Scripture:
1 John 5:1-21
Sat, 22 January 2022

Living by Faith in Jesus

Observation:

Why is so important for people to believe in Jesus the Christ (i.e. the Messiah), the Son of God?

Deeper Reflection
FAITH IN JESUS THE MESSIAH IS EVERYTHING. THE WORD “believe” from the Greek verb pisteuo occurs six times in this final chapter (vv.1, 5, 10, 13).58 Believing in Jesus produces a new birth spiritually. Therefore, a believer is described as “born of God” (vv.1, 4, 18).59 Not only does the believer have physical life, he also has spiritual life, having been reconciled to God. Christians have a relationship with God and therefore “eternal life” (vv.11-13, 20), which is knowing God and His Son Jesus Christ (Jn 17:3). This relational knowing of the true God gives us a quality of life that none else can give. God will enable everyone who believes in Jesus to overcome the world (v.4). God will hear and answer all their prayers according to His will (vv.14-15). And Jesus will protect God’s children from the power of the evil one, i.e. the devil, Satan (vv.18-19; cf. 1 Jn 3:8, 12). No idol or false god can give people life. Only Jesus can give us life and only through Him can we have life abundantly in the present and for all eternity.60 Hence, John exhorts Christians to keep themselves from trusting in idols (v.21). People must turn to believe in the Son of God for eternal life. If Jesus is not in their lives, if they do not trust in Him alone for victory over sin and death, they do not have eternal life (vv.11-12)! Therefore we must proclaim the Gospel to all generations – from the young to the old – in ways that they can understand, so that by faith in Jesus they can truly live!
58 The Greek verb for “believe” occurs a total of nine times in 1 John, six of which in chapter 5 alone. The word “faith”,which is the noun form (Greek pistis), occurs once (v.4). Believing in Jesus Christ is a key theme here, and even more so in the Gospel according to John (the verb occurs there 96 times in 21 chapters). 59 Or “born again” (Jn 3:3, 7). 60 John 10:10, 27-28.
Application:

What will I do in 2022 to make Jesus known to the different generations?

Prayer:
Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application of the Scriptures.
Prayer Pointers:
  • Give thanks and praise
  • Pray for Church Board: To continue to work joyfully in proclaiming the Gospel to all generations
  • Pray for significant people
  • Pray for those in need
  • Pray for self

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Daily Devo
Daily Devotional Journal
Scripture:
John 20:19-21; Luke 4:14-21
Mon, 2 October 2023

Sent by the Lord

Observation:

What is the analogy that Jesus used in sending forth His disciples (v.21)?

Deeper Reflection
As we enter the month of October with our upcoming two Missions Sundays, let us focus our attention and prayers on Covenant EFC’s third Faith Exploit, “Disciple the Nations”. In today’s Scripture, verse 21 is a very significant statement that Jesus said to His disciples after His resurrection. And it applies equally to all those who are Jesus’ disciples today. There are three key observations we can make.First, the analogy that Jesus used – His having been sent by the Father – points us to Jesus’ foundational teachings that He came to accomplish the very will and works of the Father (Jn 4:34; 5:30, 36; cf. Lk 4:14-21). Second, the idea of Jesus’ disciples being “sent” reminds us that world missions is not a result of human initiative, but is God-initiated and God-directed. It is God’s mission in the world. Third, verse 21 reminds us that Jesus is not merely calling us to join God in His mission, but to relate to Him as our heavenly Father – in love, obedience and dependence.1Therefore, the more fundamental question is not “Are we being sent?” or “What must we do?”. Rather, it is “To what extent do we understand and treasure our sonship in relation to God our Father (Jn 20:17)?” So that, as beloved children of God, we will respond rightly to our heavenly Father who created us in His image, redeemed us in Jesus Christ, and called us to join Him in His mission. Out of gratitude and love towards God, we joyfully walk in the Lord’s will for us, and fully rely on His resources as we faithfully serve Him.
1 This is consistent with John’s emphasis in his writings on the Father-Son relationship that anchored and motivated Jesus in all that He did in submission and obedience to the Father’s will.
Application:

How do the purposes for which Jesus sends forth His disciples impact the
way I plan and live out the years of my life?

Prayer:
Dear Father in heaven, what manner of love You have bestowed on me that I should be called Your child! Every opportunity given to me to carry out Your will is a privilege for me to participate in Your glorious purposes. Help me to clearly discern the things that You want me to accomplish and to faithfully work at them with a heart that loves and depends on You and always seeks Your glory. Amen.
Prayer Pointers:
  • Give thanks and praise
  • Pray for leaders
  • Pray for significant people
  • Pray for those in need
  • Pray for self

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