2 John 7Many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Some think that Jesus was a divine personage who only seemed to have a body. This, John says, would be a lie. The opposite, however, is equally deceptive. He wasn’t just a dude who claimed to be God. Jesus Christ, as we see it in Scripture, was simultaneously all God and all man. ...  Read More

1 John 5:21Little children, keep yourselves from idols. John Calvin has famously said, “the human heart is an idol factory.” There’s just no way around it. We are hard-wired for worship. If Jesus is not the object of your fierce devotion and tender affection you will manufacture little deities. Causes and careers will be your idols and icons. Hobbies and pursuits will be your gods and goddesses. P...  Read More

1 John 4:18There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. Being afraid of someone is not a very loving thing to do. Think about that. We don’t typically equate being intimidated with being unloving, but that’s exactly what it is. If you are afraid of your neighbor because he is gruff or your boss beca...  Read More

1 John 3:17If anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Your heart has a door. Make sure it stays propped open. You never want it to latch on a brother, especially if you possess the world’s goods. But, on the chance it does, do not be surprised if you get a knock. Scripture says, Jesus stands at the door. Don’t i...  Read More

1 John 2:1If anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the father, Jesus Christ the righteous. “I can never go to church. I’m just too big of a sinner. Lord knows, I would be struck down by a bolt of lightning!”   For anybody to think such a thing is clearly not acquainted with this verse. Jesus is not the sinner’s enemy; he is their advocate. He didn’t come for righteous people anyhow; he came fo...  Read More

1 John 1:9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. We recently had a rat living in our barbeque. I wanted to ignore the fact that he was there. So, I put it out of my mind. But after our hound kept sniffing the unit with keen interest, I finally admitted we had to take care of the problem. I knocked the grill with a broom st...  Read More

2 Peter 3:9The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient towards you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. God doesn’t want anybody to be perish. So, the Lord waits, and he waits, and he waits. He is certainly the most patient being to have ever existed. He wants this more than anybody. He wants it so bad he can taste it. Ye...  Read More

2 Peter 2:9The Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials. When you’re in a pinch the Lord knows what to do and when you’re surrounded by mayhem he knows where you’re at. Thank God for search and rescue missions, and things like amber alerts, but sometimes the attempts can be futile, and end in failure. The Lord, however, never loses a victim. He has a one hundred percent recovery rate. If you...  Read More

2 Peter 1:20No prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. The Word of God is not private property, rather it’s public domain. We can’t hang a ‘no trespassing’ sign on any interpretation of Scripture. All interpretation belongs to one and all. So, beware of anyone who comes to you saying, “I’ve cracked the code. I’ve got the secret sauce.” No one has a corner on the market. We a...  Read More

1 Peter 5:12I have written briefly to you, exhorting and declaring that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it. Sometimes we think grace lets us off the hook. We can just take it easy and coast our way through life. Nothing can be further from the truth. Take another look at verse 12. Grace requires effort. But isn’t that works-based? Not at all. Listen to how Dallas Willard puts it, “Gra...  Read More

1 Peter 4:12Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. When trials and tribulations spring out of nowhere, sometimes you’ll hear things like, “well, the devil is busy,” or “he knows his time is short,” or “this is just an attack of the enemy.” And maybe it is. But what if it isn’t? What if the trial came fr...  Read More

1 Peter 3:15Honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect. The Bible tells us to destroy arguments (2 Cor. 10:5) and to defend the faith (1 Pet. 3:15), but lest we get too energetic, keep reading verse 15. Peter says, “do it with gentleness and respect.” We are not lookin...  Read More