Do not be like Diotrophes. Do not imitate what is evil.

See 3rd John 1:9-11

1:9 I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among them, does not receive us.

1:10 Therefore, if I come, I will call to mind his deeds which he does, prating against us with malicious words. And not content with that, he himself does not receive the brethren, and forbids those who wish to, putting them out of the church.

1:11 Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God.

John had written a previous letter to the church ( we don't know where this church was exactly ) but, he had written and this man Diotrophes was not receptive of John and some unamed other persons.

Much is said of this man.

1. He loved to have the preeminence among the others in the church.
2. He was not receptive to John and other servants of God.
3. His deeds were going to be called to mind.
4. He was prating against John and others.
5. He said malicious words.
6. He was not content with just his prating and maliciousness.
7. He was forbidding others to receive the ministers.
8. He was removing people from the church who should not have been removed.
9. He was evil.
10. He was not to be imitated.
11. He was doing evil.
12. He had not seen God.

What a description. Let's just take a close look at some of these things.

He loved to have the preeminence among others. That is, he loved to be first. He aspired to be first.

He was not receptive of John's apostolic authority, and of others as well. He would not come under the authority of those he should have come under. He was a proud and arrogant man.

He was prating. Not a word we hear or use very often. That is, he uttered nonsense. He would falsely accuse people. He made empty charges.

He accused people with malicious words. Maliciousness, means to intend to do harm to others. It's when you are out to destroy others. It means to be wicked. It means to have ill will towards others.

He was not content with prating and being malicious. He went on, and on, and on in his evil deeds.

He would forbid others from receiving these traveling ministers and missionaries.

He was evil, or destructive. That's what evil means. It means to hurt other people.

And, lastly, he had not seen God. In other words, if he had had contact with God, he would have acted differently. His actions revealed that he had not come into fellowship with God.


The last thing that John in this regard, is not to imitate evil. But, to imitate what is good. And, the person who does good is of God, and the person who does evil has not seen God. That's the second time John used this statement.

God wants to be seen as it were. He wants to be known, and to be received. That's His nature, to  give His goodness and grace, and mercy away to others.

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia

The faithful financial support of those in ministry

See 3rd John 1:5-8

1:5 Beloved, you do faithfully whatever you do for the brethren and for strangers,

1:6 who have borne witness of your love before the church. If you send them forward on their journey in a manner worthy of God, you will do well,

1:7because they went forth for His name’s sake, taking nothing from the Gentiles.

1:8 We therefore ought to receive such, that we may become fellow workers for the truth.

John had already called Gaius beloved once, in verse 2 of this letter, and he calls him beloved one more time in verse 11. There is no mistaking that John had a clear understanding of God's love for people, and this is why He sent Christ into the world. It's because He loves people. 

John went on in the passage we are looking at to commend Gaius for his faithful support of brethren, and for strangers. Gaius had provided aid to both of these groups. The strangers would be literally those people whom Gaius did not know. 

These traveling ministers, and missionaries had borne witness, or told of Gaius's love before the church where John was. 

Gaius was also encouraged by John to continue his financial support for those in ministry. John called it sending them forth on their journey in a manner worthy of God, and that he would be doing well if he did. 

So, what is the manner worthy of God? It would be to provide what is needed. That's what Paul said in Philippians 4:19 "And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus" 

So, what Gauis was doing was to provide "all that was needed" 

The reason for this support is because "they went forth for His name's sake, taking nothing from the Gentiles" It was Paul's practice also to never ask for money from the unsaved to whom he was speaking to. But rather, he would be supported by those whom he had ministered to. The reason he would not take anything from them, is that he did not want to hinder the gospel of Christ, by being seen as doing what he did just for the money, ( as apparently many false prophets and charlatans were doing ) See 1st Cor 9, and 1st Thess 2:9 

Finally, in the passage before us, John says that "we ought to receive such" referencing the traveling ministers and missionaries. And, adds that "we may become fellow workers for the truth"

John was putting his stamp of approval upon these ministers, and encouraging others to share in the work of getting the truth out.  

It's helpful to realize that in the next section of this letter, that John brings up a person who would not receive these ministers. This man, Diotrophes,  was said to be "prating against us with malicious words" This means that he was a man boiling over if you will, and saying hateful things about John and others who were of John's mind, and insinuating many things about them. 

We will look more in detail at him tomorrow. But, what sad person he was. John has much to say about him. 

Pastor Bob Grenier

Calvary Chapel Visalia

The greatest joy.

See 3rd John 1-4

1:1 THE ELDER, To the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth:

1:2 Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.

1:3 For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth.

1:4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

John was an elderly man at this point, not to far from being in heaven with the Lord. What a blessing that is. 

John was also as an older man, a much wiser man then he had been when he was younger. That is what happens to men or women, who continue to walk with Christ, they become more blessed, more wise, more loving, etc, and John would be a classic example of that for all of us who may be headed towards older age. 

John was writing this brief letter to an individual named Gaius, which means Lord, is someone John knew personally, and that'a about all we know of him. Except that his soul was prospering. Which means, that his journey to heaven, was going along well. He was being led by the Lord, and was going along in the easiest way possible, that is, as compared to how hard we can make it. In other words, he was simply following the Lord, and was a blessed man. 

John now talks about joy once again, as he did in his 2nd epistle also. He says several things about it. 

1. He rejoiced greatly. Alot. Not just a little rejoicing, but much rejoicing. It came about when some other christians met up with him, and told him about the truth that was in Gauis, and John notes here in verse 3, that Gaius was also walking in the truth. That means, he was ordering his life according to the Word of God. These facts brought great joy to John. 

2. John had no greater joy. There was nothing else in his life that brought about the same greatness of joy, as this matter did. 

3. The joy is again explained and related to the fact, that "than to hear that my children walk in truth" In other words, those believers whom John calls his children, or those perhaps converted under his ministry, or those whom he had pastored in the past. Knowing how they were living brought him tremendous and great joy. 

John knew that these folks were on target with God's plan for their lives. They were following Jesus, and abiding in Him, and thus the great joy. What more can a person hope for then to know that someone is following the Lord? 

We love you Lord. 

