I John 4 (NIV)

Summary:

Test the Spirits
Verses 1-6

Don't believe every spirit; test them to see if they're from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.  Every spirit that acknowledges that Christ came into the flesh from God is the Spirit of God.  Every spirit that doesn't acknowledge Christ is a spirit of the antichrist.  The antichrist spirits will come and some are already in the world.

We are children of God and have overcome them "...because the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world." (Verse 4b)  They speak from the world's viewpoint, because they are of the world, and the world listens to them.  We are from God and whoever knows God listens to us (the apostles).  Whoever isn't from God doesn't listen to us.  This is how we know the Spirit of truth versus the spirit of falsehood.

God's Love and Ours
Verses 7-21

Let us love one another, because love comes from God.  Everyone that loves has been born of God and knows God.  Whoever doesn't love, doesn't know God, because God is Love.

"This is how God showed His love among us:  He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him.  This is love:  not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice (the One who could turn aside God's wrath) for our sins." (Verses 9-10)

Since God loves us so, we should love others.  No one has seen God, but if we love one another, God lives in us and His love is made complete in us.  We know this because He gave us the Spirit. 

The apostles testify that they have seen the Son, whom God sent to be the Saviour of the world.  If we acknowledge Christ as God's Son, God lives in us and us in God.  We know and rely on the love God has for us.  Love is made complete among us, so we'll have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world, we're like Him.

"There is no fear in love.  But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment.  The one who fears is not made perfect in love." (Verse 18)

We love because He first loved us.  If anyone claims to love God, but hates another human, they are a liar.  Anyone that doesn't love others, whom they've seen, can't love God, whom they can't see.  God has given us this command: whoever loves God must love others.

Lori's Thoughts:

God has given us the ability to discern good from evil.  Some call it intuition, others call it "getting vibes" from someone.  You know how children and animals react to good or bad people?  Children don't let their intellect interfere and make them doubt.  They don't tell themselves they're overreacting or being paranoid.  In The Gift of Fear, by Gavin De Becker, he writes about how animals react to our reactions to good or bad people.  Our pets sense what we're feeling, whether we acknowledge our feelings or not.  Now, De Becker is writing about criminals that cause physical harm.  John is writing about spirits.  It's the same concept, except John's is harder for people to grasp, because it deals with the unseen.  Trust the God in you to know who is a friend and who is an enemy.  A strong child of God will rebuke an enemy and lead them to repentance and acceptance of God.  There may not be the use of words, but rather a living example of someone on fire for God.

It is always encouraging to be reminded that our God is greater than any evil.  And He is with us.  Not only with us, but in us.  Don't you feel stronger?

I was walking to the train this morning, and I felt discouraged and lonely.  God asked me what was bothering me.  I started complaining about my busy schedule, my almost non-existent social life, blah-blah...  Then God showed me that He was walking right beside me, with His arm around my shoulders.  And all my troubles fluttered away.  Try it sometime!  Talk and listen to your Best Friend.  He understands and cares.

Song 1 for today: "Our God" by Chris Tomlin (Go YouTube it.)

In the second half of the chapter, the plan of salvation is summarized.  Yesterday, I wrote about the wrath of God breaking out against Uzzah.  David feared God because of it.  Since Jesus came, He turned God's wrath away from us when He died on the cross.  Once He returned Home, He sent us the Holy Spirit to live through us.  If we accept Jesus as our Saviour and let God transform us by the power of the Spirit - there will be a lot more love in our lives.  Love without fear.  We will be confident on Judgment Day, because we're already His.

Go light your world with your newfound good news.

Song 2 for today: "Carry Your Candle" by Chris Rice