Bible Study 26 Oct 2018
Continuation of the book of 1st John chapter 3 from vs 11 to 24
Apostle John continues with his love theme and this time emphasising that as Christians we should not have bitterness In us for it leads to hatred and who ever hates his brother is a murderer.
In this he urged the people to not be like Cain who killed his brother Abel after God had not regarded him and his sacrifice.
Matthew 5 From vs 21 “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ 22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.
With bitterness you are the same as a murderer, therefore we should all have love within us just like our Lord and Master who did everything with love.
In every scripture written they show that he had compassion for all.
So in everything that we do we should always have compassion and give our best always.
Never give the devil room to enter our hearts for everything start from within.
John is teaching us that we should always sacrifice to grow in spirit and we can do it most and well through sharing love among brethrens.
He is encouraging us Christians to love one another and work towards salvation with great trembling and fear of the Lord.
Vs 14 says We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love each other. Anyone who does not love remains in death.
Some people are walking without the Lord and they are as good as dead
He warns us that those who do not love remain in death and also
Murderers do not have internal life
We are the light of the world so without life it means we are also killing the world.
Love is sacrificial, meaning we need to be selfless
We need to sacrifice ourselves for others
Yes we will face so much disappointments but we need to always forgive and keep loving
We need to keep practising selflessness just like how our Master Lord and Saviour did. He died on the cross for us, for our sins not his, but ours.
We should learn to love, to give, talk to people, call people and just continue giving it all out for we have a lot of recipients out there who are expecting love from us.
We should not allow bitterness in our hearts
Hebrews 12 Vs 15 says See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.
For bitterness is dangerous (its poisonous and toxic)
Whenever you see bitterness coming over you need to ensure you uproot it off your heart as soon as possible and replace it with love.
Repentance also keeps us away from bitterness and sin.
For he abides in our hearts and when we fill our heart with hatred and bitterness then there is no more space for him.
We need to approach the throne of Almighty with confidence and boldness so that we remain in him and fellowship together.
The relationship between the church, us and God should always be love for without God there is no love and without love, no God.
He does not stay in hearts of the wicked ones.
For God is saying in. Isaiah 1 vs 18 "Come now, let us settle the matter," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.
He revealed that by loving one another we will have assurance and confidence that we are of the truth. And also if we keep the Lord's commandments and have faith in him we can live by his Spirit as he abides in us and us in him.