Senior Teacher, Desiring God. Chancellor, Bethlehem College and Seminary. Advocate for serious joy in God through Jesus Christ at any cost.
Minneapolis, MN
Joined March 2009
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“No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God.” 1 John 3:9
Are you at home in the practice of sin? Or has sin become a foreign land where you feel out of place?
“We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death.” 1 John 3:14
New life loves. That’s what it does. By nature.
“We know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.” 1 John 3:2–3
If we are not pursuing purity, we are not hoping for Jesus.
Jesus told them plainly, “Lazarus has died, and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe.” John 11:14–15
From this we learn that contrary emotions are possible in the same soul at the same time. Gladness that he was not there was not gladness in Martha and Mary’s pain. That was sympathy.
“Ah, shepherds of Israel who have been feeding yourselves! Should not shepherds feed the sheep?” Ezekiel 34:2
“God makes nations great, and he destroys them; he enlarges nations, and leads them away.” Job 12:23
Let this global wonder make you bold.
“In the thought of one who is at ease there is contempt for misfortune.” Job 12:5
O Lord, make every blessing a cause of compassion, not contempt.
“Abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming.” 1 John 2:28
The branch that is drawing its life and joy from the vine will not be ashamed when the vine appears in glory.
“If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father.” 1 John 2:24
Our vital fellowship with Christ depends on holding fast to the truth and preciousness of his message. His personal presence is known by his cherished word.
“The works that I do in my Father’s name bear witness about me, but you do not believe because you are not among my sheep.” John 10:25–26
If you believe on Jesus, be on your face with thankfulness that you were chosen to be his sheep. For that is why you believe.
If you do not believe on Jesus, immerse yourself in his story until you see that he is true.
“The world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.” 1 John 2:17
And the will of God is that we have desires that are not the world’s desires.
“Your heart was proud because of your beauty; you corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor.” Ezekiel 28:17
Spoken of a city. But pity the women and men whose life is their looks.
God’s word to the city of Tyre: “By your great wisdom in your trade you have increased your wealth, and your heart has become proud in your wealth.” Ezekiel 28:5
Smart. Rich. Proud. Dead.
“By this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments.” 1 John 2:3
A knowing that infallibly produces obedience.
“God made the Bear and Orion, the Pleiades and the chambers of the south; he does great things beyond searching out, and marvelous things beyond number.” Job 9:9–10
“Beyond number!”
So, we will never run out of fresh causes for more amazement. God cannot be boring.
“How can a man be in the right before God? If one wished to contend with him, one could not answer him once in a thousand times.” Job 9:2–3
So, let us cry out to him with all humility and submission, “Why!” and, “How!” And if he does not answer, let us put our hands on our mouth, and trust him.
“If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7
Walking in the light is the necessary confirmation of saving faith without which there is no forgiveness of sins.
So, walking in the light can’t mean perfection. Else there’d be no sins to forgive.