In Jesus name..

Pastor Bob Grenier

Calvary Chapel Visalia 

God will reward you.

See 2nd John 2:8-13

This last section of this short letter, starts with an exhortation, or an encouragement, and a warning of sorts, to "look to yourselves etc, "  Normally, the Bible is telling us to look to God, but here, this rather unusual statement is given to us.

Look to yourselves. The idea here, is that of "take care" that you do not lose, or throw away and destroy all that you have worked for thus far in your walk. But, keep on abiding, and believing, that you will receive from the Lord all that He would want to reward you for. He wants you to have a full, and perfect, and complete reward.

So, we are heading for heaven, and in heaven we will appear before Christ to be rewarded for our labors here below. So in saying, "look to yourselves", the Lord is simply dealing with a fact of life, and that is the need to be careful on our way to heaven. It's similar to the thought that is imbedded in a portion of what we call the Lord's prayer. "Do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil, ( or the evil one ) In other words, the christian is aware of danger from within, and from without. Just as in any area of life, caution and care valuable attributes.


John ends with another explanation of what he mentioned earlier in verse 7, about deceivers.
2nd John 7. For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.

A deceiver is someone who seduces others away from the truth. It's a quiet steady effort, not an out and out blatant thing. To deceive means, to wander to rove, to mislead, lead others into error, it speaks of an impostor, a corrupter. So, this is a major part of why the readers were to be careful, it's because of the many deceivers . They are transgressors, they do not abide in the teaching of the Bible, and they are without God,

The person who remains in the teaching of Jesus Christ, has both the Father and the Son. Through God's Word we have His Son, and the Son's Father. They are both ours, and with us forever, and we with them forever. Praise God.

The final warning, is to not associate with false teachers. Those who bring this anti-christ doctrine, denying the humanity and the divinity of Jesus Christ, are not to be received into your house, and not to be greeted. If you do, you are sharing in their evil deeds.

What could this mean in practice, in our lives? It does not mean to be rude, or to be unfriendly, or to not be loving, and showing the grace of Christ. But, it clearly means to simply not have anything to do with these folks. That's all. In that culture of John's day, people would be coming into one another's homes, as there were no church buildings, there were no coffee shops etc, etc.
Social contact through being in homes, eating together was a big and normal part of life.

John is saying here, "draw a line of truth" Don't cross that line, and don't allow false deceivers into your world. You don't want to participate in what he calls "their evil deeds"

Indeed, evil, or destructive consequences follow false doctrine. The two go together. The one leads to the other.

Another way to understand the above, is not only not to welcome them, but, not to wish them God's blessing, and not to encourage them in their false teaching, don't hope for their success, and don't encourage them in their work.

John ends his letter with an anticipation of seeing his readers, and blesses them with greetings from others.

Pastor Bob Grenier

Calvary Chapel Visalia

What does it mean, to "walk in truth", and why is it important to God?

"See 2nd John 4-7 below,followed by some devotional commentary by Pastor Bob Grenier

John was not just rejoicing but, rejoicing greatly that he had found ( some of "your children ) walking in truth as we received commandment from the Father. It's clear he was rejoicing, what's not clear if he is making a distinction between all, or just some of her  ladies children. He may be just using the word some in a more loose fashion, just indicting, that he was glad to hear that some were walking etc, etc. Or He may have been really separating out in his mind, based on what he had heard that only ( some ) of her children were walking in the truth. He had come to find this out, not sure how, but it caused him great joy, he was greatly rejoicing.

As an aside, we don't know for sure if the lady and children, are a ref to a church leader the the sheep in that church, or to an actual lady and her own children. ( by the way, in a family with multiple children, some may, and some may not be walking in the truth. I've seen this countless, hundreds and hundreds of times, on a personal level, and on a pastoral level over the last 38 1/2 of full time ministry.

What is clear, is that John was joyful because of what these children were doing. And, that is, they walking in truth, as received commandment from the Father. So, two things here.

1. Walking in truth
2. As we received commandment from the Father

What do these things mean? Truth is the Word of God, truth is Jesus Christ. We can walk in the truth, walk in Christ, Christ is in us, as we walk day by day. We are to continue walking in the truth. We know Him who is true. We are in Him who is true. Even in His Son Jesus Christ, this is the true God.

Now to walk in the truth, simply means, "to order one's life according to the Word of God" That's alll it means, and that's all it will ever mean, and it the most important thing that could ever mean anything to anyone. That your life would be in tune with God's Word, that is, You would receive His Word, You would be a doer of His Word, You continue in His Word, You would take God's wisdom and knowledge about life and apply it to your life, and seek to walk in the ways that God has layed out in His Word.

John add, "we received commandment from the Father. This is a phrase he like to use in his teaching. Always linking the present activity, exhortation to future activity to what God had given us in the past. A continuity of God's word from the time it was given and received, and then continued to be lived out by "doers" p.s It came from "the Father" Wow, God the Father, the Father of Jesus, the one who sent Jesus to rescue us.

From rejoicing to pleading John goes. He tells her, this is not as if I'm writing a new commandment to you, but, it's the one you have had from the beginning. Here it is, in plain and simple terms, unmistakable as to it's meaning. This is what the Father wants us to do.


                                           "It is that we love one another"


John, then describes love for us. It's also simple, "that we walk according to His commandments. And, this is the commandment, that as you have heard from the beginning, you should walk in it.
So, love is walking in the commandments. Abiding in the Word, being a doer of the Word, is the foundation for loving one another. And as we individually, walk in the word, we sill then have that fruit of love for one one another. No walk, no fruit.


To further explain love, he says, "this is love, that we walk according to His commandments" He is constantly linking our lives, walks, His love, His Word, our being in the Word, the Word being in us, and overarching reality of love. Love being the main thing that the Lord wants us to be doing in our lives, To walk in love, to love one another.

This is what we have heard from the beginning. We should walk in it.

He is going to deal with deceivers in the next few verses. These would be people who did not believe any of what is above, and were teaching a doctrine not from God at all. It has no source in God, and was of no help to anyone when it comes to the matter of love, forgiveness, truth, sins, being born again, redeemed, set apart to God, being a true light in the World. etc, etc, and only to wind up in heaven. None of those things came from any of the false teachers, that John is about to deal with, and warn about, and give practical instruction on what not to do with them.


