Bible Study - No Doubt (4) - Sure of Victory - 1 John 3:19-4:4 - September 26, 2021

Bible Study – No Doubt (4) – Sure of Victory – September 26, 2021

This is lesson four (4) in our series entitled, “No Doubt: Six Things We Can Know for Sure.”

Our focus scripture is 1 John 3:19-4:4.

Because JESUS is victorious, HIS people are victorious.

We read in Numbers 31: ¹¹ and took away all the spoils of war and the captives, both people and animals. 

When an enemy was defeated in the Old Testament, the spoils of war went to the victor. JESUS has defeated Satan and won the battle for the souls of all who have lived or will live upon earth and have or will place their faith in JESUS. Spirit-born people are eternally secure I when they place their faith in JESUS The CHRIST.

The key is JESUS. JESUS in you makes you a Christian and not what religious institution you become a member. True Christianity is a relationship and not a religion. We make Christianity a religion by following certain institutional rituals. These rituals are not bad but they must be put into proper perspective. JESUS was GOD’S only Son and HE willingly came to earth to live as 100% human. HE was born of the virgin Mary. The Holy Spirit came upon Mary and she conceived JESUS. If HE stumped HIS toes, they hurt or stuck a splinter in HIS hand, it hurt and bled. HE lived a sinless life in order that HE could give HIS sinless life to pay in full for the sins of all who place their faith in HIM. HE fulfilled the Law and that is why HE had to die upon the cross and shed HIS blood for our sins. In Hebrews 9:22:
According to the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.

Why did JESUS do this? It was because HE loved all who will place their faith in HIM. That includes you!

The Apostle John was a disciple of JESUS and wrote First John to confirm that all Spirit-born people are secure in JESUS upon earth and in eternity. Let’s explore!

The Apostle Paul tells us in Ephesians 4:1-8:

4 Therefore I, the prisoner in the Lord, urge you to walk worthy of the calling you have received, ² with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, ³ making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. ⁴ There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope^[a] at your calling— ⁵ one Lord, one faith, one baptism, ⁶ one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.

⁷ Now grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. ⁸ For it says:

When he ascended on high,
he (JESUS) took the captives captive;
he gave gifts to people.^[b]

We read in 1 John 5:4:

⁴ because everyone who has been born of God conquers the world. This is the victory that has conquered the world: our faith.

In whom do you place your faith? Is it JESUS? If it is JESUS, then rejoice. It is not just believing that JESUS lived upon earth but that as recorded in Romans 10:8-10 - On the contrary, what does it say? The message is near you, in your mouth and in your heart.^[f] This is the message of faith that we proclaim: ⁹ If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰ One believes with the heart, resulting in righteousness, and one confesses with the mouth, resulting in salvation. Faith, belief and confession that JESUS raised HIM from the physically dead.

Ground zero is CHRIST in you through your faith in JESUS. The battle is between truth and deception, walking in the light or being tricked into being diverted into looking at the deceptions of darkness (Satan). CHRIST in us is the hope of Glory and our walk with JESUS ministers to fellow people who live in a world in darkness.

Let’s consider the young boy who was possessed by an unclean spirit in Mark 9. The disciples of JESUS could not cast it out.

JESUS and three of HIS disciples were coming down from the Mount of Transfiguration, when JESUS encountered this situation. HIS disciples, who were waiting for them, could not cast out this unclean spirit controlling the young boy.

We read in Mark 9 - ²¹ “How long has this been happening to him?” Jesus asked his father.

“From childhood,” he said. ²² “And many times it has thrown him into fire or water to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.”

²³ Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’?^[a] Everything is possible for the one who believes.”

²⁴ Immediately the father of the boy cried out, “I do believe; help my unbelief!”

JESUS’ disciples could not cast the unclean spirit (deaf and mute) out of the young boy. What did this mean? It meant that it was a learning experience. Any time we experience unbelief, it allows the opportunity for us to learn. But how do we look at such an experience? Satan will surely take advantage of every opportunity to make us doubt GOD/JESUS. GOD desires for us to learn from the experience. How do we do that?

There are times when we need to ask JESUS to help our unbelief. We must be honest with JESUS. HE loves for us to be transparent with HIM. JESUS immediately commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man’s son. This demonstration helped the man’s unbelief and gave him assurance that JESUS has command over the spirit world. It gave JESUS’ disciples an opportunity to learn why they failed.

