Two reasons why Jesus lived and died! - 1 John 3:4-10

1 John 3:4-10

4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.

5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.

6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.

7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.

8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.

And so.......

The bible verses we have posted today tell us two major reasons why the Lord Jesus Christ came into this world:

1. To take away our sins (writing to people who have trusted Christ for salvation)

2. To destroy the works of the devil.

The coming of Christ was for two very specific reasons - to saved 'people from their sins' and to reverse the works of the devil. All other 'side effects' of the presence of the Lord Jesus in the world are additional benefits but not the main reason for him being here. 

As is always the case with God the side effects in themselves are quite outstanding. The love of God was seen in the life of Christ, he was a great moral example, he showed us what it was to like to live a sinless life, he displayed compassion and care like no one else who ever lived and so the list goes on. BUT this was not the central reason for his being in the world. 

The central reason is expressed in the following verses:

Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners - 1 Timothy 1:15

The Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world - 1 John 4:14

I am come that they might have life - John 10:10

How is it possible:

Only because of one thing - the death of Jesus on the cross. Hebrews 2:14 tells me that the Son of God took a body (flesh and blood) 'that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil and deliver them who fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage'. It is the death of Jesus on the cross that paid the price and laid the foundation for salvation. His death was the act that meant that the devil is a condemned foe who will ultimately face eternal judgement in the Lake of Fire. His death made it possible that we could be forgiven and our sins taken away.

So what do I need to do?

The response to that question is given in many places in the New Testament:

Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ - Acts 16:31

Repent and be converted - Acts 3:19

Call upon the name of the Lord - Romans 10:13

Will you come, call, believe and be saved?

To access podcasts and videos explaining the good news of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ visit www.seekthetruth.org.uk

this site will give you access to Bible Teaching Audio's and Video's as well.

Jesus who?

The Lord Jesus Christ is no ordinary person. I make this statement in the present tense because the Lord Jesus is not just a figure of history but he is, today, still alive in heaven. I don't mean alive in the way we might think about a relative who has died and hope is now in heaven (as a Christian I believe people who have turned from their sin and accepted Jesus as their Saviour will be in heaven when they die but this is not my point at the moment). I mean that Jesus is alive, physically in heaven. Your response might be - impossible and unbelievable! 

The record of the life of Christ is all highly improbable if you ignore the key ingredient, God. I agree that believing that Jesus was more than a man, lived an absolutely faultless life, could do miracles, somehow became accountable for sin and evil and died to pay the price to deal with it on a cross outside Jerusalem and finally three days after his death came back to life. Add to that he lived on earth for forty days after his suffering, death and resurrection and physically rose from the earth and passed through the sky and space into the presence of His Father, God in heaven itself. On a purely rationale level this sounds like I am stretching facts and calling it truth! 

BUT WHAT IF......

A careful analysis of the facts points to Jesus being the Son of God!

The evidence points to it being statistically impossible for the historical predictions (the bible calls them prophecies) being fulfilled accurately being mere coincidence!

It was impossible to deceive so many historians and eye witnesses on a such a grand scale!

The probability of it being the truth is higher than the probability of it being a lie?

I believe that this is the truth of the matter. I believe that the evidence to the authenticity of the bible is there if you care to look for it. I believe there is no other honest conclusion that you can come to about who Jesus is if you are prepared to genuinely look at the facts.

In support of this the bible clearly states: 'these are written that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you might have life in his name', John 20:31. 

Why not have a look at some bible teaching videos or podcasts about the Bible at www.seekthetruth.org.uk

Jesus - Liar, Lunatic or Lord?

Can I say first that the Lord Jesus was most humble and unassuming!

You will search in vain to find any proud, arrogant, assertive statements about himself. 

BUT you will never find a denial about who He is. 

All of this is a fulfilment of another bible prophecy - Isaiah 42:2 "He shall not cry, nor lift up, not cause His voice to be heard in the street". 

Note when He had carried out a miracle he often instructed the person not to go and broadcast what had been done, see Mark 7:36 "And he charged them that they should tell no man: but the more He charged them, so much the more a great deal they published it".

THE LORD JESUS LEFT ANY RECOGNITION AND ACCLAIM TO BE GIVEN BY HIS FATHER, GOD, MEN AND WOMEN WHO RECOGNISED HIM FOR WHO HE IS - HAVE YOU?

God spoke from heaven - "this is my beloved Son/Thou art my beloved Son as recorded in Matt 3:17, Matt 17:5, Mark 1:1, Luke 3:22, 2 Peter 1:17

Men said - Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God - Matthew 16:16

Thou art the Son of God; Thou art the King of Israel - John 1:49

I perceive that thou art a prophet - John 4:19

Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ - John 4:29

This is indeed the Christ the Saviour of the world - John 4:42

You have to decide who you think Jesus is? This is not an option! Either you decide in life and come to know Him as your Lord and Saviour or you leave it or ignore it and find out that He is the Son of God when it is too late to accept him as your Saviour. 

For more information and further explanations of the message of the bible via videos, blogs and podcasts please visit www.seekthetruth.org.uk

Exotic Love - 1 John 3: 1-3

The section of scripture that I have posted today is rich with truth about the character of God. 