4: I rejoiced greatly that I have found some of your children walking in truth, as we received commandment from the Father.


5: And now I plead with you, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment to you, but that which we have had from the beginning: that we love one another.

6: This is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, that as you have heard from the beginning, you should walk in it.

7:For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.

Pastor Bob Grenier

Calvary Chapel Visalia

Besides truth, what other blessings do you have from God?

See 2nd John 3

Three other blessings from the Lord ( in addition to the truth, as already mentioned ) are with us now. They are Grace, Mercy, and Peace.

It's said, that "will be with you" and that they come from God the father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father in truth and love.


So, first of all. "Grace" meaning the unmerited favor of God, the undeserved blessing of God. Translated, favour, thanks, pleasure.

It's that which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness, grace of speech, good will, loving kindness.

It speaks of the merciful kindness by which God, exerting His holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, knowledge, affection and kindles them to exercise of the Christian Virtues. Finally, it's used to speak of the spiritual condition of one governed by the power of divine grace.

Grace comes to us from God the Father and the Son Jesus Christ.

"someone has said, that grace means, God gives you what you do not deserve"



Secondly, we have mercy. It speaks of kindness or good will towards the miserable and the afflicted, joined with a desire to help them.

It also speaks of men towards men: in general providence: the mercy and clemency of God in providing and offering to men salavation.

In the mercy of Christ, whereby at His return to judgement, He will bless true Christians with eternal life.

Also, all through Scripture, God's mercies are said to be eternal, plentiful, and new every morning.

"Someone has said also, that mercy is when God does not give you what you deserve"



Thirdly, we have peace. Meaning, one, rest, quietness.
Used to speak of times of national tranquility. When nations are exempt from the rage and havoc of war.
And of peace between individual, when there is harmony and concord.
In Christianity, the tranquil state of a soul, assured of it's salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and content with its earthly lot, of whatsoever sort that is.

Peace can be multiplied to you through growing in the grace and the knowledge of Christ. Peace is what is given to us when we cast our cares upon God and let Him guide our hearts and minds.
Peace is to be had as much as it can be between people.

Peace is also used to describe the prince of peace, Jesus Christ.


Grace, mercy and peace come from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, and they come in truth and love. Maybe that's just a way to think of the packaging of  grace mercy and peace. They come wrapped up in love and truth. Or you can add to grace, mercy and peace, these two also, love and truth.  The blessings from God are boundless and eternal. They will be with us forever.

Pastor Bob Grenier 

Calvary Chapel Visalia

   

What will happen to the truth?

See 2nd John 1-2

The first thing John says about the truth, is "whom I love in truth" and then secondly, "but also all those who have known the truth"

No one is completely sure if John was writing to a church, or to an individual. But it is clear what he was saying.
He was once again talking about Christian love and Jesus Christ. The truth is of course more then a reference to what is written that is true, but it includes Him who is the true, who is the truth.

John has said earlier in his first epistle, in chapter 5:20, "that we may know Him who is true" So, love and truth, the subjects as John opens this short little letter. It reminds me of what Paul said in Eph 4, about speaking the truth in love. Not just telling the truth of God's Word, or any other truth, but speaking it along with living and showing the love of God. These two are to be married in our lives at all times.

But, back to 2nd John, He says, "whom I love in truth........also all those who have known the truth"
Being in Christ, we are not only in Him who is true, but the Spirit who is truth ( see 1st John 5:6 ) produces in our lives the fruit of the Holy Spirit. The love of God is one of the main ways that we know that we are actually in the truth, in Christ, and born again

In fact, in 1st John 4:15, John says, "Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him" In fact, in Rev 22:15, murderers are among the list of those who will not be in heaven. To hate means, to hate, pursue with hatred, detest, detested.

Paul lists hatred as being part of his old life, not his new life in Christ.

See Tit 3:3* For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another.

You also see the word malice listed there in Titus 3:3 That word means, ill-will, desire to injure, wickedness, depravity, and wickedness that is not ashamed to break laws, evil and trouble. 

The point is, that to "love in truth", and for those "who have known the truth", they characterize what it is to be a born again Christian. This theme of love, and of loving one another is a constantly repeated point of truth through John's epistles, and his gospel, i.e the Gospel of God. 

John goes on to say in 1:2, "because of the truth, which abides in us and will be with us forever" 

Here he is listing truth as the reason for his love, and that the truth, ( Jesus Christ ) was abiding in them, and would be with them forever. 

So, what will happen to the truth is that the truth will be with us forever. 

Tomorrow, we can move into the next few verses of this wonderful little letter by John, about the greatest subject in the world and universe. 


Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia

Knowing you have eternal life, and one other important thing.

1st John 5:13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.


There were a number of reasons why John wrote this letter, they are sprinkled through these 5 chapters. Here we have another one. Actually, there are two listed in this one verse. 


He tells us ( It's a blessing to know that while it's John writing and speaking, it's the Lord who had him write this, as He did with all the authors in the entire Bible, Old and New Testaments. ) why he had written these things to his readers.


He identifies them as those who believe in the name of the Son of God, it's so that, they may know that they have eternal life, and that they might continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.  So, these are two reasons for writing this letter.


Personal knowledge of, or assurance of their having eternal life, having Jesus the Son of God as their savior, and that they might continue, or abide in the Lord. 


The word, "Know", that you may know, means, to behold, to perceive, to see, to perceive with the senses, to discern, to discover, to have knowledge and understanding....


So, when a person reads through this short little 5 chapter letter, one of the blessings that the Lord will bring into their lives, is this assurance of having eternal life. 


And, they will be encouraged to continue believing, or continue to follow the Lord Jesus Christ. If you are having trouble in your walk right now, just trying to stay on track with the Lord, that is, following Jesus, then this letter will help you. John's second reason listed above, has to do with continuing to believe. To remain, to abide, to keep on, keeping on looking to Jesus Christ. 


