Preachers: The Prey of the Lion
Jim Deason (Originally published in Biblical Insights)

In 1896 British Officer, Lt. Col. John Paterson, was sent to Africa to build a railroad bridge over Uganda’s Tsavo River. There was a sense of urgency in his commission because there were important deadlines to meet. He was confident that he could get the job done, but he didn’t figure two man-eating lions into the equation. They entered his camp at night, dragging away their victims, killing for food and later, seemingly for sport. His superstitious workers feared that they were actually not lions and began calling them ghosts. According to reports more than 130 people were killed by the lions in just a few months. Paterson finally killed them and their skins are on display today at the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago, IL.
Today, our battle is not with a physical lion. Our adversary is more fierce and more deadly. He is the devil “who prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Pet. 5:8). A real lion can only destroy the body but this spiritual foe is after your soul.
Therefore, this is a fight that you cannot afford to lose.
Biblical Insights is not a “preacher” paper. Its goal is to address a wide range of issues that are of interest to all Christians. Occasionally, however, it is important for those of us who preach to look at things in the light of the unique position we occupy. This is one of those times.
While I reject the pastor system found in denominationalism, it cannot be denied that preachers occupy prominent positions in local churches and are in the public eye. Preachers wield a lot of influence, affecting a lot people, both inside and outside of the congregations they serve. The scrutiny sometimes can be intense. The preacher is held to a high standard and should be, for Paul commanded him to, “show yourself an example of those who believe” (1 Tim. 4:12).
Perhaps it is because preachers occupy such public positions that the devil seems to place special emphasis on us at times. The sin of a public servant can do immeasurable harm to the Lord’s cause in a community and Satan knows it! This, no doubt, is one of the reasons why
Paul wrote to one young evangelist concerning “how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God” (1 Tim. 3:15). His instructions then are timely for preachers today. There are certain “lions” about which the aged apostle gave specific instruction.
1. The lion of laziness. Paul encouraged Timothy to “discipline himself for the purpose of godliness” and “labor” in the gospel (1 Tim. 4:7,10). The young preacher was to “take pains” with his work and “be absorbed” in it. Unlike many whose time at work is controlled by others to whom they must give an account, for the most part a preacher’s time is under his control. It’s easy to be lazy and dereliction of duty may go, at least for a while, undetected by others. However, like its counterpart, hard work, it will eventually become “evident to all” 1 Tim. 4:15). Preacher, realize that you are to “do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward…” (Col. 2:23,24). Don’t succumb to the lion!
2. The lion of imbalance. Timothy was instructed to balance his preaching (2 Tim. 4:2). Reproof and rebuke are needed, but so also is exhortation and patient instruction. One of my heros in the faith, Rufus Clifford, Sr., used to call exhortation “scotching the work.” Mary Poppins sang, “A spoon full of sugar helps the medicine go down.” Though there are certainly exceptions, generally, that is pretty good advice for those of us who preach. Balance in our approach adds credibility to our message. In addition, Paul felt it was important to declare “the whole purpose of God” (Acts 20:27). If you allow yourself to become a “one-note wonder,” if you are perceived to concentrate on one issue alone, your effectiveness as an evangelist is on the precipice of self-destruction. Songs have different notes for a reason. I understand that controversial issues must be addressed and that sometimes a single issue requires more time and attention than at other times. But, don’t forget about the need for balance. You may be fighting the devil on one front but he may be destroying more souls on another. Don’t succumb to the lion!
