Thoughts on the Bible Readings December 17th (Job 21; Zephaniah 3; 1 John 3, 4)

From verses 11-24 we are shown that how we behave towards our brethren demonstrates our parentage. Do we live a live congruent with our claims? The gospel of John shows how our frequently repeated the words of our Lord Jesus Christ reveal this truth. The motive for the first murder in the Bible was envy progressing into hate. We must always attribute the best motives to our brethren. Slandering, or belittling, others incurs the displeasure of our Father. Cain was banished from God's presence and separated from the hope of a life with the Father. Yahweh sent His Son to lay down his own precious life to bring us into fellowship. Though we may have many a doubt (because we are weak humans) the LORD knows our motives, better than we can understand them ourselves (1 Corinthians 4verses1-5). Our Father is ready, willing and able to lovingly respond to our needs and requests (see Romans 8verses28-39). Chapter 4 commences with the need to test whether the teachings - i.e. this is also a testing of the teachers - are true ("try the spirits"), and from God. John in chapter 2 has already told his readers that the errors of the antichrist were active among the community of the disciples. One of the prime identifying features would be the belief in the Trinity, which originated in catechism 312 AD (having been debated by believers for decades prior to endorsing that view. The acceptance that the Lord Jesus Christ was part of a triune God is completely counter to the entire teaching of the Scriptures (even the Encyclopaedia Britannica admits this in its article on the Trinity). Jesus was completely a man, even though he was the Son of God. John 1verses1-18 tell us his beginnings were when he was born (compare Acts 10verses38-43). Jesus came in the flesh (Hebrews 2verses8-18) and this was the only understanding of the first century community of faithful believers (read "The Apostles' Creed"). Believers need to listen to God and His Word, not human speculations from false teachers. From verses 7-21 we are further told how "God is love". When we love each other with a true heart and fervently it is a witness that we are God's children. The Father's love in redeeming an erring race has been seen from the time of Creation. Its pinnacle was reached in the sending of His Son to provide a ransom for us. Our Lord was able to comply with His Father's will because of their unity of love and purpose in providing a place for our acceptance on the basis of Truth believed and sins forgiven. An understanding of this and a life lived sacrificially in love and service is the only life a disciple can live.Anything else is nothing but a hypocritical lie.Thanks for joining us - we pray you found these comments helpful in your appreciation of God's words, join again tomorrow