You may want to try reading this letter over a few times, it will only take you about 15 minutes, but well worth the time. Pray and ask the Lord to speak to you through it. 




May You be blessed in your walk with the Lord. 


Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia 

What God has given to us through His Son Jesus Christ.

See 1st John 5:11-12

1st John 5:11  And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.

1st John 5:12 He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.

1st John 5:13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.

First off, John tells us "this is the testimony" Or this is the expression about what God has done. This is the record of what we have been given by God in Christ. 

God has given us eternal life and this life is in His Son. So, the two things said here. First of all, It's not saying that we somehow earned or deserved this eternal life. Nor is stating that it's been given to us through any other person or means then God. Secondly, it's been given to us. It's come to us from God. 

The word given means, grant, deliver, to give something of one's own accord. Let have, to supply, furnish, present, hand out .

So, our God has given to us ( those who believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God ) eternal life. Which means, we have been united with God through Christ, and we now have communion with Him, we know Him, we can communicate with Him, and He with us. We are together in fellowship with God. 

We were not in this position before we believed. We were separated from Him. We did not know Him, we were without Him, but now in Christ, that has all changed. God has given us eternal life. 

And, this life is in His Son. John expounds on this a little bit. The person who has the Son ( that is, have come to faith in Christ, have received Christ, are saved etc, ) He who has the son has life. Since the life is in His Son, then it stands to reason that if you have the Son, then you have life. 

On the contrary, the person who does not have the Son of God does not have life. This is also plain and simple. It's not confusing, it's clear, and simply stating that for those who have never received Christ, they have not believed, they have not turned to Christ to save them, these do not have life. They are still dead in their sins and trespasses. 

One can easily see why it's so important to have Christ. Because with Him, you have eternal life, and without Him, you do not. He is indeed the way to God, and it's God who gives us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.

Pastor Bob Grenier

Calvary Chapel Visalia

The witness in heaven, on earth, and in ourselves.

See 1st John 5:6-10
John uses the word "witness" at least 7 times in these few verses. The word witness, means, to testify, to bear record, give testimony, to affirm that one has seen or heard or experienced something, or that he knows it because taught by divine revelation or inspiration. So those definitions are helpful to have in mind as you read through and consider what is taught in this passage.


It begins by giving us some facts about Jesus Christ. First of all, He is a He. That is, He was a real human being, ( as well as being fully God ) He was God come in the flesh. He came by water and by blood. Possibly referring to his water baptism by John, or birth through Mary and then His death on the cross. It could mean, by use of water and blood, just a reference to His physical birth.  Either way we know that all three are true, His birth, baptism, and His death. The main point being brought our here is the fact, that it is "The Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is truth" By saying the Spirit is truth of course, he is showing that the Holy Spirit's witness cannot be false, as were some of the false prophets, but is to be taken for what it is, and it is truthful.


( As an aside here we see the main ministry of the person of the Holy Spirit, who happens to be in us, and that is, He is bearing witness, he is giving testimony to what and who Jesus Christ is, and what He has done, and what ought to do in relationship to Jesus )


But, going on, There are also three that bear witness in heaven. ( By the way, here John is mentioning this real place called heaven, and is telling us a little about what goes on there )
There are three that are bearing witness in heaven, presumably at all times. The Father, The Word, ( which is Jesus Christ Himself ) and the Holy Spirit, and, John adds these three are one. These three distinct, individual persons are also one. They are each God, and yet they are all God, and they are said to be one, or united in what has been called the God head.


Still more about "witness" There are three that bear witness on earth. The Spirit again, the Water, ( presumably a ref to water baptism of Christ, or the birth of Christ, and then the blood, again presumably referring to His death on the cross. Not completely sure, but either way, both interpretations would be true. One, that Spirit is witnessing about Christ's birth into this world, water and blood, flesh and blood, or He is witnessing about His birth and His death. John adds, that these three are one. Again, there is witness, it's centered in Christ, it involves all the members of the Godhead, and they are united together in what they are witnessing about, what they are declaring, telling us about.


Now John makes some application. Here's the scenario. If we receive the witness or the teaching of mere men, the witness of God is greater. So, man is not as great as God, and God is greater then man. And if both are telling something, we know that God is the greater of the two.
And the witness of God is that He has testified of His Son. That's what God has been testifying of. His Son, Jesus Christ. The man who was God. The God who also became a flesh and blood man. He is the focus of God's testimony.


Lastly, we are told this about "Witness"
He who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself. He who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed the testimony that God has given of His Son.


Since God is greater then man, and if God's testimony differs from man, and man does not accept the testimony from God about Jesus, then the man is in effect, placing himself above God and at the same time declaring that God is not telling the truth. He is saying that God is a Liar, which of course could not be true. Already we were told the Spirit is truth.....and He is one with the Father and the Son. We have been told that there is no darkness in God, in Christ. So, all of them are the same in terms of their purity of character, they are one, or united in who they are as God. Individuals, to be sure, but united together as one God. The 3 fold God head, Father, Son, and Spirit.
They all testify about Jesus Christ.








Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia

Another look at 1st John 5:4-5.......Overcoming the world.

We are told here, in 1st John 5:4-5, that those who have faith in Jesus Christ, have overcome the world. The world is something that John described in very specific detail in the 2nd chapter of this letter. See 1st John 2:15-17

We are told "not to love world, or the things in the world" And, then we are given a reason to not love the world. It's because "If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him"

So, loving the world means that person will not have the love of the Father in them. What does it mean to "not love the world?"
The word love as used here, means, to be fond of, to love dearly, to be contented with it.........Or to have the world as that which you live for, i.e the passion of your life.

Now John explains what's in the world, what it's made up of. There are three things. The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. These are not of the Father, but are of the world.

Let's look at each of them one by one.

The lust of the flesh. This is speaking of those desire, those cravings that come from our fallen, or sinful human nature. These cravings can include many things. It's not just limited to sexual sins as it were. Some have called this, living for passion, and passions, or pleasure and pleasures.  The point is, that these cravings make up a major part of what life is like for those who do not have the love of the Father in them.

Secondly, the lust of the eyes. Or as it's been said, the lust for things. Or living for materialism. The desire to have things, to get more and more things. This also is part of how people can live, strictly for things. The lust for possessions.