3. The lion of covetousness. Paul encouraged Timothy to remember that “godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment” (1 Tim. 6:6) and warned him that “the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil” (1 Tim. 6:10). The young preacher was warned to “flee from these things” (1 Tim. 6:11). Most in our society have an insatiable appetite for things – and they want them NOW! The sad thing about this is that there are lending companies who will encourage you to mortgage your soul to feed that appetite. Indebtedness, fueled by covetousness, is eating away at the financial fabric of our society and preachers are not immune. The price of this indebtedness, however, is high. A wise man said, “The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower becomes the lender’s slave” (Prov. 22:7). What happens when you create such a financial mess that you can no longer meet your obligations? Is that not sinful on several different levels? What does it do to your reputation? What does it do to the reputation of the church in your community when they are faced with the report of debts you have left unpaid? I have a friend who is a Senior Vice-President of a prominent bank. He once told me that, when lending, a loan officer always must be concerned about the three “p’s”, one of which was preachers. Don’t succumb to the lion!
4. The lion of sexual temptation. Paul commanded the young evangelist to “flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness” (2 Tim. 2:22). Earlier in his life the apostle had warned the Corinthians to “flee immorality” (1 Cor. 6:18). It is against the background of these warnings that Timothy was told to treat the “older women as mothers, and the younger women as sisters, in all purity” (1 Tim. 5:2). So preachers, in terms my grandmother would use, “behave yourself!” Don’t flirt. You can’t take fire in your bosom and not get burned (cf. Prov. 6:27). “Drink water from your own cistern” (Prov. 5:15) or, as Paul said, “each man is to have his own wife” (1 Cor. 7:2).
Solomon warned of sin’s consequences when he said that “the way of the transgressor is hard” (Prov. 13:15). Specifically addressing the man who goes in to the adulteress he said,
“None who go to her return again…” (Prov. 2:19). When an evangelist yields to the siren song of the adulteress much and lasting damage is the result. In some cases, adultery has been the public signal of a soul spiraling downward into the dark abyss of sin never to return again. In others, hearts have been contrite and from a penitent heart genuine confession was made. Still, trust and confidence are lost and, though it might be regained in a measure over a period of time, life will never be the same as before.
You would think that such instruction would not be lost on preachers and elders, but sometimes it is! Preacher you are in the public eye. There are some ungodly women for whom you will have special appeal. You are going to be tempted. Don’t bring this shame upon yourself, your family, the church, other preachers and, especially, don’t bring this shame upon the Lord! I agree with Connie Adams who wrote in a recent Truth Magazine article, “The cause of our Lord is far too important for any of us to give into such temptations to the destruction of our own families, the detriment of our own souls, and the retardation of the greatest work in the world” (Vol. LI, No. 1, p. 29). Don’t succumb to the lion!
5. The lion of pride. “God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline” (2 Tim. 1:7). This instruction was given to a young man who likely was hesitant when he really needed to speak. A preacher needs to have the courage to say the things that need to be said. Still, no one should ever think that the commission to preach is a license for pompous arrogance. Timothy was a bond-servant (Phil. 1:1), nothing less, but certainly nothing more. He was someone who found his significance in his service. There are times, especially when something good has taken place, when we are prone to take personal credit and bask in the glory of our own accomplishments. Jesus taught us to remember that “We are unworthy slaves; we have done only that which we ought to have done” (Luke 17:10). Let everyone of us remember that our life is really about Him, not us. Let us hide behind the marvelous cross of Christ and exalt Him in all things. Don’t succumb to the lion!
I have been preaching the gospel for over 33 years. More and more when preachers gather I tend to be one of the older of the bunch. I make that point only to say that with experience comes observation. Most all of the preachers I know are sincere, dedicated, hard working, and morally pure servants of God who serve as wonderful examples to those among whom they live and work. Praise God, and may He increase your tribe! Occasionally, however, news comes of another soldier who has fallen, having become prey to the lion. It breaks my heart! More importantly, it breaks the heart of God (Eph. 4:30). Every gospel preacher should constantly bear in mind that we wear the lovely, blood-stained, name of Jesus, and act like it.

