Gadfly's Muse

Revelation 01: The Object in View

Image: "Rock Solid", 2020, Yellowstone Nat. Pk., Photograph by David Johanson

Revelation 1:1–2 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants—things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John, 2 who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw.

Revelation 1:7–8 Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.
8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”

Revelation 1:12–13 Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band.

Revelation 1:17–18 And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. 18 I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.

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The Revelation given to John is one of the most intriguing pieces of literature ever written.  It challenges us, scares us, stretches our minds, and ultimately, when understood correctly, gives us a great sense of peace and a strengthened will to persevere.  All of those things, especially the last, form its basic purpose.  This Revelation was given through John to the church in every age (vs. 1 & 11) and is intended to be understood by the church as applying to itself in every age.  In other words, the Revelation covers the entire span of human history, from the "First" to the "Last", and it reveals to us that in the very foreground of this vast picture, stands the "Rock" that gives meaning to all the other details of our times.  This is Jesus, the One "Who is and Who was and Who is to come, the Almighty." (vs. 8)

In this one verse, Jesus proclaims Himself as the central feature in every view of history, whether past, present, or future.   That is the "secret" the Revelation makes known.  That is why it is the "Revelation of Jesus Christ" (vs. 1) which was given first to Him and which He then made known to His servants, immediate of whom was John the apostle.

Thus the central fact of history is Jesus of Nazareth the Christ of God.

We must be careful to not limit this statement to just His earthly life, death, and resurrection.  When Revelation teaches us that Jesus is the central fact of history, it teaches us that every instant of history is about Jesus, either in His pre-incarnate life as the Christ of God in the Old Testament era, or His earthly life, but immediately, His post-resurrection life.  This translates to us as understanding our "now!"  Our life and history are about Jesus.  He is at the center of all things now.  He is yet standing, as John first saw Him, in the midst of His Church, registered in its totality by the "visible church" (lamposts) and the "invisible church"(stars) which surround Him in the vision.  

There He stands, today as He was to John, in brilliant magnificence, clothed in unimaginable splendor, terrifying in His power and authority, and yet, with wondrous compassion telling us "not to be afraid." (vs. 17)  He yet calls to His Church and proclaims the reality behind all things: "I Am Alive Forevermore!"  

Here is the patience and courage of the saints.  No matter what their "age" or "eon" has in store, whether relative peace and prosperity or struggles seemingly beyond endurance, yet this truth is above all else.  He is alive and He is here!  It is He has holds the keys of "Hades and of Death." (vs. 18)  It is He that is waging war against all the demonic enemies that oppress His people and defile His creation with the "sharp two-edged sword" that is His Word.  

He is our "Object in View" through Whom we must gaze at the details of the vistas before us.  He is immovable and provides our fortress as well as our place of rest.  Without Him in our picture, we will understand nothing.  Seeing all things through Him means that we understand all things in their true nature.

This is the Mystery Revealed.  He is the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last. (vs. 11)  We must not be deceived.  Whatever is, is about Him!

 

 

 

Jude: Be Alert to Contend for the Faith

Image: "Seeing The Big Picture", 2021, Severna Park, Md

Jude 1 Jude, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, To those who are called, sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ:

Jude 3 Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.

Jude 8 Likewise also these dreamers defile the flesh, reject authority, and speak evil of dignitaries.

Jude 12–13 These are spots in your love feasts, while they feast with you without fear, serving only themselves. They are clouds without water, carried about by the winds; late autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, pulled up by the roots; 13 raging waves of the sea, foaming up their own shame; wandering stars for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever.

Jude 20–23 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
22 And on some have compassion, making a distinction; 23 but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.

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Jude challenges us with references to non-canonical literature.  The tug of war between Michael and the devil is not drawn from Biblical sources nor is the prophecy from Enoch.  That doesn't mean that these statements are to be disregarded, by no means!  They gain their authority not from their origin but from their inclusion by the  Holy Spirit's inspiration of this letter.  Some statements by Paul are in the same category.

Jude's main point however is not subject to doubt.  The precious faith which Jude and his readers share must be "contended for."  Jesus did not leave His Church in a "safe" fortress, shielded by impregnable walls that would nullify any weapons thrown at it by an enemy.  Jesus' visible church is always at risk and always being attacked.  It is the nature of things.  The Church is Jesus' body on earth and as His physical body was opposed, slandered, and physically abused in His earthly ministry, so Jesus' spiritual body, as He Himself said, would be similarly treated.