Thirdly and finally, he talks about the pride of life. Or the desire to do your own thing, and be your own God, rather then letting God be God in your life, and living to accomplish His will and desires for your life.

John tells us that these things are not of the Father, but of the world. In other words, living for pleasure, living for possessions, and living in pride are not of God. These are not the things God has created us for.

The last thing God tells us here, is that the world is passing away, and the lust of it. It's all going to be gone. It's in the process of passing away. It will come to an end. Eventually, it will be gone entirely. See Rev 20-22.

The good news is, that those who do the will of God abide forever. What great, great news.
By trusting in Christ now, we move from being in the world, to being in the kingdom of God, and we have the promise of eternal life.
Additionally, there is a satisfaction that comes into our lives when we walk with the Lord.
But the most important is, that we have the promise of being with the Lord forever, and ever.

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia

Overcoming the world

Having talked about what happens to the person who believes in Jesus Christ, and the fact that God's commandments are not burdensome, ( see 1st John 5:1-3 ) He now talks about believers in Jesus Christ overcoming the world. 


See 1st John 5:4-5


First of all, we are told that whatever is born of God overcomes the world. The world was described as something we are not to love, and is explained in detail in chapter 2, and mentioned again in the fourth chapter in relationship to the spirit of anti-christ. The world is what we were in, but have been taken into the light and life of Jesus Christ, through faith in Jesus Christ. 


And, we are said to not only have overcome the world, but, it's explained to us, that "this is the victory that has overcome the world--our faith. Thus faith, or trust in God's Son Jesus Christ as Savior of the World, brings us into this overcoming of the world. 


So, faith in Christ is what brings us into victory over the world. Our faith, our trust in, reliance upon, etc, that's the key to the victory. 


John, then in typical John fashion, repeats his thought, only with a slight difference. Who is the person who overcomes the world? But, he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? 


It's helpful to remember that John was standing against the many false teachers of his day, who were constantly undermining the truth that the man Jesus  of Nazareth was indeed also the Messiah who had existed eternally, and had now come to the earth and taken on a human body. 


The man Jesus Christ, is in fact, the Son of God. He is God. He is the Savior of the World. And by coming to Him for salvation, we are changed, born again, redeemed, set apart, justified, adopted into His family made joint heirs with Christ, called saints, pilgrims etc, etc.


Mostly, John's point is that we move from being in the world, to being born of Him. We are no longer citizens of the world, but are now children of God in the family and kingdom of God. 

 Pastor Bob Grenier

Calvary Chapel Visalia 

What happens to the person who believes in Jesus Christ?

See 1st John 5:1-3

The person who believes ( puts their faith in ) that Jesus is the Christ ( the promised Messiah of the Bible ) is born of God.

When a person believes in Jesus Christ, they become as Jesus said, "born again"
Here John calls it, "born of God"

It's called the new birth, regeneration, being a new creature, a child of God, etc, etc.
But, through faith in Christ.....that is, believing that He is the savior, that He died for your sins, that He rose from the dead, that you are a sinner, and receiving Him, you become born of God.
The short version is, "believes" and in that believes, are the understanding of the gospel, ( in it's simplest form, and the understanding that you are a sinner, and then placing your faith in Christ ) then you are saved. It's been made simple by God, so that even a small child can understand it.

At any rate, here's what's said about the person who is born of God. He adds, that everyone who loves Him, ( God ) who begot, or saved them, also loves him who is begotten of Him, or other believers.

Put another way, Christians love other Christians. There is a love between them, and for them.

Furthermore, John says, here's how we know that we love the children of God, it's when we "keep His commandments"  So, our obedience to the Lord's commandments, is also evidence of our love for other believers. All through this short 5 chapter letter, John talks about "commandments ", and it's a ref to the command to love one another, it's at least that and more.

But, you can see why our loving others is so important to our own personal assurance. If you stop and think about it, it's not uncommon to see those who do not believe express their lack of love towards believers. Ranging from out and out mockery, to ridicule, to hatred, to harassment, to persecution etc, etc. But, Jesus said that all men would know that we are His disciples, by the love that we have one for another.

Lastly, here, John says, "For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome" God's love is explained to us, in our keeping His commandments. We are to guard them, and do them. And he adds, that His commandments are not burdensome. It's not a terrible burden to keep them.
That's not to say that it's always easy to love someone, but it is to say that it's not a great burden to love people in general. In fact, it's a blessing to them, and to our souls and to our Father in heaven.

Pastor Bob Grenier

Calvary Chapel Visalia

A re-cap of 1st John 4..........

The first concern John had, was to protect the sheep from false teaching. See 4:1-6.

The apostle encourages the people to do two things. One, not to believe every spirit, or teacher, but to ( secondly ) test or try or examine the teaching. 

The reason for this concern was that there were indeed many false prophets that had gone out into the world spreading their false doctrine concerning Jesus Christ. 

In their testing, here's how they would know truth from error. Those who confessed or taught that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God. Or, that the Messiah had come in the flesh, and that man was Jesus Christ. He was both God and man. The Messiah come to the earth, and taking on a human body, in the person of Jesus Christ. 

Those who denied this truth were not of God, but were the spirit of Anti-christ. He closes up this section by affirming that his readers, were "of God", and that they had "overcome them", and their victory was due to the fact that " He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world" 

Those who would hear them were of God, and those who would not hear them were not of God. That's how they would know the spirit of truth from the spirit of error. 

( Note, the false prophets were influenced by demon spirit's ) 

The second matter that John deals with has to do with our "loving one another". 

The call is "love one another, for love is of God: and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love" 

This could not be any plainer, or more simply put. Loving one another is proof of relationship, lack of love is proof of no relationship. 

John also explains that here's the love of God manifested toward us. "That God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him" This is love John says. It's the Father sending, giving the Son into the world, that we might live, have salvation, be born again, come to know the Lord and become possessors of eternal life, through faith in Jesus Christ. 

