These things!

[Brother Ben]

1Jo 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

When I learned how to soul win, this was the first verse we took someone to. We only brought to their attention the phrase, "...that ye may know that ye hav eternal life..." to show people they could know they can be saved eternally. However, I was pondering that verse this weekend in light of the carnal churches of our day and thougth, "What are the THESE THINGS, John is talking about"

Sister Melissa (a new sister on the board) said:

One day I looked up to find young girls on our platform singing "praise" music in mini skirts while the youth rocked out with long hair, nose rings, tattoos, and bare belly shirts. These were not the lost but the children of our Deacons and Elders and even our Pastor. Even the middle aged ladies took to showing cleavage and thigh and piling on the makeup in the house of God. Shorts became common attire as folks stopped by church on their way to the game.

Wow! What would John have said about that? Well, we'll see.

1Jo 1:5 ¶ This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
1Jo 1:6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:

Some teach that all one has to do to go to heaven is say a prayer. It doesn't matter if their life changes at all because after all, we are saved by grace and not by works...right? So throwing the baby out with the bath water some pastors take the teaching of justification by faith and make it apply to every aspect of the Christian life. They claim holiness is only internal and God is obligated to take you to heaven if you "said that prayer." How about this:

Hbr 12:14 Follow peace with all [men], and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

Are we allowed to preach that in all its truth and weight? Sobering!

What are more of THESE THINGS.

1Jo 2:3 ¶ And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
1Jo 2:4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
1Jo 2:5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.

As you read the Bible and you come across something God is asking, do we take it seriously? He said, in the New Testament, "...keep his commandments." One of the marks of the anabaptists that differenciated them from the Reformers was a simple application of scriptures to their every day life. If it said to do something, according to God's grace they tried to do it even if it was to love the enemy that was arresting you and taking you off to be burned at the stake for your faith.

Are there other THINGS?

1Jo 2:9 He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.
1Jo 2:10 He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.
1Jo 2:11 But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.

When we read the Foxe's Book of Martyrs or the Martyr's Mirror, we are sickened at the hatred and pain inflicted upon the Christians of old by the Romish Church and other State Churches. However, when we see a person who has placed authentic saving faith in Christ and differs with us on some secondary issue, and we secretly hate them and mock them, are we any different? Christ said:

Mat 5:21 ¶ Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:
Mat 5:22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.

Let us learn to love the brethren and discuss our differences in a spirit of love and forbearance.

More THINGS?

Yes, but later.

Bro. Ben

[Brother Ben]

1Jo 2:12 I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake.

1Jo 2:13 I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him [that is] from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.

1Jo 2:14 I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him [that is] from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.

Another one of "these things" that we can give us assurance that we "know we have eternal life," is the evidence of spiritual growth.

One time I heard an illustration given that went like this:

Some people get saved and grow right away, however, there are some who get saved (say a prayer,) and have NO SPIRITUAL GROWTH, for 25 years or more. Then, one day they start to grow.

I personally do not accept that AT ALL. Period. If you get the REAL THING, growth will occur.

According to John, we see in the assembly of the redeemed a collection of believers:

1. Little children
2. Young men
3. Fathers

Little children is not speaking about an age group, i.e., 5-9 year olds, but instead is speaking of "new converts." These have at least this in common, they know "... your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake," and "...because ye have known the Father."

An authentic new convert may not know much doctrine, but he can tell you this, "I'm saved!" and he may be lonely but he can tell you this, "I know the Father!" How wonderful it is to belong to the family of God, to know that your sins have been forgiven and that you know and are known by the Father.

Young men, on the other hand, have learned how to battle in the Lord and have a deeper knowledge, "...because ye have overcome the wicked one." They know what it means to see a spiritual fight and to overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony. John also says about them "... ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you." They, like an earthly young man, have acquired a knowledge of the word of God and know how to use it skillfully.(Eph. 6.)

Then, there are the "fathers." John points out about these pillars of the faith, "...ye have known him [that is] from the beginning." They have come to see and know the Creator God. He is the beginning of all things and without nothing was made that is made. They see the Father as the foundation from which all things grow. They know, "For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ." 1 Cor. 3:11

Spiritual growth is an on going process. It does not happen all at once, and sometimes we have to go back and relearn or regrow hindered branches. Paul said:

Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Gal 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Look for these, if there is none, then there is NO LIFE. We don't need to prop up the Doctrine of Justification by faith. If it really happened, the seed will take root, and the stalk will pop up out of the good ground, and fruit will start to grow.

These are some of "the things," John was talking about.


Am I growing? Are you growing? Let's pray for each other that we will grow in our dear Lord. Peter said:

1Pe 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
2Pe 3:18 But grow in grace, and [in] the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him [be] glory both now and for ever. Amen.

More things to come!

Bro. Ben