Uncle Dave

How does John's teaching on sin and righteousness in this passage relate to combating the false teachers? John’s position on the false teachers is that they are anti-Christs. John teaches what the Word of God says – that we should repent and move forward. What did they seem to be teaching about sin and righteous living? The false teachers had a great tendency to undermine the seriousness of sin. Such a teaching would (if followed) do little more than lead people down a path of no return, stumbling and falling the whole way.

How does the presence of God's seed in us keep us from habitual lawlessness and sin? How does the Holy Spirit sanctify us and make us like Jesus? These are two questions so closely related I think it much easier to answer them simultaneously. I too, believe that God’s seed in us is the Holy Spirit. With that seed in us, the Bible says we cannot sin. Going along with what the original Greek writing meant I see it something more akin to the best radar system ever activated detecting sin around us. The Holy Spirit convicts us of sin and the fact that if God’s seed is really in us we no longer want to sin and remain more aware of what we’re doing and without even thinking about it we stick to a narrower road. It is, however that “without even thinking about it” that gets us in trouble (sin). While the radar is constantly keeping us aware, much like a missile it might be guiding, the missile is in a constantly changing environment which can quickly, though un-intended, bring unwanted results. Unlike the missile though, the conviction the Holy Spirit lays on us gives us another chance to start over by confessing our mistake (sin). What a wonderful God we have !

How does lawlessness show up in a person's attitude and actions? There are many ways lawlessness shows, for example, the way one talks (and of course what comes out of the mouth comes from the heart) It could be anything from talking bad about someone, drinking, smoking, drugs, shoplifting, using God’s name in vain, or anything which is against the law (and these days one must pay mind to the fact that things that should be against the law aren’t and getting to be where things that shouldn’t are). In what sense is an attitude of lawlessness the cause of sin in our lives? Because attitude is more a state of mind type of thing of thing and it is in the mind actions are born. Although a thought does not always turn into an action, it is the mind (heart) with a lawless attitude where the actions are born. The problem with a thought in a lawless mind is just the kind of thing Satan likes to find. If that Godless thought is in the right mind at the right time (Satan loves to “create the perfect moment”), a chain reaction begins to take place and the next thing you know is a sin has occurred. Jesus said that if a man looks at a woman with **** in his heart he has already committed adultery so the Christian needs to bridle his/her thoughts before the thoughts occur and possibly turn into an additional sin.

In what way does our expectation of Christ's Second Coming motivate us to purify ourselves from sin? The fact that we know Christ is coming back and that all will be judged, one way or the other is quite a motivation and the fact that we don’t know from one second to the next when it will be is a motivation to keep oneself pure. How does purifying ourselves from sin relate to God's grace? In the sense that, as we are expected to repent and seek forgiveness for sin, God knows that we are not perfect and it is His grace which fills the gap.

In what sense are we "children of God"? What does the Holy Spirit have to do with this "new birth"? Like Jesus said, we all have to be born of water AND the spirit. We come into this world by way of water but it is when we repent of sin that the Holy Spirit becomes part of us that we experience the new birth. It is by this new birth we become children of God. How does the new birth change us? This new birth changes us in that we are given a new kind of wisdom, one the world can never understand. We become strengthened against sin and no longer want to do things that are displeasing to God.

I’m going to try to answer both of these questions with one statement because I think that the anointing of the Holy Spirit and the gift of teaching, which is a gift of the Holy Spirit are very much connected. The Holy Spirit lives within us and different gifts are given. The Spirit leads us and helps us to understand but the gift of teaching (which is also a gift from the Holy Spirit) is the ability to convey a message across to one or more people in such a way that the students understand, which is the Holy Spirit at work within us helping us to understand what the teacher is teaching. For some reason I feel like my answer is going in circles but it all comes back to the Holy Spirit at work within “us” as opposed to at work within “me (or you, as the case may be).” God wants us to fellowship with other believers and I think that could be why teachers are given messages that often answer even the unasked question.

What does it mean to abide/remain/continue in Jesus? To remain in Jesus, as I myself see it means to live, act, think, etc., as Jesus did. Walking in the light pretty much sums it up. I’m also aware of the fact that we also have a sinful nature to deal with, and that we must do. Jesus gave us a way out on that one and we need to go that route. Something to keep in mind is Matthew 10:22 …But the one who endures to the end will be saved. Give an example of what a Christian might be doing who is "abiding" in Jesus. A perfect example would be spending your entire waking moments with Jesus. That means starting the day (not when you get to your church once or twice a week) but the minute your eyes open. Give Him thanks for waking you to a new day. Get up a little bit early and spend time with Him. Let the Holy Spirit talk to you before you being the events of the day. Pray about everything you do and for everyone you know, and don’t forget the country’s leaders. Don’t do things you shouldn’t do and do what you should, seek forgiveness when you goof up. He will put you back on your feet. Keep in mind what Jesus said and in Matthew 7:13: “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and Matthew 7:14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. These verses are so true but remember that Jesus has made a way for those who pursue life. What are symptoms in a Christian who is not "abiding" in Jesus? In answering this question, I am going to draw on personal experiences. A person who follows the ways of the world shows these symptoms. Satan sits in ambush at every turn of the road holding out things like a “free” cigarette, beer, or joint, or maybe a good deal on something which maintained a total occupation of your mind at one time or other in your life. Music might be one of these things. Spending your every minute trying to figure out “the missing piece” to a solo which has never been written. Becoming so dedicated to work in general that not having any space for Jesus of God. Money, this is a big one for so many, I have a very good friend who, although a devout Christian at one time, actually got mad at God for not giving him the lottery numbers. Trusting money is a big problem today for so many. The word “but” comes up often when discussing where your trust should be. There are many more examples which could be used but I was wanting to remain brief.

