basically say that we can't hate our brothers and sisters and walk in the light. If we make a habit of doing so, we walk in darkness, i.e. not with God, i.e. with the devil. We discussed how "hate" has a much more broad meaning that we tend to think of it having. We may say we don't hate anyone, but do we disrespect others? belittle? hold grudges? Things like that are examples of "active hate".
One other form is more passive, and probably more common and more dangerous to Christians - indifference. How many people do we pass by because we just don't care, or maybe we make a judgment call as to whether they really deserve whatever we have to offer (financial help, physical help, our friendliness, our testimony). John C's email reference to 1 John 3:17 is where the title came from. It speaks to this very thing: "But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?" Ok, so the bowels thing is where I got the title (you can substitute heart there). In all seriousness though, how many people in need do we overlook or make a decision not to help because our heart is not in the right place?
Our discussion centered around whether something should be done if it's not heartfelt or genuine. I think we were talking specifically about personal contact and/or sharing Christ, but it applies in a broader sense. I happened to be reading "The Dangerous Duty of Delight" by John Piper on Monday, and he addresses that subject. He writes that he is often asked what a Christian should do when cheerfulness of obedience is not there (see genuine). His answer is not that we should simply do what we know we should do because our feelings don't matter. Instead he gives these three steps -
Chronically (spiritually) constipated, but set free in Christ,
John
You can thank John C and his King James Version for that. I've been thinking about posting some thoughts after our discussion in 1 John 2:9-11. Those verses basically say that we can't hate our brothers and sisters and walk in the light. If we make a habit of doing so, we walk in darkness, i.e. not with God, i.e. with the devil. We discussed how "hate" has a much more broad meaning that we tend to think of it having. We may say we don't hate anyone, but do we disrespect others? belittle? hold grudges? Things like that are examples of "active hate".
One other form is more passive, and probably more common and more dangerous to Christians - indifference. How many people do we pass by because we just don't care, or maybe we make a judgment call as to whether they really deserve whatever we have to offer (financial help, physical help, our friendliness, our testimony). John C's email reference to 1 John 3:17 is where the title came from. It speaks to this very thing: "But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?" Ok, so the bowels thing is where I got the title (you can substitute heart there). In all seriousness though, how many people in need do we overlook or make a decision not to help because our heart is not in the right place?
Our discussion centered around whether something should be done if it's not heartfelt or genuine. I think we were talking specifically about personal contact and/or sharing Christ, but it applies in a broader sense. I happened to be reading "The Dangerous Duty of Delight" by John Piper on Monday, and he addresses that subject. He writes that he is often asked what a Christian should do when cheerfulness of obedience is not there (see genuine). His answer is not that we should simply do what we know we should do because our feelings don't matter. Instead he gives these three steps -
- Confess your sin of joylessness and acknowledge the coldness of your heart. Don't say your feelings don't matter. (Psalm 61:2)
- Pray earnestly that God would restore the joy of obedience. (Psalm 40:8)
- Do whatever the duty is in hopes that doing so will restore the delight
This discussion certainly hits me personally. I often am indifferent toward those in need, thinking someone else will take care of them, or at times judgmental in wondering if they are truly in need. That ranges from something as small as welcoming a newcomer at church (they need to feel welcomed) to a needy family member to the guy on the side of the road asking for work.
I'm thankful for a God that will hear my confession of a cold heart and forgive my wretchedness. I'm thankful that by His grace and mercy he still calls me to duty, however large or small. I'm thankful that He promises to turn that duty into delight.Chronically (spiritually) constipated, but set free in Christ,
John
Friday, September 14, 2007
This Week in I John: If we're in the light, we'll love!
Here's the main text we'll be discussing from I John this week.
7Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment that you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word that you have heard. 8At the same time, it is a new commandment that I am writing to you, which is true in him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining. 9Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness. 10Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling. 11But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.
In these verses, John goes back to using the imagery of light and darkness. We looked at this in the first lesson over Chapter 1 (see verses 6 and 7). I John 1:5 says that "God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all." In John 8:12, Jesus says "I am the light of the world, whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but have the light of life." So, we can discern that when John says walk or abide in the light, you can substitute Christ for light (abide in Christ).
Last week, John (both the apostle and my favorite teacher:) clarified some as to what it means to walk in the light. in chapter 2, verses 3-6, we are told that if we truly know him, we will obey his commands. 2:6 sums it up well: "whoever says he abides in Him ought to walk in the same way in which He walked". What a powerful verse! If we say we abide or live or walk with Christ, we will live like He did. If you're like me, you're saying Lord have mercy on me, a sinner.
Now this week, the verses are ever bit as challenging to we who say we follow Christ. We're told "Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness. Whoever loves his brother abides in the light" (2:9b-10a). So, quick summary is, if we are truly in Christ (i.e. we know Him), we will love others. Depending on the kind of week you're having, this may not sound too bad. I've read this passage plenty of times and not stopped to think, "do I love my brother?".