As Spirit-born people, the power of JESUS resides in us and we have authority over the spirit world. But only in the name of JESUS.

Satan’s desire is to defeat us as Christians. GOD’S desire for Christians is for us to live knowing that we are victorious in this life upon earth. We who know the truth are to share the Good News with those with whom we encounter, as the Holy Spirit prompts us. We share the Good News that CHRIST in you is the hope of glory and is your power and protector. Christians are sealed by the Holy Spirit.

Let’s read 1 John 3:19-22:

¹⁹ This is how we will know (with absolute certainty) that we belong to the truth and will reassure our hearts before him ²⁰ whenever our hearts condemn us; for God is greater than our hearts, and he knows all things.

²¹ Dear friends, if our hearts don’t condemn us, we have confidence before God ²² and receive whatever we ask from him because we keep his commands and do what is pleasing in his sight. 

In essence, we who walk in the light of CHRIST, please GOD. The indwelling Holy Spirit is our guide through this world. The Holy Spirit resides in their hearts of the Spirit-born and sets off alarms when they are not walking in the light, as JESUS is the light. This takes place at the core of a Christian’s essence or their heart. The heart is not that which pumps blood but that inner core where truth resides. We, as humans, can fool each other but in the core of our being, we know the truth. Keep reading it gets better ----

Let’s read 1 John 3:23-24:

²³ Now this is his command: that we believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another as he commanded us. ²⁴ The one who keeps his commands remains in him, and he in him. And the way we know that he remains in us is based upon the Spirit he has given us.

There is only one way to Heaven and that is through faith in JESUS. When we are Spirit-born, we are indwelled by the Holy Spirit and HE prompts us to love one another. This is confirmed by the indwelling Holy Spirit.

Let’s read 1 John 4:1-4:

The Spirit of Truth and the Spirit of Error

4 Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see if they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

² This is how you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, ³ but every spirit that does not confess Jesus^[a] is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming; even now it is already in the world.

⁴ You are from God, little children, and you have conquered them, because the one who is in you (JESUS) is greater than the one who is in the world (Satan).

Discerning truth from error or deception can be tested and should be tested. 

The Apostle John challenges those who are Spirit-born to challenge/test every spirit. Those Spirit-born can get notions and think that the Holy Spirit is speaking to them. John tells us to test the spirits. How?

² This is how you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, ³ but every spirit that does not confess Jesus^[a] is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming; even now it is already in the world.

I read a book, years ago, written by a pastor whose family got into seances.  As a young boy, his sister died and his dad sought to contact her through a median. The young boy attended these seances. His grandmother attended these gatherings, as well. Some gatherings were where a spirit was contacted. At one such gathering, his grandmother let him attend the séance with her. At this gathering, his grandmother asked a question from the Bible. When the spirit responded to the question, he heard his grandmother say under her breath, “That is not correct.” Normally if you challenged a spirit, it would rebuke you but this spirit went right on.

This young man thought, “maybe I should get a Bible and read what is in it and I will ask a Biblical question, if given the opportunity.” So, he bought or found a Bible. Thinking that it was like most books, it would have a beginning and an end. He began at the beginning and got bored. He then flipped to the back of the Bible to see how it ended. He got tangled up in Revelation. He happened to flip back to this scripture in 1 John 4. Aha, he thought, I will test the spirit the next time I have an opportunity.

He waited and finally, the opportunity came. He could ask the spirit three (3) questions. (I loaned my book to someone and that was the last time I saw it. If this person reads this, I ask them to return it to me because it is out of print.)

Anyway, the questions went something like this:

Did JESUS live upon earth? The spirit said, yes, Jesus lived upon earth as a prophet.

Is JESUS the Son of GOD? Yes, Jesus is a son of god. Notice, “a son: not the SON.

Did JESUS come in the flesh and live a sinless life upon earth and shed HIS blood to atone for the sins of those who place their faith in JESUS?

When he said that, the medium was catapulted across the room and the room was as if a storm had hit it. This young man ran out of the room and ran home and kneeled beside his bed and said something like “JESUS, I don’t know who you are but I want you to come into my life.” And JESUS came into his life and ultimately this young boy became a pastor. He said for many years his services were disrupted by those being led by Satan to disrupt his service.

Seems this pastor, pastored a Presbyterian church.

