That You May Know

I have stated in the past that I believe we are in that kairos time (Greek word meaning an appointed time, a “season,” a strategic time on the calendar, and not simply chronology) when the deception of wickedness is abounding, and people will not endure sound teaching, but will instead seek for teachers who will “tickle” their ears (II Timothy 4:3,4). There is much talk in the world today about “being spiritual,” being more “God-focused,” and so on. But is being spiritual and “God-focused” tantamount to”being saved”? And what about those of us in the “church”? We are sometimes so invested in our particular denominational doctrines and our “isms” that we try to conform the Bible to our particular denominational experience instead of allowing the Bible to lead us into true intimacy with Jesus. (It would seem that we have forgotten Jesus’ words: “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life.”) Then there are some of us who reject “religion” and “the religious” so vehemently that we have become religious about not being religious. This can be just as dangerous. So with all that in mind, I have to ask how do we know, can we know, should we even care ‘if’ we know that we truly posses eternal life? Sometimes, when we talk about these things we may be tempted to get angry or defensive. While that may be a natural thing, I don’t think it helps us that much at all. Can I tell you that I came to a place in my life when I realized that in spite of my experiences, in spite of what I thought, according to the Bible, I did not know  Jesus. And then you know what He did? He didn’t condemn me, he didn’t reject me- he loved me. And he’s still loving, saving, forgiving, and setting me free today.

Why don’t we try this. Let’s attempt (by the Spirit and grace of God) to lay our presuppositions on the table, read the book of 1 John ( a chapter a day), and see what we can see. I will offer no commentary whatsoever. If discussion ensues, we’ll lovingly and respectfully go there- together. (You can like us on Face Book, and join in the discussion there as well.) Here we go:

1 John 1:
“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us— that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.

“This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.”