| Author | Message | ||
| Jrt Registered user Username: Jrt Post Number: 1275 Registered: 10-2008 |
We are going to take just a short section from 1 John this time and a longer section next time. This section from 1 John can be convicting when we personally apply it to our lives.
Since the word "world" is used so often it would be wise to pay attention to it. 1.) What does the word "world" mean in this passage? (1John 5:19 and is their other places that speak of the "world" - feel free to share with us the scriptures you found!) 2.) State in your own words what the world's characteristics are that John refers to? (verse 16) 3.) What is the will of God? Can you find other places that John mentions the will of God? Lastly, ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you the areas in your own life that mirror the "world". What will you do about them? Carolyn (Message edited by jrt on October 21, 2012) | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 14060 Registered: 12-2003  |
1. The "world" is the "domain of darkness" (Col 1:13) into which we are all born as "children of wrath" (Eph. 2:3). The "world" is all the people of the earth. 1 John 5:19 tells us "the world" is everything around us that is not in the Kingdom of God's Beloved Son (Col 1:13). It's the natural order of things in the physical realm where we live. 2. The characteristics of the world are the natural desires of the flesh: pride, control, fear, shame, guilt. 3. John 6:56: "He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him." This verse describes "abiding"...and it seems to be related to knowing His will. John 6:29 says, "This is the work of God; that you believe in Him whom He has sent." I see John saying that doing the will of God is believing in Jesus and "eating His flesh and drinking His blood". That means we have to receive the gift of His perfect physical sacrifice which paid the blood-price demanded for human sin. Colleen | ||
| Jrt Registered user Username: Jrt Post Number: 1276 Registered: 10-2008 |
I have just been reading from a commentary from Vernon McGee on First John. He has an interesting take on what the word world means as it is used in chapter 2 of 1 John. He says that when John mentions the world here he is not referring to the physical world nor is he referring to the world of humanity. Vernon McGee sites John 3:16 ... "for God so loved the world that He ..." The greek word for "world"here is kosmos. "It means the world system, the organized system headed by Satan which leaves God out and is actually in opposition to Him. The thing which we need to hate today is this thing in the world which is organized against God." (pg. 56) McGee also talks about how the Bible uses the phrase "the prince of this world" to refer to Satan and His system that is set against God. Ephesians 2:2 talks about following the "course of this world" and the course is the system that is set against God. I find it interesting that many young people and some former Adventists find it hard to talk about not following the system of this world. Two words are particularly difficult for former Adventist when they leave ... obedience and sin. In Adventism they have been indoctrinated with the idea that obedience is completely attached to the word salvation. Many on this forum have spoken about their knee jerk reactions when Christian pastors use the words obedience and sin. I, too, have had those knee-jerk reactions. Early in my transition I was horrified after one sermon - not realizing that the pastor had no intention of attaching the word obedience to one's salvation. My ears were just so sensitive to that meaning that I immediately reacted. I find in 1 John a sense of urgency from John - don't do this! Be obedient ... and by the way - you will sin! So don't forget you have Jesus Who has paid it. John in 1 John is sharing how to identify a follower of Christ. A follower of Christ does not seek the world's system that is set against God. | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 14064 Registered: 12-2003 |
Carolyn, great insights. Our SDA knee-jerk reactions to "obedience and sin" are yet one more manifestation of the horrifying but subtle "twist" to reality that formerly kept us in blindness. If Jesus is the center of reality instead of humans and Satan, everything relates differently to everything else! Colleen |
