John wants us to know and believe who Jesus is. He is the Word - the One through whom God speaks and acts. The only way we can know God is through the Word. He is the Word who Moses wrote about in the beginning. He is the Word who said "let there be light". He speaks light and life now and we see it most clearly when we gaze upon Jesus crucified and risen.

Keep away from people who are looking to cause divisions and teach things that are wrong. That means we need to know the truth and stand firm on it. What we believe matters. We can look forward to the final defeat of Satan which God will bring about through his church living out the good news, making him known to the nations. And when we are raised, the last enemy, death, will be defeated! No wonder Paul was eager to preach the good news about Jesus.

What is it to be a Christian? It is to be 'in Christ'. May we get hold of that every day - that is who we are! And may we have a warmth and love to others. May we both those who work hard, risking even our lives, being mothers and brothers to others in church life.

May God excite us to see what a wonderful thing is to be part of his worldwide church building project! Jesus showed how the whole Bible taught he would be spoken to all the nations - having died and been raised from the dead. Let's join the struggle in prayer and be excited about mission. And remember, God answers prayer - but not always how we might think!

Paul shows us his heart for people. His big view of what God does as people hear the good news and are completely transformed. It's amazing that Paul who was a Pharisee has been changed to see his work with the non-Jewss (Gentiles) as a priestly duty! How Paul encourages us to have a vision for sharing the good news of Jesus Christ.

We are to bear with one another. We are to build one another up. That is how Jesus lived. He has accepted us - what a huge thing! How can we not accept someone that Jesus has accepted? We can't! Jesus unites us, so let us show it - and in doing so, we will show the hope that we have.

A key thing in deciding how to use our 'freedom' is how will me doing this impact other people? Will it be something that could cause younger Christians to sin? We are called to love one another. Remember Jesus did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing for us!

Our consciences matter - even if they are wrong - we should listen to them. Paul warns about judging others for either being too weak in their faith ("they have too many hang ups") or strong in their faith ("they can't do that if they're a Christian!"). God is ultimately the judge who we must all appear before. There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus - being in Christ Jesus shows in our attitude to one another.

Showing the love of Christ means paying your debts. If you borrow something or owe someone money, be quick to sort it. There is a debt we constantly owe and that is love. Commandments don't stifle love - they give it shape and direction. We are to love our neighbours. Especially as we get hold of the fact that the life to come - the new creation - will be a life of love. It will be a life without sin. So let us put to death sin and put on Jesus - doing the good works he has prepared in advance for us to do.

Paul restates Jesus' teaching about giving to God what is God's and given to Caesar what is Caesar's. We need to make sure we don't have blind spots here and lose sight of the fact that God works all things to the good of those who love him. Part of our serving God is to honour those who rule over us - that includes praying for them, speaking respectfully and paying our taxes.