Thirdly, John then returns to the matter of our loving one another. We ought to he says. Because, God has loves us, and we then ought to love one another. A simple logic and explanation. Additionally, he tells us what no man has seen, and that is God. No one has seen Him. But, if we are loving one another, God is abiding in us, and His love has been perfected in us, or realized God's purpose in our lives. To love one another.

Fourthly, "by this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit' One of the main reasons why we know that we know Him, and why we know that we are in Him, and He is in us, is because of the Holy Spirit having come into our lives when we became saved. Rom 8, tells us that the Holy Spirit is bearing witness to our spirit that we are the children of God. He speaks to us, He ministers to us, He enlightens us, all having to do with Christ, and with the Father, much like a parent who is raising a child does. That parent is in the child's life as it were, and is explaining to the child things that he or she ought to know, and tells the child things that are important in the child's development.

Fifthly, and finally, John tells us what he and the others have seen, and what they are testifying to. Namely, that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world. And, that whoever will confess that Jesus is the Son of God, then, God abides in him, and he in God. Because, that's what happens when a person is saved. There is a union and communion with God. The person goes from darkness to light, from death to life, to being dead to being alive, to being without God, to now being with God.

John adds, he and others have known and believed the love that God has for us. ( Question, isn't it good to believe this for yourself, and about yourself? That God has love for you. ? )
God is love John says. And, the person who is abiding in love, abides in God and He in him. Again, this matter of love is a central hinge point on which we hang our knowing where we stand with God, and where God stands with us. Having this love in our lives means we are with Him, and He is with us. Not having this love in our lives means we have no right to call ourselves christians.

What God's love has done for those who have believed, is they now have boldness in the coming day of Judgement. In other words we do not have to fear that great white throne judgement. For we have passed from death to life, and will not come into the judgement. And, even now here in this world, we can rest peacefully, because as He is, so are we down here. How is He? He, a ref to Christ no doubt, or to the Father, both of whom we are in, and both of whom are in us. we are one, and nothing will separate us from the love of God. We are His children, and can face the future with hope and confidence at His coming,

This chapter concludes with the fact, that our love for Him, is because He first loved us. He was the first one to act, to move, to sacrifice for us, to give for us, to devise the way of our salvation, to give us faith, to convict us, to die on the cross for us, to do everything first that relates to our being saved. Our love is the result of His love for us first.

If someone says they love the Lord, but they hate their brother, that person is a liar, plain and simple. Because the person who does not love his brother whom he as seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen. If there is no love in that person it means so much, regardless of what they may claim about themselves and their profession of faith. Love is the proof that you know the Lord, that you are in Him, and that He is in you, period.

This is the commandment that we have from Him. This is what He has given us to do . That the person who loves God must love his brother also. There you have it. If you love God, you must love your brother. You cannot love God and not love your brother. It would be a lie to say you were loving God. You cannot hate your brother and be loving God. They just don't go together in reality.

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia

Love, judgement, fear, perfect love.

The words in the title are covered in the text here in 1st John 4:17-21
Let's take a look at them one by one. 


First of all, there is love and judgement. John tells us that Love has been perfected among us in this: Or, love has had it's purpose accomplished in that, we will have boldness, or confidence in the day of judgement. Further, it's told us that as He is, so are we in this world. How is He? He is with the Father, He is of course accepted by the Father, and we are with the Father as has been stated in this chapter, and because we are in Christ, we also are accepted by the Father. 


We will have boldness, or freedom, a cheerful confidence, and assurance because we have been saved, and we belong to God, we have been forgiven, we have been made His. We have passed from death to life, from darkness to light, from error to truth, etc. Thus in the day of Judgement, i.e the Great White Throne Judgement, while we will be there, we will not be being judged. We have passed from judgement to life. 




Secondly, John tells us that there is no fear in love. That is, because God has loved us, and we have received His love, His salvation, His Savior, His forgiveness, His gift of eternal life, we live our lives without fear ( of the day of judgement ) seems to be the context and meaning. Christians are not living in fear of the future judgment of God. Because, they know they have come to faith, and are forgiven. Saved people are not tormented about the future judgement, but, in all reality, looking forward to being with the Lord when He comes for them, or they go to Him through death. His love is what has cast out that fear. 


Thirdly, here's why we love Him. It's because He first loved us. He started it. He gave us Christ, and then drew us to Christ, making us aware of our need for a Savior. Then, He gave us faith and we have received Christ. We know love Him. But, it's because He first loved us. He gets all the credit, because He manifested His love towards us first. Then, or now, we love Him as a result of His grace. 




Fourthly, and here John is repeating himself about professions of faith. ....1st John 4:20 If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?


The person who says one thing, but does another is a liar. They say they love God, but they hate their brother, they are not telling the truth, they are telling a lie. They do not really love God. John says it this way..........( for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? ) it's hard to argue with that simple fact, and logic. 


Finally, this section ends with 1st John 4:21, "And this is the commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also"


What a great and powerful God we serve. He commands what He wants in His kingdom. It's love. Lord, thank You. 


Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia 

More about God's love, and our loving one another

See 1st John 4:12-16

John begins here, by telling us that "no one has seen God at any time" This is generally true with some exceptions that are given to us in the Bible. 

But, he goes on to say, that "if we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us. "

So, while we may not have ( and we have not ) seen Him, if we love one another, the God whom we have not seen is abiding in us, and His love has been perfected, or realized in a practical way, runs it's full course, in practice in our lives. 

This is how we know that we are in Him, and abiding in Him, and He is abiding in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. The Holy Spirit started to live inside of you the very instant you were born again and saved. He became resident within you. And, He bears witness to your spirit that you are God's child, and He also bears in your life the fruit of the Holy Spirit. So, He has much to do with your knowing that you know God.

Here's something else said by John. Here we are told as to what John had seen and was testifying to .....this was their word about what God had done........God had sent the Son as Savior of the world. This is what God has given to the world a Savior. And, it says, of "the world", that is for any and all who want to be saved, anywhere in the world can be. The word Savior, means, deliverer, preserver.

Going on, John says that "whoever confesses etc, etc.......God abides in Him, and he in God. So, whoever will confess, which means to agree with God about His Son, then God will be abiding with you, and you will be abiding in God.

