Sanctification

No Darkness In God

Ken

Through the Apostle John, God has given His children a decisive reply to anyone who says not everything is as simple as black and white, good and evil, light and darkness. 

“God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all” (1John 1:5 KJV). 

The world hates the light because it does not comprehend it. “And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not” (John 1:5). 

Does God hold us responsible for what we do not comprehend? Yes. “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned” (1Corinthians 2:14). 

Then God discriminates against us arbitrarily? No. “And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient” (Romans 1:28). 

What did we do to cause God to treat us like that? “For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened” (1:20-21).

Doesn’t that leave the entire world in the desperate situation of sinning rebels against God? Yes, but that is where we have our first Good News from God. “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief” (1Timothy 1:15). 

What does all of this have to do with understanding “God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all” (1John 1:5)? God has given us His Spirit, which gives us understanding that He is light, and in Him is no darkness at all. Otherwise, we can have no real spiritual understanding. “But God hath revealed them unto us by His Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God” (1Corinthians 2:10). 

If we contend that we have spiritual understanding without the Spirit of God giving it to us, then we are in opposition to God’s plain statement, “God has revealed them unto us by His Spirit” (2:10). 

We do not know anything, unless God’s Spirit reveals it to us. 

Nothing. 

Anything else is only the pride of our intellect masquerading as our spirituality. 

If We Say 

John continues laying the foundation of this pivotal epistle to his Little Children giving them the certainty “that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God” (1John 5:13), further answering any contradiction of “God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all” (1:5). 

First, “If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth” (1John 1:6 KJV). Claiming to have fellowship with the God, who is light, while walking in darkness, is an absolute lie. Our main concern is not who will discover our secret sins, when no one is looking, but God sees the truth about us the world cannot begin to see. This is more profound than everyone claiming to being a saved sinner as opposed to a lost sinner, which destroys the separation of light from darkness.

John’s response to the childish claim of being in fellowship with God while walking in darkness is simply to return to walking in the light. Repentance grants us application of the blood of Christ, which gives forgiveness and renewed fellowship with God. “But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin” (1John 1:7 KJV). 

Second, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us” (1John 1:8 KJV). This is an extension of the previous childish argument of claiming to have fellowship with God while walking in darkness (1:6). This is not calling anyone a liar, who claims they have no sin. If God’s children cannot be without sin, then how could we ever pray, “Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors” (Matthew 6:12)? And, if this is saying we have a Constitutional Sin Nature by reason of being born physically into this world, then why would God hold that against us? Sin is not a metaphysical condition you were born with, but sin is only a willful act of transgressing God’s law. “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law” (1John 3:4). 

John’s response to the deception of having no sin, while walking in darkness, is simply to admit the truth and confess the darkness you have been practicing as sin. His faithfulness and justice allows your repentance to complete cleansing. 1John 1:9 is the Christian’s Bar of Soap. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1John 1:9). Repentance means we never intend to practice that sin again. God’s promises alone preserve us from repeating our sins. “He will turn again, He will have compassion upon us; He will subdue our iniquities; and Thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea” (Micah 7:19). Amen! 

Third, “If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and His word is not in us” (1John 1:10). John concludes the three part response hindering his Little Children from understanding the remainder of the Epistle of First John. Adamantly maintaining, I have not sinned, is calling God a liar for having identified you as a sinner (walking in darkness), while claiming to have fellowship with God  (1:6). 

John’s response begins the second chapter of this First Epistle of John. “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous” (1John 2:1). Not only can sin be forgiven, but sin can be prevented.  Jesus Christ is our Advocate, Paraklete to keep us from sinning — not just to clean up our mess after we have sinned. He is the One praying for us. “Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us” (Romans 8:34).

How to Find God

Ken

“And ye shall seek Me, and find Me, when ye shall search for Me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13 KJV). God makes it sound so easy for something humanity has gone to extremes to achieve. “With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26). If God is more interested in our salvation than we are, then shouldn’t our salvation be a higher priority for Him than us? “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2Peter 3:9).  Even if we think we found Him, how do we think we are able to hold on until we come into His heavenly presence? “Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust” (2Peter 1:4). If God has been in the process of seeking us throughout the history of humanity, how has He equipped us not to be overcome by the adversary? “And I will put My Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes, and ye shall keep My judgments, and do them” (Ezekiel 36:27). Just because we began our walk with Him, will we make it to the end? “Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6). Hallelujah! Father, complete Your good work in me! Return quickly. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