Notice how Jude characterizes the enemy.  First of all, they are sneaky.  They "crept in unnoticed." (vs. 3)  Here we see how subversively Satan seeks to undermine the church.  He sends in "moles" who may or may not be actually aware of their true master.  Satan's deceptive powers are so great that men, like Saul of Tarsus, could embark on horrible crimes against the church and yet be convinced they are doing the Lord's work.  But Jude points to their distinguishing marks: ungodliness, turning from grace to sensual religion, and denying the truth of the God of the Bible. (vs. 4)  Never doubt that such agents are still attacking Christ's Church.

But Jude says they are marked out for condemnation like the unbelievers who infiltrated the ranks of departing Israel in Egypt. (vs.5)  They, like the dark angels, are reserved for "everlasting chains under darkness." (vs. 6)  That's a terrifying image but it is made even worse by the sentence to the "vengeance of eternal fire" awaiting those who are given over to "sexual immorality" and lusting after "strange flesh." (vs.7)

A further identifying characteristic is that of rejecting "authority." (vs. 8)  Like the wayward sheep of the 60's Hippie movement, these folks make a point of "doing their own thing."  "Conformity" is anathema to such people as those who believe authentic human existence is only attained by transcending social taboos and giving free rein to one's own personal impulses.  As is obvious in many modern art displays, the end result is either nonsense or something that is intended to heighten shock.

Jude says that these folk are like "brute beasts" (vs. 10), "clouds without water", "trees without fruit", they are "twice dead having been pulled up by the roots", raging waves of the sea foaming up their own shame."  They are the ones for "whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever."

Jude calls us to the severity of the threat in these characterizations.  Modern Christians are overly tolerant of others when it comes to matters of "faith."  "Who am I to judge?" is often their stated position.  What this really communicates is that the individual does not want to engage in the unpleasant business of judging according to God's Word and, as Jude makes clear, this is disobedience and sin.

Jude says that we must judge.  Some of those whose Christian profession is doubtful, are to be treated with compassion.  In this, we must "make a distinction." (vs. 22)  Some we are to seek to "save with fear", so disgusted by the vanity, depravity, and arrogance of Satan's workers that we are fearful for ourselves, but notice, we are to hate "even the garment defiled by the flesh."

All the above are comprehended under the heading "contending for the faith."  It is incumbent upon every Christian to enter this battle.  We have to pray and diligently seek to be equipped for the work and we have to trust that our God will keep us from stumbling. (vs. 24)  But God is worthy of our whole devotion and total commitment to His glory.  This must be our exceeding joy... to serve Him wherever He and His Kingdom are being threatened.

 

 

 

3 John: Watch Your Walk

Image:  Narrow Crossing, 2017, Tanger Family Gardens, Greensboro, NC

3 John 3–4 For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth. 4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

3 John 6–8 who have borne witness of your love before the church. If you send them forward on their journey in a manner worthy of God, you will do well, 7 because they went forth for His name’s sake, taking nothing from the Gentiles. 8 We, therefore, ought to receive such, that we may become fellow workers for the truth.

3 John 11 Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God.

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Perhaps nothing brings the apostles home to us as clearly as their very human expressions of affection.  Imagine how John's warm greeting, "To the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth", would resonate in our hearts if it was our name there.  Gaius must have treasured this letter throughout his life.

John writes often of our need to love our brothers and sisters in Christ and I think we could do a lot worse than to take this as an example of how we ought to love them also.  God desires our Christian fellowship to be held in the bonds of love.  We must recognize that we really are family and as such, our love for each other must be real and not in words only.  I know this is possible from personal experience and it is one of the great treasures in my life to be able to say of some that I "love them in truth" as John did Gaius.

We must also see this short epistle as conditioned by that love.  Gaius was most likely an elder or leader in his church and John is sending not only warm greetings but also some brotherly encouragement and perhaps even admonition.

He commends Gaius for the love he has shown "strangers."  We must not assume here that he is talking about anybody and everybody that happens to appeal for aid or alms though that is certainly one aspect of our Christian witness.  John is speaking of traveling Christians who depend on the local churches for refreshment, rest, and security in the hostile lands through which they journey.  Gaius' church may very well have met in his house and therefore Gaius' hospitality was directly putting himself and his family at risk.  But he did receive them as itinerant evangelists seeking to spread the good news of Jesus Christ.  It was good for such to not be dependent on the "Gentiles" (vs. 7) so that they would be free of worldly shackles to their message.  Obviously, some of these very travelers have come to John's acquaintance and it is from their report that he commends Gaius and implicitly, his church.

But there is a caution also.  This fellow Diotrephes was not walking in truth as did Gaius.  He was vainly seeking "preeminence" (vs. 9) and perhaps undermining Gaius' as well as John's leadership.  On the other hand, John, as a good pastor, commends Demetrius thus pointing Gaius toward a dependable ally in the continuing spiritual struggle that is inherent in the church in every age.

