"Behold what manner of love"

John, calls us to behold the type of love that our father has bestowed on us. ......and then describes it, by saying, "that we should be called the children of God"

This is indeed what He has done in our lives. He has made us His children. He calls us His children, we are those that belong to Him. 

As a result of our being His children, the world ( as described in 1st John 2:15-17 ) does not know us. They know a life and way of living, that does not include God, leaving God out, and is headed by Satan, and rivals God. They do not know us. They don't recognize or understand us, because they don't know God, and don't understand Him. 

Now, ( at this time ) we are the children of God; as to the future, it has not yet been revealed to us, we can't see it, but, here's what we do know. We know that when He is revealed ( this is about the 3rd mention of the appearing once again of Christ that John has made in this letter ) two things are going to happen. 

1. We shall be like Him.

2. We shall see Him as He is. 

The Bible teaches us that we shall see Jesus, face to face. And, we will know Him, even as we are known by Him. A close personal, and intimate knowledge of Him.  

And, we are told that we shall be like Him. In what ways? 

First of all, we will be where He is. And, we will have a body like His. We will see the Father, and the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Angels, and all the saints who are in heaven with God. We will all be together, forever and ever. 

John, goes on to say concerning this hope, that every person who has this hope in himself, purifies himself, just as He is pure. 

Hope and purity are linked together. The fact of hope, of our seeing Him, of His appearing, of His return to the earth, has the effect upon us of purification. We cleanse ourselves. 

Continuing on with this cleansing of ourselves, John now says, that whoever commits sin, also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. And, you know that He was manifested to take away our sin and in Him there is no sin. 1John 3:4-5

Commits sins, means, practices, or this is their lifestyle, this is what characterizes their lives, they are given over to sin. They are then guilty of sin, and or of lawlessness. That's what sin is. It's lawlessness, or the breaking of and violating of God's law by transgressing it, and neglecting it, being unrestrained and unregulated by His command and His will. That's what it is to practice sin.  

One or two more thoughts here. 

1. We know that He was manifested, in order to take away our sins. That's the reason He came here, to take away our sins. And, in Him there is no sin. He took them away, but there is no sin in Him. ( where did He take our sins, and what has happened to them )

2. Whoever abides in Him, or is walking with Him, is in the light etc, the born again child of God, does not sin. That is, they do not practice sin as a lifestyle. It's just the opposite of what was said earlier. There was the "whoever commits sin" people, and here there is, the "does not sin" people. Without Christ, and not abiding in Christ, practicing sin. Abiding in Christ, with Him, not practicing sin. 

3. The person who is sinning as a practice, has neither seen Him, nor known Him. 

Seeing and knowing Jesus changes your life, with respect to sin. 

John, has a lot more to say about all this in the remainder of this chapter. 

To conclude, with what we started with. What kind of love is this, that God has given to us, that has changed our lives. Praise God, and thank You Lord, for giving us Jesus Christ. We would be still in darkness without Your love working in our lives. 

We love you , and bless You Lord. 

In Jesus name, amen.

Pastor Bob Grenier

Concerning those who try to deceive you. ( comparing truth and lies )

 See 1st John, 2:18-29

This is another stated reason for writing this letter. The first four reasons are......

That you may have fellowship with us, and with the Father, Son and Spirit.

That your joy may be full.

That you sin not.. 

Concerning those who try to deceive you. 

Here in 2:18-29, John explains that it is the last hour, and then gives alot of detailed explanation about that statement. 

The last hour, means, the last days. Jesus Christ is coming back to the earth. They had been taught that "Anti-Christ" was coming. Anti, meaning against, and Christ here, meaning instead of the true Christ. This man is coming. See 2nd Thess 2, and Rev 13.

But, John, add, there are many antichrists already. Others who were against Christ, and promoting another Christ as it were. These many antichrists, are for us evidence of the last hour, last days. 

They, ( antichrists ) went out from among us. These had been there with the apostles and other true believers, but, they were not of "us" they were not true christians. Had they been, they would have continued with the apostles, but, they left, and were thus seen for what they were all along, they in fact were not of us. They were antichrists. They had a different doctrine, and they were against the true Jesus as presented in the Word of God and here in this letter by John. 

However, John says concerning his readers, his little children in Christ, he tells them what they have, and it's effect upon them. 

They have an "anointing from the Holy One" What is this? It's a ref to the work of the Holy Spirit within them, that results in them knowing all things. Or, being able to discern, distinguish between truth and error. 

Here's another reason not mentioned yet. 

See 1John 2:21......

