1 John ~ God is Greater

Tag Archive - 1 John

1 John – The Journey

December 11, 2011 in Faith with 8 Comments

Take a journey back through the book of 1 John with me…

I told you about how I had chosen to study 1 John.
I introduced you to Logos and some key words in 1 John.
I defined a big word – Propitiation.
I reminded you that you have been forgiven.
I talked about the ultimate teacher.
I pointed you to practicing righteousness.
I embraced ultimate love.
I rejoiced that my God is greater.
I redefined perfect.
I was thankful that there is no burden in God’s commands.
I showed that Jesus brings understanding of the Father.
And now we wrap up our journey…

Did you read 1 John with me and Good Morning Girls? Tell me in a comment your favorite take-away from 1 John.

I’m reading Ephesians with Good Morning Girls from January 15 – April 15. I’m working on some kind of online group. Want to join me? Leave a comment or email me!

I’m linking up with Women in the Word Wednesdays and Moms Mustard Seed Planting.

1 John – Understanding

December 6, 2011 in Faith with 6 Comments

Understanding.

And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. 1 John 5:20

Jesus came as our propitiation but He came for another reason too. He came to show us the Father.

Revelation from God has come in three ways:

Creation
The Bible
Jesus

Jesus came to personally confirm creation and God’s written word. He came to give us understanding of the Father.

Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. John 14:9

I’m linking up with Women in the Word Wednesdays and Moms Mustard Seed Planting.

1 John – Not Burdensome

November 30, 2011 in Faith with 5 Comments

For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. 1 John 5:3

His commandments are not burdensome? Did you know that?

No person can perfectly keep the Old Testament Law. No one. Not me. Not you. No one. But, there is one who came to fulfill the Law. His name is Jesus. He became what we couldn’t not.

Let go of the world’s perfect.

Quit trying to follow all the rules.

We are commanded to love God and love others. Simply that.

And that is not burdensome.

I’m linking up with Women in the Word Wednesdays and Moms Mustard Seed Planting.

1 John ~ Perfect

November 23, 2011 in Faith, General with 4 Comments

Perfect.

We have a bad working definition of perfect. For me perfect means without failure or fault. It means never doing anything wrong. It means a standard that I can never really achieve.

No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us. 1 John 4:12

Biblically, perfect means mature, whole, complete, and at peace. The Greek word used in chapter 4 of 1 John for perfect is the same word use to translate the Hebrew word Shalom in many places in the Old Testament. You’ve probably heard that word. It means peace and wholeness.

Whole.

Instead of striving for the world’s idea of perfect, let’s change out mindsets. Let’s focus on God bringing wholeness, peace, and maturity instead of just trying to run from the shame of failure.

Only God can bring true perfection and wholeness. It comes through the greatest commandment: Love God. Love Others. And, in the end it’s really more about who I am that what I do.

How are you living out perfect? By the world’s definition or God’s?

Want to read more about the true meaning of perfect try the New Bible Dictionary. I read it in Logos.

I’m linking up with Women in the Word Wednesdays and Moms Mustard Seed Planting.