Lesson 3990

 Lesson (3990)(12-21-22)  2nd John 1:9-13

    “Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds. Having many things to write unto you, I would not write with paper and ink: but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face, that our joy may be full. The children of thy elect sister greet thee. Amen.”

    Today’s quote, in essence, tells us that we should be able to distinguish those who worship God and have faith in Jesus Christ as the ONLY means by which one can inherit eternal life, by their day to day actions.

    I believe that lesson is so very, very true.~

Lesson 3989

 Lesson (3989)(12-20-22)  2nd John 1:5-8

    “And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another. And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it. For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.”

    Today’s quote, again, reinforces the commandments that Jesus left with us.That is to love God above all else and to love our neighbors as we love ourselves.~

Lesson 3988

 Lesson (3988)(12-19-22)  2nd John 1:1-4

    “ The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth; For the truth's sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever. Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love. I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.”

    Today’s quote is a letter from John to “the elect lady and her children”. It is my belief that the phrase, “elect lady and her children”, refers to some specific local church and it’s members. That thought is somewhat verified by the fact that John seemed to know the people, to whom he was writing, personally.

    I post this because there is confusion among some as to what the term “elect lady” represents.Having said that, so far as I know, there is no scriptural record that determines exactly where that church was located; Therefore, this letter could well have been also purposed for today’s churches.~

Lesson 3987

 Lesson (3987)(12-18-22)  1st John 5:16-21

    “If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it. All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death. We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not. And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness. And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life. Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.”

    Today’s lesson is further assurance of the eternal security of the believer. The “sin unto death” is the rejection of God’s amazing saving grace through faith in Jesus Christ.~

Lesson 3986

 Lesson (3986)(12-17-22)  1st John 5:13-15

    “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.”

    Today’s lesson is an assurance to those of us whom have accepted Jesus Christ as our redeemer, that an eternity in heaven awaits us because of our faith in Him.~

Lesson 3985

 Lesson (3985)(12-16-22)  1st John 5:10-12

    “ He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.”

    Today’s quote clearly tells us that if a person’s faith is in anything, or anyone, other than Jesus Christ such as idols or water baptism, that person “hath not life.”~

Lesson 3984

 Lesson (3984)(12-15-22)  1st John 5:5-9

    “Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth. For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one. If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.”

    In today’s quote, John first tells us, “This is He that came by water”. Water birth being a natural human birth. (Water birth has NOTHING to do with water baptism.) Jesus was indeed born a human child by a water birth. 

    Secondly, the quote tells us that Jesus came by blood. His blood birth is representative of, what I believe is, His Jewish heretage, or bloodline.

    Sadly, there are far too many who contend that today’s quote supports the erroneous notion that water baptism represents a birth. If that were to be the case, in order to gain eternal salvation, one would be required to be baptized three times, first, the natural (water) birth, then the birth by water baptism, and then the birth of the spirit. There is only ONE baptism that matters to the eternal salvation of the soul, that is the baptism into Jesus Christ by faith in Him. 

    “For by GRACE are ye saved through FAITH; and that not of yourselves: it is the GIFT of God: NOT OF WORKS, lest any man should boast”. (Ephesains 2:8-9)