originally in Biblical Insights

“Here Am I, Send Me.”

{From the book, FOR HOWEVER BRIEF A TIME}

When Bill Wallace was preaching at Park Hill with Yater Tant, a variety of classes were offered to better inform the members. Bill Wallace taught a Tuesday night course on The Gist Of The Bible, based on a handbook by Charles Shook (published by Gospel Advocate in 1956). My parents went through that class and used to that book to help me understand the sequence of Bible history.

Bill and Yater were big on young men’s training classes, to train and encourage young men to better participate in the services and develop their talents in many areas. Daddy was in this class (with me sitting beside him), taking note and focusing on praying, teaching, preaching, serving, singing, preparing to become elders, etc.

Daddy was always ready to do anything he was asked to do, but was always committed to doing it better. Just a few weeks before he died, Cecil Douthitt was helping him prepare material for his young people’s class.

In one of these young men’s training classes, I think the last one, bro. Wallace passed out cards to all the young men. I remember there were various duties listed on the card, with a box next to each one. The young men were asked to check the duties they were willing to perform (public prayer, song leading, teaching a class, etc.). Daddy checked all of them, and wrote on the back of the card: “Here am I, send me,” (from Isa. 6:8).

John’s First Epistle

1 Jno. 2:12-14

Why Are You Writing John?

I am writing to you, little children,
    because your sins are forgiven for his name’s sake.

I am writing to you, fathers,
    because you know him who is from the beginning.
I am writing to you, young men,
    because you have overcome the evil one.
I write to you, children,
    because you know the Father.
I write to you, fathers,
    because you know him who is from the beginning.
I write to you, young men,
    because you are strong,
    and the word of God abides in you,
    and you have overcome the evil one.

1 Jno. 2:12-14

John was not writing this letter just because it was time to write another letter.

He was writing with very clear purposes in mind:

To those who had been forgiven, instruction and further encouragement was needed. To “fathers,” who knew Christ from the beginning, additional teaching held great value. Young men needed to hear from John to keep them from the evil one. Children needed to know their father. Young men needed to be strengthened by the Word of God, and be certain the Word of God was abiding in them.

Much of what John did was to strengthen, nourish and instruct men (young and old) in their respective duties and warn them about the evil one.

These needs remain today. Strong men. Good young men who live discreet lives. People with the Word of God abiding in them. Yes, these are urgent needs in our time.

From my Podcast, you can access here.

Jesus, The Creator & The Bread of Life

Here’s chapter 6, verses 1 through 15.

After this Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias. And a large crowd was following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing on the sick.  Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat down with his disciples.  Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand.  Lifting up his eyes, then, and seeing that a large crowd was coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?” He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he would do.  Philip answered him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread would not be enough for each of them to get a little.” One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?”  Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, about five thousand in number.  Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted.  And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, “Gather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost.”  So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves left by those who had eaten. When the people saw the sign that he had done, they said, “This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world!” Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself.

Several motives, needs and reactions come to an intersection in John chapter six. Large crowds are following Jesus, having either witnessed His power to heal, or they have heard about His signs. On the calendar, the Passover feast was “at hand.” And, it was time for people to have a meal. There was not, however, sufficient food for this large group.

After a very brief discussion about how to feed the crowd, Jesus took a little food from a boy in the crowd – fed the boy and everyone else! Verse 10 says, “five thousand.” And, there were leftovers!

Two reactions are documented: (1) “When the people saw the sign that He had done, they said, ‘This is indeed the Prophet who is come into the world!” (2) Some tried to “take” Jesus “by force,” to make him King. Jesus, however, withdrew to the mountain by Himself.

One thing I want my listeners to understand. In this miracle, Jesus created! I mean, He brought into existence something that had no previous existence. Jesus, as in the beginning, exercised divine creative power, in providing all this food. Jesus didn’t plant, cultivate, reap and then bake. He called into existence food that had no previous existence. And this, of course, becomes another sign or evidence – that Jesus is who John claimed Him to be, back in chapter one.

Today, Jesus is the Bread of Life – and by believing in Him and following Him, we are nourished, find our purpose and we are filled with hope.

 God’s Grace &

The Simplicity of Giving & Receiving

Warren E. Berkley

The worthy affirmation that we are saved by God’s grace has never really been a struggle for me to grasp, or a tangled theological puzzle to assemble. This may be because the preachers of my youth – almost without exception – frequently used the word “gift” in their references to God’s grace. Becoming a Christian or obeying the gospel was consistently pictured in terms of our “receiving a gift.”

I understood that well, since I loved birthdays! There would always be some sort of annual celebration, even if just cake and ice cream with family and friends. For me, the highlight of the event was never the cake or ice cream. In the years of my immaturity (which I held to way too long), it wasn’t so much that family and friends attended these events. I WANTED THE GIFTS!

There was never any thought that these gifts were wages I had earned, or awards I deserved. I remembered what “my preachers and teachers” taught me. It was grace that handed me the red wagon, the bicycle or battery operated robot. All I did was receive it, open it and use it. And I was expected to care for it. (Remember, I’m talking about the age range of 8-12. I didn’t use the phrase, “unmerited favor.” I didn’t know who John Calvin was. I didn’t visit the library to devour the systematic theology volumes). All I knew was – I was given something I hadn’t worked for and did not deserve. But I had to reach out and receive it, use it and keep it. I believed the givers were offering me something of value. That belief in their goodness and integrity prompted me to reach out, take the gift, say thank you, open the package, use it and take care of it. Through the whole process, it always remained a gift.