How to Find God

Ken

“And ye shall seek Me, and find Me, when ye shall search for Me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13 KJV). God makes it sound so easy for something humanity has gone to extremes to achieve. “With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26). If God is more interested in our salvation than we are, then shouldn’t our salvation be a higher priority for Him than us? “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2Peter 3:9).  Even if we think we found Him, how do we think we are able to hold on until we come into His heavenly presence? “Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust” (2Peter 1:4). If God has been in the process of seeking us throughout the history of humanity, how has He equipped us not to be overcome by the adversary? “And I will put My Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes, and ye shall keep My judgments, and do them” (Ezekiel 36:27). Just because we began our walk with Him, will we make it to the end? “Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6). Hallelujah! Father, complete Your good work in me! Return quickly. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Longing for Thy Judgments (Psalm 119:20)

Ken

“My soul [Hebrew, nephesh, living being, whole person] breaketh for the longing that it hath unto Thy judgments at all times” (Psalm 119:20 KJV). Sounds like the modern phrase, This breaks my heart, which means such an intense desire or conflict, it would do damage to our whole person, if the LORD does not intervene, like an addiction to God and His Word. “With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from Thy commandments” (119:10). OT Israel may not have had the NT covenanted Indwelling of the Holy Spirit, but the LORD placed no limit with their contact with His Word. It achieved the same goal — oneness with God manifested in obedience to our LORD. “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success” (Joshua 1:8). Father, may we under Your New Covenant receive all the blessings of Your Indwelling Holy Spirit to inspire us to obey You and be drawn ever more closely to You. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen. 

Promises of God

Ken

“For all the promises of God in Him are yea, and in Him Amen, unto the glory of God by us” (2Corinthians 1:20 KJV). Fine words, but what meaneth this? The Son of God, Jesus Christ (1:19) is the Him (1:20). What promises? The First Advent of Messiah (Isaiah 7:14) and His Second Advent (9:6). Yea, but there is more. “According as His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust” (2Peter 1:3-4). “All things that pertain unto life and godliness” (1:3) means anything and everything concerning our existence is included in God’s promises. C.H. Spurgeon compared God’s promises to checks drawn on the Bank of Heaven. “God is not a man, that He should lie; neither the son of man, that He should repent: hath He said, and shall He not do it? or hath He spoken, and shall He not make it good?” (Numbers 23:19). Charles G. Finney maintained the promises of God are God’s means to entirely sanctify us, that is, to make us more like Christ. “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He that calleth you, who also will do it” (1Thessalonians 5:23-24). Amen.

Not Sin Against Thee (Psalm 119:11)

Ken

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee” (Psalm 119:11 KJV). Perfect sentiment. Not just rule keeping — Thou shalt, Thou shalt not — but maintaining our sacred relationship with God. We often confuse rote memory of Scripture with hiding God’s Word in our heart because it helped us to encourage our children to memorize Scripture — which is still important. But, we always knew hiding God’s Word in our heart meant more. Our relationship to the person of God is our relationship with the Word of God. A physical Bible is not our relationship. An intellectual Bible is not the goal. A living relationship with the One Who Is the Word is our quest (John 1:1; Revelation 19:13). Only then can we achieve the Psalmist’s goal — “that I might not sin against Thee” (119:11). Sin prevention is only possible through absolute dependence upon God Himself. “Sanctify them through Thy truth: Thy word is truth” (John 17:17). Father, You are worthy of our deepest love, for You care for us. You gave us Your Son. You know our relationship to You must be protected from the corrosiveness of sin. May we learn to cling to You harder than any abstract attempt of memorizing Scripture, hoping that will be enough to prevent sin. Break through the false assumptions of sin prevention by merely reading or memorizing Scripture. Cause us to have a living, vibrant relationship with You that prevents the presence of sin. Lord Jesus, return quickly. Amen. 

Preparing for His Appearing: Parable of the Ten Virgins

Ken

Ready to meet the Lord means more than having professed Him to be your Savior, but a continual practicing of the presence of God. “And why call ye Me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46 KJV). Christ gave a Parable of the Ten Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13), where the wise ones had prepared enough oil for their lamps to be ready to meet the Bridegroom and enter in at the wedding, while the foolish ones failed to bring enough oil and could not attend the wedding. “The anointing which ye have received of Him abideth in you” (1John 2:27) is the “oil” of the Holy Spirit. The Wise Virgins were the True Believers because they had the presence of the Holy Spirit (oil in their lamps), while the Foolish Virgins were the False Professors without the Holy Spirit (no oil in their lamps). 

The difficulty goes back to the Church teaching the free gift of grace for salvation does not require an active but equal “faith which worketh by love” (Galatians 5:6) from us. To be clear, salvation without Christ is impossible. “There is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). God has created us with the capacity to choose or reject Him; and, He has taken special measures to draw us to Himself. “The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee” (Jeremiah 31:3). Our response, sadly, has been to put the blame for our lack of success and perseverance upon Him, by labeling all His Love as Unconditional. 

