1 John 5. John concludes this letter with a list of things that authentic believers know. There is no doubt about it:
The accusers make all kinds of condemning claims in our ears. We do not have to believe them. We know who we are in Christ, and that is what matters.
1 John 4. Is your faith genuine? Here are some tests to determine the authenticity of a profession of faith.
LORD, we put our faith in Christ, and seek to love as he loved. We put our confidence in you, not in ourselves.
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 has made us righteous before God, then our lives are going to produce righteous practices. Our lives are to be proof of our testimony.
LORD, we want to prove who we are by what we do.
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 stayed to leave as well. John called these people antichrists. He chose a word that connoted an appropriate sense of fear and repulsion. He wanted to remind the believers how serious it is to defect from the body of Christ. He wanted to encourage those who claimed to be Christians to stay with (abide in) Him.
LORD, we want to stay with you.
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 to love one another, and express our authenticity in a world filled with the unreal, which is passing away.
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 what real faith in Jesus was. He begins his letter with two marks of authentic Christianity:
Christ accomplished our cleansing by the spilling of his own blood on Calvary’s cross. By obeying his commands, and getting his forgiveness when we do not, we can stay fresh.
LORD, forgive us our sins, and keep us focused on obeying you. We want that fresh, clean feeling all day.
John 21. Rather than end his gospel account with the story of the public ascension of Christ, John chooses to conclude with a discourse between Jesus and Peter. This disciple – who had denied Jesus three times, is asked if he loves Jesus – three times. Peter was grieved by the question, but affirmed his love. Jesus responded with the call to…
We cannot love Christ while despising or shunning his people. We cannot love Christ while refusing to obey his commandments. He can restore us, but it may not be easy for us.
LORD, restore us to the devotion and love for you that you deserve. Teach us to serve your sheep, and follow your commands.
John 20. Jesus was raised from the dead and lives today. The Scripture predicted it, but even those who experienced his resurrection did not understand it (9). We cannot see him today, because he has gone back to his Father in heaven (17). Because he represents us in heaven, we can represent him on earth — offering his forgiveness to those who repent and believe (23). The gospel gives opportunity to those who dare to believe it to receive a special blessing, imparted to those who believe Jesus even though they cannot see him (29). We can have life in his name (30).
LORD, we believe in you. Help us to reach others with the good news that you are alive.
John 19:17-42. The elements of John’s depiction of the crucifixion show us memories of the event that John could never forget.
LORD, we did not see the sights that day, but we remember them too. They remind us of the price that you paid for our deliverance. Thank you.
John 18:28-19:16. The stated reason for Jesus’ arrest, trial and crucifixion was that he had made himself a king, and thus was opposing Caesar (19:12). But the real reason the Jews were offended at him is that he claimed to be the Son of God (19:7). In fact, he is both.
But Christ’s kingdom is not of this world, but the next. He was no threat to Caesar’s throne, but one day Caesar and everyone else will bow the knee and acknowledge his Lordship.
Jesus was obviously a misunderstood man, but he is more. He is the only hope for humanity – God’s king, and God’s Son. He is our destiny – all because he went to the cross for us – in our place.
LORD, we choose to submit to your Son as our king.