In what ways is the Holy Spirit an internal Guide for us? He is like having a “moral gps” or compass inside of us because he instructs us in our daily lives and tells us when we are headed in the right (or wrong, should a course correction be necessary) direction. In what ways does he teach us? There are many way he goes about teaching us. It can be through reading his word, or it could be simply telling our inner being whether or not we should be doing something or even, when to do something. His ways of teaching are many. In what ways does he point us to Jesus' teaching? He only leads us to truth and righteousness.

What is this antichrist that John expects to come? The fact that the word “antichrist” means "adversary of the Messiah," along with the fact that John is talking about “the” antichrist, I have to go with the fact that this antichrist to come is none other than Satan himself. There is no greater adversary of Jesus Christ than Satan. He comes to an end being thrown into the lake of fire with the beast and false prophet as described in Revelation 20:10. The antichrist, being Satan would be the one whose spirit is in the antichrists who were in the church John was writing to, that is, the antichrists were people who were trying to preach Satan’s perverted version of the gospel. What is the difference between the antichrist and antichrists in the church John is writing to? In what ways do we see the spirit of antichrist at work in our day? If one was making a list, it would be much shorter if we included only the ways we don’t see the spirit of antichrist at work. Beginning with the 10 commandments which Christians so believe to be the Word of God, how many are actually respected, that is, followed? How many no longer have meaning, and, if questioned would only receive a rebuke of many, many words like one would expect from the best of trial lawyers?

What kinds of sins are covered by the three examples of worldliness that John gives? The three examples John gives for examples of worldliness include; **** of the flesh, **** of the eyes, and the pride of life. Why are these sometimes so difficult for us to discern in ourselves? Some are simply desires we are born with, thinking un-Godly thoughts upon seeing an attractive member of the opposite sex for example. If a person, even a Christian is not brought up with Christian values can basically be held captive by things which were part of our life before knowing Christ. There is also the fact that the tempter is very clever and always on the prowl and knows how to out-wit one whose guard is down. Why is worldliness so harmful to our future? Because it keeps our eyes from being focused on God and is more oft than not a sure-fire path to getting tripped up.

What is "the world" in verses 15-16? By “the world” John is referring to the demonic presence that is ever-so-present among us. The fact that most people follow the worldly ways, is a big clue to this answer. People are getting more evil as we progress closer to the final day, just like Jesus said. Things that were shunned or looked down on 50 years back are common place now, in fact, lately there are laws being passed which testify to this. The U.S. is as bad, or maybe even worse than ancient civilizations which offered children to their Gods to appease them and today it happens for no other reason that hate for children who they consider to be a “fixable” accident if dealt with before born….. What kind of love of "the world" keeps us from loving the Father? This could range from gambling, sexual immorality, and the many other things Satan has lead people to think they love as a distraction to keep them from knowing the source of love and what it really is.

Why do you think he takes time to encourage them? As to why he encourages them I would have to think it would be because of his love for them. Also, I think Christians should encourage each other because encouragement causes for strength to increase and the enemy is everywhere, lethal, and (although I know many people who would argue the difference) very real. In what ways does he encourage them? in the congregation “ as to what John was saying. I did, however draw a mental picture in my head dividing them by the age group theory with the fathers being the group who had been Christians for a time gathering much wisdom in the process of things. levels of spiritual maturity option “Figuratively, as three ndIn answering this one, I also have to go along with you on the choice of the 2 1. Getting back to the question, he encourages the “children” group by commending them over the fact that they had made the decision to be forgiven and begin a new life. 2. The fathers he encourages by commending them over the fact that they had shown perseverance and remained grounded in Christ, Jesus. 3. The young men, he was telling them that they would be the future of the church and referred to them as strong that they might continue the job at hand even though there would be times that were challenging and dangerous.

