1 John 4 - Nathanael

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

1 John 4:1

In Christian circles I've seen two common patterns 1) they are cessationist in view, believing that God doesn't speak propheticly any longer so there is no reason to test the spirits in this way or 2) they believe that if a person is a believer and they prophesy that what they say is true. 

Both of these lacking in what God had for us. We are not to treat prophesy with contempt and we are not to believe everything, but test what we hear.

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.  We love because he first loved us. 

1 John 4:18-19

God's love works in us to remove fear. We learn to trust him because of his love for us. 

Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.

1 John 4:20 NIV

This is an important principle. We often think that we are more advanced spiritually than we actually are. The real test is that our lives on the natural side are a barometer for the spiritual side. We are not more advanced on the spiritual than what is demonstrated on the natural. 

https://bible.com/bible/111/1jn.4.1-20.NIV

1 John 3 - Nathanael

No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him.
1 John 3:6 NIV

When John makes these statements it sounds like he is talking about sinless perfection in believers. But I believe he is talking about continued sin in a given area. God usually works on one area of our lives at a time. We could not handle more. It would overwhelm and discourage us. So God often points out a sin area in our lives and then begins the process of changing and healing us. Sometimes he makes a change quickly and in a dramatic supernatural way. For instance, when I gave my life to Christ he immediately changed me so that I stopped using curse words. I've seen people who were immediately freed from smoking and other addictive sins. And then at times he has us work through these sin issues over time. 

Thus reminds me of the battles the Israelites faced when coming into the promised land.  Some were quick and supernatural, while others happened over years. 

The key here is that when God starts working on an area in or lives that we yield to his hands. Our natural response is defensiveness (we don't like to be told we are doing something wrong), blameshifting (my upbringing made me do it), minimizing (everyone does this), hopelessness (I can't change this) and/ or condemnation  (I'm evil and God hates me). The fact is that God loves us so much that he doesn't want to leave us as we are and that he is the one who will enable and make the changes if we surrender to him. 

So our proper response is one of humble submission where we acknowledge our sin, confess it to God and ask him to change us. It is also helpful and important to have Christian leaders who walk with us and we can confess to and find support from as described in James 5.

God is good and he is working in our lives to make us like him! 

https://bible.com/bible/111/1jn.3.6.NIV

1 John 1 - Nathanael

John takes on sin head on - we all still sin, Jesus will forgive us if we confess to him, everyone in the world had sinned. 

If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 

1 John 1:8‭

If we think we have stopped sinning we are deceived. 

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 

1 John 1:9

The great need is that there is a remedy for sin - forgiveness from Jesus! 

If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.
1 John 1:10 NIV

If we claim to have noir sinned, not only are we deceived but we are calling God a liar. 

https://bible.com/bible/111/1jn.1.8-10.NIV

2 Peter 2 - Nathanael

This chapter deals with false teachers, false prophets and false believers. It is instructive first to know that they will be present and second to see what some of the characteristics are. This serves to protect us both from those in the outside and as a mirror to test ourselves. 

But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their depraved conduct and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. 

2 Peter 2:1‭-‬2

Characteristics:

Introduce heresies

Deny Jesus 

Depraved conduct

This is especially true of those who follow the corrupt desire of the flesh and despise authority. Bold and arrogant, they are not afraid to heap abuse on celestial beings; 

2 Peter 2:1‭0

Characteristics:

Follow corrupt desire of flesh

Despise authority

Bold

Arrogant

Heap abuse on celestial beings

With eyes full of adultery, they never stop sinning; they seduce the unstable; they are experts in greed—an accursed brood!

2 Peter 2:1‭4

Characteristics:

Adultery

Continuing in sin

Seduce unstable 

Greed

 For they mouth empty, boastful words and, by appealing to the lustful desires of the flesh, they entice people who are just escaping from those who live in error.

2 Peter 2:18 NIV

Characteristics:

Empty, Boastful words 

Appeal to lustful desires

http://bible.com/111/2pe.2.1-18.NIV

1 Peter 5 - Nathanael

Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not Lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 

1 Peter 5:2‭-‬3‭

Elders are called to serve, not master; to care for, not take from; to be a good example, not a stumbling block. 

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 

1 Peter 5:6

Humility is another chief virtue, trait and action in the kingdom of God. 

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.  