I've not written to you because you do not know the truth, but just the opposite, it's because you do know the truth, and that no lie ( falsehood, no intentional falsehood, whatever is not what it seem to be, perverse, deceitful ) and in context, he is talking about false teaching, specifically teaching concerning Jesus Christ. 

Liars, are people who deny that Jesus is the Christ. That person is antichrist, the one who denies the Father and the Son. 

Now, what does this mean? 

Please notice, the serious consequences to this denial. See 1st John 2:23.

The person who denies the Son, does not have the Father either. He who acknowledges, or believes in Jesus Christ, has the Father also. 

So, what is this lie, and who are these liars? The denial that Jesus is the Christ, or the Messiah, that God has come in the flesh, that Jesus Christ, was and is God, and that He came also into this world in the form of a human being, a man, and at the same time remaining God. See 1st John 4:3. This is the most serious error, and lie that a person could tell and believe in, for it means they will not have the Father, and without the Father, they have no salvation. 

So, in light of all this, the reality of the antichrists, the departure from their midst of these people, the lies they were telling about Jesus, and what they ( the true christians knew, and had in themselves, ) he says, "let that abide in you, or let what you know and have been taught stay in your life, don't depart from it, and don't let it depart from you. If you let it stay with you, then you will abide in the Son and in the Father. 

And, here's the promise that He has promised us. ETERNAL LIFE. 

So, this is why I've written to you, it's out of concern for you, because of those who try to deceive you. Those who would try and lead you astray. Those who would promote another Christ, and try to get you to deny what you have had from the beginning, and adopt this false teaching. 

Lastly, he says, the anointing you have received from the Lord, it abides with you, ( it's really the Holy Spirit, and the gifts of the Spirit, giving you that discernment ........see 1st John 2:20 )

You do not need anyone to come along and teach you some new doctrine is the idea in 2:27b. The Holy Spirit is, and will continue to teach you all the things you need to know. He is true, and He is not a liar, and just as He has taught you, you will continue in Him. The Holy Spirit's faithful teaching in your life, is an assurance of your continuing on in the Lord. 

And now he says in 2:28-29.......Abide in Him, stay in Him, stay with Him, don't depart from Him, that when He appears we will have confidence, and not be ashamed before Him at His coming. Just stay with Him. He is going to come again, and when He does, because you have remained in Him, you will be confident, and not be ashamed.

This chapter ends with a thought that will be very developed in the next chapter. It's been being dealt with already in one form or another in the first two chapters, but will get additional detailed treatment in the next 3 chapters. 

1st John 2:29  If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him.

We know what Jesus is, and we also know that everyone who is like Him, is born of Him, or are truly born again, are from Him, know Him, are saved, are abiding in Him, are in the light, in the truth, and are saved. Similarity to Jesus is the evidence of new life. 

Pastor Bob Grenier

Calvary Chapel Visalia 

What the Lord says about the world, loving it, and His love.

1st John 2:15  Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

1st John 2:16 For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--is not of the Father but is of the world.

1st John 2:17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.

In 1st John 2:15-17, the Lord speaks to us about what not to love, and what it means if we do love what we are told not to love ( the world or the things in the world ) He describes in detail what is in the world, and concludes with what will happen to the world, and contrastingly, what will happen to the person who does the will of God. 


Do not love the world or the things in the world. This is the first thing He says to us.
This does not mean that you cannot interact with, participate in and be part of the things that are around us in our world. That is, sometimes this teaching winds up being understood as I cannot watch TV, I cannot go to sporting events, I must not take part in any social celebrations etc, etc. In other words, it's falsely misunderstood to mean I must shut myself off from the world around me. 
I do not believe that is what's being taught here.


Well then, what does it mean? 
The word "world" used here, means "that organized system headed by Satan which leaves God out and is rival to Him" And it might be added, that though God loves the world of men, ( John 3:16, ) but, believers are not love at all that which organizes against them, ( men ) and against God.  See 1st John 5:19, John 3:19, and James 1:27, 4:4


Secondly, we are told here, that if anyone loves the world that the love of the Father is not in him. A man cannot love the world and the Father at the same time. It's like when Jesus said, you cannot love God and money, and or, you are either with me, or you are against me. 


Thirdly, we are given a detailed explanation as to what is in the world that leaves God out and is rival to Him. There are three things. 


1. The lust of the flesh.
2. The lust of the eyes.
3. The pride of life. 


These three things have been defined as the desires of passion, possession, and position. 
It's wanting to fullfil you lusts, i.e your passions ( understood in the bad sense, passions are against God's will, i.e sex outside of marriage etc, ) and then, materialism, wanting to have things, and stuff, and then finally, pride or position, that is, instead of letting God guide you into His will and place for you, that you make your own way, and insist on doing what you want, and becoming what you want to be without regard for God and His will etc. 