God is called 'Father' in the first verse. John is writing to people who are followers of Jesus Christ i.e. they are believers. When they first turned from their sin (repented) and confessed that Jesus Christ is Lord they were automatically born into the family of God. They immediately became a child of God and so called God, Father. This is true of all believers, which is quite amazing. 

John is so delighted when he thinks about the type of love that God gives to His children. Someone has described it as exotic love that is completely foreign to the human heart.

Despite the fact that those of us who are saved are children of God we are not yet 'the finished article' as far as God is concerned. We will always fall short of being what God wants us to be. This will be true until we get to heaven. In that day we will fully understand what the Lord Jesus is like because by then we shall be like him. That's another amazing truth!

The section ends by encouraging Christians who eagerly await the coming of the Lord Jesus to keep themselves pure just as the Lord Jesus is pure. This will mean that we must live our lives in way that pleases God. To do this we need to be careful about what we get involved in, what we read, watch and think about. The glorious fact is that our Saviour is pure and we are going to be like Him one day.

1 John 3King James Version (KJV)

3 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.

2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

Keep visiting www.seekthetruth.org.uk for links to video bible teaching, bible based podcasts and broadcasts of bible teaching on 1st Corinthians.

Discover the real Jesus...1 John 1:5-10

This is the greatest announcement you will ever hear!

It is life changing and does what no one and nothing else can ever do!

God is light. The good news of salvation through repentance (changed thinking about the wrong that you do, the sin that is in you and your attitude towards God) and trusting Jesus Christ as Saviour brings you out of moral darkness into the light of the love of God.

If you say you have never done wrong you are lying to yourself. It's self deception!

Admitting you are a sinner is the starting point. Realising that only Jesus can save you is the next step. Trusting him to save you is the final stage and the start of a long and wonderful journey with God, to heaven.

He s able to save you and change your life! Are you willing to let him.

1 John 1:5-10

This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 

If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

As always more information can found via www.seekthetruth.org.uk

No fear of shame - 1 John 2:24-29

This short passage reminds believers in the Lord Jesus to hold to the truth. The early disciples were taught that what they had learned initially about Jesus (his deity which is the fact that he is God revealed in flesh and yet truly a man) they should hold firmly to and not give up on. 

One of the many consequences of being a believer in Jesus Christ is that the fear of God's judgement is removed. The Lord Jesus bore God's judgement on the cross at Calvary. When a person turns from their sin and trusts Christ they are forgiven and their sin record is eternally cleared.

What a joy it is to be saved! I am praying that everyone who reads this blog will be saved and be in heaven. 

May God bless you. 

Stephen 

1 John 2:24-29

Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. 

If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father. 

And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.

These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you. But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming. 

If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.

For more information visit www.seekthetruth.org.uk

Antichrist or Jesus Christ - 1 John 2:18-23

Genuine Christians can identify false teaching when they come across it and they have a Holy Spirit given awareness of error especially in relation to the person of Jesus Christ. What you believe about Jesus Christ indicates whether you are really a believer or just a religious person. May God and His Spirit guide you into all truth.

1 John 2:18-23

18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.

19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.

20 But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.

21 I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.

22 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.

23 Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.

For more information visit www.seekthetruth.org.uk

Something for everyone! - 1 John 2:12-17

As we continue to work our way through John's First Epistle we discover that John is interested in each member of God's family. If you are not a believer bear in mind that you only become a member of God's family when you are born into it at conversion (see John chapter 3). John addresses the little children, the fathers and the young men. Everyone in the family of God can be satisfied and blessed as a result of the work of God in their life. 

There are important lessons in this passage for every believer in Jesus Christ. One of the big ones is that this world is only temporary but God and his purposes are for ever. Make sure you invest in the right thing!

1 John 2:12-17

12 I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake.

13 I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.

14 I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.

15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

For more information visit www.seekthetruth.org.uk

Brexit - Your Choice!

UK nationals will soon be voting whether to stay in the European Union or to leave. Big issues are being raised, such as national security and the future of our economy. Restoring sovereignty to our nation is a big issue!

Wake up and Vote

Politicians are urging folks to wake up and vote, telling them that this will be the greatest decision of their lifetime. I’ve got news for them; there is a bigger decision we all have to make in our lifetime. It affects more than the next generation of Europeans. The consequence of our personal decision affects where we will spend eternity, that is, whether we are in or out of Heaven. The Bible says ‘Choose this day whom you will serve,’ Joshua 24:15.

Scare Tactics

In the E.U. debate the protagonists on both sides are using scare tactics. Warnings of the dangers that lie ahead if the wrong choice is made are being given on a daily basis. There is a danger in making a bad choice. We could make the wrong choice in respect of Europe and have to live with the consequences for many years to come! I am not using scare tactics but I must honest. We could make the wrong choice about God and faith in Jesus Christ and discover too late that there is no recourse or opt out from the destination. An old proverb in the Bible says ‘there is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death,’ Proverbs 14:12.

In or Out

I have never been in extreme danger but it must be a frightening experience. In these situations everyone would want to be out of danger.