What should we take from this?  John is teaching Gaius and us that we must be wise as serpents even as we are "harmless" as doves.  We are to love our brothers and sisters but we must also, quite consciously, know that a simple profession of Christ does not always warrant loving a person as a true brother.  There is a narrow pathway or dividing line (to mix metaphors a bit) that serves to help us in this.  If we are to put our lives on the line, as Gaius was doing, we must ensure that the people we accept, encourage, and perhaps, sacrificially aid, are in fact walking in truth and not just speaking vain words.

This will always require some awareness of their habitual walk.  We must look for the fruits of the Spirit in some concrete manifestations before our love is fully offered.  There must be a genuine devotion to Jesus as the Risen Son of God that is obvious in their ordinary speech, activities, and especially in the way they treat other Christians.  There must be a zeal for truth in both content and adherence.  Christians sometimes say that "you must not just talk the talk, you must walk the walk" and this is true.  If either the talk or the walk is not readily discerned then we have to be cautious that we may be dealing with Diotrephes rather than Demetrius.

So, what about the so-called "unconditional love" we are supposed to exhibit?  It is unconditional going out from us as it was unconditional being received by us.  We love without expecting a positive reward.  We expect our love to be received freely as it was freely offered.  But as our Christ taught us, we must always be alert to recognize whom God is calling us to love.  This means we look for the signs of the Holy Spirit working in the other person.  If we are confident that God loves him or her, then we are to love them also... without holding back.

 

 

 

 

2 John: Always Standing Watch

Image: "On Guard", 2016, Ft. Roberdeaux, Pa.

2 John 1–2 To the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all those who have known the truth, 2 because of the truth which abides in us and will be with us forever:

2 John 5–6 And now I plead with you, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment to you, but that which we have had from the beginning: that we love one another. 6 This is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, that as you have heard from the beginning, you should walk in it.

2 John 9–11 Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; 11 for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.

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John's mysterious address "to the elect lady and her children" leaves us in doubt as to whom this letter was originally addressed.  This was, of course, its intent.  John was most likely under watch and his letters were vulnerable to spying enemy eyes.  I think that, as hinted in the Revelation, it was probably sent to the churches in Asia.  His closing sentence sends regard from her "elect sister's children" and pretty much confirms that he is still with Christians though perhaps in hiding.  This situation should remind us of the tense circumstances facing those in the Nazi-occupied countries during WWII.  Security was a moment-by-moment concern and everyone was always "on watch."

Notice, however, that John's concerns are not focused on the enemies "without" the gates but those "within."  The armies gathered in the siege against the fort could be held off as long as the walls stood.  But if the garrison is weakened by a plague, or demoralized by seditious influences, or given over to full-scale surrender, then everything was lost.  John's short exhortation to this "lady" is to guard against this threat above all other concerns.

And what was the threat?  It was the constant whisper that Jesus of Nazareth was just a man.  We have to consider just how subtle was this threat.  They did not deny the miracles or the high call to moral purity and holiness that he taught.  Some of them may very well have acknowledged that he, like Lazarus, had risen from the dead.  So, when push comes to shove, some might say that there was broad agreement in many areas and so, therefore, what was the harm in accepting them as brothers in the faith but, perhaps, viewing them as being just another denomination?

John vehemently says "NO."  If the Person of Jesus of Nazareth is not embraced as the Christ come "in the flesh" (vs. 7) then this person is no Christian... they are of the antichrist.  "Whoever transgresses" in this regard does not have God at all.  They are not only to be kept at arm's length, they are not to be "received into your house" nor "greeted" like a brother.  Here John is using "house" as a synonym for the "elect lady's" church.  

This shows us just how seriously the beloved disciple took the situation and we should pay careful attention to it.

Even today perhaps, some Christians so emphasize the personal humanity of Jesus that His blinding glory as the Son of God does not play very much in their thinking or practice.  We hear Jesus presented as the loving Shepherd, gently seeking out and restoring His lost sheep.  He is presented in soft colors emphasizing the pitying compassion that appeals to sensitive egos.  It is almost as if He is begging for people to like Him.

This is not the full picture of our Lord and He certainly does not beg for people to like Him.  Our Lord Jesus Christ is possessed of all the glorious majesty that is inherent in the entire Trinity.  He is of the same essence as our Holy Father in His Divine Nature.  Angels leap to do His bidding.  He rides a white horse and is warring against all the demonic powers that still oppose Him.  He is loving and kind to those who keep His commandments, who love as they are loved.  But He is not a wimpy popinjay whose sensitive ego desperately needs our stroking.

