Note for 2024/08/16

The Audio Version of today’s note available at https://on.soundcloud.com/BWzKsovz7a7ASLHx7

The House of Bread · Note For 20240816 - 1 John 1_1 - 10 KJV - GOD Is Light

1 John 1:1-10 KJV

[1] That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; [2] (for the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) [3] that which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. [4] And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. [5] This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. [6] If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: [7] but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. [8] If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. [9] If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. [10] If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

https://bible.com/bible/1/1jn.1.1-10.KJV

The Lord is our Salvation, we cannot attain purity without the cleansing by His sacrifice upon the cross in our stead. When we walk after righteousness, we are less likely to fall into every trap that was set in darkness. Nonetheless, when we fail, we must be quick to repent, and walk away from such darkness. And as we repent in truth, bringing our error to the light of Christ, before our Father in Heaven, He is quick to forgive. It is the Lord that cleanses us, and the Spirit of GOD that brings us comfort and peace.

I have this consideration, that any man that looks at himself and says, "I am a good man," has not looked at himself deep enough. For man, is inheritantly walking by self-interest. So, we are called to love our neighbor as ourselves, to do for others as we would do for ourselves. And as we pray for ourselves for forgiveness, we intercede also by Our Father in Heaven for our neighbor. So we pray, forgive us our trespasses. But, we also pray, as we forgive those that trespass against us. Love covers a multitude of sins.

If we walk in darkness, then His light is not in us. So we bring that of darkness to light in confession of our sin. If we forgive another, we cover what was done to us, and seek forgiveness for our brothers and sisters before the Lord too. Lay not this charge against them for my sake. Forgive them for they know not what they do. In the light of GOD'S love for us, there is room to forgive all in the Name of Jesus Christ, who forgave us first. The Lord died on that cross for a sinner like me, and the walk of my life is to lay that man of sin down and walk forward in the righteousness of Christ our Lord and Savior. So the walk of the believer is with the intention of righteousness, to do what is right and proper before the Lord our God, towards all mankind. In failure, we are brought to stand on our feet again, by the forgiveness we have received in Jesus Christ.

The godless walks with the intention of greed and lust, coveting what is not his. He walks without excuse, he takes in profit, causing the losses for others. Indeed he admits no wrong and thinks himself entitled to all this world can give. By their fruit shall you know them. In such ways, the man of God should not walk after it. For the love of GOD is not in such.

There was a time when I did not understand. And yes like the psalmist, I viewed the world and saw the prosperity of the wicked. It was discouraging, that I who tried to do what is right suffered so much, while those that walk as brutes, took all they pleased and got away with it. Even boasting on how they made their gains.

Now I am much older, and those that I looked at then, that walked in such ways unrepentant, are no longer here. And some of those eventually did repent, and they are still around.

Friends, we should not judge one another; but even as we intercede for those we love, we are not blind to error, that is why we pray for them and also for ourselves. We should, however, not convict but help where we can, for the sake of the souls of those we love. Not help to permit further wickedness, but help our friend to see the light, by walking contrary to the way of this world. Never boastful, but humbly, in the meekness that is profitable before the Lord. Yes, turn the other cheek, walk two miles instead of the one that was requested. Some take longer to notice than others. The challenge, my friends, is in the "love your enemy" commandment.

We are now nearly all read through the Word of GOD, we are at the last mile of our reading. What then have we learned through it all? We have read of all the examples set in the word of GOD, the records of good versus evil. Now, I know that you have not all been with us since the very beginning, but I hope that you will be when we start again. As part of mankind, we commit to so much that we should not have, can we commit to something good? The end is in sight, how then shall we apply what we have learned? Is it not in the love that we have read of? Then we have learned that we are saved by grace and purposed for the will of GOD.

By now, I don't think you will find it strange when I say: This morning as I prayed, the Lord said to me, "Keep your eyes on me, and I will take care of the rest." Now, of course, there is some context. For I was praying in concern for others, also in concern that I remain in that which He called me too. Of course, as always, there is scriptural support. Romans 8 :28, which I will highlight hereafter. The Lord did not call you to failure friends. He called you to life everlasting in Jesus Christ.

Shalom

Romans 8:28 KJV

[28] And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

https://bible.com/bible/1/rom.8.28.KJV

YouVersion Bible Verse of the Day

John 20:29 KJV

[29] Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

https://bible.com/bible/1/jhn.20.29.KJV

From Psalms

Psalm 73:1-28 KJV

[1] Truly God is good to Israel, Even to such as are of a clean heart. [2] But as for me, my feet were almost gone; My steps had well nigh slipped. [3] For I was envious at the foolish, When I saw the prosperity of the wicked. [4] For there are no bands in their death: But their strength is firm. [5] They are not in trouble as other men; Neither are they plagued like other men. [6] Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; Violence covereth them as a garment. [7] Their eyes stand out with fatness: They have more than heart could wish. [8] They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: They speak loftily. [9] They set their mouth against the heavens, And their tongue walketh through the earth. [10] Therefore his people return hither: And waters of a full cup are wrung out to them. [11] And they say, How doth God know? And is there knowledge in the most High? [12] Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches. [13] Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency. [14] For all the day long have I been plagued, And chastened every morning. [15] If I say, I will speak thus; Behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children. [16] When I thought to know this, It was too painful for me; [17] Until I went into the sanctuary of God; Then understood I their end. [18] Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: Thou castedst them down into destruction. [19] How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! They are utterly consumed with terrors. [20] As a dream when one awaketh; So, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image. [21] Thus my heart was grieved, And I was pricked in my reins. [22] So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee. [23] Nevertheless I am continually with thee: Thou hast holden me by my right hand. [24] Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, And afterward receive me to glory. [25] Whom have I in heaven but thee? And there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. [26] My flesh and my heart faileth: But God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. [27] For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: Thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee. [28] But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, That I may declare all thy works.

https://bible.com/bible/1/psa.73.1-28.KJV