The point being, the Spirit world is real and seeks to challenge, confuse and deceive those who seek JESUS. Once those who ask JESUS to forgive them for their sins and for JESUS to come into their hearts and become Spirit-born, then Satan’s mission changes from keeping them from becoming Spirit-born to disrupting their relationship with JESUS.

This is why Christians must know the truth and know they are eternally secure in JESUS. Spiritual victory has been won by JESUS!!!

We read in Acts 17:10-11:

¹⁰ As soon as it was night, the brothers and sisters sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. Upon arrival, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. ¹¹ The people here were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, since they received the word with eagerness and examined^[a] the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.

The Christians in Berea tested what was being preached against the scripture. That is exactly what every Christian must do. Test what you are hearing against the truth of GOD’S Word, the Bible.

How do we know we are secure? JESUS prayed for us before HE ascended into Heaven and still prays for us while HE is in Heaven.

We read in John 17:20-23:

²⁰ “I (JESUS) pray not only for these (HIS disciples and followers then), but also for those who believe in me through their word. ²¹ May they all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I am in you. May they also be^[e] in us, so that the world may believe you sent me. ²² I have given them the glory you have given me, so that they may be one as we are one. ²³ I am in them and you are in me, so that they may be made completely one, that the world may know you (GOD) have sent me and have loved them as you have loved me.

Christians must keep in mind the scripture from 1 John 4:4:

⁴ You are from God, little children, and you have conquered them, because the one who is in you (JESUS) is greater than the one who is in the world (Satan).

JESUS conquered Satan and so has every Spirit-born person. Live Victorious!!!  Blessings!!! 

Bible Study - No Doubt (3) - Sure of the Truth - 1 John 2:18-29 - September 19, 2021

 Bible Study – No Doubt (3) – Sure of the Truth – September 19, 2021

This is lesson three (3) in our series entitled, “No Doubt: Six Things We Can Know for Sure.”

Our focus scripture is 1 John 2:18-29.

Truth is found in JESUS alone.

Often, what we believe is truth turns out to be false. The Bible reveals to us in Proverbs 3:5-6:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not rely on your own understanding;
⁶ in all your ways know him,
and he will make your paths straight.

JESUS taught HIS disciples in Matthew 17:20:

²⁰ “Because of your little faith,” he^[a] told them. “For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of ^[b] a mustard seed, you will tell this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”^[c]

Faith in what or whom? Faith in GOD. GOD is our power and strength. GOD moves the mountain; physical or spiritual. We have to have the faith to ask HIM and when we do, we show trust in HIM. This is not flippant trust but trust that comes from walking in the light of faith in JESUS The CHRIST. Such faith moves us from faith in JESUS as a religion to faith in JESUS as a relationship.

What did JESUS teach in John 14:12?

¹² Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me (JESUS) will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father (GOD).

Those who walk in the light and build a trust relationship with JESUS will do even greater things. JESUS taught in Matthew 7:

⁹ “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? ¹⁰ Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? ¹¹ If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! 

The key is in the word “know.” You know with absolute certainty; based upon complete knowledge and experience. JESUS then added a wonderful statement, “How much more.” As we take steps of faith, “How much more” will our LORD lead us to do for others. Spirit-born believers are upon earth to respond to the needs upon earth as led by the indwelling Holy Spirit. We are not to get ahead or lag behind but to walk in-step with JESUS, as led by the Holy Spirit.

Now, most of us want the power of JESUS but we will not receive it until HE can trust us with it. It is like us, as parents, trying to decide when to give a gun to one of our children. There is a process of training and building trust in the child such that we know he or she can be trusted with the gun.

It is time for all who know JESUS to pray and rebuke Satan and the Covid-virus. In the wonderful name of JESUS, Covid-virus be gone and do not come back. Thank you, JESUS!!!

Also, the Holy Spirit has led me to ask all who read this lesson to join us in prayer for the Taliban leadership and their followers to accept JESUS as their Savior and for Afghanistan to become a Christian country/nation in the middle east. Is this foolish? This is GOD’S desire and all things are possible. Join me and many others in this request.

Let’s explore the message from the Apostle John ---

Let’s read 1 John 2:18-21:

The Last Hour

¹⁸ Children, it is the last hour. And as you have heard that antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. By this we know that it is the last hour. ¹⁹ They went out from us, but they did not belong to us; for if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us. However, they went out so that it might be made clear that none of them belongs to us.