John tells us that these lusts, these desires, these cravings are not of the Father, but are of the world. 


Then in closing, he tells us that the world is passing away. It is on it's way to an ultimate end. Rom 8, speaks about this, and so does 2nd Pet 3, and of course the book of Revelation. 


On the other hand, the person who does the will of God, see 1st John 4:23, And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment. 


So, we were  born apart from God, and in a world that leaves God out, and seeks to be god and rivals Him. But, by trusting in Jesus Christ, we are born again, and now live in this world, but loving Him, and living with Him, following Him, obeying Him, keeping His Commandments, etc, etc. 


Thank You Father, in Jesus name. 
Pastor Bob Grenier.

calvarychapelvisalia's webcam video October 27, 2011 08:31 AM

How to be strong in the Lord......

1Jo 2:14* I have written to you, fathers, Because you have known Him who is from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, Because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, And you have overcome the wicked one.

John had written to the fathers, ( those older, and more mature in the faith ) because they had known the Lord from the beginning. They had known the Lord for a long time is apparently what he meant. 

And, his writing to the young men, and says three things about them.

First of all he says they are strong. Meaning, powerful, valiant, mighty, having the strength of soul to sustain the attacks of Satan, firm, sure.....

Secondly, and I believe this is the secret if you will of their strength, he says, "and the Word of God abides in you" They had the Word of God in them, it was abiding in them. Abiding, or remain, dwell, continue, not to depart, to be present, held, and to kept, continually. to remain as one, and not to become different. 

Thirdly, he says, that they have overcome the wicked one. Or, they had prevailed against the wicked one, the enemy, the devil. They had been able to hold fast against the power and temptations of the devil. 

So, we can see that being strong, is really a result of the Word of God abiding in us. This is what Jesus modeled for us when He began His ministry in Matt 4. 

As Satan attacked Him, Jesus responded with the Word of God. As a man, Jesus has the Word of God in Him. And, this is what we can do, and if we do, we also like these young men, will find ourselves overcoming the wicked one. 

Meditation in the Word is God's way of filling us with His Word. In a non christian sense, meditation means to empty your mind of all thoughts. In the Bible meaning, it means, to fill your mind with the Word of God. 

You can do this, and it's the key to victory over Satan. He cannot overcome the Word of God, but can be overcome by the Word of God. 

Pastor Bob Grenier

Calvary Chapel Visalia 

Sins are forgiven for His names sake.....

PLease see 1st John 2:12

Here, once again John gives us a reason he wrote this epistle. 

He has given us a few already.

One, so that his readers could have fellowship with he and the other apostles, and with the father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. 

Two that their joy, or our joy might be full.

Three that they would not sin. 

And, now another reason is given with respect to the world.

He apparently repeats himself two to three times here, but, let's see if we can understand why he did this, and what he was trying to say.

He calls them "little children" perhaps a ref to the fact that he had been their spiritual father as it were. Used by the Lord to bring them to Christ, or to pastor them, and nurture them in Christ. 

I write to you because "your sins are forgiven you for His name's sake"

This is the primary fact in our salvation, that God has forgiven us of our sins.  Forgiven means, to leave, let, forsake, let alone, depart, expire, disregard, omit, not to discuss now, keep no longer, go away from, leave something behind, to leave one by not taking him as a companion. 

In other words, and we can get the idea pretty clearly, this is what has happened to our sins, through the fact of God forgiving our sins. They are gone. They no longer exist, they have vanished as it were. You could not find them if you looked for them. They are no where to be found. 

And, the forgiveness was " for His names sake" What does this mean? 

It means, "because for His name's sake your sins are pardoned" Or "through His name, and on account of confessing His name" 

It seems that it simply means, that forgiven sins, are because of who Jesus is, and what Jesus has done for us, and of our confessing Him as our Savior, and of our confessing our sins to Him etc" In other words, it's having to do with Jesus Christ being the forgiver of sins in our lives. 

Oh Lord. Thank You. 

Pastor Bob Grenier

Calvary Chapel Visalia 

God helps us to know for sure that we know Him.

Please see 1st John 2:3-11

Here John begins to tell us how we can know if we really do know the Lord or not. I can't think of something better to know then to know if we really do know the Lord.....So, here's what he says. 