We must hear John's words and take them to heart.  Our Christ is God!  He is God in the flesh!  We must not be overly sympathetic to other beliefs about Him... especially those which are "almost" the same as ours.  It is not a question of counting up the number of things on which we agree.  It is a matter of guarding those things on which we stand or fall.  It takes work and constant vigilance.  This was true in John's day and it is true now.

 

 

 

 

1 John 5: Overcoming All Odds

Image: "Breaking Through", 2009, Dark Hollow Falls, Shenandoah Nat. Park, Va.

1 John 5:1 Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him.

1 John 5:4–5 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. 5 Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

1 John 5:12–13 He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. 13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.

1 John 5:20 And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.

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Perhaps my favorite movie genre is the "victorious underdog" sports flick.  I love watching them, especially when they are based on true stories.  "Hoosiers", "The Rookie", "Seabiscuit" are just a few.  The most thrilling to me is "Miracle" because I remember the national euphoria that accompanied that Olympic victory.  There is something deeply American in the "come from behind" champion ("Rocky") that perseveres against all odds and comes out on top.

John teaches us that this is a pretty good analogy for the Christian faith, as experienced by believers.  Now, before anything else, I have to say that the outcome of any such struggling faith is never in doubt eternally.  Our God and Father and the Lord Jesus Christ are not the least concerned about our individual strivings.  It is only from our perspective that the question of "overcoming" is challenging.  That's because a central aspect of our struggle is against "doubt" itself.  Sometimes we are our own worst enemies and we are all prone to doubt sometimes and occasionally we may be completely cast down by it.

John gives us great help and assurance in this matter.

First, he assures us the fact of our belief that Jesus is the Christ is born of God. (vs. 1ff)  Notice that there is no relative quality assigned to this statement.  It is not only he who believes powerfully, or unquestioningly, or boldly, that is born of God.  It includes those who only have faith as a mustard seed.  As John goes on to tell us (vs. 20), Jesus has come and given us "an understanding".  Let that sink in.  Jesus took on human flesh for the purpose of opening our minds to understanding God Himself as well as His Son Jesus Christ.  Jesus is the "Word" in heaven that bears witness to us, confirming us as His disciples, and strengthening our conviction by the blood He shed for us.

Secondly, John assures us that His Spirit works in our spiritual struggles to increase our faith.  If we ask anything according to God's will, John tells us that God will hear us and that what we request is already granted. (vs. 14-15)  Thus our daily struggles constitute the training fields of our challenges.  We are engaged in a disciplined regimen, overseen and implemented by the Holy Spirit, which builds us up in spiritual vitality and enables us to persevere in the faith until, wonder of wonders, we find victory.

And that is the third and most glorious truth John teaches.  1 John 5:4–5 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. 5 Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

Because we, on the witness of our indwelling faith, have been born of God, then by that very faith, we have overcome the world.  The world is not content to beat us into silence, though to our shame that occasionally is the case.  The world, the flesh, and the devil want to drive our faith out of our heads and hearts entirely.  When our faith falters and the powers of darkness sense it, then they heat up the attack.  It's like a boxer sensing his opponent being close to "going down" and initiates a flurry of blows.  But because our faith is God-given and not a product of our own initiative, so it cannot be driven out of us by our opponents.  Our faith will persevere... it will be victorious in the end because it has already overcome the world even now.

How many times have I heard the plaintive cries of a sinner who has slipped and fallen... again... into old ruinous habits?  Too many to number.  But, that ever-present encouragement is that they came for help and counsel because they couldn't 'let go' of the hope of forgiveness.  The world threw a haymaker and knocked them down but the Lord Jesus Christ stood them again on their feet and told them to stay in the fight.

Such is our life and such is our hope.  We are, by the nature of our faith, "over-comers".   We will not be defeated because He Who is in us is greater than he who is in the world.  We will live because He lives and we know "Him who is true" (vs. 20) and because we know Him, this is eternal life.

No movie can approach this story for ultimate drama and joyful conclusion.  This is the Gospel of Christ.

 

 

1 John 4: Carefully Noting

Image: "Cautiously Proceeding", 2009, Roadside view, vicinity of Acadia Nat. Pk., Me

1 John 4:2–3 By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, 3 and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming and is now already in the world.

1 John 4:6 We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this, we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.

1 John 4:9–11 In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

1 John 4:15–16 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. 16 And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.

