Day 338: 1 John 4:1-21

“There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.” - 1 John 4:18 ESV

The most often quoted command in the Bible is, "Do not be afraid." Still, we see time and time again that we are also commanded to fear the Lord. Both the Old Testament and New Testament writers are clear that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (see Proverbs 1:7, Colossians 3:22).

So, is John stepping into a contradiction with the rest of Scripture? I believe he's not.

The context of 1 John 4 is that because of God's great love for us, mainly Jesus' sacrifice, we no longer have to fear punishment from God. The proof of our understanding of this is reflected in how we love those around us. We are not anticipating divine wrath from God because we are trusting in Jesus’ protective blood.

David L. Aiken said it so well as he wrote, "This deficiency of love causes one to dread the day of judgment for fear of permanent departure from the presence of God. Therefore if one fears this day, he is not being perfected in love."

At the same time, we do fear the Lord. Fear, in this sense, has to do with recognition and worship. We bow down. We lift our hands. We tremble at the magnitude of His word, it being the authority over us. We know what He is capable of, and we are thankful for His mercy. We continually sing.

Commit yourself to fear as a way to worship God. Fear not His punishment because Jesus' blood was spilled for you.

Day 337: 1 John 3:7-24

“Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous. Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.” - 1 John 3:7-8 ESV

Bad habits have a good way of haunting us. The roots of the habitual run deep. They entangle our hearts, propelling us to focus on the things that we hate.

We will all make isolated mistakes. How we react after those missteps reflects for whom we are actually living. One act of sin doesn't define us, but it becomes dangerous when we let it bloom into a lifestyle. This is when the devil has his way with us.

How do we protect ourselves from these destructive lifestyles?  We refuse to stay down when we slip. We get up. We shake it off. We re-fix our eyes on Jesus (Hebrews 12:1-2). We hit our knees in prayer, confessing our ignorance, defiance, and pride. We soak ourselves in God's word, letting Him re-remind us of who we are in Christ. We serve the poor and the forgotten. We stubbornly love and forgive our family, no matter how they act toward us.

Wherever you are, stop and read the following verses from Micah 7:7-9, 18-19 (NLT):

As for me, I look to the Lord for help. I wait confidently for God to save me, and my God will certainly hear me.
Do not gloat over me, my enemies!
For though I fall, I will rise again.
Though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light.
I will be patient as the Lord punishes me, for I have sinned against him.
But after that, he will take up my case and give me justice for all I have suffered from my enemies.
The Lord will bring me into the light, and I will see his righteousness.
Where is another God like you, who pardons the guilt of the remnant, overlooking the sins of his special people?
You will not stay angry with your people forever, because you delight in showing unfailing love.
Once again you will have compassion on us.
You will trample our sins under your feet and throw them into the depths of the ocean!

“John is emphasizing this great truth because some were in danger of being led astray by the gnostic teachings that sin was not a reality. They needed to be told that forgiveness and cleansing from sin are vitally important to all of them. Paul faced this same problem, and he deals with it in Romans 6:1ff. He asked them ‘Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase?’ to which he answered, ‘By no means!’” - Marcus M. Womack

Day 336: 1 John 2:18-29, 3:1-6

“These people left our churches, but they never really belonged with us; otherwise they would have stayed with us. When they left, it proved that they did not belong with us.” - 1 John 2:19 NLT

If we could sum up both of our readings in 1 John today in two words, it would be: Family stays.

John uses a Greek word here that seems to be one of His favorites. It is meno, which is translated as remain, stay, or abide. Jesus clearly loved using the word to describe what His family was to be like.

For example, Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains (meno) forever." - John 8:34-35

The Gospel (good news) of Jesus didn't need to be improved upon in the first century, and the same goes for the twenty-first century. The Apostle Paul spoke volumes when he wrote, "the summing up of all things in Christ." (Ephesians 1:10, NASB)

Our problems will not be resolved by us suddenly becoming clever or inventive when it comes to faith. We will only find what we are looking for when we stop and decide to remain in the loving care of our resurrected Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

"The renegade and apostate was all along only nominally a Christian. Of the true Christian the declaration remains true, 'No one snatcheth them out of his hand.'” (see John 10:28) - Spence-Jones, H. D. M., ed. (1909). 1 John (p. 27)

Day 335: 1 John 2:1-17

“And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. For all that is in the world— the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life —is not from the Father but is from the world.” - 1 John 2:16-17 ESV

We all are so easily enamored with what we see. Whether it is 1 million followers on Instagram or 1 million dollars in our bank account, we are suckers for what the world has to offer. Why? Because it is "available" now, and it is "quick," and we can "control" it, and it is just so stinking "attractive."