However, John Piper had a good observation in his sermon on these verses. That is, the Apostle John (man, all these John's to keep up with) leaves us no middle ground here. If you love, you're in the light. If you hate, you're in the darkness. What about when I'm indifferent to my brother in need? What about the fact that I don't really have a heart at times for the lost around me? He used Mark 4:4 as an example. Here, Jesus was preparing to heal a man with a lame hand. The Pharisees were against this action because it was the Sabbath and Jewish law states that no work can be performed on the Sabbath. Christ responded to them with a question:
"Is it lawful on the sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to kill?".
Of course, we also know from Matthew 5 that Jesus said:
"You have heard it was said Do not murder ... but I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment".
So, I guess it shouldn't be a surprise that we are commanded as followers of Christ to love like Christ did. No middle ground. This really convicts me. I know that many times I am indifferent to those around me, just too caught up in my own little life to even pay attention. Since I've read this passage this week, I've noticed on many occasions the lack of love in my heart. It's pretty discouraging when I really examine myself in comparison to the kind of love Christ commands of me. I know I am far from where I need to be.
However, I also know that on my own, I'll get nowhere in my quest to love my neighbor as myself. Thank God for his grace! If I confess my sin of a lack of love, he is faithful and just to forgive my sins and cleanse me from all unrighteousness (I John 1:9). I can pray "may the Lord make my love increase and overflow to each other and to everyone else" (I Thes 3:12) as Paul did for the church of Thessalonica. Will God not answer that prayer? I believe he will. Where are you at? John (the apostle) is calling us to test whether we are walking in the light by whether we are loving or hating, and there doesn't seem to be middle ground to stand on.
I'm looking forward to our discussion on Sunday. Or, maybe on the web prior to then. YAMS Blog!
In His Grace Alone,
Craig
7Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment that you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word that you have heard. 8At the same time, it is a new commandment that I am writing to you, which is true in him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining. 9Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness. 10Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling. 11But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.
In these verses, John goes back to using the imagery of light and darkness. We looked at this in the first lesson over Chapter 1 (see verses 6 and 7). I John 1:5 says that "God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all." In John 8:12, Jesus says "I am the light of the world, whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but have the light of life." So, we can discern that when John says walk or abide in the light, you can substitute Christ for light (abide in Christ).
Last week, John (both the apostle and my favorite teacher:) clarified some as to what it means to walk in the light. in chapter 2, verses 3-6, we are told that if we truly know him, we will obey his commands. 2:6 sums it up well: "whoever says he abides in Him ought to walk in the same way in which He walked". What a powerful verse! If we say we abide or live or walk with Christ, we will live like He did. If you're like me, you're saying Lord have mercy on me, a sinner.
Now this week, the verses are ever bit as challenging to we who say we follow Christ. We're told "Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness. Whoever loves his brother abides in the light" (2:9b-10a). So, quick summary is, if we are truly in Christ (i.e. we know Him), we will love others. Depending on the kind of week you're having, this may not sound too bad. I've read this passage plenty of times and not stopped to think, "do I love my brother?".
However, John Piper had a good observation in his sermon on these verses. That is, the Apostle John (man, all these John's to keep up with) leaves us no middle ground here. If you love, you're in the light. If you hate, you're in the darkness. What about when I'm indifferent to my brother in need? What about the fact that I don't really have a heart at times for the lost around me? He used Mark 4:4 as an example. Here, Jesus was preparing to heal a man with a lame hand. The Pharisees were against this action because it was the Sabbath and Jewish law states that no work can be performed on the Sabbath. Christ responded to them with a question:
"Is it lawful on the sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to kill?".
Of course, we also know from Matthew 5 that Jesus said:
"You have heard it was said Do not murder ... but I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment".
So, I guess it shouldn't be a surprise that we are commanded as followers of Christ to love like Christ did. No middle ground. This really convicts me. I know that many times I am indifferent to those around me, just too caught up in my own little life to even pay attention. Since I've read this passage this week, I've noticed on many occasions the lack of love in my heart. It's pretty discouraging when I really examine myself in comparison to the kind of love Christ commands of me. I know I am far from where I need to be.
However, I also know that on my own, I'll get nowhere in my quest to love my neighbor as myself. Thank God for his grace! If I confess my sin of a lack of love, he is faithful and just to forgive my sins and cleanse me from all unrighteousness (I John 1:9). I can pray "may the Lord make my love increase and overflow to each other and to everyone else" (I Thes 3:12) as Paul did for the church of Thessalonica. Will God not answer that prayer? I believe he will. Where are you at? John (the apostle) is calling us to test whether we are walking in the light by whether we are loving or hating, and there doesn't seem to be middle ground to stand on.