The Apostle John was telling the Christians time was running out. There comes a time in our lives that we either fish or cut bait. It was such a time when the Apostle wrote these words and it is such a time as I write these words.

We need to keep in our minds that the scripture reveals to us in 2 Peter 3:8 - ⁸ But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.

We are not to get hung up on earth time. GOD’S timing is always perfect. HE sees and knows what is going on in the world and HIS desire is for all to accept JESUS as their Savior.

The Apostle John was revealing what GOD was showing him. There were evil forces at work. How did he know with certainty? There were those who had professed to being Christians had proven to be antichrists. These antichrists knew enough to be stumbling blocks to those seeking truth. Antichrists are wolves in sheep’s clothing.

How can Spirit-born Christians know these deceivers? John tells us --

²⁰ But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth.^[c] 21 I have not written to you because you don’t know the truth, but because you do know it, and because no lie comes from the truth. 

Spirit-born believers are anointed with the Holy ONE, or the Holy Spirit and as such “Know (for certain, without a doubt) the truth.”

It is the truth that sets Christians free for being confused and from false claims. It is the indwelling Holy Spirit that gives every Spirt-born person discernment. Do you have discernment? Does the hair stand up on the back of your neck when you hear someone preach or teach false doctrine? Do, you know GOD’S Word such that you can spot truth from error? Always test what you hear with what is written in GOD’S word, The Bible.

Let’s read 1 John 2:22-26:

²² Who is the liar, if not the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This one is the antichrist: the one who denies the Father and the Son. ²³ No one who denies the Son has the Father; he who confesses the Son has the Father as well.

The Father and the Son are One. Let’s read what JESUS taught HIS disciples in John 10:30 - ³⁰ I and the Father are one.” And in John 17:21:

²¹ that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.

JESUS was preparing to ascend into Heaven and was praying for HIS disciples then and until HE comes again. Read John 17. This is JESUS prayer for all of HIS disciples until the end of life upon earth. JESUS prayed for each of us.

What does Ephesians 1:4 reveal to us? Let’s read it – Ephesians 1:4:

⁴ For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love

JESUS chose us but the question is, do we choose HIM? We were made with the freedom to choose. Have you asked JESUS to forgive you for your sins, believing that HIS sinless life paid for your sins in full? HE did. But you need to accept this priceless eternal gift. A gift has to be received.

Remaining with God

²⁴ What you have heard from the beginning is to remain in you. If what you have heard from the beginning remains in you, then you will remain in the Son and in the Father. ²⁵ And this is the promise that he himself made to us: eternal life.

²⁶ I have written these things to you concerning those who are trying to deceive you. 

When a person has asked JESUS to forgive him or her for his or her sins and for JESUS to come into his or her life, HE does and the miracle of Spiritual birth takes place in an instant. That person in born Spiritually. GOD’S Spirit eternally joins with the human spirit and Spiritual conception takes place quicker than a thought. That person becomes eternally GOD’S Child and his or her citizenship is in heaven. He or she becomes an ambassador for JESUS upon earth until GOD calls the Spirit-born person home.

The Spirit-born person will leave his or her earth-suit behind, like the emerging butterfly from its cocoon. GOD has fashioned for each Spirit-born person a special body suitable for that person to use in Heaven until he or she in united with his or her Glorified body at the resurrection of those Spirit-born.

But until we depart earth, what are Christians to do? Let’s read on --

Let’s read 1 John 2:27-29:

²⁷ As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you don’t need anyone to teach you. Instead, his anointing teaches you about all things and is true and is not a lie; just as it has taught you,^[d] remain in him.

Those who are Spirit-born are anointed with the Holy Spirit and need to use their anointing, as led by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit teaches those who are Spirit-born. They know truth from error and seek to do the will of GOD upon earth as it is done in Heaven. YES, are we getting closer to the return of our LORD JESUS? Closer than ever before in earth time and GOD is calling those who know the truth to walk in the light as HE is the light. Those who are Spirit-born and remain upon earth are vital to GOD’S plan. There is a synergy between GOD’S plan and the execution of HIS plan, as revealed by the indwelling Holy Spirit. We who are led by the Holy Spirit are to speak and respond as prompted by GOD. It is the “still small voice of GOD.”