Why wouldn't God want me to have all of these good things? Doesn't He love me? Doesn't He want me to be happy?

God doesn't exist in all of His power and glory to give us all that we want. He is actually more in favor of not giving us most of what we want (when we want it). Though we think we are experts in knowing what will truly make us happy, we are, in reality, novices.

God, on the other hand? He knows exactly what we need to be joyful, not only now but for all of eternity. The answer isn't found rummaging through the things of this world. It is found in willful submission to His way, the way of following His Son, Jesus Christ.

It isn't easy. It doesn't always feel good. People don't always reciprocate our love and forgiveness. Yet it is the best way to live, both now and forever, Amen.

"For that day, as well as for our own day, humanity must obey the commands of God’s choice, not its own. In our age of wanting to make our own decisions, we must carefully follow what God wants rather than what we want." - Womack, M. M. (1998). 1, 2 & 3 John (1 Jn 2:17)

Day 56: Mark 8:11-38

“And Jesus, aware of this, said to them, ‘Why are you discussing the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened?”' - Mark 8:17 ESV

What Jesus has done (past tense) in our lives is always an indicator of what he can do right now (and in the future). But we are so quick to forget. A lack of memory when it comes to God's faithfulness causes us to panic. Just like the disciples (who were wondering about the next meal), we often wonder if God cares enough to sustain us for today. Jesus said them (and says to us today), “Do you not remember?” (vs 18)

Recently, I was preaching at a church nearby. You always notice those who are really affirming as you speak. One older lady in the 8:30 am service was especially tracking what I was saying. I made a point to thank her after the service for being so encouraging as she sat in the audience. She said something that I'll never forget: "I still remember what God saved me from." What God had done in her life decades ago was still playing on a loop in her heart and mind.

What was her secret? It was clear: Daily interaction with God through prayer, Bible study, and fellowship with other Christians.

May we never let the worries of today keep us from remembering the supernatural provisions of yesterday.

Cole's comments on this verse are especially helpful as we close: "It is not their discussion which is being condemned, but the lack both of faith and of spiritual perceptiveness which had given rise to the discussion in the first place. They are still as blind and spiritually obtuse as ever: This is what grieves Jesus. Even the experience of God’s provision of their physical needs during their preaching trip of chapter 6 (note especially v. 8 no bread), had left no mark on them." - Cole, R. A. (1989). Mark: An Introduction and Commentary (Vol. 2, p. 202)

Day 311: Hebrews 8:1-13

“For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.” - Hebrews 8:12 ESV

This section is a direct quote from Jeremiah 31:31-34. The theme of that Old Testament passage is centered around the promise of the Israelites' return to Jerusalem after 70 years of exile. Yet Jeremiah (by the Holy Spirit) is intentionally overshooting in his prophecy to the time when the Messiah (Jesus) would arrive to set up a new covenant.

The way he speaks of sin here would have been mind-blowing to a Jewish reader, largely because of their continued need for sacrifices. The cycle for them included piles of sin that would need rolling back regularly. Sin was never truly satisfied and driven out by "the blood of bulls and goats” (Hebrews 10:4).

Does God really forget our sins when He forgives us via the blood of Jesus?

God is omniscient (all-knowing), but now our sin account is paid in full. Donald Gutherie writes that this passage "is reassuring because it means that forgiveness is complete. There will be no possibility of sins, once forgiven, being brought against the people of God."

May this motivate us to avoid all that for which Jesus has paid the price. Nothing is worth compromising the lavish act of grace that was made on our behalf, especially the temporary thrill that sin offers.

Day 310: Hebrews 7:18-28

“Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.” - Hebrews‬ ‭7:25‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Have you ever done something halfway but knew there was enough time to go back and do it the right way? Maybe this is because of a deadline or due to your procrastination. Some of us are perfectionists. Therefore, we won’t do anything unless it can be done to our standards. So, in this case, it is either 100% or 0%.

How does Jesus do things? In our passage today, it says that he does them “to the uttermost.” That is to say, “to the max.” This is the description of the way He saves His people, you and me.

Not only that (I mean, can there be more?), but Jesus also lives to pray for us, to be our Advocate.

