We shouldn't think that the struggle we have is one we face alone. In addition to our brothers and sisters in Christ, we also have Christ himself. While this isn't a forcefield that keeps things from happening to us, it is a loving embrace from our creator, who stays by our side in suffering.

Again, John talks about how love defines followers of Jesus. Today, he also contrasts that with fear. Fear is the quality of those who are unsure of their future, unable to come to terms with their present, and unclear about that which makes them secure. Jesus promised all of those to us in his Kingdom and the heritage we are included in with his sacrifice. Knowing that, perfect love (his) is vital to driving out fear.

"We are from God" is the new identity given to residents of the Kingdom of Jesus. Being from God puts us directly in the Spirit of love that is God, and this becomes ours to share. It's transformative. It also gives us a kinship with other believers, which should play out as sharing one another's burdens and caring for our brothers and sisters particularly.

When John talks about the determination of Jesus followers by their action, we are not in a discussion of purity laws. That would be no different from the law of the Old Testament. Instead, we are determining how to see Jesus by seeing his followers. Those who take on new characteristics because of that transformation do more than show themselves, they also show him.

There is an order in spirituality: the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are one. If we are part of the body of Christ and people of the Spirit, we are caught up in that mystery. Once we are there, we practice the same listening that Jesus did when he talked to the Father. If we learn that discipline, we will learn what life in the Kingdom of Jesus can really be like.

Walking in the light does not mean we are without sin. So what's the point of being a follower of Jesus? By definition, following. We put ourselves in God's hands, putting out faith in the future in the hands of our Savior, who has walked the same planet we do.

Those who divide the body of Christ are the main focus of the letter of Jude. This division comes in many ways, but all of them turn a person to their own desires instead of serving the body of Christ. Our objective should instead be, "keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life."

Much is made of the end of the world theme in 2 Peter 3, and of course the return of Jesus is not to be bypassed. According to scholar NT Wright, the context was that a generation of Christians was passing away without a returning of Christ, which many did think would happen in their lifetime. Despite that, the future of a new Heaven and new earth remains, and a just and righteous God remains the judge and pardoner of all as He chooses.

It is tempting to claim to be a representative of God to easily claim authority. That arrogance and self-centered grab for power is not characteristic of those appointed by God to lead, and those very actions show them for who they really are.

Prophets speak for God, but they should never be substituted FOR God. The purpose of being part of the Kingdom of Jesus is transformation, becoming more like him until resurrection makes us very much like him. This should be our focus, not idolizing our favorite speakers.