TESTING THE SPIRITS Every person claiming to teach God's law is not from God (Matthew 7:15-20). Moses told the children of Israel they could test a prophet by whether or not his words came to pass (Deuteronomy 18:22). If the prophet's words came to pass and he tried to get the people to follow other... [ Continue Reading ]
DISTINGUISHING BETWEEN THE SPIRITS OF TRUTH AND ERROR The Christians' victory over such false teachers is assured because they are on God's side (Romans 8:31). The false teachers had abiding in them the spirit of the devil who is the prince of this world (Ephesians 2:1-2; Ephesians 6:10-13). They f... [ Continue Reading ]
GOD'S CHILDREN ARE KNOWN BY THEIR LOVE God's children can be identified by their love for others, which was first demonstrated by the Father. God was willing to give up His Son for the good of those loved, and Christians must be willing to give up self for the sake of others. Some may have yielded... [ Continue Reading ]
LOVE, A MEANS OF SEEING GOD No man has ever seen God in the fullness of His nature (John 1:18). However, Jesus came to declare the nature of God to man. While man has not seen God in all His glory, when believers love one another, He indwells them and His love is brought to maturity in them. As one... [ Continue Reading ]
MATURE LOVE GIVES ONE BOLDNESS IN JUDGMENT When the love of God becomes mature in His children, like the ripening of fruit, they can face the judgment with boldness. Such boldness arises from the fact that Christians are of Christ in that they have taken on His great nature of love. When John says... [ Continue Reading ]
LOVING THE BRETHREN Generally speaking, it is easier to love that which is near and seen than that which is far away and unseen. Earlier, John had said, "No one has seen God at any time (verse 12). It is important to remember that man was created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27). Christians sho... [ Continue Reading ]