For a full description of the (Y3) reading plan, see the “About” page.
- What attributes of God’s character does this passage reveal?
- How does the passage point to Jesus?
- How should the truth of this passage change me?
- How do the events of today’s reading help you better understand the grand narrative of Scripture?
1 Jn. 4
I am more and more convinced that the book of Revelation is not a prophecy of some future series of events. Certainly, some of the Revelation events have not yet happened, but I believe many of them have, are, and will continue to happen until the appointed end of time. What John wrote about false prophets in this chapter supports this thought. He wrote, “Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard is coming; even now it is already in the world.” (1 Jn. 4:2b-3). No need to wait – the antichrist is here! Every teaching that contradicts, denies, adds to, or otherwise opposes Jesus Christ is antichrist. And all who follow such teachings bear the mark of their evil master.
1 Jn. 5
If we believe the testimony that God gave us eternal life through Jesus and accept the gift He gave, that gift is ours forever. God doesn’t just give life; He gives eternal life. That is forever, folks. It wouldn’t be a forever promise if it was something we could lose. But can we reject it after we accept it? I honestly don’t know. I see a lot of comments in the Bible about people turning away from the faith after being a part of it. However I also see comments like the one John makes in this chapter. “We know that everyone who has been born of God does not sin, but the one who is born of God keeps him, and the evil one does not touch him.” (1 Jn. 5:18). That indicates to me that God has the power to keep those who are His in Christ.
What I tend to believe from all of that is that there are people who believe the testimony is true and they may make pretense of accepting it for a time. But for whatever reason, they never really do accept it for themselves. It’s like the parable of the sower that Jesus told. Some lose heart when life gets hard. Others can’t let go of the things of the world. Both of these fall prey to the spirit of antichrist, who seems to offer them something better; something easier or more satisfying to their flesh. Whatever the case, they never truly circumcised their hearts, dying to their flesh and being born anew in the eternal life God gives us through Christ Jesus.
2 Jn. 1
It seems like John addressed this letter in code. Not only did he not name himself, but he did not name the recipient or his cohorts. It gives me the impression that the “elect lady” and her “elect sister” are churches in different places. Whatever the case, John reiterates the point that the antichrist is already among us. He also makes another interesting statement. “Anyone who does not remain in Christ’s teaching but goes beyond it does not have God.” (2 Jn. 1:9a). To me, this speaks to what I refer to as “Jesus and…” beliefs. Things that come to mind are Jesus and works, Jesus and the teachings of some other so-called prophet, or Jesus and some other go-between, like a priest. John makes it pretty clear to me that if you don’t believe that Jesus is enough, you didn’t get the message.
3 Jn. 1
I have two quick thoughts from this short book. First, I notice that John says the same thing Paul often said. “I have no greater joy than this: to hear that my children are walking in truth.” (3 Jn. 1:4). Neither man simply went out and witnessed to people. Those who came to Christ through their testimonies were like children to them. They took full responsibility for them. In the same way, I think we are meant to take responsibility for each other, as fellow believers. We should feel the pain of those who struggle with their faith and also the joy of those who stand firm.
The other quick thought is from verse 8. “Therefore, we ought to support such people so that we can be coworkers with the truth.” (3 Jn. 1:8). I have long supported a few missionaries for this very reason. Though I don’t travel the world reaching the unreached for Christ or raise my support from donors in order to ‘volunteer’ my time and efforts to support those out in the field, I can still offer financial support to both groups of people. This give me a way to be involved in what God is doing far beyond my own reach. I am grateful for the work these people do. And I am equally grateful that God allows me to share in some small way in what He is doing through them.