In reality, Unconditional Love is given to all, even if it is rejected, as in, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). Conditional Love, on the other hand, is only given to the obedient. “He that hath My commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth Me: and he that loveth Me shall be loved of My Father, and I will love him, and will manifest Myself to him” (John 14:21). Conditional Love occurs only with the obedience that accompanies faith. “Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works” (James 2:18). Failure to grow and persevere results from failure to teach the difference between Unconditional and Conditional Love. 

The Foolish Virgins were counting upon Unconditional Love alone to get them in to the wedding, not realizing Unconditional Love was only enough to get an invitation. “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone” (James 2:17). The Wise Virgins understood Conditional Love requires Faithful Obedience, which secures a seat at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. “If ye love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15).

Father, You are the All Wise God, who we love for sending us Your Son. Cause the confusion about Your love to vanish away as You enlighten about Conditional and Unconditional Love. May Your Church answer Your call to Come Up Hither at the Rapture because we kept oil in our lamps. Come quickly, in Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Finish the Job!

Ken

“Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6 KJV). God does not expect from us, what He does not expect from Himself — Finish the job! How can we expect to enter into Heaven, if we do not persevere to the end (Matthew 24:13; Romans 2:7; Revelation 3:11)? Do you say, it will happen anyway? But, if it took your cooperation and agreement for Him to begin the good work in you, why wouldn’t it take that cooperation to the end? It was never that we loved Him, but “He first loved us” (1John 4:19). Finishing the job and making it home to Heaven — sure, you must persevere — but, all the credit will be placed at the feet of our Lord, when we come into His heavenly presence. LORD, You were our help in ages past, and are our hope for years to come. Your Spirit working in us caused us to will and to do of Your good pleasure. Magnify Your name for every right hearted action of Your children. And, may every child of Yours justify the wisdom of Your decision to require us to persevere to the end, when we cross the Finish Line into Heaven. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen and amen. 

Overcoming the World

Ken

Nikaō or overcoming is nearly exclusively used in the NT by John. Saints conquering the world is God’s expectation of us. Whenever we find difficulty with victory, we need the Holy Spirit to grant us a more perfect understanding of our victory. For example, sin is primarily an action, not simply a condition, since overcoming sin involves a better comprehension of what sin is. Remember, even Lucifer had to sin before he became a sinner. Sin is the act of transgressing God’s law or the “transgression of the law” (1John 3:4 KJV), which is more than a condition of “lawlessness” (3:4 NIV, NET). Beginning with that understanding, the Saints no longer need to let the enemy overcome them with accusations that they are inherently evil and unworthy to receive the crown of victory. “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God” (1John 5:4-5 KJV). Jesus seven times addressed the Seven Churches of Revelation with the challenge and promise of overcoming (Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 26; 3:5, 12, 21). Overcoming means more than getting to the finish line of a race, but defeating the enemy and coming away victorious. Overcoming gravity is not just a safe landing but ascending to the heights. Christians need to see the rainbow as not just surviving the Flood but going on to build the Kingdom of God. We overcome through confidence in Christ. “Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of His knowledge by us in every place” (2Corinthians 2:14). FATHER, we can conquer all things through Christ. Cause us to understand how to overcome the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, that the adversary would not have mastery over us. Cause our understanding of Jesus to be the source of our ability to overcome. Magnify Your name through our victory. In Jesus’ name, we pray . Amen.

Make Jesus Our Focus

Ken

Jesus as our central focus must always be right, unless it is only being used as a clever slogan to accomplish what one really thinks is important. “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of Me” (John 5:39 KJV). Judge every action we take by how well it makes Jesus the center of our attention. “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2). Continually evaluate our circumstances by how well Jesus maintains the central focus. “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me ye can do nothing” (John 15:5). 

Bema Seat Judgment of Believers 

The “judgment seat of Christ” (Romans 14:10) or Bema Seat Judgment is to determine how well we’ve maintained Jesus as our center focus. It takes place after the Church has been translated into His presence following the Rapture (1Thessalonians 4:17). Everything about Christ’s Church rests upon the foundation of Jesus. Everything only has significance in relation to Jesus. We carefully build upon the foundation of Christ (1Corinthians 3:11), with Christ as our cornerstone (Ephesians 3:20; 1Peter 2:6), and culminating with the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb ultimately being the Temple itself (Revelation 21:22). It is all about Jesus. 

Christ’s Judgment Seat 

“9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building. 10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. 11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. 14 If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire” (1Corinthians 3:9-15). 

LORD, make us True Laborers in Your Kingdom. Cause us to only build with gold of Christ honoring doctrine, silver of Christ unifying practice, and precious stones of Christ uplifted disciples. Cause the very thought of seeking to do only enough for man’s praise to cause us to seriously vomit. Guard our hearts. Make us more concerned about causing You offense than any man. Build Your Church focused upon Jesus. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen and amen.