Lesson 3069

(Lesson 3069)(05-26-2020) 1 John 4:1-6
    “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.”
 
  Today’s quote, again, warns of the coming of the antichrist and tells the children of God to be diligent in our preperation for his coming.
    There is another modern misnomer that can be settled by today’s quote. That being that God is in charge of every thing that happens on earth today. That contention, sadly, is far from the truth.In the quote, speaking of God, the author said, “greater is HE THAT IS IN YOU, THAN HE THAT IS IN THE WORLD”. That means that God’s presence here on earth is only in the spirit of those who believe in Jesus Christ. It also means that Satan is present everywhere else in the world.
    Throughout the New Testament, we are constantly reminded that “the affectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much”. That is specifically established in James 5:16. It means that we, as the children of God, can alter the course of things on this earth through “affectual fervent prayer”: Whereas the prayers of unbelievers accomplish nothing and allow Satan to have his way.
    In the general sense, God is indeed in charge of all things, as those things affect His children; However, he gave everyone his/her own free will to either house His divine presence in his/her inner spirit, through faith in Jesus Christ, or reject His presence and give his/herself over to the rule of Satan.
    The earth will be given back to the complete control of God the Father when Jesus returns and takes it back from Satan. What a blessed place this old world would be if indeed God were in charge.~