Good Morning “Over Comers.” Today we are in 1 John 4.
John starts by discussing false prophets and teachers led by deceiving spirits or rather demons. Yes there are angels all around us. Let’s not forget 1/3 rebelled with Satan and are roaming around also. They are focused on derailing anything God is doing. They will not acknowledge Jesus as the Son of God, come in the flesh. Our knowledge of the Truth - The Word of God is our battle weapon against their deception. Furthermore we need not fear them in any way for…
“You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4 NIV
The evil one would have us divided! He stirs conflict, and creates disunity.
“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” 1 John 4:7-8 NIV
True Love is only possible through God - He is the source. No God, No Love…. Know God, Know Love.
“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.”
1 John 4:18 NIV
How can John make this statement? It seems to conflict with the more than 300 times we are told to fear God in Scripture. Each time the word used in the original language denotes pants wetting, fall to your knees, trembling fear. The Greek word is Phobos - it’s where we get the word Phobia. Fear of the Lord is necessary if we are to grow up in Him. Proverbs 9:10, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom”…
So, what is John saying? Does it conflict with the other 300+ mentions of “Fear God”? Absolutely not… check it out, the key here is the word “perfect” in the passage, “But perfect love drives out fear”. We fear because we dread discipline for our sin. If we love God a little we are likely to serve Him a little and maybe sin a little less - so we might “fear” a little less. If we love him “perfectly” we would love Him and serve Him like He loves us! Perfectly, without sin at all. Without sin, what have we got to be afraid of? There is no “Wait until your dad gets home”, if we’re loving God perfectly!
We will likely never get to the point of loving Him perfectly while we’re still here on earth… but we can move closer each day.
Love you all! Dig in! It’s good stuff!
John starts by discussing false prophets and teachers led by deceiving spirits or rather demons. Yes there are angels all around us. Let’s not forget 1/3 rebelled with Satan and are roaming around also. They are focused on derailing anything God is doing. They will not acknowledge Jesus as the Son of God, come in the flesh. Our knowledge of the Truth - The Word of God is our battle weapon against their deception. Furthermore we need not fear them in any way for…
“You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4 NIV
The evil one would have us divided! He stirs conflict, and creates disunity.
“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” 1 John 4:7-8 NIV
True Love is only possible through God - He is the source. No God, No Love…. Know God, Know Love.
“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.”
1 John 4:18 NIV
How can John make this statement? It seems to conflict with the more than 300 times we are told to fear God in Scripture. Each time the word used in the original language denotes pants wetting, fall to your knees, trembling fear. The Greek word is Phobos - it’s where we get the word Phobia. Fear of the Lord is necessary if we are to grow up in Him. Proverbs 9:10, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom”…
So, what is John saying? Does it conflict with the other 300+ mentions of “Fear God”? Absolutely not… check it out, the key here is the word “perfect” in the passage, “But perfect love drives out fear”. We fear because we dread discipline for our sin. If we love God a little we are likely to serve Him a little and maybe sin a little less - so we might “fear” a little less. If we love him “perfectly” we would love Him and serve Him like He loves us! Perfectly, without sin at all. Without sin, what have we got to be afraid of? There is no “Wait until your dad gets home”, if we’re loving God perfectly!
We will likely never get to the point of loving Him perfectly while we’re still here on earth… but we can move closer each day.
Love you all! Dig in! It’s good stuff!
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