The Abiding Life Series

We are going to look at a passage in 1 John when John the Apostle gives a challenge regarding the kind of lives those he was writing to were living. This challenge helps us 2,000 years later to understand what the Christian life is supposed to be about.

Would you describe your spiritual life as an abiding life?

Is your Christianity something you do at specified moments such as Sunday mornings or is it something you live out each day?

Christianity more than any faith in the world seems to have become a religion of convenience. It is the most casual faith going.

You don’t have to ask to much before you have asked too much of most Christians today.

If all religions did lead to heaven and I was looking for the easiest with the least demands it would have to be what many now call the church.

The problem is that all religions don’t lead to heaven and I am afraid that even what we now see in the lives of most in the church doesn’t lead there either.

Churches don’t seem to ask much anymore: if you just come once a week you are considered a star player in most churches today. I wonder if God has changed this much? John would say He hasn’t.

Occasionally I watch a Korean church on TV. It is broadcast in Korean although the subtitles are provided. I don’t watch it to hear it but to watch it. In other words I don’t watch it for the pastor but for the congregation. I am amazed at the difference between congregations in Korean churches and those we commonly see in American churches.

Their congregations are segregated with men in one area and women in the other. They also seem very focused and intent as if something amazing is unfolding that they do not want to miss.

I could not dream of seeing a yawn on any face.

They have their bibles, notebooks and pens and are actively writing. Even the backs of the pews fold down to provide desks for them to have workspaces during church.

How radically different are things in American churches where apathy, disinterest and the need for entertainment are common.

(5) And this is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is light and in Him there is no darkness at all.(God hasn’t changed?)

(6) the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked. The question is not that God has changed but have we?

There are those who say some things because they think those things are true about themselves but John says that is not the proof about who you are

This is THE MESSAGE: Jesus showed us Who God is, that He is light and not darkness, and IF we truly belong to Him then we will reflect that light and repel darkness from our own lives. Our life, and not just our words, speaks the truth about who we are spiritually.

John is saying that this is an important truth to understand: this is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you

1) This is something Jesus made sure His apostles understood

2) This is something John and the other Apostles wanted to ANNOUNCE to the world. This is who God is’

THINGS WE SEE IN THESE TWO VERSES:

I am afraid that the common god of 2012 is a god who does not judge or condemn and only wants people to be happy regardless of their lifestyle. It is no wonder that many want to praise a god like that who only wants to make their life easier.

1. John helps us to understand who God is: God is light and in Him there is no darkness at all

a. God is light: Through God we see as we need to see.

If you want to know the difference God can make in a life then take a midnight drive without your car lights. You will be more dangerous to yourself and others than someone who was driving completely drunk.

We were not physically made for darkness. Creatures like bats, moles or even cats have capabilities for the darkness but not humans. Darkness means trouble for us. It highly increases the probability we will harm ourselves or others. It limits the life we can live. We are not physically made for darkness and neither are we spiritually made for it.

1) In God’s light we see ourselves as we really are: Sinners in need of a savior. Depraved, full of flaws, falling far short of God’s glory. Living in the dark and reflecting darkness from our lives.

2) In God’s light we see the world as it really is: darkness, reprobate, absent of the truths that define all that God is. 'Professing to be wise but acting as fools'.