First of all, he says, "by this we know ....." Or this is how we know that we know Him, if we keep commandments.....He goes on to say, that the person who says, "I know Him, but does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. So, keeping the commandments, or not keeping them is key here. The word keep by the way, means, to attend to carefully, take care of, to guard, to observe, to reserve. So, the person who carefully attends to the commandments of God is showing that they do in fact know the Lord, but the person who is not carefully attending to these things does not know the Lord. 

Secondly, and this is along the same line exactly, he says, "whoever keeps His Word, ( which is the same thing as keeping His commandments, truly the love of God is perfected in Him. By this we know that we are in Him. Perfected means, to make perfect, or complete, to carry through, to accomplish, finish. So, the Love of God in practice, in  a person's life is evidence of their truly knowing God. Love practiced in our lives, shows that we are truly in Him. 

Thirdly, John says, the person who says, they are abiding in Him, ought to, or should be walking just as He walked. Our lives ought to look like Jesus's life did.....Walked, means conduct. Our conduct ought to be Christlike...Your Christlike conduct is evidence that you really are in Christ. That you really do know Him. Your not having Christlike conduct, would indicate that you do not know Him. So then, the way we conduct ourselves is a huge indicator of either our walking with Him, or our not walking with Him.
To say you are abiding in Him, ought then to be followed by conducting yourself as He conducted Himself.

Fourthly, John says, here's the commandment they had had.
He says, this is nothing new. This is what they had heard from the beginning of the time they had been with Christ. Christ has given them this commandment when He first called them, and they first started following Him. It's new in the sense that the darkness has passed, and the true light was now shining. Probably referencing their ( the apostles ) being born again, and in a genuine relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ. In other words, you were not christians at one time, ( even though you heard this commandment, but you are now )

Fifthly, in 2:9-11, we see that the person who says, "I'm in the light, but hates his brother, is actually in darkness until now" Profession of faith, with hate for your brother, equals, still in darkness. Not in the light, even you say you are. Hating proves you are not in the light, but in darkness. 

Going on with this. The person who loves his brother is in the light. Loving is evidence and proof of being in the light. Just as hating is proof of being in darkness, love is proof of being in the light. And, for the loving person, there will no occasion of stumbling in their walk. Love will keep you from stumbling. Keeping you stable.

Lastly, the brother in Christ, who abides in the light. Love means you are abiding. And there will be no cause for stumbling and error.
On the other hand, the person who hates his brother is in darkness, and is walking in darkness, and does not even know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded their eyes. 

Alot to say here about love, and about hate. Light and darkness. They are each evidence that points to where a person is, regardless of what they may say about where they are. Actions, speak louder then words. Or actions, make sure that our words are true or false. Actions measure who and what we are in that sense.

Pastor Bob Grenier

calvarychapelvisalia's webcam video October 22, 2011 12:23 PM

Another reason why this letter was written.

John addresses his readers, as "my little children" An expression of love and care from the apostle for these dear christian people.
He then tells them why he was writing to them.
"That you may not sin"

Sin, is the greek word, hamartano, and it means, to trespass, to offend, to miss the mark, to err, to miss or wander from the path of uprightness and honor, to do or to go wrong. To wander from the law of God, violate God's law, sin.

So, one of the purposes of this letter, ( along with the two already mentioned in chapter 1:3-4, is that we might not miss what God intends for us, that we might not wander off the path that God has for us to walk on, that we might not sin.

Then, John goes on to say, "And if anyone sins, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. Right here, you have two names for Jesus Christ. Advocate, and The Righteous.

So, as Christians, when we do sin, we have Jesus the righteous, who is our advocate, or representative to God. Advocate or parakletos in the greek, meaning, comforter, one called alongside to help, especially to help, and render aid. It's the one who pleads your cause before a judge, he is your counsel defending you, He is the one who pleads your cause to the Father as it were. By the way, Jesus used this same word, comforter, in describing the Holy Spirit, and His ministry in our lives. He has been called alongside of us, to help us in our lives and walk with Jesus Christ. He leads us into a deeper knowledge of the truths of God's Word, and to give us God's strength, and enable us to undergo trials and persecutions because of Jesus Christ, and our living in Him.

Back to 1st John 2:2..........John says concerning Jesus, that He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only, but for the sins of the whole world. This word, propitiation, means, satisfaction. That is, Jesus Christ and His death on the cross for our sins, is the one offering and sacrifice that has satisfied God concerning sin. So, in Christ, we are accepted by God. God looks at Jesus, and is completely satisfied that He is righteous and has done all that is needed to deal with our sins, and thus we can be with God, and rest assured that our sins are completely forgiven. 