But there are also places that we want to be in. We want to be in good health, to be in a good hotel or a good resort when go on holiday. We want to be in a good frame of mind. We need to make the right choice to securing the best result.

One day Jesus had a discussion with people who found him obnoxious. He was never afraid to speak with his opponents and always talked frankly and courteously with them. The discussion is recorded in Luke chapter eleven in the New Testament. As he talked Jesus made it clear that no one could take the middle ground or sit on the fence when it came to their opinion about him. They were either in or out. Did they think he was the Son of God? Or was he a fraud? His actual words were ‘Whoever is not with me is against me,’ Luke 11:23.   

The choice is yours

Europe - in or out? Jesus - in or out? I know what my decision is, do you?  One choice may affect your lifetime, the other will affect your forever!

More info and contact details at www.seekthetruth.org.uk

A Binary Opposition - 1 John 2:7-11

A binary opposition is defined below.

A binary opposition (also binary system) is a pair of related terms or concepts that are opposite in meaning. Binary opposition is the system by which, in language and thought, two theoretical opposites are strictly defined and set off against one another.

Binary opposition - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

We have some examples of this principle in the following verses from the Bible. Old and New, Darkness and Light, Love and Hate. There is no middle ground; you either do one or the other you cannot take the middle ground. 

So it is with your response to the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

• You are either in darkness or light! 
• You are either still a sinner or you are now a saint!
• You have either believed the gospel or you are an unbeliever!
• You are either still dead in your sins or you have eternal life!
• You either love your brother (this is evidence that you are a Christian) or you still hate!

One of the classic verses in the New Testament in this regard is John 5.24; it reads:

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. Lets analyse this:

• You hear, deafness has passed. 
• You believe that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.
• You no longer fear the judgement or condemnation of God. 
• You have passed from a state of deadness in sin to eternal life in Jesus Christ.

Please note the conditions: You hear (deeper than merely listening) the words of the Lord Jesus and you trust God, the Father (the one who sent Jesus Christ, his Son to be the Saviour of the world) for salvation.

1 John 2. 7-11

7 Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning.

8 Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth.

9 He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.

10 He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.

11 But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.

You are very welcome to visit www.seekthetruth.org.uk for more information

Your personal advocate - 1 John 2:1-6

If you are a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ you will no doubt get frustrated at the times when you make mistakes and you end up sinning. It can be so annoying! You don't intent to; in fact you mean to keep your mind clear but you get caught out. There are a couple of passages in the New Testament that deal with these situations.

But first, in the Old Testament we have some healthy guidance in about this topic. The overall lesson of the Psalm 119 is that the word of God is vital and essential to our survival. For instance verse 9 says 'with what shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word'. Verse 11 states 'I have hidden your word in my heart, so that I may not sin against You'. This is all great advice to prevent a believer from sinning!

But what happens when we do sin!

That is where today's passage helps, as does yesterdays!

Yesterday we read in verse 9 - 'If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness'. On our part when we realise that we have sinned we should admit it (confess to God) and God will keep his part of the bargain - Forgive us and cleanse us!

Today we read in 1 John 2:1"And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous'. This verse is teaching that when we sin the Lord Jesus draws along side His Father in heaven on our behalf. He is our advocate, that is the one who represents us before God. He (Jesus) is righteous. He, as a result of his death, made us righteous before God or right with God. On account of his sacrifice (that dealt with our sins) he also maintains our right standing before God.

My dear fellow believer do not give up in despair when you sin. The Lord Jesus who saved you will forgive and cleanse you when you confess your sins but before that even happens he has dealt with the issue in the presence of God. Your confession ensures that you consciously enjoy the benefits of what he has done for you.

1 John 2King James Version (KJV)

2 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.

4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.

6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

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The Key to Life - 1 John 1:1-4 (the Bible)

The key to joy, eternal life, forgiveness, peace with God and salvation is only to be found in one person - Jesus Christ. The record of his life and the truth concerning salvation through his name is only found in the word of God, the Bible.

1 John 1King James Version (KJV)

1 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, of the Word of life;

2 (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)

3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.

4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.

For links to videos, podcasts and blogs explaining the 

message of the gospel of Jesus Christ visit 

www.seekthetruth.org.uk

Advice from Jürgen Klopp

So Liverpool Football Club was in a European Cup Final! Do you know what I liked about the pre-match interviews with Jürgen Klopp  It was his mindset and attitude. He understood that success on the pitch and in big matches didn't define who you are! You are who you are and you seek to do your best but who you are remains unchanged by the end result of any one match or event. 

I know that all seems so convenient now but I feel that he understands this issue well. 

Let me leave you with the words of the Lord Jesus.

Mark 8:31-38

Jesus Foretells His Death and Resurrection

31 And he began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things andbe rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, andafter three days rise again. 32 And he said this plainly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. 33 But turning and seeing his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”

³⁴ And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.³⁵ For whoever would save his life^[d] will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it. ³⁶ For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? ³⁷ For what can a man give in return for his soul?³⁸ For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”

For further explanations and information visit www.seekthetruth.org.uk