Lastly, in 4:16, John says, "And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. So, they both knew and believed the love that God has, that is, in sending Jesus, the expression of God's love.....And, then John adds, "God is love, and he who abides in love, abides in God and God in him."

What a blessing to know that we are in Him, and He is in us. There is no better place to be then in the Lord.

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia

In this is love........

Please see 1st John 4:10


1st John 4:10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.


This has been a favorite verse of mine over the years. It does describe for us, what love is. That is, what is this love that John talks about in his epistle. 


This love that was demonstrated in Jesus Christ's coming from heaven to this world. He took upon Himself a human body, and lived with the single focus of going to the cross, and there dying for our sins. He came to take away our sins, and to bring us to God.


What John does in this verse, and of course, it's really the Lord speaking through John, but what is said here, is that this love, is not that we loved God, but, that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 


This underscores the truth and the fact, that salvation is something that God gets the credit for rather then us. It leaves out any chance for us to boast. God gets all the credit. 


It's clear that it was the Lord who loves us, and it was the Lord who sent His Son for us. We did not have a natural love for God. We did not produce Jesus Christ, we did not make Him come about, or put the idea into God's mind to send Jesus. In fact, we did not even truly know that we were sinners. Normally, it's just the opposite. We think others are sinners, and that we ourselves are very righteous in ourselves.


But, He loved us. This is the motivation behind God sending Jesus to the earth. It was not because of anything great within us, that somehow made God love us, no, in fact, we are sinners. Born that way, and living that way. So, there was nothing within us that somehow caused God's love. He simply loved us. And, he does love us. And, it's His love that brought about the coming of Christ to the earth. 


His love sent Jesus to be the propitiation for our sins. That word means, satisfaction. Jesus Christ's sacrifice on the cross, is the only offering that satisfied God concerning sin. 


If it was possible for the blood of bulls and of goats to save us, then there would not have been any need to send Jesus. But, those animals could not save us. 


If it was somehow possible to offset our current and past sins by our living good lives, and our doing good deeds, then there would have been no need to send Jesus. But, we could not do those things so as to satisfy God. 


No, it too, Christ coming to the earth, and dying on the cross to take care of sin as far as God was concerned. And, that is exactly what Jesus did. 


So, when you look at Jesus Christ, and when you think about Him, you can know that because you are in Christ, because He is your savior, God is satisfied with you, because of Christ. 


Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia 

Let us love one another, for love is God.

See 1st John 4:7-9

We have once again, the word beloved, used to describe John's readers. They were in fact, loved by him, but more importantly, loved by God. 

The message here is simple, and it's of central importance. It's God's call in our lives to "love one another" Actually, what he says, is "let us etc, "......that means that we as christians, can, and ought to do this We ought to love one another. The reason is, that Love is of God. This love is of Him, it's from Him, it's who He is. Secondly, we are told that everyone who loves ( this way ) is of God, and knows God.

So, these two things are true then, of everyone who loves. They have been born again, of Him as John says, and they know God. That is, they perceive Him, they understand Him, the have an intimate knowledge of God.

On the other hand, the person who does not love does not know God,  and then John repeats what he had said earlier, and that is, that God is love. So, if a person knows God, who is love, then they would be those who love others is the idea.
If someone says they know God, but they do not love others, then they are not telling the truth about themselves. They may think they know the Lord, but their lack of loving others is proof positive that they do not know God. Regardless of what one may think or say about themselves. The truth of God's Word is above our own thinking.

There are people even today, as there always have been who are physically in the church, you can see them talk to them, sit by them, listen to the Word of God right there with them, sing worship songs with them, serve in ministry with, but, they do not know the Lord.

It's very important that we are not deceived about this matter. If someone says they know God, but they do not have His love for others, they are not telling the truth. They are deceived, and John does not want you to wind up being deceived either.

Love does not hate, it does not wish the worst for others, it does not desire their destruction, etc, etc. This is as plain as anything can be. Yet somehow it can be missed. John was trying to bring it front and center.

Now, John describes this love. It was manifested towards us by God, in that He sent His only begotten son into the world that we might live through Him.

What does only begotten mean? It means, there is no one else like Him. He is unique. He is in a class of His own. There is the Father, the Holy Spirit, and there is the Son. And, the Father sent the Son. What a sacrifice the Father made, and what a servant the Son was and is. God gave up His Son, and His Son agreed to give His life for us on the cross. The result is, that by receiving Christ, we then have eternal life. He gave His life, that we might gain eternal life.

Pastor Bob Grenier.
Calvary Chapel Visalia

1st John 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.

1st John 4:8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.

1st John 4:9 n this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.

The spirit of truth, and the spirit of error. See 1st John 4:1-6

The common endearing term, "beloved" is used once again. This reminds us that today, just like yesterday, and like it will be tomorrow, and will be forever, and forever, you are dear to the Lord, He loves you.


But, here's what's said to God's beloved. It's something we ought not to do.
Don't believe every spirit, or do not believe everything you hear, and every teacher that you hear, but test them, to see if they are of God or not. ( note: these false prophets were being influenced by demonic spirits. See 1st Timothy 4:1 ) 


The reason for this not believing, and testing, is because there are many false prophets that have gone out into the world.


Earlier, twice in fact, John had mentioned his concern about those who were trying to deceive them. So, false teaching, through false teachers, was and is, a serious concern, as it ought to be today. 


The way to not be deceived is given to us right here, and even they youngest christian can apply this wisdom. Here it is. By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit ( teacher ) that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God. And, every spirit ( teacher ) that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And, this is the spirit of Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.


So, that's what's to be done in an effort to not be deceived. It has to do with the teaching about Jesus Christ. And, means, that those who teach that the man Jesus Christ, was indeed the Messiah, God come in the flesh, they are of God, and those who deny that the man Jesus Christ was God, they are not of God, and they are of the Antichrist. 


Satan, who has sinned from the start, either lies about what God has said, or tries to dissuade people from believing in Jesus Christ, and or deny's outright that Jesus Christ is in fact, the only way of salvation, and that He is not truly the king of kings, and lord of lords. They do not want to promote the knowledge of Jesus Christ, but rather deny that knowledge, and offer something different then the true Biblical teaching concerning Jesus Christ. 