To recap again, the purposes or intentions of God through this letter.......So far, there are 3 of them given....

1. That we might have fellowship with God. 

2. That our joy would be full.

3. That we might not sin. 

And, as to this last purpose, "that we might not sin"........What John is saying is that it's God's intention for us that we might not miss what He has for us, that our lives would be on track with Him, and in His will, and on the course that He has for us etc, etc.......

Here's how the Amplified Version puts it..

MY LITTLE children, I write you these things so that you may not violate God’s law and sin. But if anyone should sin, we have an Advocate (One Who will intercede for us) with the Father—[it is] Jesus Christ [the all] righteous [upright, just, Who conforms to the Father’s will in every purpose, thought, and action]. 

2  And He [that same Jesus Himself] is the propitiation (the atoning sacrifice) for our sins, and not for ours alone but also for [the sins of] the whole world. 

May the blessings of God through Jesus Christ, be with you today in abundance.
Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia

A recap of sorts......in 1st John 1:1-10

John begins his letter by talking about Jesus Christ. Who Jesus is, and how he and the other apostles had interacted with Jesus Christ. 


He uses various terms to describe Jesus, such as, ( that which was from the beginning, The Word of life, Eternal life ) 1:1-2


John then states two of the reasons for writing this letter. Actually there are 4  in the entire letter. But here are two in the first chapter. 


1.That we might have fellowship with them, and with the Father, 
   Son and Spirit. 1:3      


2. That your joy may be full. 1:4


These reasons, are also the purposes, and the intentions of God through John, that is, these are the things the Lord brings to us through this letter, and wants to accomplish, and will accomplish in our lives if we let Him.  That we might fellowship with God, and that our joy ( happiness ) might be full. These are two wonderful purposes of God for us. Thank You Lord. 


Moving on then, John tells us the message they had from Jesus Christ. It's simple, but profound to say the least. Here it is. "God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all" 1:5 Light and darkness are used in Scripture, to speak of truth and lies. Purity and sin, etc, etc. 


The remaining verses in the chapter are also the message they had from Jesus, and here's what is said in 1:6-10


1. If a person says, I'm having fellowship with God, but is walking
    in, or living in darkness, they are telling a lie, and are not 
    practicing the truth.


  2. If we walk in the light, or live our lives in the light, in Christ, 
    then two things happen....We will have fellowship with other
    christians, and the blood of Jesus Christ, God's Son, will 
    cleanse us from all sin. 

3. If a person says, "there is no such thing as sin, I don't have 
    sin etc, " that person is deceiving themselves, and the truth is
    not in them. They are void of the truth. 

4. If we will confess our sins, or admit them to God, agree with
    what God says about sin, then, God is faithful and He is just
    to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all
    unrighteousness. 
   
5. If a person says, " I have not sinned" then, they are making 
    God a liar, and the Word of God is not in that person. 

This letter, this epistle as it's called, deals very clearly with the the truths of how one knows they are a christian or not. It's designed to combat the false teaching of the day, that denied all the truths John is stating. 


John, as an apostle and a pastor was contending for the faith, or holding onto the truth of God's Word, and standing against the false teaching of his day. He was refuting the false heretical teaching of the Gnostic's. 


Again, here's a quick overview of what the Gnostic's were teaching. 


1. Knowledge is superior to virtue.


2. The non literal sense of Scripture is the correct one. 


3. Only a select few can really understand the meaning of 
    Scripture. 


4. The fact of evil in the world means, there must be more then
    one creator.  


5. The teaching that God became man is not true, and could not
    be.  


6. God would not unite Himself with a human body, ( bodies are
    corrupt ) 

7. There is no such thing as the resurrection of the flesh. 


The result of this teaching was, that people were mainly concerned with knowing truth, and did not care about how they lived their lives. There was no connection between what they believed, and what they did or practiced, or how they conducted themselves. 


A person had to have special knowledge, ( gnosis means to know ) in order to understand God's Word. Thus the average person was in the dark so to speak, and had to depend on the enlightened ones to tell them the true meaning of Scripture. 


There must be many Gods, or emanations from God, or go betweens God and man, because, how could there be a creator who would allow or create evil. 


And, since matter, is evil and corrupt, then God would never had united Himself with a body of flesh. Flesh is evil. Thus Jesus did not really have a body at all. 


Lastly, since bodies are evil, they will not be resurrected from the dead. So, there is no resurrection from the dead, and Jesus would not have been resurrected from the dead. 

Confessing our sins. Forgiveness, and cleansing.

The verses below, do indeed talk about the confession of our sins, and the forgiveness and cleansing of our sins. 

