"For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because
when you received the
word of God which you
heard from us, you welcomed
it not as the word of men,
but as it is in truth,
the word of God, which also effectively
works in you who believe."
1 Thess 2:13
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Good day! Let's seek the Lord in prayer....
"Holy Father, there is so much to be thankful for this day. I come to You today to thank You for Your word. Thank You for not leaving us here without any guidance or way to come to You. Without Your truth, we are nothing. Thank You and bless You for being merciful to Your creation.
Father, please forgive me for my sins. I know that my sins keep me from having fellowship and communion with You. I pray that You will wash me clean from all my sins and make me whole again that I may serve You. Guard my tongue and keep me from causing harm with words.
I lift up each lady reading this study today. I know each one had her own needs and so I ask that You speak to her and encourage her throughout her day. Walk with her, comfort her, and keep her today, Lord. I pray that she will seek You and Your truths in Your word today.
In Jesus' name...amen."
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Chapter Five
Today we begin to study the last chapter in the book of 1 John. Amazing, isn't it? we began back in December, I believe, and here we are in the final chapter of this wonderful letter of John.
First, read through the entire chapter.
Then, read it again looking for key words such as: know, sin, love, and born of God.
Finally, read through it again looking for the main theme.
How does chapter 5 relate to chapter 4?
What do you learn from this chapter about one who is "born of God"?
What does this chapter have to say about love?
If you have no problem marking in your Bible, take a yellow highlighter and highlight the word "know" as you find it throughout the chapter.
What is it that John claims you and I can know in these verses?
-know that we love the children of God
-know that we have eternal life
-know that He hears us
-know that we have the petitions we have asked of Him
-know that whoever is born of God does not sin
-know that we are of God
-know that the Son of God has come
-know Him who is true and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ
The word, "overcome" is repeated in this chapter as well. Find it in the chapter and underline it.
How is it used?
The word, "overcome" in the Greek is translated as: nike and it means to subdue; victorious, conquer.
Now that you know the meaning of this word, re-read the verses where it is found. Did those verses change in meaning for you? Did you find encouragement in those verses?
Please read:
1 John 2:13-14
1 John 4:4
How is "overcome" used in these verses?
What is John trying to teach us in these verses?
("First John" 2001 used by permission from Precept Ministries)*************************
John is writing to believers who are beginning to doubt their beliefs in Christ or who are being led astray by false teachers.
We have seen in this book that he is trying to encourage them to stay, remain, abide in Christ until that Day of the Lord.
He writes that those who are born of God:
-believe in Jesus as Christ- 5:1
-loves the child of God- 5:1
-love God- 5:2-3
-keep the commandments- 5:3
-overcomes the world- 5:4
-has faith- 5:4
As we dive deeper into chapter 5 in our next lesson, we will see more of John's purpose in writing this letter. You and I will learn more about who God is and what it means to be a Christian.
In the meantime, read this chapter one more time now that you have learned a little more about it. Meditate on this chapter and take it with you in your day. You will recognize some very familiar and famous verses in this chapter. Memorize them. Treasure them in your heart.
May God give you peace.
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Life Application
As I wrote in my opening prayer today, I thank the Lord for giving us His word that we can study it and become discerning students of the truth.
1 John 5:11
"And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son."
What would we be without the truth or knowledge of God?
Imagine the Jews who lived at the time of Christ. There had not been a prophet of the Lord nor any word from God for 4oo years. Silence.
These poor people wandered in a land that was ruled by the pagans and a temple that was built by a fake king. How sad it must have been for them to see Jerusalem in the hands of the Romans. But God was merciful in that He did not forsake them.
We, in America, are so blessed in that we can worship freely in this country without the fear of persecution.....yet, the time is coming when that freedom will end. Then we will see how this country will be taken over by the pagans....and God will turn away from us into silence.
But God will not forsake us. He has given us His word and His word is truth. Those who stand fast, who overcome in the end shall be saved. His silence ended when He came to the earth and walked among His own.....and His own received Him not.
Blessed be the Lord who did not leave us here alone without a word from Him. He gave us the written word that we can know all His attributes. And one day He will return again to claim His own. And there will be no more silence from Him.
Rev 2:25-26
"But hold fast what you have till I come. And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations..."
Praise God indeed!
***************************
Until next time-
"To be born of God is to be regenerated. Regeneration is that secret act of God by which he gives new life to a sinner and makes the governing disposition of his soul to be holy. Regeneration is not merely reformation, religion, or education, as Nicodemus discovered in his talk with Jesus. Rather it is resurrection from the dead and recreation that God miraculously works with us."
-Dr. Joel Beeke (The Epistles of John, 2006, p. 183)
Blessings,
Ruth
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