Later this week, we will look at why this is fundamentally, and absolutely important to the Christian Faith. But, for now, we can see that this is the main point of John's concern. Who is Jesus? That's the primary issue here. And that there are people who preach and teach the true Jesus, and there are those who do not. There are indeed false teachers, and there are lying demonic spirits at work, and the believer needs to beware of them, and know how to identify them. 


In closing here, John tells us who we are, and what has happened to us, and why it has happened. 

1John 4:4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

John, then goes on to give further explanation. 

1John 4:5 They are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them.

Finally, John declares who we are, and about those who hear us, and, about those who do not hear us. 

1John 4:16 We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.

This is how we know the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error. 

Pastor Bob Grenier

Calvary Chapel Visalia

Gleanings from 1st John 3........and thoughts about prayer

1 John 3:1
We are regarded by God, because we are indeed, His children. We have been born again, born into His family. So, as a Christian, this truth is true about you at this moment. You are His child. You have been born anew by the Holy Spirit's work. You are a child of God.

1 John3:2
When He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is
Jesus will be revealed, that is, He is coming again to the earth, both in the rapture of the church, and to rule and reign on the earth for 1000 years. We are going to see Him face to face, and at that time we will be changed, and have a new and glorified body like His.

1John 3:3
God's children not only have the hope of seeing Him in the future, but in the present, there is a cleansing that takes place in their lives. This cleansing comes from God as we confess our sins, and put off the flesh, and seek to walk in His ways, and obey His commandments.

1John 3:6-7
God's children, ( those who abide in Him ) do not sin. That is, they do not practice sin. Of course they do sin, but not as a lifestyle. Conversely, the person who practices sin as a lifestyle has neither seen Him, nor knows Him. To sum it up....The person who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous.

1John 3:8-10
The person who sins ( as a lifestyle ) is of the devil. Whoever has been born of God, ( that is, become a christian, saved etc, ) does not sin ( does not practice sin as a lifestyle ) These two lifestyles show us the child of God, and the children of the devil. To sum it up......He who does not practice righteousness, is not of God, neither is he who does not love his brother.

1John 3:11,14
God's message from the start was and is, "that we should love one another" One of the ways we know that we are saved, that is, we have passed out of the realm of death, into the realm of life, is that we love the brethren. The person who does not love his brother, is abiding in death. They are not in life and light.

1John 3:22
Whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. Here John links prayer, and receiving answers to our prayers, with our keeping His commandments, and our doing those things that are pleasing in His sight. So, our lifestyle and answered prayer are linked together.

A comment and thought about 1st John 3:22 about Prayer.

First of all, it reminds me that there is something called prayer.
Prayer is talking to God.
Prayer is something that Jesus did while on earth.
Prayer was taught by Jesus.
Prayer was practiced by the early church.
Prayer is encouraged all through the Bible.
Prayer is something we all wish we did more of.
Prayer can take place in many ways.
Prayer does not have to be a certain length.
Prayer can be for others, or for myself.
Prayer is effective.
Prayer is heard by God.
Prayer is part of the practice of the church.
Prayer is more then is mentioned above.
Prayer has many promises attached to it in the Bible.
Prayer is recorded for us in the Bible.
Prayer is prayed in blessed and in troubled times.
Prayer is also singing to the Lord.
Prayer is praying for others.
Prayer is praying about situations.
Prayer is praying for myself and my needs and situations.
Prayer is something the apostles would be doing, and then fall asleep.


My prayer today, this morning is, Lord please help me to pray. In Jesus name, amen.
Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia

How to be sure and know that you are a christian.

See,1st John 3:17-24

John had been talking about the expression of God's love through Christ. He is our example of laying down His life for us, and that this is what we ought to do as well, lay down our lives ( live sacrificially on behalf of others ) for the brethren. 

Here, he gives an example of this love, or the failure to show it in action. 

If you have material goods, and you see a brother in need, yet, you shut up your heart from him, how does the love of God dwell in you? If you have say, food, and you are with a christian brother who literally has no food, and you keep your food, and don't share it with him that has none, is that an expression of God's love in you.

Let's not love just in word, but in deed and in truth. Let's not just talk about it, but actually show it in the way we act and live is what John is saying. Let's walk our talk as they say. Live out what you say, live out who you are. Walk in love towards others, in the most practical of ways. 

This love that is shown, is one of the ways we know we are of the truth......and, it's how we assure our hearts before Him.

In other words, for the person who does more then say they are in the truth, or that they are saved, or that they are in Christ, etc, they will have an assurance. They will know that they are of the truth. Again, your life's actions say something about if you are truly in the light, in the truth etc, etc. Actions bring assurance. Works bring assurance, and a knowing that you are in the truth etc. 

In the remaining verses in this this chapter, John deals with the subject, of "if our heart condemns us"

First of all, God is greater than our heart.

Secondly, God knows all things. 

Then, to further explain this, he says, that if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. 

Why did he say this about "our hearts condemning us" Well, because our hearts can do that from time to time. Even if we are indeed Christians, we can begin to experience condemnation. Condemn here, means to find fault with, to blame, to accuse. The Christian can find themselves being condemned. What John was saying, is that even though your heart may do that, God knows what's true about you. He knows all things. He knows not only your profession of faith, but He knows your practice of faith. 

Then, John talks about prayer, which can include asking, and receiving from God. 

Three things are said here.....

1. Whatever we ask we receive from Him.

2. Because we keep His commandments.

3. And do those things that are pleasing in His sight. 

This teaching about prayer here, does not mean a person just prays and always gets from God what they were asking for. No, it's qualified with a couple of things. It's those who ask from Him. And, it's those who keep His commandments, and it's those who do those things that are pleasing to Him. This really speaks of disciples who want to do the will of God, and will in fact find the will of God taking place in their lives as they walk with Him, and ask of Him etc, etc. 

The chapter ends with a clarification of "the commandment" It's simple. 

We should believe in Jesus Christ.

And love one another. 

And, this is the commandment that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as He gave us commandment. 

Pastor Bob Grenier

Calvary Chapel Visalia