Note for 20240822 - 3 John 1 KJV - The Children of Disobedience

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The House of Bread · Voice Note For 20240822 - 3 John 1 KJV - The Children Of Disobedience

3 John 1 KJV

[1] The elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth. [2] Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. [3] For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth. [4] I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. [5] Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers; [6] which have borne witness of thy charity before the church: whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou shalt do well: [7] because that for his name's sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles. [8] We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth. [9] I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. [10] Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church. [11] Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God. [12] Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, and we also bear record; and ye know that our record is true. [13] I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen write unto thee: [14] but I trust I shall shortly see thee, and we shall speak face to face. Peace be to thee. Our friends salute thee. Greet the friends by name.

https://bible.com/bible/1/3jn.1.1-14.KJV

Note for 2024/08/22

This is an interesting chapter, and yes, there is the well wishing and blessings, which is easy to understand; but, then, there is this about the one that is counter action, according to the report, in word and deed. Hence, he that doeth good is of GOD; but he that doeth evil has not seen GOD.

This may surprise some of you, but I used to be a policeman. At the time I went through training, South Africa was going through a rough time. So, we had additional training in riot control. We were taught to look for the instigators of the crowd of people, those who shouted loudly and made the masses violent. That sounds somewhat the same as what John writes of here regarding Diotrephes.

I mention this, because of what we have learned before regarding riotous and lawless behavior in the Word. It also brings the concept of gossip, backbiting and backstabbing to the forefront; if it be of GOD? Are you familiar with these things? Do you know such a thorn in the flesh, that is constantly working against good efforts? The Word guides us to try every spirit, if it be of GOD.

What of habit and practice, that is as if it is anti-Christ? What of those tasks we are met with in the world, that goes against the grain of our common faith? Can a system be anti-Christ? Who is it then that works against the faith in Christ Jesus, our Lord?

Now, what example do we have in the Word of GOD? Did Daniel cease in His worship of GOD, regardless of the king's decree that he would face death? No, he was thrown into the Lion's den for his faith in GOD. And his friends? Were they not thrown into the furnace? Now consider what happened to them; was Daniel torn by the lions?

It is easy to practice your faith in a place that has religious tolerance for all. How did that work out for Israel back then? Solomon had tolerance and even built temples to other gods for his wives, and for that, the tribes of Jacob were torn in two. How much tolerance does it take to change the faith?

Friends, we are standing at the door of a global shift regarding tolerance. Freedom of religion is under attack, and the question I ask myself is, why? We can see it from the world's perspective, but what good would it do? For we have those like Diotrephes online, censoring what is heard by the people. When will the Good News of Jesus Christ be censored out entirely? We indeed stand in such a moment, as we see the same riotous behavior in almost every major city center across the world. Governments being overthrown, the people in revolt. Who then is shouting the loudest? Who is stirring up the people? Look and see. They hide their faces, they come in shades of darkness, but at the forefront, there are those presenting themselves as angels of light.

How would you know what is coming, if all the warning signs are missed and even ignored willfully?

No, these like Diotrephes are of the most dangerous kind. For they will win the favor of the masses by speaking those things the carnal mind and heart is after. What breaks the morals of the people? Did Balaam not send women of Moab to the camp of Israel, to seduce them to immoral behavior? The records left for us are examples for us. Who and what is then threatening our way of life in Christ Jesus? Or shall I rather ask, what is left of the teachings of Christ, as we see the projected church (as the gathering places in brick places) permitting more and more acts of abomination in the midst of them? Becoming more like life-coaches, than bringing the Word of GOD in Truth. As sirens, luring people in by acts of entertainment; bringing the concept of "come as you are" to a point of acceptance of immoral behavior.

Friends, open your eyes and see who is infiltrating the church. Then I must say with the Apostles, strange men have come in unawares. The people coming into all kinds of knowledge, lacking godliness. Hearing the words of soothsayer, and watching the entertainment of Jezebels. What will they indulge in next?

Keep then the watch, friends; see the truth of things. For truth reveals even the nature of darkness. It exposes the motives, and the spirits in which it comes, if it be of GOD or not. Who looks to the fleshly side of things? Who looks to the spiritual, and if then in spirit, is it of GOD or him who can present himself as an angel of light? Be careful of those like Diotrephes, who prevent the edification of the church and the message of Good Hope in Christ our Lord, by presenting the hopes of mankind as the ultimate solution to the state of mankind.

Try every spirit, if it be of GOD.

Shalom.

YouVersion Bible Verse of the Day

(Expanded)

Acts 3:19-23 KJV

[19] Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; [20] and he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: [21] whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began. [22] For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. [23] And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people.

https://bible.com/bible/1/act.3.19-23.KJV

From a Brother in the Faith

Ephesians 2:1-9 KJV

[1] And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; [2] wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: [3] among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. [4] But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, [5] even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) [6] and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: [7] that in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. [8] For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: [9] not of works, lest any man should boast.

https://bible.com/bible/1/eph.2.1-9.KJV

From Proverbs

Proverbs 1:10-16 KJV

[10] My son, if sinners entice thee, Consent thou not. [11] If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, Let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause: [12] Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; And whole, as those that go down into the pit: [13] We shall find all precious substance, We shall fill our houses with spoil: [14] Cast in thy lot among us; Let us all have one purse: [15] My son, walk not thou in the way with them; Refrain thy foot from their path: [16] For their feet run to evil, And make haste to shed blood.

https://bible.com/bible/1/pro.1.10-16.KJV