1 John 4:21 And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.

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I have, over the years, mentioned that God's Word calls us to a "radical" lifestyle.  That needs a bit of explaining since the idea of "radical" conjures up some wild-eyed, hairy-headed, zealot holding up a sign or tossing Molotov cocktails at establishment representatives.  That's not the image I am promoting but I have to be clear.  "Radical" Christianity puts those guys to shame.  All too often there is a mind-numbing "sameness" to the radical leftists marching in the streets.  On the whole, they have profited from the same institutions they propose to tear down.  They are actually just closer to one end of a continuum than others in their "radical stances."  They really aren't representing an entirely "alien" culture.

Christianity, properly understood, is an alien culture.  It lives differently than the world around it.  It thinks differently than the so-called intellectuals in the academies.  It lives "in the world" but it is definitely not "of the world."  Whenever the line between "living in" and "not of" begins to blur then to that degree Christianity departs from its Biblical foundations.  

In this chapter, John calls us to notice the "radical" nature of our confession of Jesus.  John says (v. 15) that there is a clear demarcation between the world and Christianity in how each actually views Jesus' Person.  "Whoever confesses Jesus is the Son of God" has God actually "abiding" in Him and he abides in God.  Now it only takes a moment's pause to let that sink in and the "radical" nature of Christianity begins to clarify.

Think of an entire race of "God-indwelt" people.  If, as they certainly should, they are convinced of this themselves and live in absolute dependence and reflection of the "God indwelt" reality, then their own sense of authority, clarity, conviction, zeal, and energy would be like a bubbling cauldron.  They would be radically different in their poise, self-control, clearness of insight, etc. than the overwhelming majority of their fellow acquaintances and workers.  They would also, with boldness, recognize that any other person, not of like faith with them, but who was zealous for doctrines and principles counter to their own, was an enemy of Christ and must be opposed and/or converted.

In other words, a "God-indwelt" community of people would be able to recognize "false spirits" (vs. 1-3) and would respond appropriately to them.  They would show forth an amazingly calm and imperturbable demeanor in engagement. They would rest in the certainty that they were "of God" and had already "overcome" their opponents because God is "greater than he who is in the world." (vs. 4)  They would not be driven by a sense of ultimate responsibility for how their interaction with such enemies turned out.  They would know that if the words they spoke and the example they set, fell on deaf ears then it was because their opponents were not "of God."  If they had been then the Christian would have seen their testimony and witness, bearing fruit in the interaction. (vs. 6)

And, standing above all other radical attributes "God-indwelt" Christians show forth is the character of love.  Their confession of Jesus Christ as the Son of God extends to the astonishing truth of His ministry.  They embrace God the Father for sending "His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him."  This thought becomes like burning coals in a furnace.  It warms up their entire life.  They treasure it because it proves this was an act of pure mercy by God.  He did not send His Son because we first loved Him!  Just the opposite.  He sent His Son to be a propitiation for our sins (vs. 10) and explicitly the sin of not loving God as we ought to have done.

The burning coals register in an outflow of love for God and love for their fellow Christians that stands in stark contrast to anything in the "other world" outside the community.  This is "radical Christianity."  That doesn't mean that it is one "form" of Christianity registering at a point in a continuum of other "Christian" communities.  No... as John here tells us, this radical "God-indwelt" Christianity is the only true faith there is.  All others are caricatures of the faith and therefore not true at all.  The radical nature of the Christian faith is grounded in the Presence of the Holy Spirit in it as given to it by God Himself. (vs. 13)  

There is no other Christianity than this... so it is truly a radical reality.

 

1 John 3: Which Boat Is Ours?

Image:  "Choose", 2009, Bar Harbor, Me

1 John 3:2–3 Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. 3 And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.

1 John 3:7 Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous.

1 John 3:10 In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother.

1 John 3:14 We know that we have passed from death to life because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death.

1 John 3:18–19 My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. 19 And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him.

1 John 3:24 Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this, we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.

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Notice John's primary concern for his readers to recognize what is authentic Christianity and what is not.  It's like asking: "which boat is the right one?"  He knew that the stakes were high.  The Gospel of Jesus Christ itself was at risk and, also, the assurance and confidence of his readers that they were on the right track.  In a world where it is easy to be confused by the cacophony of ideas assaulting us from every side, we need to have a clear insight into how and by what, we can recognize the Presence of Christ, both in ourselves and in the fellowship around us.

Thus John (vs. 18-19) tells us how to "assure our hearts before" God.  It is by showing forth that we have received the gift of love.  Here is where we have to be very clear.  The "love" John mentions is not that same filial love that people naturally possess for friends and family and even spouses.  The "love" which the natural man exhibits is real love and it can be quite passionate and even noble but it is not that "agape" love John teaches distinguishes true Christians and Christianity from the secular varieties.  