1 John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 1:0 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.

First of all, "if we say we have no sin" That is, to say there is no such thing as sin. We do not have sin in our lives is the idea. Not so much the denial of a particular sin, as much as denying the principle and that sin is present in our lives. If a person is saying that ( which some false teachers known as Gnostic's were saying at that time ) then we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 

So, these two things then are a fact about the person who denies sin. 

Self deception, and the truth is not in us. If we refuse to admit that we are sinners, we are deluding ourselves, and we are leading ourselves astray and way from the truth. The Word of God of course says we are sinners. If don't agree with God's Word, then the truth of God's Word is not in our lives. 

Secondly, "if we confess our sins etc, etc"......to confess, means to agree with God. When God says something is so, and we agree with Him, then we are confessing. We are saying the same thing that God says. And, of course, that's what we can do with our sin, and our sins. We can confess them to God, agree with Him about them, and then, here's what God will do with our sins. To confess our sins, is to say the same thing about sin that God does. That's all. It's that simple and clear. 

He is faithful to forgive us our sins. 

And to cleanse of from all unrighteousness.

So, God is faithful, dependable, and He forgives, removes, forgets, sends away our sin, and our sins. It happens from Him as we confess to Him etc, etc. 

And, He then cleanses us from all unrighteousness. Which means, to make us clean, to purge, to purify us. To free us from defilement, from wickedness, guilt, etc. This is what the Lord does. 

We agree with Him, we say the same thing He does about sin, and we receive these two blessings. Forgiveness and Cleansing. 

Here's the last thing in this first chapter. 

1 John 1:0 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.

Again, John is fighting back against those who deny that we are sinners, and that we sin. If you are saying that, then, you are making God a liar. And, His word is not in us. 

God has clearly stated in His Word about sin. We are sinners. It's very clear all through the Bible. So, to deny what God says, is to say that God is lying. That God has not said that etc, etc. And if you deny that God has not said that, then you certainly don't have God's Word in you. 

The next thing that's said in chapter 2, also has to do with sin. And, it's why this letter was written. 

Pastor Bob Grenier

Calvary Chapel Visalia

Thank You Father. 

Two blessing we have from walking in the light.

What happens if we walk in the light? See 1st John 1:5-7

First of all, John, says, it's what he had heard from Jesus when Jesus taught him, and the other apostles. And, it's what John was declaring, or proclaiming to us, we learn a number of things here about God, and what it means to walk with God, or to walk in the light. We also learn about saying you are walking in the light, but practicing darkness.........or walking in darkness. 

Here's the message.........

"God is light, and in Him, there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 

But, if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin" 1st John 1:5-7

It's important to remember, that John was writing in large part to combat a false doctrine that was creeping into the church at that time. 

In part, that teaching said, "It's not important how you live, it's only important that you understand and know the truth etc, " So, knowledge of God and daily conduct were separated, and it did not matter how you lived. It only mattered what you knew. 

John, is refuting that teaching and telling us, that God is something, He is light, and light is always used in the Bible to speak of truth and purity. John adds, that there is no darkness with God. Darkness in the Bible is used to speak of evil and of sin. So, Jesus, God, the Holy Spirit are light and purity if you will. 

Thus, if someone says, "I'm fellowshipping with God, I'm sharing in His life and so on, but, they are walking in, or practicing darkness, then they are not telling the truth, they are telling a lie, and they are not practicing, or living out the truth. 

On the other hand, if a person is walking in the light, or conducting himself in the light, ( as He is in the light ) two things happen. One, we will have fellowship with one another, and secondly, the blood of Jesus Christ His Son, cleanses us from all sin. 

Having fellowship with others is a blessing in Christ. And, we have that fellowship, that sharing with each other, by first of all, walking in the light. John says it this way, "if walk in the light as He is in the light" Then, we will have fellowship with one another. So, Christ is foremost and central to what is called Christian fellowship. 

Secondly, another blessing is given to us here as we walk in the light........the blood of Jesus Christ the Son of God cleanses us from all sin. The Lord removes our sin, and will continue to cleanse us from our sin. He is the sin cleanser. 

The blessings of fellowship and the cleansing of sin. They are both derived from our walking in the light. They are by-products if you will of following Jesus. These blessings flow from Him, as we walk with Him. 

So, today, let's just follow Jesus Christ. Let's walk with Him. Let's open our hearts to Him, let's dedicate and consecrate our lives to Him, and let's enjoy those blessings that He will bring into our lives. Fellowship, and cleansing from sin. 

Thank You Lord God. 