How does hate and unforgiveness blind us spiritually? Because both hate and unforgiveness leaves one to walk in the darkness. If one stumbles in the dark it is because he/she can’t see. I was once in a cave which had electric lights strung along a pathway to keep people from falling into the underground river which ran by the path. As long as the lights were on it was easy to see, but for a demonstration of what darkness is they turned out the lights for a moment and you could not see even ¼ of an inch in front of your eyes. Before turning the lights back on we were given time for our eyes to “adjust to the dark” as one might say but there was no adjustment. Just as there was no adjustment for the darkness in a cave, so it is with hate/unforgivenss. Both lead to other sins and all of a sudden a person looking at the consequences will say “I didn’t see that one coming.” It catches up with you and even if you know its going to happen you are “in the dark” as to when. If we have been darkened by hurt and hate, how do we come into the light? To come into the light one needs to start forgiving people for everything that has ever happened to you and quit being upset/bitter about it. Sometimes, especially for a new believer or a believer to be this can be hard to do, but, if one asks God for the strength and perseverance to get over the past and trust Him to do it He will. It doesn’t always happen overnight, but you have to begin if you want to get into the light and quit swimming through the haunting effects of darkness.

How can we be serious about obeying Christ without become legalistic and judgmental, with a self-righteous attitude like the Pharisees had? Helping others without expecting a return to the point if the person you help tries to pay you back, tell them to remember when they see someone else in the same situation they were in. How do love and legalism differ? With love, one does from the heart and thinks nothing of it—the expense or manpower expecting nothing in return being no objective, and legalism utilizes contract, written or not. In other words, love is something you do simply because it needs to be done, even if it is for someone you don’t know (or maybe even care to be around), where legalism is where one acts out of fear of the consequences. How can we be serious about obedience and make love our center? We can be serious about obedience simply by doing that which is right and willfully and (cheerfully) obeying the laws—both God’s laws and man’s, in that order.

We have the assurance that Jesus will act as an advocate on our behalf and intercede for us. This is comforting because Jesus is the one who paid the price for my sin as well as for the whole world to those who will accept that and confess their sins. How does it make me want to avoid sin? When I think of what He went through that day on Calvary plus everything leading up to it and then to think He did it for me, who more than likely will never go through anything close to that? To think it was actions by me one day a couple thousand years later had to go through that. That, my friend is a sobering effect.

My definition of confession is admitting to something I have seen, heard, or done and being completely honest about it. Confession sin is important because like any problem with anything, sin needs to be acknowledged for what it is. Can't fix broke if you don't know whats broke and broke is guaranteed to stay broke if not addressed. Getting back to the program, God's word says He is faithful to forgive us and cleanse us IF we confess our sins. If we stop confessing sin (and they're always letting you know they're there) we end up back where we started--like the parable Jesus used about the spirits returning to find the house cleaned up and the next state is worse. From personal experience, deception sets in, and the deception is so clever we don't even see what is happening until things look like they'll never be better (of course, with God's mercy they can and will be if one is willing to admit to all he/she has done) God promises to cleanse us from ALL unrighteousness if we confess our sins. Forgiveness is like when a judge tells you all charges will be dropped if you admit your guilt whereas cleansing could be comparable to having your record (history) destroyed. God does promise to bury our past, if we are willing to accept His mercy and the fact that Jesus already paid the reaper for our wrongdoings----one must confess from the heart though and not just the mouth. God knows the difference and what each produces and He looks at the heart.

Q2. (1 John 1:5-7) What is the result when a Christian walks in darkness, that is, continues willfully to do what he or she knows to be wrong? We live in a state of sin, that is, in darkness. God’s laws say one thing and one thing only and are clearly explained. Sin has a very dreadful result in that it will keep you from entering into the Kingdom of God. If we say we have fellowship with Him (Jesus Christ) but are lying, then the side of the coin that is showing says we are NOT in fellowship with Him. Can we have true fellowship with one another the way God wanted us to if we first do not come into fellowship with Him? I think not because the result will be different people believing in different doctrines. What is the result, according to verse 7, when we walk in the light? As verse 7 states, we have fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. Note that it says ALL sin. Not some. Can anything but lawlessness exist if we don’t have fellowship with one another? All one has to do is look around to see the answer to that. God’s Word is either/or, not compromise. How do we get back into the light if we sin? To get back on track we need to confess our sins to Jesus and put them behind us, that is, not to practice them anymore. The Holy Spirit will reveal sin to us but it is up to us to repent of it.

The question is a real eye-opener. Based on the verses (I take it that is where you expect the answer to come from, and why not? Very fitting.) you give us with the questions might seem to suggest some treading in the darkness here by someone, and, or more than just someone. Instead of admitting guilt, a more likely reaction might be to try and figure out who the problem is, when we should be looking into ourselves. Well hidden skeletons in the closet have a great fear of exposure and go out of their way to avoid having the finger pointed in their direction. We could have fellowship at a deeper level by simply coming clean with who we are and the problems we deal with. It is impossible to pray over each other's problems if we don't know what they are. To quit the political correctness of "walking the walk" and a new beginning of walking in the light.

Greetings, my name is Dave. I can't remember what it was I was searching for when I came across your site. I'm living in San Jose, just south of you. I'm from Pennsylvania but left there for the Philippines in 2008 and in 2011 ended up here. Received the introduction email along with the first of 8 email installments and am totally impressed with what I'm seeing. We are running a youth Bible ministry in the Philippines and discipleship is on those who are the instructors. Without explaining, it is really something how God brings all sorts of things together at the proper time. Looking forward to the coarse.