"Christian love" is a gift of the Holy Spirit and is so characteristic of His Presence in our lives that Jesus taught that it was sufficient to distinguish His disciples from the mass of humanity.  It is impossible to completely define it.  How does anyone "define" love in any of its forms.  However, that doesn't mean we can't describe it.  So, let's go a little down that path.

First, we must insist that the love that the Holy Spirit imparts to us is of the same quality, but not purity, of the love that He has first "bestowed on us."  True Christian love is a reflection of our Father's love as extended to us through His Son and nurtured in us by the Holy Spirit.  Immediately we see that this love is a powerful thing, perhaps the most powerful tool or weapon in the Christian arsenal.  Think of how God's love works on us and changes us.  We respond to that love like a flower turning its head to follow the sun. It warms our hearts.  It is not something we can just "accept" as in what's expected.  To be loved is a priceless treasure and to be loved by our Triune God is an astonishing display of mercy.  No man can ignore it or casually dismiss it.  It is too precious!

Second, the love God shows us which we are then to reflect back to Him and to our brothers and sisters, is an active love.  Its central concern is... always... what is best for us accompanied by His self-sacrificial desire to do whatever has to be done to promote what is best for us.  Thus John tells us that we are to love in word and deed, just as our God has loved us.  Taking up our cross and following Jesus is an act of love for Jesus, yes, of course, but it is manifested in sacrificially giving of ourselves so that others may benefit.  It is a love that expects to not be appreciated all the time or seemingly, ever.  It is so common to hear one person complain that the other person does not appreciate what he/she has done for them.  Jesus prayed for forgiveness for the men who nailed Him to the cross.  The whole power of Christian love is that it is motivated by a desire for the other person's well-being and is not conditioned by whatever response the "beloved" shows forth.

We must "count to cost" as Jesus taught us, but at the same time, Jesus promises that He will bless us as we seek to be a blessing to others.  We may not see His hand immediately displayed in our act of loving but I can guarantee, on the basis of Scripture, that overall, our lives will be improved by that loving.

Space does not permit a further elaboration but carefully note all the ways John shows us how to know that we indeed are indwelt by the Holy Spirit.  It is the outworking of love that equates to the "practice of righteousness." (vs.7)  It is a life dominated by love that conforms to John's challenging declaration that a person "abiding" in Jesus, does not sin.  We may err in judgment but no sin will accrue if we are motivated by love.  This is the "seed" that remains in us and reflects our being "born of God." (vs. 9)

So, in all this chapter, it is the presence of an active, passionate, increasingly selfless, love that becomes the foundation of a truly Christian life and witness.  As Paul says in 1 Cor. 14:1, therefore let us pursue love because it is the greatest of all God's gifts.

 

1 John 2: It's Just That Simple...

Image: "Steep Path", 2009, Vicinity of Acadia Nat. Park, Me

1 John 2:1–2 My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 2 And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.

1 John 2:5 But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this, we know that we are in Him.

1 John 2:15–17 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.

1 John 2:29 If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him.

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I believe that the Apostle John lived to quite an old age, almost to the end of the first century AD.  We have manuscripts written by Papias who professed to have been one of his disciples and we know Papias lived into the second century.  So, I would place this letter somewhere in the last quarter of the first century... say 75-80 AD.  Why is that important?  Because of the turmoil and controversies that occurred during that time.

If these dates are accepted then these letters were written after the fall of Jerusalem.  The Jews were in turmoil because the temple had been destroyed.  What better scapegoat than these "Christians" who were causing so much trouble.  During this time the very success of the early church could no longer be denied.  There were many churches and the "cult" was spreading all over the empire.  This brought on intense theological attacks against the foundational teachings of the church regarding the person and work of Jesus of Nazareth Whom the church proclaimed was the Christ of God.

We see this controversy in 1 John 2:22–23 Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son. 23 Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either; he who acknowledges the Son has the Father also.  John doesn't beat around the bush.  You cannot be "in Christ"  and lay claim to the salvation accomplished through Him and deny, as the Jews did, that He was the prophesied Messiah.  There had been some in the church who did this but they had not been tolerated by John or the other apostles. (vs. 19)  

For John, it was a profound, yet simple, thing.  In order to live in the Kingdom of Light that was "already shining", (vs. 8) then a person must embrace this truth.  Jesus is the Christ!  That sounds so simple, and at the macro level, it is.  But the ramifications of that statement shook the earth in those days and are shaking the earth still.

