Bible Chapter: I John 2

Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.

1.  Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
     A very challenging opening to this chapter: “I write this to you so you will not sin”.  As believers we can commit sin, but we do not have to keep on sinning.  A phrase I use often is “active participation in sin”.  Believers do not have to actively sin, nor should they.  God gives us power to overcome.  But, should we yield to temptation, we have an advocate with the Father and His atoning sacrifice covers all sin.
    One of the ways we will have spiritual victory is to follow the command to not love the world or anything in the world.  All the cravings for the sinful things don’t come from God.  Our relationship with the world and worldly life should be the same as a dead person.  Once a person in dead, you can parade all the most powerful temptations in front of them, and they won’t respond.  The things of the world will pass away and the thing of God will remain forever.  There is a powerful spirit of being against God and all He says.  This power will be destroyed, for only the things of God last forever.

2.  What can I apply in my life from the reading?
    Antichrist is coming, and already many antichrists have come.  These people are against all that God stands for. They are in favor of immorality, violence, death, destruction, etc.  They not only actively participate in sin, they promote it and encourage it and fight against righteousness.  These people are liars, for they deny that Jesus is the Christ.  They abandon anything that resembles the true teachings and practices of Christianity.  It is not possible to promote sin and still be a true believer.  So, I must always study, learn and apply what the Bible says.  I must follow the command to not love the world or anything in the world.  I must recognize these promoters of everything against Christ’s teachings and reject them.  Their goal is to lead believers astray and make them as confused as the rest of the world.

3.  How can I help someone?
    I can help people see the blessings and benefits of following Jesus.  Anything else will fade away and disappoint.  The one who does the will of God will last forever.