1 John

Oh my gosh, I’m reading the preface to 1 John, written by John MacArthur, and he says that 1 John was written around the 90’s and that John was probably writing to combat the Gnostics and several of the other heresy’s that were popping up. The gnostic idea, that sin committed in body, that sin did not matter, sounds like what we are thinking now. People are saying that sin doesn’t matter because Jesus paid the price for our sins. But John emphasizes the need for obedience to God’s law. John defined the true love of God as obedience to His commands, John 5:3

For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. His commandments are not burdensome.

 
Basics of Christianity per John MacArthur

The need for obedience

The need for love

The need for a proper view of Christ

PRACTICE RIGHTEOUSNESS
Live a habitual life of righteousness.

Christ died on the cross to transform sinners. Those truly born again have replaced the habit of sin with the habit of righteous living.

MacArthur wrote that the gospel of John was written for unbelievers – so that they might believe. The epistle of John was written to believers so that they could be reassured of their eternal life in Him. (LOVE THIS!)

End notes from reading MacArthurs preface to 1 John.

Could you imagine being John? The beloved of Jesus? Living to a very old age and being THE witness to our Lord? There is so much information and reassurance in 1 John. I read it out loud today, this Sunday afternoon. There were times my voice cracked when I was overwhelmed with emotion. Imagine, we are called Children of God.

God, our Father sent us Jesus. When Jesus ascended back into heaven, He left us the Holy Spirit and we have His Word, the Bible. We have Jesus as our intercessor in heaven and the Holy Spirit within us, here on earth. God covers us with His love while we are here in His creation . . . I could keep going on but my heart and mind is overwhelmed. I haven't even mentioned prayer.