Fifteen years later, I discovered people didn’t understand God’s grace. Today – at 70 something years – I continue to see misunderstanding, passionate debates of the fine points, slants, agendas, perspectives and claims that run counter, not only to Scripture but to good, reasonable thinking.

It is this simple: God is the giver (Eph. 2:8), we are receivers (2 Cor. 6:1). To receive a gift is active. The gift is conditioned on the receiver taking initiative and responding to the offer, to receive what could not be possessed in any other way. Then use that gift to keep heart and life grounded in and responsive to the grace of God, “that brings salvation … to all men …,” (Titus 2:11).

 Jesus: Worthy Of More Glory Than Moses

Hebrews 3:1-6

“Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and High Priest of our confession, who was faithful to Him who appointed him, just as Moses also was faithful in all God’s house. For Jesus has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses – as much more glory as the builder of a house has more honor than the house itself (For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God). Now Moses was faithful in all God’s house as a servant, to testify to the things that were to be spoken later, but Christ is faithful over God’s house as a son. And we are his house, if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope.”

The Jewish people held three men in their history – in very high esteem: Abraham, Moses and David. Moses delivered the nation from Egyptian bondage; he led them out of Egypt through the wilderness over near the promised land. But perhaps most important, the law God gave those people to live under, before Christ, was given through Moses. It was called THE LAW OF MOSES.

Christians who came out of Judaism were now being tempted to leave Christ and go back to the Law of Moses. When persecution came from their unbelieving Jewish relatives, it would be easy to leave Christ and go back to the ways of Judaism.

This passage was a simple message to the tempted Christians: DON’T DO THAT. Christ is “worthy of more glory than Moses.”

Whatever temptation you might face as a Christian today – there is no place you can go, away from Christ, that will be eternally safe. It may seem to be safe, in shielding you from persecution. But when you leave Christ – you leave the hope of being eternally safe. Christ “is faithful over God’s house as a Son. And we are His house, IF INDEED WE HOLD FAST OUR CONFIDENCE AND OUR BOASTING IN OUR HOPE.”

From Pressing On Magazine, Aug. 2013 – Click Here To Subscribe

What Your Atheist Neighbor Believes

By Doy Moyer

Atheism seems simple enough to define. It is the active belief that there is no God. Or is it a more passive failure to believe? Perhaps it is both. Hard atheists strongly oppose belief in God arguing that evidence is against God. Soft atheists, while not arguing that evidence disproves God, do not believe there is enough evidence to support God. Agnostics argue that we cannot know if there is a God, and so God has little practical value. There is a range of beliefs within the category of atheism. All hold to the same basic ideas: there is not enough evidence to believe in God, and (for hard atheists) evidence proves that God does not exist. In the last several years, the movement called the “new atheism” has grown, taking up the cause of advancing atheism. Leaders have included the likes of Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, Larry Krauss, and Christopher Hitchens (deceased, no longer an atheist), among others. They have argued that modern science has conclusively demonstrated that God is not necessary.

Not only do the “new atheists” argue that there is no God, they are adamant that religion is bad for society. Taking their cue from Neitszche, who declared, “God is dead,” they believe that religion impoverishes lives and makes slaves out of people. They believe that atheism frees up the mind and body to live “authentically” (to borrow from Jean-Paul Sartre). They actively campaign against God and religion, particularly Christianity. Many new atheists have been quite evangelistic in their efforts, going so far as to buy billboard space or advertise on the side of buses. They are not content to let people live out their religious convictions; they are actively seeking to change those convictions and eradicate religion.

Of course not all atheists are so engaged. Many will simply be content to quietly live out their lives not believing, likely avoiding confrontations along the way. We should add to this number those who may or may not claim to believe in God, but live in an irreligious fashion as if God does not matter anyway. “The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God’” (Psa 14:1). This category of atheist is more of the practical atheist, and the reality of God just does not matter to such a person.