Pastor Bob Grenier 

Fellowship with God, and fullness of Joy.

Fellowship with God, and fullness of joy.

Please see 1st John 1....


The title of this devotional, includes two of the reasons that John wrote this letter.
I'd like to today, just take a running start at this first chapter, by looking at the first number of verses, and then to also understand some of the background that prompted John to write what he did in this letter. So, here we go........


Jesus existed before the beginning. That is, the beginning of all that was created. That's how the Bible opens in Gen 1, with in the "beginning".....So, before that time, before creation, there was nothing that existed. There was only the eternal God, Father, Son, and Spirit. God has no beginning. So, we learn right off the bat here, that Jesus was from the beginning, that makes Him God. Only God has this eternal nature. ( There are many other parts of the Bible that state more explicitly, that Jesus was not created )

Then John goes on to explain his and the other apostles personal experience with Jesus. 

We have heard Him, ( with our own ears ) 

We have seen Him with our own eyes. 

We have looked upon Him. ( Gazed upon Him ) 

We have handled Him with our own hands. 

We have seen, heard, touched, and looked upon the Word of life he says. 

That's another name for Jesus Christ. He is the Word of Life.

John uses this name, and title for Jesus in his gospel......See John 1:1. 

Further explanation about Jesus is given here. The life ( Jesus ) was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness to you that eternal life which was with the Father was manifested to us. So, Jesus is the Word of life, and He was manifested to the apostles when He came to the earth. 

And, here's the first purpose, desire, hope through the teaching here. That is, that the readers might share in this. That is, that they might fellowship with ( the apostles ) and, then John adds, that truly our fellowship, our sharing is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ. The word fellowship means, to share in, to have communion with, participation, contribution, intimacy.


And, he says, these things we are writing to you, that your joy may be full. 

So, fullness of joy, is the second reason this letter was written. this is a second purpose if you will in this letter being written. 

What is fullness of Joy? Joy, means to have peace, and to be glad. To have fullness of joy, is to be as joyful and as happy as you can be. And, that is one of the purposes of this letter. To help the readers have fullness of joy. 

So, let's move on, and see what else John says......

He says, "this is the message we have heard from Him".....

How interesting. Here's what Jesus told us, and we are going to tell you about it now.

God is light......and in Him is no darkness at all.............

That is, God is pure, and there is nothing evil, or sinful in Him. 

I think it's helpful to know what John was trying to ward off through His teaching..

It's called Gnosticism..........

It's a heresy.

It had begun to make inroads into the church at that time...


Gnosticism taught.....


1. Knowledge is superior to virtue. 


2. The nonliteral sense of Scripture is correct and can be    understood only by a select few. 


3. Evil in the world precludes God's being the only Creator.


4. The incarnation is incredible because deity cannot unite itself with anything material such as a human body.


5. There is no resurrection of the flesh. 


The ethical standards of the Gnostic's were so low, so John emphasized the reality of the incarnation and the high ethical standard of the earthly life of Jesus Christ, says Charles Ryrie. 


Well, that's enough for now. 
This will be a great time of growing in and through 1st John 
May our fellowship with the Lord grow, and may our joy come to that place of fullness 


Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia. 

God's will includes these two things.

1John1:1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life--

1John1:2 the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us--

1John1:3 that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.

1John1:4 And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.

In these passages, we are given two of the reasons this epistle was written. Both reasons have to do with our own personal lives, as to what God can do in them, and wants to do in them, and what we can have in Christ from God.

The first reason this epistle was written is found in 1:3, and the second is found  in 1:4.

Firstly, we are told, " it's fellowship"  that we might have fellowship with the Father and with the Son. Take a look again, just below, and see, that this is exactly what John says...

1John1:3 that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.

What does it mean to have fellowship with Jesus and with the Father? The word fellowship, means communion, to communicate, to partake, to have in common, sharing together, to give a share in something, a willingness to give a share in, generosity. The Bible tells us that........we have been called into this fellowship with God.

1 Cor 1:9 God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Secondly, please notice in 1John1:4 And these things we write to you that your joy may be full. Here we are given this second reason. And, it is that our joy may be full. What a wonderful thought to have not only joy, but, to have full joy. Joy, or gladness, joyfulness, joyfully. It's a sense of well being in-spite of our circumstances.

At any rate, we will be talking more about all these things. But for now, it's a blessing to realize that through this letter, God's intentions are given to us. That we might communicate with Him, and that He might give us fullness of joy.
Thank You Lord.

A warning, and an encouragement from the Lord.

God's encouragement to beware, don't fall, but grow in grace.