"The Christ' was the anciently foretold Presence of God Who would come into this world to establish righteousness and justice and mercy as the hallmarks of His Kingdom.  This was the "Kingdom of Light" because it stood in stark contrast to the earthly kingdoms that competed for men's souls with it.  These earthly kingdoms (vs. 16ff) were controlled by earthly passions incompatible with the righteousness found in the Kingdom of Christ.  Those people, however, who were drawn to Christ's Kingdom though found a "treasure of great value."  Its glory was its King and its attractive allure was love.  

A person who valued the things of the Kingdom was, as a citizen in it, to reflect its values. (vs. 6)  A person couldn't live in the kingdom of love and "hate his brother" (vs. 9) because it would mean repudiating the very nature of Christ and His Kingdom.  Similarly, one could not love God the Father and not confess Jesus as His Son, therefore to deny the Son was to deny the Father. (vs. 22)  

John so closely identifies the Kingdom of Christ with Christ Himself, that he speaks of kingdom living as being "in Christ".  It underscores the call to "abide in the Son and in the Father." (vs. 24)  All of those who do this will obviously seek to "practice righteousness" in accordance with the nature of Jesus' Kingdom.  This requires a change of heart and will to such a degree that John says that it reflects being "born of Him". (vs. 29)

Those who do abide in Christ, and thus live as becomes children of light, have eternal life (vs. 25), their sins forgiven (vs. 2), and, incredibly, show forth the love of God as "perfected" in them. (v.5)  What a fellowship, what a joy divine!  To be found "in Christ" as an obedient servant, doing good things through the power of the Holy Spirit and having a constant "Advocate with the Father" interceding for us in all things.  This is a Kingdom to treasure and a King to love.

 

 

1 John 1: Light and Life and All Things

Image: "Morning Colors", 2021, Severna Park, Md

1 John 1:1–2 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life—2 the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us—

1 John 1:5 This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.

1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

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Every serious photographer knows that it's all about light.  Everything about the subject will be affected by how the light falls on it, the color of the light, the relative softness of it, etc.  Often, as in a Classical Dutch Master's painting, the play of light becomes the primary subject and the actual object/person is almost there just to provide the space.  Morning light is my preferred time for shooting because the rising sun imparts more of a golden tone to the light.  The evening light is bluer.  The pansies above did not transfer well in posting to this blog but the original image closely matched the rich yellow-orange of the flower as the morning sun deepened its saturation.

That's a fairly long-winded introduction just to make the point that the "Light of God" shining through Jesus Christ, has something of a similar effect on us.

John says that "God is light" (vs. 5) and we are to walk in His light and not walk in darkness.  John is an extraordinarily deep thinker and his meaning here requires some pondering.  What is it that he is driving at?

We have to think in terms of contrasts or dualism.  John leans heavily on the "light/darkness" contrast as describing real life in the real world.  This is not some mystical, other-worldly, speculation.  John uses these terms to describe how life itself is lived.  Think of these flowers.  The sun blesses them with warmth and nourishment and encourages growth and beauty.  If those same flowers were transported into my basement they would soon wither and die, no matter how much fertilizer and water I fed them.

People are the same way.  Think of the flower's healthy blossoms as being analogous to a person's humanity.  God designed human beings to be beautiful... to show forth the beauty of His own image... the more a person grows in the qualities of being truly human the more that person will show forth beauty and bring glory to God.  If a person cuts himself off from the light, if he goes down into the basement of human depravity and lives there, then that person's "human-ness" will diminish and may wither entirely and die.  

John calls for us to "walk in the light" which is to walk in and with God Himself.  This means that, like the flower petals themselves, we need to turn our faces to God and allow His goodness and love to flow into our lives.  This is done by consciously seeking God as an integral part of our daily lives.  We strive to see things as He sheds "light" on them.  His light illumines our lives and becomes precious to us.

There is some spiritual discipline required here because, in this sin-soaked world, we are constantly being invited to go down into the basement.  The harping pressure is great indeed and therefore we must build structure into our lives to keep our eyes focused on God.  The more consistently we do this the more it becomes habitual and the conscious structure is not as critical but it never can be completely taken away.

What kind of "structure" do I mean?  Of course daily, or more than daily Bible reading and meditation, is essential.  Think of it this way.  We really don't have time to "not read our Bibles."  It is truly amazing to hear the testimonies of Christians who make daily readings a priority, about how their lives become more efficient.  They see things more clearly when walking in the light and thus avoid time-wasting diversions.

