Note For 20240819 - 1 John 4 1 - 21 KJV

Audio Note For 20240819 - 1 John 4 1 - 21 KJV - GOD Is Love

The House of Bread · Note For 20240819 - 1 John 4 1 - 21 KJV - GOD Is Love

1 John 4:1-21 KJV

[1] Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. [2] Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: [3] and every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. [4] Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. [5] They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. [6] We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error. [7] Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. [8] He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. [9] In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. [10] Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. [11] Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. [12] No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. [13] Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. [14] And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. [15] Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. [16] And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. [17] Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. [18] There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. [19] We love him, because he first loved us. [20] If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? [21] And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.

https://bible.com/bible/1/1jn.4.1-21.KJV

Note for 2024/08/19

God is love.

John gives us a simple guide of how to test spirits. Interestingly, he immediately goes from that statement directly into the many false prophets that have gone out into the world. Is there a connection there? I believe so, that man is moved by the spirit in him. If you consider it a little, if you dwell on it and what all it implies, the thought of it can become somewhat disturbing. I have asked this question before, if not moved by the Holy Spirit of GOD, by who then? What is the spirit behind so much that is done in this world? It reminds me of when I was in school and the cheerleaders would sing, "we have the spirit, how about you?" Now I question, which spirit exactly were we supposed to have?

It is said that wisdom comes with age, but today, as an old man, I wonder if there is any truth in that, because of how foolish I feel at times. It has always been right in front of us to see, and the world honors the spirits that they moved by. Now I know that I am not of the same spirit that those cheerleaders ask me if I had. The question then is how much have I misidentified before? Does the labeling on some alcoholic beverages not clearly state that it is a spirit? And the Word does speak on strong drinks. Does it speak to a state of mind? What does it then speak to, regarding what we see play out in the world around us, which spirits then move man roundabout in the ways they move? What then is the motivation behind inspiration, and who or what does it come from? John writes to try the spirits, if they are of GOD.

Greater is He that is in us, than he that is in this world. GOD is love, and if He is in us, then we will be moved by the agape love of GOD. How easily is love and lust confused? The enemy presents a counterfeit and corrupt form of what comes from GOD. The counterfeit, self-serving, while the pure truth requires to stand in service of one another in the love of GOD. The question remains in me right now, how much have I misunderstood?

What is the world then selling to us? What are the marketing campaigns that work so hard, to establish in us, to want? What is the true purpose of the silver screens of Hollywood then? And the news? And sport? What all distracts us from our true purpose here on earth, what consumes our time? What are the messages from this world, and who are their messengers? Are our lives then built up by fictions? What exactly is communicated by this world for us to mold our lives after; and what is the spirit that is behind it?

John states that we should try these spirits, have we? What is of GOD comes of love and must acknowledge that Jesus Christ is the only Begotten Son of GOD that came to us in the flesh. So, I ask you, what are we involved in then, that we shouldn't be?

It is time, friends, to qualify what we do and what we say, if it be of the GOD of Love. Whether we reflect the Light of GOD from within us. Is it love that competes with your brother for that coveted position? Is it love that says, "I am better than you?"

It is time to consider what is the nature of love, and not to be fooled by this world any longer. This can only be accomplished if we are in the Spirit of GOD, and God in us. Then we may be in the peace of GOD.

Shalom

YouVersion Bible Verse of the Day

(Expanded)

1 Corinthians 10:10-17 KJV

[10] Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. [11] Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. [12] Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. [13] There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. [14] Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry. [15] I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say. [16] The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? [17] For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.

https://bible.com/bible/1/1co.10.10-17.KJV

From the Prophets

I received Habakkuk 3 from a brother in the faith, but will simply leave a link for you to go and read it if you want. Together with that, I also leave a link to the entire chapter from which the Verse of the Day came from.

1. Habakkuk 3:1-19 KJV https://bible.com/bible/1/hab.3.1-19.KJV

2. 1 Corinthians 10:1-33 KJV https://bible.com/bible/1/1co.10.1-33.KJV

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