2 Peter 3:17 You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked;

2 Peter 3:18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.

As Peter winds up his letter, he again uses the familiar term, "Beloved" to remind us of how the Lord regards us and views us. He loves you, and considers you dear to Him. 

Peter now, encouraging his readers, that in light of what they knew, ( which is a reference to all that he had shared in his 2nd letter, and in particular the things of this last chapter, having to do with the coming events for this earth in God's plan, and the eternal plans that God has for us in Christ ) he calls us to beware lest we fall from our own stedfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked. 

It never hurts to be warned about something that could happen. And, such is the case here. Beware, means, to guard, to watch, to keep watch, to keep your eye upon, to guard that you might remain safe. 

The readers, were stedfast, or resolutely firm and unwavering.....they were standing firm. But, he is warning them to remain so. Don't fall from that place and position and walk says Peter. Don't fall into the error of the wicked, don't be led away by their error, i.e their willful denial of the truths of creation and of the flood in Noah's day etc. Stick with the truth Peter says, and you won't fall.

The final thing that he says to his readers, is that contrast to falling, grow........advance, in two things. The grace and the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To grow, is to increase, to multiply, to cause to grow. Grace is God's unmerited and undeserved favor. The knowledge of God, is to grasp, to comprehend, to come to know......to perceive......

So, don't fall, but grow.

Don't be led away by error.

But, advance in knowing the Lord. 

Stay with the Lord, and keep moving forward.

How do we grow in these things? Well, that was the subject of a good portion of the 1st Chapter of this letter.
See 2nd Peter 1:5-11

As a quick re-cap of what he said, includes the idea, that because you are born again, then this growth is for you. Be diligent to grow, make this something you put yourself into. He then lists 7 or so characteristics of growth. In fact, as are adding one of them, then we naturally will also be adding others. It's becoming more Christlike, more Spirit led, less led by our own flesh, and more under the control of the Holy Spirit. 

God bless you.

Pastor Bob Grenier

Calvary Chapel Visalia

The longsuffering of our Lord is salvation.

The Longsuffering of our Lord is salvation.

2 Pet 3:15 and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation--as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you,

2 Pet 3:16 as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures.

The reason given by Peter as to the "apparent delay" in the judgement of God coming, is not really a delay at all, but rather, it's called "the longsuffering" of God. That is, He is very patient. And, He does not want anyone to perish, but that all would come to salvation. 

So, Peter here in 3:15 picks up this truth about God again, having mentioned it there in 3:9, and says, that because God has been longsuffering, or patient, it means that many have been saved in the meantime. God has waited, and waited to bring His final judgement on the world, and in doing so, it has provided a chance for people to be saved. 

Peter then refers to Paul, as a beloved brother ( by the way, Paul was the one who rebuked Peter in the past for Peter's failure to stick to the truth of salvation by grace, and was caving in abit to peer pressure by legalists, See The Epistle to the Galatians ) the point is, that Peter was humble enough to receive the rebuke, and here, he calls Paul "our beloved brother". Peter was far from perfect, as we all are, but, he was humble enough to receive what was given to him by way of rebuke. 

Anyways, Peter, says that Paul had also written about the longsuffering of God and the salvation of God in his letters....and then, adds, that some of the things that Paul has written about are not easily understood, or that they are hard to understand. How true. But, the point being made by Peter here, is that it's the irresponsible people, who do not know what they are talking about, who take and twist the Word of God every way that they want to, and in doing so, ( as they do with other scriptures as well ) they twist them to their own destruction. This is no doubt a ref to the false teachers he had mentioned earlier. 

So, in summary, the Lord wants us to consider that the longsuffering of the Lord is salvation. Right now, God is being patient, and think of how many people you know who need to be saved. This is their opportunity, this opportunity is being provided for them by the Lord in His great patience. 

And, also, back to Paul for a minute. Paul's letters dealt with the same truths as did Peter's letters, albeit from different perspectives, but essentially explaining the same truths. Some portions of the Bible are not easily understood, but, they are also not meant to be twisted and turned into false doctrines that encourage ungodly behavior and filthy lifestyles as was being taught by the false teachers. 

Good and true Bible teaching and explanation, leads to good and true living, according the righteousness of God and the examples given to us in Scripture. Our lives are to be measure by the Word, rather then trying to take the Word and make it fit into our lives, and what we might want to do etc. 

God has given us His Word to save us not to destroy us. 

May God greatly bless you today with His peace, and His grace, and His mercy. 

Pastor Bob Grenier 

Calvary Chapel Visalia