Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
Passion to the cross
“….if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.” (12)
The first letter of John deals with teachings against the heresies in the early Church. Heresies were taught by false prophets. They confused the believers by contradicting the true teachings given by the apostles. False teachers were trying to mislead first-century Christians by denying, among the other things, the true humanity of Christ. This view came to be called Gnosticism and is the background of much of 1.John. John had two basic purposes in mind in this letter(1)to expose false teachers, and (2)to give believers assurance of salvation.1.John.1:5-2:28 is teaching about having good fellowship with the Father and the Son.
 God is love- love one another:
Author encourages his readers to love one another because God is love. God’s love is proved by sending His only begotten Son to this world and saving it by the passion and crucifixion (Vs.9).The example set by His son is the role model for our relationship. God loved the world even though it sinned and astrayed from the Holy presence. Thus we should love one another to help the world to continue in the divine fellowship.
God is love- abide in Him:
God has given us His spirit and its our responsibility to abide in Him. God abides in those who confess that Jesus is their savior (Vs.15).Christ opened the way of salvation through His ultimate sacrifice on the cross. Those who believe in Him must join the passion and sacrifice set through the life of Christ. We are send by the Holy Spirit to the world to be a living sacrifice by abiding in the examples set by our savior. Let the love of Christ help us to abide in Him and win the world.
God is love- obey His commands:
Vs.20 & 21 deserves special attention. It’s said that, those who say ‘I love God’ and hate their brother or sister are liars. For  those who do not love their brother or sister whom they can see, cannot love God whom they have not seen. Those who love God must love their brothers and sisters. The passion of Christ was mainly seen in His search for the lost sheep. Our duty is also to work for the reconciliation in the broken world. In the Sedra prayer used during the Holy Communion, we pray as follows: ….Lord God, comfort us in body, mind and spirit. Shower Your mercy upon us. Be the remission of our sins. Make us all worthy of the good end that is set for all children of peace. To You, we offer praise and thanksgiving forever and ever. Amen.

As the content of the prayer reminds let us whole heartedly submit into the Mighty hands of God the become a channel of reconciliation in this world. The real passion of a believer must be deep rooted on the spirit of fellowship shown by the Heavenly Father through Christ, His only begotten Son, to save this world.
 
Prayer: Almighty God, our Heavenly Father, we thank you for giving us the example of love through the sacrifice on cross. We know that divine love demands the selfless sacrifice  of our ‘self’. Help us to take, break, bless and give ourselves for thy Kingdom. Amen.
 
Rev. Renu John, MTC,N.Carolina
 

 

 

Popular posts from this blog

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
  Constant, patient and welcoming love of God   St. Luke 15: 11-32  V.21: And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ The parable of the ‘Prodigal son’ is one of the most frequently quoted parables that Jesus told His disciples. The parable contains the rich mine of human virtues and emotions. This parable is lived and re-lived in progressing civilizations from time immemorial and continuing. It brings out in vivid detail the pathetic depth of human sinfulness and the glorious heights of God’s forgiveness.      As a story of human nature, fathers are generally merciful to their children in any circumstance. They are very protective and are eager to provide for and secure the lives of their offspring. Jesus is telling this parable to underscore the superlative love of God to His children. The nature of such love is reiterated by Jesus in Matthew 7:11. Humankind wh...
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
Revelation for Liberation Acts 27:18-26 Sherine Thomas Long Island MTC, NY 20  When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest raged, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned. “After winter comes the summer.  After night comes the dawn.  And after every storm, there comes clear open skies” so said a Scottish clergyman from the 1600s. It’s been said, that hope can sometimes be the most dangerous weapon.  However, it’s sometimes the hardest weapon to carry when you’re living with the loss of a loved one, something that almost feels like a terrible nightmare that’ll never go away.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry when day in and day out no one seems to hear or see those tears that are shed or silent cries that are made during a heartfelt prayer. It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you see your loved one lying on that hospital bed.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you search and seek out answers to tel...
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
PRIESTHOOD: THE ANOINTED MINISTRY Exodus 40:12-16 Bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting... wash them with water. Then dress Aaron in the sacred garments, anoint him and consecrate him so he may serve me as priest (Exodus 40: 12-13). Priesthood among the people of God was a divine command and initiation. God wanted some people to be separated for the special ministry among his people. God appointed Aaron and his descendants to take up this kind of ministry among the people of God. Priests are always separated and appointed as channels that connect God with his people. All throughout the history of Israel, priests played an important role in connecting people with God and to lead and guide them in the statutes of God. But there are incidents in the Bible where the priests failed in their duties and that led the people to go away from God. So the priests have a special and significant ministry to perform in this world among his people. Two important things...
Read more