1 John 2:3-4

The passage of the day is 1 John 2:3-4 which states, "Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, "I know Him," but does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him."

I believe this is one of the easiest passages in the Bible to understand! If a person claims to know the Lord Jesus Christ, but that person is not obedient to the commands found in the Bible, the person is lying about knowing the Lord. A person who really knows the Lord Jesus Christ is going to be a person who also obeys the Lord Jesus Christ.

I believe this verse is particularly significant for several reasons...

#1 Poor preaching in the modern church has given many people a false assurance that they are saved because of a "decision" they made as a child or teenager that produced no change in lifestyle. Individuals who continue to live in rebellion against the Lord Jesus Christ believe they are on the road to heaven because of an "experience" many years ago. Such individuals desperately need to hear the truth.

#2 The passage clearly teaches that obedience is the result of knowing the Lord. The Bible consistently teaches from cover to cover that a person is saved by believing in the Lord Jesus Christ (John 3:16). Salvation is a gift of God (Romans 6:23). Salvation is not earned by good works (Ephesians 2:8-9) . Good works and obedience come as a result of knowing the Lord. A person does not begin to do good works to make himself right with God! John 17:3 states, 'And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent." Simply put, an individuals comes to know the Lord Jesus Christ and receives eternal life at that moment! Then, as a result, the individual obeys the Lord's commands.

#3 The passage should give a child of God assurance that he has eternal life. If someone is obedient to the commands of the Lord Jesus Christ it is conclusive proof that he knows the Lord. Matthew 7:18 states, "A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit." If an individual is producing good fruit (i.e. walking in obedience to the commands of the Lord Jesus Christ) he is a good tree. He is not an impostor. He has eternal life. He does not need to fear death or the wrath of God. He knows the Lord and has eternal life!

I really hope this passage gives you assurance that you are a child of God. I hope your life clearly points toward the reality that you know the Lord. On the other hand, if the passage causes you to be concerned about your salvation, I hope you will turn to the Lord and place your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ for the salvation of your sinful soul TODAY!

Hello everyone! The verse of the day is Galatians 6:14a which states, "God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ..."

This is a great little verse for several reasons...

1. This verse makes it clear that the Lord Jesus Christ should receive all the credit and glory for saving sinners. I love to say (and often do say it while I am preaching) that I am going to heaven "100% because of Jesus." That may not be good English but it is good teaching! Just consider...

- I am the guilty sinner (so are you, Romans 3:23)
- I cannot erase my sins (neither can you, Jeremiah 2:22)
- I deserve the wrath of God (so do you, Psalm 7:11)

Is there hope for people like you and me? The answer is YES. The answer is JESUS.

Romans 5:8 states, "God demonstrated his own love for us in this, while we were still sinners Christ died for us!

The good news the Bible contains is that...

- The Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins (1 Corinthians 15:3)
- The Lord Jesus Christ suffered for our sins (1 Peter 3:18)
- The Lord Jesus Christ gives eternal life (Romans 6:23)

2. This little verse also makes it clear that I do not deserve credit for my salvation. I am not going to heaven because of anything I have done. I am going to heaven because of what Jesus did for me when he suffered and died for my sins on the cross. I have nothing to brag about. Just consider...

"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9)

- I am not going to heaven because I am a good person.
- I am not going to heaven because I am a preacher.
- I am not going to heaven because I am a Baptist.
- I am not going to heaven because I have been baptized.

I am going to heaven because Jesus died for me. That is the bottom line. I hope that is what you believe and I hope you are bragging/boasting about Jesus and the cross to other people!

P.S. If you would like to learn more about this little verse come to Church on Sunday! I will be preaching from Galatians 6:12-18!

Good day! The passage of the day is Matthew 9:36-38, "When Jesus saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest."

Several points jump off the page to me when I consider this passage.

1. Believers must recognize that "lost" people (i.e unbelievers) are in dire need of help! Jesus viewed the multitude with compassion, not anger. He recognized them as sheep with no shepherd. He recognized that the biggest problem the people had was a lack of knowledge, understanding, and direction. His heart went out to them (i.e. compassion) because no one had ever helped them! Tragically, I believe the masses are in the same condition today. No one has ever really tried to help them!

2. Believers must recognize that the harvest is plentiful. Jesus described the multitudes as "weary." Jesus was able to look beyond the smiling faces and the laughter of the people and see souls in desperate need of finding hope and peace. Just 2 chapters later Jesus will say, "Come unto me all you are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest" (11:28). If we (believers) will take the good news of the Lord Jesus Christ to unbelievers with a heart full of compassion the Lord has guaranteed us that the harvest will be plentiful! Tragically, we fail to help the multitudes because we incorrectly assume "They are not interested." The harsh truth is too many times "we are not really interested!"

3. Jesus said "the laborers are few." The greatest downfall of the church is failing to go out into the harvest in an effort to help the unbelieving masses. Attending church and participating in church functions is no substitute for going out into the field and seeking to help those who desperately need us to share the gospel with them! I pray that the Lord will burden your heart to join in and "labor" for Him and for those sheep without a shepherd. They really do need YOU!

P.S. "Those who sow in tears shall reap with joy. He who continually goes forth weeping, bringing seed for sowing, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him" (Psalm 126:5-6)

God Bless, Pastor Ben.

Welcome to my first blog! I am going to try to post "blogs/devotionals" at least twice a week for the world to enjoy. I will simply post a verse of the day and make a few comments about the verse. I will begin with my favorite verse, Psalm 32:1-2, "Blessed is the man whose sins are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sins the Lord shall not count against him and in whose spirit there is no deceit." These two verses are full of wonderful truths...

- A forgiven child of God is blessed!
- A forgiven child of God is blessed regardless of his situation, circumstances, and "problems"
- A forgiven child of God is blessed because his sins will not be counted against him!

Psalm 32:1-2 also reveals that a true child of God does not have a deceitful spirit. That means...

- He is not a hypocrite
- He really believes the gospel.
- He really loves Jesus.
- He really loves his neighbor
- He really hungers and thirsts after righteousness

I hope thinking about Psalm 32 helps you to have a blessed day! Pastor Ben.



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