Understand the Despair of Atheism

One of the more prolific atheists of the twentieth century was Jean-Paul Sartre. He recognized the despair that atheism brings: “The existentialist … finds it extremely embarrassing that God does not exist, for there disappears with Him all possibility of finding values in an intelligible heaven. There can no longer be any good a priori, since there is no infinite and perfect consciousness to think it. It is nowhere written that ‘the good’ exists, that one must be honest or must not lie, since we are now upon the plane where there are only men. Dostoevsky once wrote, ‘If God did not exist, everything would be permitted’; and that, for existentialism, is the starting point. Everything is indeed permitted if God does not exist, and man is in consequence forlorn, for he cannot find anything to depend upon either within or without himself.” (Existentialism is a Humanism)

Such quotes abound. Yet here is what we need think about. Understanding the despair of atheism shows that atheists are ripe for the Gospel of Jesus. They know they are missing something, and they cry out for more. While they hide behind a facade of intellectualism and scientific pretensions, they are desperately in need of that which the Lord offers: grace, mercy, and forgiveness. They are, after all, just like all of us. All have sinned. All need Jesus, and Christians must share that message. The atheist may reject and mock it, but once that seed is planted, we don’t know when or how it may take effect in a heart that has long denied God.

Here are some pointers for dealing with atheists:

1. Don’t be afraid to challenge the atheistic worldview. Christians will always be opposed and mocked, but we have no reason to fear their intimidation (cf. Rom 1:18; 1 Peter 3:14). What the world thinks foolish (the cross) is the power of God to believers (1 Corinthians 1:18ff). Our defense is for the Lord who died for us.
2. Deal in ultimates: what is the ultimate foundation for thinking? Intelligence, or mindless, lifeless matter? If the latter, what reason do we have to trust our thinking (knowing that such reason would itself have come ultimately from mindless, lifeless matter that itself came from nothing). I push this to show such is not a foundation for trusting reason. In my experience, atheists hate having to deal with ultimates and will often say, “we can’t know.” But if “we can’t know,” then they have at least gone from atheist (“there is no God” — which is based on what they think they know) to agnostic. If this is the case, atheism cannot be so hardcore. It certainly is not based on knowledge.
3. Deal in universals, especially in moral issues: they will argue against objective morality, but then will issue universal statements about moral actions. I recently asked an atheist this question after he fussed about “homophobes”: Is the condemnation of homosexuality universally immoral? Think about that. He refused to answer, knowing that this would put him into the universally objective morality category. The fact is, they cannot be consistent here, for when pushed, everyone has a moral line that should not be crossed.

We do this, not trying to embarrass, but trying to get them to see the inconsistencies of a position that renders both thinking and morality pointless. If a worldview cannot make sense of itself, then surely it is problematic. Ultimately, the main idea is to point them to God and Christ, in whom all things both matter and make sense.

STEADILY DEPRESS IN’, LOW-DOWN, MIND-MESSIN’

WORKIN’ AT THE CAR-WASH BLUES

By Jay Bowman

(Editor’s Note: one of my favorite chapters from the Jay Bowman book. See title and availability below.)

Sometimes we watch TV with perplexity and amazement. A troop of singers and dancers, cavorting across a bowery stage; slinking, gyrating. Net stockings, painted faces, skirts slit to the waist; wailing and beseeching, “Forget ya troubles, c’mon, get happy; you gotta chase all ya’ blues away. Shout hallelujah, c’mon, get happy, get ready for the judgment day”.

It’s a frequent theme with song-writers, particularly in musical comedies that “the blues” must be avoided at any cost. They are of the devil. But, merry-making of the kind here described is somehow “religious.” Wild hilarity, booze and frenzied dancing are said to be righteous, and “the blues” are the work of Satan. A diabolical lie.

But, it’s a good lie. No lie is effective unless it’s believable. None believable unless partly true. It is true that depression in the lives of people can wreak havoc with their faith and piety. How many times have you seen a Christian quit the Lord, maybe die unfaithful because of some difficulty in his life? Business failures, family problems, disobedient children, personal problems, all are means by which men’s souls are tried.

These are the explanations most often given for unfaithfulness. Or, even if not stated, they are usually the real problem.

Any experienced church worker can tell you that people become unfaithful in connection with disappointments, depression and problems, over and over again. There is a strange kind of logic that prevails in such cases, that blames God for our misfortunes, makes us want to withdraw from Him. A common and effective satanic device.

