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Category Archives: genuineness
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
authenticity: mutual appreciation
1 John 2:7-17. Real Christians rejoice in the differences they have with others. There is no competition among the children, the young men, and the fathers. There is mutual appreciation and love among the brothers and sisters. LORD, help us … Continue reading
authenticity: obedience and confession
1 John 1:1-2:6. John had lived and served Jesus for a good long time. His concern for the churches under his charge was that they had been infiltrated by people whose faith was pretense. He wanted to remind his readers … Continue reading
Posted in church, confession, discipleship, faith, genuineness
Tagged 1 John 1, 1 John 2
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after faith: body life
James 5:13-20. James shows that faith in Christ is more than a personal conviction. It leads to body life. Genuine faith in a community means that the whole body of believers: prays for one another (14). confesses to one another … Continue reading
Posted in church, confession, discipleship, genuineness, giving, prayer, reconciliation
Tagged James 5
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after faith: no wisdom wars
James 3:13-18. James had warned the churches not to produce too many teachers. It seems that the churches were in danger of wisdom wars – where teachers would compete with each other for the loyalty of the other believers. James … Continue reading
Posted in church, conflict, discipleship, divisions, faith, gentleness, genuineness, kindness
Tagged James 3
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after faith: proof
James 2:14-26. After faith comes into a person’s life, there will always be things that the person does that demonstrate the validity of that faith. These works could never be the basis of that person’s salvation, but they can prove … Continue reading
Posted in church, discipleship, faith, faithfulness, genuineness, grace, works
Tagged James 2
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after faith: impartiality
James 2:1-13. James continues to show what it is supposed to look like after faith in Christ has come into a person’s life. One of the differences is that believers see each other differently. They do not judge by … Continue reading
after faith: his creatures
James 1. The purpose of James’ letter was to encourage a group of Jewish churches to stay true to their faith in Christ, and allow that faith to control their actions. Faith should produce steadfast living in times … Continue reading
Posted in discipleship, faith, faithfulness, genuineness, perseverance, witness
Tagged James 1
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emotions from the Holy Spirit
Luke 19:28-44. Two emotions are expressed in this passage. First, the spontaneous joy that the disciples felt as they introduced Jerusalem to its king. When the Pharisees objected to this display, Jesus told them that “if these were silent, the … Continue reading
renouncing all for the Holy Spirit
Luke 14. Genuine discipleship is free to all by God’s grace. It is bought by the sacrificial death of Christ on the cross, and offered freely to all by those who proclaim the gospel of the kingdom (24). But we … Continue reading
Posted in commitment, discipleship, genuineness, gospel, Holy Spirit, Uncategorized
Tagged Luke 14
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Devotions 