I'm looking forward to our discussion on Sunday. Or, maybe on the web prior to then. YAMS Blog!
In His Grace Alone,
Craig
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Thoughts on John - Putting Off, Putting On, and Assurance
I mentioned a connection Sunday between 1 John and putting off/putting on (Colossians 3). We must walk in the light and put off sin, but it's not enough just to not sin. 1 John 2:3-6 says if we truly belong to Him, we will obey his commandments. We shouldn't just avoid doing what we know is wrong, we also have to do what is right - what God's word tells us to do.
I think it's very important to look at the context in which John speaks. He's speaking to believers whose assurance is wavering because of people who had left the fellowship - people who they thought were one of them. Not only have they broken fellowship, but they are trying to persuade those who remain to believe something other than the Gospel. John's trying to show them how their fellowship and their walk is in Christ. He's not saying they must obey to earn assurance (i.e. legalism), he's saying that as a result of loving Christ and walking in the light, they will desire to obey. Obedience is one way we can find assurance of our salvation.
In verses 2:7-11, John expands on obedience to his commandments - specifically the command that we love one another. John, as we'll see here and throughout the book, often presents the same argument in both a positive and negative way. My paraphrase of 2:9-11 - If we claim to be Christians but hate (unforgiveness, disrespect, belittle, hold grudges, etc) our brothers and sisters, we aren't who we claim to be - we are still in the darkness. If we love our brothers and sisters(through forgiveness, selflessness, serving, genuineness, etc), that's evidence we belong to Christ - we are in the light. Even better, if we live that way we are more likely to remain in the light. Love is self-sustaining. John then flips it again. He says that if we do hate our brothers and sisters, we are in the darkness. And, if we live that way we'll just keep stumbling and falling further and further away from the light. Hate, too, is self-sustaining. Our love for others is another way we can be assured.
All that said, I return to the putting off/putting on point. I don't think John presents positive and negative arguments like he does just to be repetitive. He's not simply saying the same thing in two or three different ways. He writes that if we hate, we are in the darkness. We may be tempted to say "I don't hate anyone", "I'm not unforgiving" etc. But putting off hate is not enough. It's only half of the equation. We also must love. It's intentional. It's an action. Again, it's not that we must do it to earn God's approval. Because of our love for Him and his love for us, we will love others. With Christ, it will become natural.
Where do you stand? Is loving others natural for you? Or, do you tend to think you're doing ok because you can honestly say you don't hate anyone? Is that enough?
I'm thankful that we have a God who promises through his abundant grace to help us walk in his light, and through his mercy will search us out when we wander into the darkness, stumble, and fall. He won't leave us in the dark.
In Him,
John
I think it's very important to look at the context in which John speaks. He's speaking to believers whose assurance is wavering because of people who had left the fellowship - people who they thought were one of them. Not only have they broken fellowship, but they are trying to persuade those who remain to believe something other than the Gospel. John's trying to show them how their fellowship and their walk is in Christ. He's not saying they must obey to earn assurance (i.e. legalism), he's saying that as a result of loving Christ and walking in the light, they will desire to obey. Obedience is one way we can find assurance of our salvation.
In verses 2:7-11, John expands on obedience to his commandments - specifically the command that we love one another. John, as we'll see here and throughout the book, often presents the same argument in both a positive and negative way. My paraphrase of 2:9-11 - If we claim to be Christians but hate (unforgiveness, disrespect, belittle, hold grudges, etc) our brothers and sisters, we aren't who we claim to be - we are still in the darkness. If we love our brothers and sisters(through forgiveness, selflessness, serving, genuineness, etc), that's evidence we belong to Christ - we are in the light. Even better, if we live that way we are more likely to remain in the light. Love is self-sustaining. John then flips it again. He says that if we do hate our brothers and sisters, we are in the darkness. And, if we live that way we'll just keep stumbling and falling further and further away from the light. Hate, too, is self-sustaining. Our love for others is another way we can be assured.
All that said, I return to the putting off/putting on point. I don't think John presents positive and negative arguments like he does just to be repetitive. He's not simply saying the same thing in two or three different ways. He writes that if we hate, we are in the darkness. We may be tempted to say "I don't hate anyone", "I'm not unforgiving" etc. But putting off hate is not enough. It's only half of the equation. We also must love. It's intentional. It's an action. Again, it's not that we must do it to earn God's approval. Because of our love for Him and his love for us, we will love others. With Christ, it will become natural.
Where do you stand? Is loving others natural for you? Or, do you tend to think you're doing ok because you can honestly say you don't hate anyone? Is that enough?
I'm thankful that we have a God who promises through his abundant grace to help us walk in his light, and through his mercy will search us out when we wander into the darkness, stumble, and fall. He won't leave us in the dark.
In Him,
John
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)