This truth should make us feel loved today. Have you had a bad week or a bad year? Jesus is for you. He proves this in the way He interacts with us.

Grace
Mercy
Righteousness
Prayers
Fighting for us every day.

Donald Guthrie is right on as he writes, ”The meaning seems to be that as long as the high priest functions, he is able to save, a thought which is strengthened by the words he always lives (pantote zōn).”

All that’s left is for you to draw near to God through Jesus. Confess, repent, be baptized, or come back. He’s waiting to fight for you with open arms.

Day 309: Hebrews 7:1-17

“This becomes even more evident when another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek, who has become a priest, not on the basis of a legal requirement concerning bodily descent, but by the power of an indestructible life.” - Hebrews 7:15-16

You would do well to read the (short) account of Melchizedek and Abraham in Genesis 14:18-20. More is said of this guy in the New Testament than in the Old Testament. Who was he? We know little, but we do know…

- He was a priest

- He was a king

- He brought bread

- He brought wine

That list right there should be enough to make Jesus come immediately to our minds.

Melchizedek was a foreshadowing of our Savior's coming.

Jesus, though, broke the rules. He didn't meet the lineage requirements of being a priest, but the power of His indestructible life prevents Him from being disqualified. He does the same for us through his powerful life, doesn’t He? We don't meet the requirement as unworthy sinners, but He qualifies us by His blood.

The Greek word used for indestructible here is akatalytos. It pertains to that which cannot be caused to cease. (Eugene Nida) In short, there is no outside force that will ever knock Jesus off His throne or subvert His saving power.

Aren't you glad we have such a capable Lord and Savior?

Day 308: Hebrews 6:1-20

“Though we speak in this way, yet in your case, beloved, we feel sure of better things—things that belong to salvation.” - Hebrews 6:9 ESV

This chapter in Hebrews has been the topic of many Christian theologians throughout the centuries. Some of the questions that continue to be asked upon a casual reading of it are:

"Does this mean I can lose my salvation?" or "Could we do something so vile that the Holy Spirit would leave us and not come back?" or "When do we know we've come to this point?"

We may think of Jesus mentioning an "unforgivable sin" (Mark 3:28-30) or the Apostle John speaking of a "sin that leads to death" (1 John 5:16-17).

It seems like whatever the point of no return looks like, it is a defiant and hardened stance against God and His presence in our lives. In it. It is when we attempt to squeeze God out of every area, demanding to have our way at all costs. This will not be something that will happen accidentally. It will be intentional. Kind of like the Mark of the Beast in Revelation 13:15-18.

With all that being said, the recipients of this letter seemed to have done well in this regard. The writer speaks of how they are destined for "better things." This was obvious because of how they were living their lives. Their work and love in their serving were viewed as evidence of their endurance.

What about us? Are we recognized by others as genuine Jesus followers? More importantly, are we recognized by Jesus as those who follow Him? May we be people who depend completely upon Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection for the rest of our lives.

“The presence of active love among them was a sure sign that God had not left them." - Brooke Foss Westcott (1903). The Epistle to the Hebrews (3d ed., p. 156)

Day 307: Hebrews 5:1-14

“For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child.” - Hebrews 5:12-13 ESV

Everything of great value takes time. There is no substitute for long hours that are spent in God's word, in prayer, and in making schematics for how to live for Jesus obediently. Yet, if we refuse to take that time in solitude with our Creator, we will never be fit to share what we believe with others. And if we were to attempt it, we would find ourselves faking it and void of passion.

Yet it is a frightening thought to have followed Jesus for decades and never really feasted on the meatiness of God's word, remaining content with being bottle-fed.

C.H. Spurgeon eloquently writes (about this passage) that, "Growth in grace does not run side by side with growth in years."

Sit down with a map of all the time you have available over the next week. What do you see? Work/school, check. Sleeping, check. Eating, check. Time with family and friends, check. Weekly worship/Bible study with Christians, check. Sharing your faith with others, check. Spending time to rest, check.

Now, what time is left? What do you do with your unallotted time? If a considerable amount of time is not etched out each day for passionately seeking Jesus (alone and with others), you will remain unequipped for every good work.

Enjoy time in your Heavenly Father's presence today. Notice the difference it will make in your attitude, resistance to sin, and compassion for others.

“’Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,

Just to take Him at His word;

Just to rest upon His promise;

Just to know, Thus saith the Lord.”  - Louisa M. R. Stead (1882)