1 Peter 5:7

We need not fear because the very God off the universe loves us and is watching over us for our good! 

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

1 Peter 5:‬8 NIV

We must know that there is also an enemy wanting to destroy us. We must remain alert, but God is watching over us! 

http://bible.com/111/1pe.5.2-8.NIV

1 Peter 4 - Nathanael

Some powerful statements from Peter! 

Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. 

1 Peter 4:1

We avoid suffering but we see here a huge value of it 

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 

1 Peter 4:8

Love us the ultimate action and character quality. 

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms.

1 Peter 4:10 NIV

God has called us to serve not become famous or great. He gives us gifts so that we can serve others just as Christ served us and have his life for us. 

http://bible.com/111/1pe.4.1-10.NIV

James 5 - Nathanael

Good reminders from James about prayer for healing and forgiveness. 

Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. 

James 5:13‭-‬14‭

I thank you Lord that you give instructions and wisdom for good times and bad. You know our lives, our thoughts, our days and our struggles. You love us and lead us into life! 

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

James 5:16 NIV

There is a strong connection between healing, confession and forgiveness in the context of the elders prayer. Sometimes I feel too embarrassed to ask about sin but it is for the benefit and healing of the requestor so it should be done. 

http://bible.com/111/jas.5.13-16.NIV

James 4 - Nathanael

You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. 

James 4:4

This is a convicting passage. The world is constantly calling to me/ us - like a siren song. It entices, blinds and deceives us saying that happiness is found here. 

There is a careful balance we need to be in the world and not of it. 

I think that l/ we get to comfortable with the world. 

Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. 

James 4:4

We are not to judge horizontally - our brothers and sisters. 

If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn't do it, it is sin for them.

James 4:‬17 NIV

When we try to justify ourselves, this truth comes in and we are left without excuse or hope in ourselves. Our only hope is Christ alone! 

http://bible.com/111/jas.4.4-17.NIV

James 3 - Nathanael

We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.  

James 3:2

Our tongue and what we say are crucial barometers of our inner spiritual health. As Jesus said from the mouth flows the things of the heart that defile us. 

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 

James 3:13

A key indicator of wisdom is humility. 

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.

James 3:17‭-‬18 NIV

More indicators off wisdom:

Pure, peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 

http://bible.com/111/jas.3.2-18.NIV

James 2 - Nathanael

James continues to speak powerfully and concisely into my life.

My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism.
James 2:1
In culture and society in general there is a tendency to show favoritism to those in authority or those with wealth.  In God's kingdom, we are not to do that.

For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.
James 2:10
We like to think ourselves innocent, better or "good" because we haven't, say, murdered someone.  But it is clear that all sin makes us a lawbreaker and guilty, whether lying or murder.  Thanks be to God that he is merciful and loving and has made a way for us to be forgiven and set free!

Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
James 2:12-13

Amen! Thank you God for your mercy! This verse always reminds me to be merciful to my kids and to others.  I both want to be like God and I want to continue to receive his mercy!

As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.
James 2:26

This verse tells us something about physical death - it comes as a result of the spirit leaving the body - and about real faith - it must and will produce deeds.  A faith that doesn't produce good deeds reflective of God's love and nature, isn't a real faith. 

James 1 - Nathanael

James its such an interesting and concisely powerful book. In just chapter 1 he covers a lot of topics and gives important instructions and principles. 

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 

James 1:2‭-‬5

James, Paul, Peter, and Hebrews all describe the benefits of trials and suffering. Jesus was clear tuary persecutions would be there if we follow him. Each of these writers encourages those going through the difficulty to endure because of the very positive benefits in changes in ite character. 

but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.  

James 1:14-15

A very graphic picture of the temptation and sin process. A key takeaway is that it all begins with evil desires within us. That is what God works on and changes within us if we allow him to. 

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. 

James 1:19-20

This is an important lesson that I've applied to parenting and leadership. My anger crushes others, not helping them. God had taught and is teaching me his better way! 

But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.

James 1:25 NIV

God wants us to change. He loves us too much to stay in our hurtful and destructive ways. We cannot change ourselves and God will not force changes on us. God begins the work by setting us free to do right and giving us strength and the will to change. We must then ask God for help and make choices to follow him. God then does the work of changing us on the inside. It is a partnership of change that begins and ends with God's work but requires our participation as well. 

http://bible.com/111/jas.1.2-25.NIV