Reuben

Q4. (1 John 2:1-2) What assurance does John give us if we do sin? How does this comfort us? How does it make us want to avoid sin? We have Jesus interceding at the heavenly court for us, and doing this for us out of love. He is the atoning sacrifice, and amazingly also the interceding advocate for us, who believe in Him, at the Father, sparing us the wrath of God, as we will continue to fall short and sin as we are not one holy and perfect without any sin. Thank you Jesus. Knowing the one being called Holy and never sinned took it all at the cross, and then keeps pleading my case at the heavenly court makes me feel ashamed, and at the same time joyful with love and appreciation for all that He has done and still is doing for me , and everybody else that has salvation through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. That makes me want to try harder at avoiding doing the wrong things.

Q3. (1 John 1:9) How would you define "confession"? Why is confessing our sins so important? What happens to us if we stop confessing our sins? What are the promises given to us if we do confess our sins? How is forgiveness of sins different from cleansing? Confessing is recognising and admitting your guilt as a sinner. It is important to to respond to this conviction and admitting you are guilty for transgressing so you can go to the next step repentance and asking for forgiveness. Stop confessing your sins and go back to being a Christian walking in the darkness, and what goes with that? Forgiveness is immediate , but cleansing is a process, day by day with the Holy Spirit as the active ingredient.

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? How does this involve self-deception? What is the result, according to verse 7, when we walk in the light? How do we get back into the light if we sin? The result is falling away from the grace of God and finally judgement and eternal damnation in hell if we continue until our last breath. You deceive ourselves if you do this thinking God will have mercy " as I am a Christian God will forgive me....etc", living a lie , and fooling yourself, almost convincing yourself you are ok doing what you are doing. We get back in the light if we are honest and true with ourselves when convicted by the Holy Spirit about our wrong doings and repenting before God.

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Q1 : Often we find life gets in the way, and we only see fellow Christians for brief times at church, and usually catch up on sharing news of our lives. Other friends that are Christians and see us in other times may sometimes be opportune moments to fellowship and sometimes are. It is also not always comfortable for some Christians to share deeper feelings and thoughts with others. Sometimes if a Christian feels distant from God for any reason ( we have all been there), he or she is still Christians but they are less likely to want to talk about things of God. Keeping our fellowship with the One that never changes, Jesus Christ, and growing in a true relationship with Him, will make it easier for me and others to want to fellowship at a deeper level, and discuss the things of God, and not the weather. Thanks to Pastor Ralph for the work and resources available. I find it quite engaging and stimulating already.

Hi everybody. I am looking forward to learning more from the Holy word of God. I am in Australia, and have a lovely family that originate from South Africa. We have been here 14 years now and love it. I grew up with a Christian background and have had close and distant moments with God in my life. I am feeling God is at work in my heart and have a hunger to learn more and grow in my knowledge and relationship with Him. Lets go.....