Believe it or not, we were all born into a raging spiritual war. The invisible realm is every bit as real as the chair you’re sitting on right now. Westerners tend to either disbelieve in the spiritual world, or become obsessed with the unseen realm in an unhealthy way. Many spiritual teachers, even in the Church, are false prophets leading many astray. As Christ followers, we are called to test everything we hear, read or see. We test our own thoughts and take everything captive to the obedience of King Jesus. The filter of truth is the gospel of Jesus. He came, lived, died, rose and now rules & reigns at the right hand of the Father. If Jesus isn’t at the center, it’s not from God. We must learn to be a people of discernment and truth in a spiritually dark culture.

So far, John has focused the first part of his letter on the concept of God as Light. Now, he begins the shift into the second major section of his letter by focusing on God as Love. He does so by using the art of contrast. Love vs. hate. Cain vs. Christ. At the end of the day, the point is clear: no love = no life. Love for one another is a critical mark of the believer. As those who have been loved extravagantly, we in turn love our brothers and sisters in Christ sacrificially and generously. This kind of love serves as assurance that our faith is genuine and very much alive.

Love and Light - Born of God, Jonathan Jones, Connections Pastor 02 12 23

As we look back to some beautiful things God has done in us and through us a community of faith over the last year, we pause to celebrate God’s continued goodness to us. As we look forward to a future God already inhabits, we’re encouraged by the blueprint we find in Acts 2 of a church living in community, impacting the world around them, and multiplying disciples who found and followed Jesus joyfully in a hostile world. God has given each follower of Christ a role to play in His grand plan of redemption through time and history. The only question that remains is: will you play your part in His plan of drawing people from darkness to light through Jesus?

Last week, John introduced us to the first two tests of genuine faith. The test of obedience and the test of love. This week, John will give us the third and final test, the test of belief. But before he gets there, he aims to encourage believers by reminding them of who they are in Christ. Forgiven, known by the Father, and victors over the evil one. John reminds us that love for the ways of the world is not compatible with love for God. The truth is, right belief in Jesus, while being empowered by the Holy Spirit makes living for God instead of the world not only possible, but our greatest delight!

Throughout this little letter, John gives his readers three tests that can help determine whether they truly know God or are merely giving Him lip-service. The test of obedience, the test of love, and the test of belief are all great guides to help determine where we each stand with the Lord. This week, we’ll jump into the first two tests: the tests of obedience and love. The truth is, many people today claim to know God, but deny Him with their life. While none of us reach sinless perfection on this side of eternity, there should be a growing and evident desire to love God and obey Him as an overflow of that love.

The concept of sin is completely out of vogue in our culture. Even many churches have strategically removed the concept of sin from their teaching as to not offend the masses. And it sort of makes sense, right? It can be hard to admit that we’re sinners and that we've fallen short. And yet, when we refuse to hide or deny our sin and instead confess it, we find forgiveness and freedom in Jesus. Walking in the light means learning how to press into a life of obedience that actually leads to our joy and the glory of our Savior!

First John is a phenomenally practical letter from the Apostle John to churches in Asia Minor struggling with some of the very same issues we grapple with today in the modern church world. This powerful little letter is written to accomplish some core spiritual benchmarks in our lives: full joy, circumvention of sin, protection from false gospels, and assurance of salvation. Even in the four verse intro, we find immensely applicable truths about eternal life, fellowship, and true joy. Buckle up…this letter is going to challenge you to grow deeper in your faith this new year!

A prayer every follower of Jesus would be wise to whisper at the beginning of every year: “God, how can I make the most of this year?” In our spiritual journey, as with most areas of life, going back to the basics oftentimes leads to the most growth. Age-old spiritual practices like living in community, putting feet (action) to our faith, and looking for strategic ways to glorify God in our personal, professional, and spiritual lives can make 2023 one of our best years yet, both individually and as a church body.

We like to talk about love alot in our culture. We make movies about it, sing songs about it, and write poems about it. We say things like: “I love bacon.” And also things like: “I love my kids.” Love has become sort of a junk-drawer word that can mean almost anything. And yet, the greatest picture of love is found in the source of love itself. The advent season reminds us that God is love. He loves you. And that type of love requires a response. That kind of love invites us to be fully alive rather than merely existing. And that’s a Christmas truth worth celebrating!