Bible Pathway - December 20

Read 1 John 1

Highlights:

Tests of fellowship with God; reality and remedy of sin; danger of antichrists; loving one another.

But whoso keepeth His Word, in him verily is the love of God perfected (1 John 2:5).

God is love (4:8,16). One of the greatest needs of mankind is to be loved. We all need love. We need to know that we are important to somebody, that somebody truly cares about us. The Good News from God's Word is that somebody does.

Twice the Apostle John categorically stated that God is love (4:16). God's love is His nature. It is not merely an emotional attitude which He projects. It is the essence of His being. He is always going to act toward us in love because He cannot do otherwise. Love is the way He is. The anointing which ye have received of Him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is Truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in Him (2:27). The Bible is the only means through which the anointing teacheth you of all things.

The Lord warns: Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him (1 John 2:15). We are called to the Lord and His Word, that is both the written Word and the living Word which is Jesus. We must turn our backs to worldly things. The Lord must become first in our lives. If we love or prioritize anything ahead of Him in our lives, we are out of line with the will of God.

There are some who say they have a relationship with Christ even though they still walk in darkness. God directed John to write that they lie (deceive themselves). Many live this way throughout their life. They lie to themselves about many things. However, lying to yourself about your relationship with Christ Jesus has eternal ramifications. We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him (3:14-15).

A jealous disposition, a secret spirit of envy, or a tendency to speak of the faults and failings of others rather than of their virtues are also characteristics of darkness and death. Others walk in darkness with a spirit of discouragement and self-pity and a determination to convey that spirit to everyone who will listen. Let God's Word illuminate your life. It will reveal anything that might cause our lives to be operating out of God's will.

Let us be like King David who prayed with a sincere desire: Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting (Ps. 139:23-24).

Thought for the Day: Our love for the Lord is perfected by obeying His Word.

Cross References:

For I John 1:8: See Eccl. 7:20. I John 3:12: See Gen. 4:8.

Word Studies:

2:3 keep, guard with our lives and obey; 2:20 unction, anointing of the Holy Spirit. This is how we can know all things (2:20); 3:9 His Seed, Jesus, the Word of God (Gal. 3:16; John 1:1-14; Luke 8:11).

Prayer Suggestion: Pray that God will move His people to give faithfully to His work (Mal. 3:8-10).

Memory Verse for the Week: Luke 1:50