We must recognize and avoid such traps. Depression can and does cause people to sin, even deny the faith. Together with other forms of deception (e.g. “After I pout a while, I’ll get back to a faithful life.”) it sends millions to hell.

We should “count it all joy” when we fall into divers temptations; knowing that the trying of our faith worketh patience (James 1:2). We do this because we know God is mindful of us. We rejoice in spite of our troubles. We accept the temptations that come our way, and we live with the joy of trusting faith. But, we should not seek or desire to be tempted. Jesus advised His disciples to pray, “lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil” (Mat. 6:13). It is not wise to spend our lives wallowing in troubles.

A man must also avoid the dangers of ecstasy and elation. He who “has a ball” throughout life becomes first carefree, then careless, then insolent. He goes from joy to anomia to arrogance and derision. He devotes himself to pleasure and passion, never noticing that lust is insatiable and desire, a tyrant. “Losing the blues” as per the stereotyped musical is but an invitation to greater melancholia, to inescapable gloom.

The middle ground is the course to pursue. Neither wildly ecstatic nor deliberately sad. A man ought to be happy as he can be, consistent with God’s laws. Laughter is a good medicine (Prov. 17:22). Joy, to a man conscious of his Provider can evoke thanksgiving and pious communion.

But, troubles also can promote godly purposes  “Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better” (Eccl. 7:3). God loves the man who is conscious of his own unworthiness aware of his need for Him.

People who love to be melancholy are usually not contemplating their sins. The subject of such misery is usually “me”, how mistreated I am, how unfortunate. As the line in the 1950’s song ran, “Why is ev’ry body always pickin’ on me?”

It may not be good to be happy. It depends on the reasons, the means and the consequences of that joy. Nor is sadness necessarily pious or healthy. It depends on its causes and consequences. We must avoid the errors of either state. Our final destiny will likely depend on how we reckon with joy and sorrow. “Getting happy” will not necessarily take you to heaven. Neither will getting sad.

From the book – JAY BOWMAN, THE COLLECTED WORKS.

Available to order from Barnes and Noble, Amazon, Book-a-Million, etc.

Contrary Reality

There may be a gap between what we think we are and what we really are. I may think I am young, gorgeous, brilliant, tall and wealthy. If I feed this self-image long enough, and if I get a little help from flattering friends, I may deceive myself into thinking this is real. Doesn’t change reality does it?

This is common, and especially in regard to religious profession. We may think we are religious over such a long period of time, we deceive ourselves into believing everything is all right. We do what we have always done and say what we have always said, carrying through life the assumption that we are saved. What we think doesn’t change contrary reality.

If your heart hasn’t been changed by the gospel of Christ; if your life is not really being lived in Him and according to His teaching, there is a gap between what you think (“I’m saved”) and how you are living (the contrary reality).

Or as James said: “If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless,” and “…someone will say, ‘You have faith, and I have works.’ Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works,” (Jas. 1:26 & 2:18).

-Warren E. Berkley

I’ve added two more podcasts to my series on the gospel of John, Click Here.

John’s First Epistle

1 Jno. 2:7-11

Hate’s Location: Darkness

⁷ Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment that you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word that you have heard. ⁸ At the same time, it is a new commandment that I am writing to you, which is true in him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining. ⁹ Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness. ¹⁰ Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling. ¹¹ But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes. – 1 Jno. 2:7-11

The coming of Christ into the world and the preaching of the gospel afforded good opportunity for light to overcome darkness, as people left the darkness of sin and stepped into the light of God, made possible by the person and work of Jesus Christ.

For those who made that choice, John issues this reminder that those walking in the light cannot bring with them any vestige of the darkness they left. They knew this before reading what John wrote.

The main idea of this section is written in verse 9: “Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness.”

John does not allow contradictory claims. You cannot honestly say you are walking in the light if you retain hate for your brother. Hate is a part of darkness, not light.

The converse of this is, whoever loves his brother abides in the light, “and in him there is no cause for stumbling.”

“But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because darkness has blind his eyes.”

Love has always been a characteristic of God’s people. Jesus took love and filled it with rich meaning that was visible to people who were with Him and is now documented in the New Testament.

-Warren E. Berkley