God’s Children

²⁸ So now, little children, remain in him so that when he appears we may have confidence and not be ashamed before him at his coming. ²⁹ If you know that he is righteous, you know this as well: Everyone who does what is right has been born of him.

Yes, we are Spirit-born children looking for our JESUS to return to earth but we are to be diligent about sharing the Good News to all as we are given the opportunity.

Come quickly LORD JESUS and help us who know the truth be diligent in serving YOU, as led.

Is praying for the conversion of the Taliban and for Afghanistan to become a Christian country beyond your comprehension? Good! Pray and watch GOD’S hand at work. Our part is to pray. Blessings!!!

Bible Study - No DOubt (2) - Sure of a Relationship - 1 John 2:3-11, 15-17 - September 12, 2021

 

Bible Study – No Doubt (2) – Sure of a Relationship – September 12, 2021

This is lesson two (2) in our series entitled, “No Doubt: Six Things You Can Know for Sure.”

Our focus scripture is 1 John 2:3-11, 15-17.

Our relationship with GOD is reflected in how we live.

I have lived long enough to be able to see that gaining things is not the answer to living a successful life. We, as humans, treasure things. As the not-so-old saying goes, “He who has the most toys when he dies, wins the game of life.” But guess what, every person will leave every material possession behind when he or she exists their physical life. But there is eternal treasure in knowing JESUS as your Savior and serving HIM.

Let’s explore!

The Apostle John was writing a message to fellow Christians telling them to place the things of earth in proper perspective. Why? It is because upon our physical death, only what we do for JESUS has value in Heaven and stored in the Heavenly treasury.

JESUS said it best in Matthew 10:49:

⁴² And whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is a disciple,^[n] truly I tell you, he will never lose his reward.”

Let’s read 1 John 2:1-2:

2 My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. ² He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

The Apostle John was writing this to Spiritual Children who still need grow Spiritually and mature in their relationship with JESUS.

In last week’s lesson our scripture was direct and to the point, 1 John 1:8-10:

⁸ If we say, “We have no sin,” we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. ⁹ If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. ¹⁰ If we say, “We have not sinned,” we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

This week, we focus on the fact that JESUS is the eternal solution for sins committed by those who place their faith in HIM and HIS passion (death upon the cross). This covers those who are to receive salvation and those who have received salvation. JESUS is our lawyer or advocate before GOD pleading our case because Satan is our accuser. Faith in JESUS is enough to eternally save a person’s soul.

How do we know that we are secure in JESUS?

The Apostle Paul reveals to us in Romans 8:14-17:

¹⁴ For all those led by God’s Spirit are God’s sons. ¹⁵ For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear. Instead, you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, “Abba,^[i] Father!” ¹⁶ The Spirit himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God’s children, ¹⁷ and if children, also heirs—heirs of God and coheirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.

The indwelling Holy Spirit confirms and assures that every Spirit-born person is secure in placing his or her faith in JESUS, eternally. Why? JESUS is in Heaven and every Spirit-born person’s citizenship is in heaven and our salvation is secured by the sinless shed blood of JESUS.

Let’s read 1 John 2:3-6:

Love and Hatred for Fellow Believers

³ We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. ⁴ Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. ⁵ But if anyone obeys his word, love for God^[a] is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: ⁶ Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.

How do we know for sure? First, the indwelling Holy Spirit confirms it and our walk in the light confirms it. Do Spirit-born Christians get into the weeds of sin? YES! That is when Satan lures us to think GOD has abandoned us. But the truth is that GOD does not forsake us or abandon us. Some Christians fall for this lie and it causes them to take their eyes off of JESUS. It is to make them feel that JESUS has abandoned them. But the fact of Salvation is our faith in JESUS and HIS love for us is eternal. YES, once Spirit-born always Spirit-born. However, Satan desires for us to remain in the weeds of sin. JESUS pleads our case before GOD to remind Satan that Spirit-born Christians eternally belong to GOD through the miracle of Spiritual birth.

So, how does a Christian who has fallen into sin get his or her feet back on the solid ground of walking in the light as JESUS is the light?

Confess our sins and ask JESUS to forgive us. So, you need to get saved again? NO! You need to get back into fellowship with GOD. You do not need any barrier between you and GOD. Sin is a barrier but you never loose your salvation, once received.

Do you recall 1 Corinthians 3:15:

¹⁵ If anyone’s work is burned up, he will experience^[e] loss, but he himself will be saved—but only as through fire.

