PT-1 "Intro to 1 John 2:12-14"

 

EVENING SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 10/15/2024 9:28 PM

 

My Worship Time                                                    Focus: PT-1 “Introduction to 1 John 2:12-14”

 

Bible Reading & Meditation                                                    Reference:  1 John 2:12-14           

 

            Message of the verses:  “12 I am writing to you, little children, because your sins have been forgiven you for His name’s sake. 13 I am writing to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I have written to you, children, because you know the Father. 14 I have written to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.”

 

            John MacArthur entitles the seventh chapter of his commentary on 1 John 2:12-14 “The Stages of Spiritual Growth.”  As I look at the title of this section I think that I can say that I finally have a good idea of what these verses are saying, and that does make me happy.

 

            Growth is one essence of life, and this is true in both the physical realm and in the spiritual realm.  Let us look for a moment about physical growth and begin with living seeds that grow to mature plants and then infants grow into mature adults, as this is the way that God planned things when He created planet earth.  The truth is that new Christians are supposed to grow into Christlikeness, that is also the plan of God.  MacArthur writes “When growth is hindered in the physical realm, either by malnutrition, disease, or birth defects, the results can be tragic.  But it is an even greater tragedy when believers fail to grow and mature spiritually.  After all, immature Christians cannot fully appreciate all the blessings and privileges that God has reserved for them, nor serve Him with the usefulness He desires (John 15:4-5; 17:21; Rom. 5:2; 8:28, 34; 9:23; 2 Cor. 4:15-17;Eph. 2:19; 3:12; Phil. 4:7; Heb. 7:25; James 1:17; 2 Peter 1:4; cf. Pss. 18:2; 27:1; 46:14; Isa. 40:11).”

 

            The highlighted section gives the reason for looking at these verses and so with excluding the verses from Psalms I wish to quote all of these New Testament verses.

 

“4 “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. 5 “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing” (John 15:4-5).

 

“21 that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me” (Jn. 17:21).

 

“2 through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God” (Rom. 5:2).

 

“28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” 34 who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us” (Rom. 8:28,34).

 

“23 And He did so to make known the riches of His glory upon vessels of mercy, which He prepared beforehand for glory,” (Rom. 9:23).

 

“15 For all things are for your sakes, so that the grace which is spreading to more and more people may cause the giving of thanks to abound to the glory of God. 16 Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. 17 For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison,” (2 Cor. 4:15-17).

 

“19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household,” (Eph. 2:19).

 

“12 in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him. 20 Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us”(Eph. 3:12, 20).

 

“7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus: (Phil. 4:7).

 

“25 Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them” (Heb. 7:25).

 

“17 Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow” (James 1:17).

 

 “4 For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust” (2 Pet. 1:4).

 

            Please take the time to read over these verses.

 

10/15/2024 10:03 PM