Category Archives: church
a certain future
Revelation 5. John sees a scroll – a picture depicting all the events that must take place for all creation to be reconciled to God. The only one worthy of opening the scroll – thus revealing the future – is … Continue reading
the future of overcomers (2)
Revelation 3. Christ promised a future for those who persevered against the difficulties that they would face and stayed true to him: For overcomers in Sardis, Christ promised the white robes of victory and celebration (1-6; 19:7-8). For overcomers in … Continue reading
the future of overcomers (1)
Revelation 2. Christ does not promise a future for mere attenders . He required his churches to produce overcomers. Each church had a danger that it faced. For those within these four churches who overcame – Christ had special promises: … Continue reading
authenticity: spotting fakes
Jude. Jude wrote on a similar topic as John’s letters. His concern was that the church had opened its doors to false Christians, who had infiltrated it. He likened them to: Cain, who killed his brother out of jealousy (11). … Continue reading
Posted in church, commitment, discernment, discipleship, genuineness, integrity, ministry
Tagged Jude
Leave a comment
authenticity: finding balance
3 John. In his second letter, John had encouraged believers not to associate with deceivers who taught new things. In this third letter, he deals with the opposite problem. Diotrephes – apparently a leader in the church John writes to … Continue reading
authenticity: staying in the truth
2 John. John’s second letter was to a church group. Although he addressed it to “the elect lady and her children” all of the commands in it are plural, which suggests he had the group in mind. He encouraged them … Continue reading
Posted in church, commitment, faithfulness, gospel, grace, heresies, truth
Tagged 2 John
Leave a comment
authenticity: things we just know
1 John 5. John concludes this letter with a list of things that authentic believers know. There is no doubt about it: We love each other (2). We have eternal life in Christ (13). God hears our prayers (14-15). We … Continue reading
Posted in church, confidence, discernment, eternal life, relationship with God, truth
Tagged 1 John 5
Leave a comment
tests of authenticity
1 John 4. Is your faith genuine? Here are some tests to determine the authenticity of a profession of faith. Do I confess that Jesus is God’s Son who has come in the flesh? (2,15) Do I love other believers, … Continue reading
authenticity: children of God
1 John 3:4-24. John agrees with James that confession of faith is not proof of faith. True children of God are going to stop habitually sinning, and start habitually loving each other. If we say that the blood of Christ … Continue reading
authenticity: abiding in Him
1 John 2:18-3:3. Some time in the first century, there was apparently an exodus from the Church. A number of people who were thought to be Christians left, and started their own groups. Then they sought to convince those who … Continue reading
Devotions 