So, what is the Apostle John’s solution? It is: ⁶ Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.

How did JESUS live? Let’s read John 5:19:

¹⁹ Jesus gave them this answer: “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.

Guess what? Spirit-born Christians can do nothing by themselves! That is why we must rely upon the internal direction of the indwelling Holy Spirit. That is why, all Spirit-born Christians are given the Holy Spirit to lead and guide them through the dark times in their lives.

Let’s read 1 John 2:7-11:

⁷ Dear friends, I am not writing you a new command but an old one, which you have had since the beginning. This old command is the message you have heard. ⁸ Yet I am writing you a new command; its truth is seen in him and in you, because the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining.

This is nothing new. It has been hidden but will seem new because truth and salvation has been revealed in JESUS. JESUS’ sinless life upon earth was essential to complete GOD’S redemptive plan for mankind. To Satan it was foolish but to GOD it was HIS Glory. Satan never knew GOD’S redemptive plan. GOD is awesome,

Let’s read 1 Corinthians 2:6-10:

⁶ We do, however, speak a wisdom among the mature, but not a wisdom of this age, or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. ⁷ On the contrary, we speak God’s hidden wisdom in a mystery, a wisdom God predestined before the ages for our glory. ⁸ None of the rulers of this age knew this wisdom, because if they had known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. ⁹ But as it is written,

What no eye has seen, no ear has heard,
and no human heart has conceived—
God has prepared these things for those who love him.^[c]

¹⁰ Now God has revealed these things to us by the Spirit, since the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.

The Holy Spirit knows the mind of GOD.

⁹ Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister^[b] is still in the darkness. ¹⁰ Anyone who loves their brother and sister^[c] lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble. ¹¹ But anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness. They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them.

How do you measure your walk with JESUS? What is your love quotient toward your fellow brothers and sisters in JESUS and those who do not yet know JESUS as their Savior?

Why was the Apostle John writing this message? Let’s read on ----

Let’s Read 1 John 2:12-14:

Reasons for Writing

¹² I am writing to you, dear children,
    because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name.
¹³ I am writing to you, fathers,
    because you know him who is from the beginning.
I am writing to you, young men,
    because you have overcome the evil one.

¹⁴ I write to you, dear children,
    because you know the Father (GOD).

I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning.
I write to you, young men,
    because you are strong,
    and the word of God lives in you,
    and you have overcome the evil one.

The Apostle John was addressing the progression of Spiritual growth compared to physical growth: children, young men (young women), fathers (mothers).

What is the Spiritual key? Let’s read on----

Let’s read 1 John 2:15-17:

On Not Loving the World

¹⁵ Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father^[d] is not in them. ¹⁶ For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father (GOD) but from the world (Satan). ¹⁷ The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.

Christians must keep in mind that this world is not our final destination.  What did we read in 1 Corinthians 2:9?

What no eye has seen, no ear has heard,
and no human heart has conceived—
God has prepared these things for those who love him.^[c]

We are to live in the world but not be of the world. Let’s read John 17:14:

¹⁴ I (JESUS) have given them your (GOD’S) word. The world hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.

This is why those who are Spirit-born must be led by the indwelling Holy Spirit. The world hates Spirit-born people.

John 17:26:

 ²⁶ I (JESUS) made your (GOD) name known to them and will continue to make it known, so that the love you (GOD) have loved me (JESUS) with may be in them and I may be in them.”

Do you know how much JESUS loves you? HE willingly gave HIS sinless life just for you, by the act of your will, to become GOD’S Son or Daughter through the miracle of Spiritual birth.

JESUS told a Jewish rabbi that it was necessary for him to be born-again. Let’s read John 3:1-6:

3 There was a man from the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. ² This man came to him at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one could perform these signs you do unless God were with him.”

³ Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, unless someone is born again,^[a] he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

⁴ “How can anyone be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked him. “Can he enter his mother’s womb a second time and be born?”

⁵ Jesus answered, “Truly I tell you, unless someone is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. ⁶ Whatever is born of the flesh is flesh, and whatever is born of the Spirit is spirit. 

GOD’S redemptive plan for sin was determined by HIM before the world was made. Ask JESUS to forgive you for your sins and ask HIM to come into your heart and experience the miracle of Spiritual birth.

Blessings!!!