Every day I get up and go about my day. Every night before I go to sleep, I spend about an hour in the word. I pick up my Bible from my bedside table and dive in. It's so amazing to see how each day there is something in the word that relates to what I am feeling and going through. The Bible provides so many lessons, so much hope and such joy. Lately I have been focusing on 1 John. While I've only gotten two chapters in, I have already gained so much wisdom. Here are 10 things I have learned from 1 John.
1. Until you see the problem, you'll never embrace the solution.
2. Real love requires real faith in the real God.
3. Confession is the antidote of deception - REPENT!
4. To confess means to agree with God.
5. Guard yourself according to the word.
6. God is going to make right what is wrong.
7. You're forgiven.
8. Young men and young women are strong because the word is in them.
9. Strong Christians go to church to get hungry.
10. We must be aware of the enemies tactics in order to overcome.
There are several verses in 1 John that speak out like the things above. They don't need context to make sense. The verses themselves can be understood alone. Each verse can be interpreted differently by each person and what they're experiencing in their life. But God will show you the way He meant for them to be interpreted and he will guide you. Here are some of those verses:
"If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sings and purify us from all unrighteousness."
- 1 John 1:8-9
"I write this to you so that you will not sin."
- 1 John 2:1
"Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is in the darkness."
- 1 John 2:9
"I am writing to you, young men because you have overcome the evil one. I write to you, dear children, because you know the Father. I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God lives in you, and you have overcome the evil one."
- 1 John 2:13-14
"This is the last hour."
- 1 John 2:18
"But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth."
- 1 John 2:20
"But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit -- just as it has taught you, remain in him."
- 1 John 2:27
God puts every situation, experience and person in our lives for a reason. Once we learn that and truly embrace it, we can emote joy and pure happiness.