Prayer is another structural element.  We need to weave prayer into the fabric of our day.  We shouldn't think of it in terms of some extended pious activity where we get down on our knees in our office.  There's nothing wrong with that but what is needed is an attitude of prayer that governs how we approach any task or activity.  It is more like a conversation with God.  "Lord, what am I looking at here?" is a wonderful prayer that builds on our need for "more light."  Consciously turning to God in the midst of stressful interactions has a very calming effect and brings fruit in seeing problems more clearly.  It "makes for peace", to use Scriptural terms.

Now, imagine an entire community of people who seek to "walk in the light as He is in the light", who have "fellowship with one another!"  We all know how dimly a single candle glows in the darkness.  But when a hundred or more candles are lighted, the darkness flees and all things become visible.  This is God's plan for His Church.  He intends for the fellowship of believers to be a conduit for His light to illumine the entire world.  In such a fellowship the assurance of God's love is absolutely experienced.  We grow in our own knowledge of having been cleansed from all sin (vs. 7) by the reinforcing synergy of fellow believers who are walking in the light.

This is light... and life... and all things.  John's words are simple but profoundly deep.  We need to take them to heart and bloom in our turn.

 

 

 

 

2 Peter 3: Something To Look Forward To...

Image: "Idyllic Place" (Acadia), 2009, Vicinity of Acadia Nat. Pk., Me

2 Peter 3:4–5 and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.” 5 For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water,

2 Peter 3:8–9 But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

2 Peter 3:11–13 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.

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When the 16th-century explorer Verrazzano, serving the King of France, arrived off the coast of present-day Labrador/Newfoundland, he encountered scenes of majestic beauty.  He reached back into his classical education and brought forth a Greek word, "Arcadia", to name and describe what he saw.  The word means "place of enjoyment" or "idyllic place."  Over the years, the "r" was dropped and the name Acadia now designates the region and, in my opinion, it is well named.

It's a common feature of all human history that mankind yearns for such a place, a habitation, where surrounded by beauty it may live in peace.  Various "utopias" have historically occupied the thoughts of philosophers and virtually all religions hold out hope for some future physical or spiritual reality.  Even so-called Darwinists often see crass, godless evolution as proceeding toward a future perfection of mankind such that perfection of his environment may follow. 

Only the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ has definitively and authoritatively proclaimed that such a yearning will be satisfied in His time and purposes.  It has been the foundation on which human history was to develop ever since Adam was cast out of Eden.  Man must have hope in order to live according to hope and that is exactly what God commands.  He has given great and good promises and it is His intention and command that those promises motivate us to serve Him in "peace, without spot and blameless". (vs. 14)  This eschatological yearning is intended to be vibrant, sincere, and productive.  It is not to be equated with some bare theological doctrine to which complacent intellectual assent is given.  That is not "hope."  God intends for His people to live with the abiding conviction that they have "something to look forward to" and to that end, He has ordained that they do.

But, as far as man-measured time goes, it has been a long while since Adam sadly passed out of Eden.  The promise has remained, in various forms, and man's sinful nature, under Satan's constant harping, has come to complacently discount the promises.  Scoffers sneer "where is the promise of His coming?" (vs. 3,4)  They contemptuously dismiss the fact that "one day is as a thousand years" with the God who lives in timeless reality. (vs. 8)  The simple explanation is that the promise must tarry until God's purposes in creation are attained.  It is His purpose to have particular people, a specific community, who will be ushered into this coming "Arcadia" and who will live with Him in blessed communion forever.  It is not His will that any one of those for whom He has wrought creation out of nothing to house, be "lost." (vs. 9)  That means they must all be born, they must come to faith, and they must embrace the promise before the consummation arrives.

It is readily apparent that this explains human history.  "History" is the unfolding story of a sanctified race being brought into existence.  That "race" is the reason for history.  It is God's purpose in all things.  It was for this "race" that the world was created. (vs. 5)  It was for this "race" that God guided the remnant of Adam and Noah and Abraham and Moses through their various stages in order to have the promise carried forward in integrity and truth.  It was for this "race" that God sent His Son, our Christ, to purify them unto the promise given them.  It is for this "race" that our present "age" is harvesting the entire world and gathering those who God has set aside for Himself from every tribe and region.

At the bottom of all things is "hope".  The hope of something good coming.  The assured hope that is far more than wishful thinking.  This hope will be fulfilled in a final act of purification when all of those whose lives on this earth were not directed toward that hope, will be eliminated.  This world is preserved and reserved for a day when godly men will see their hope fulfilled and ungodly men will face perdition. (vs. 7)  That is part of the promise also and Christians wouldn't want it any other way.  The "Acadia" that is coming will be characterized by justice and mercy by our God who lives in glorious justice and mercy.

We most certainly do have something to look forward to and we should let that hope penetrate through our whole person and live according to it.  This is Peter's message.