Sustaining Faithfulness

Sustaining Faithfulness

As Moses continues his first major speech with Israel, as they prepare to enter the promised land, he focuses in on their history. Moses addresses leadership, the rebellion at Kadesh-Barnea, the wilderness wandering and the approach to Canaan. This, their, history is intended to remind them that Yahweh is always faithful, he is always present with them, leading them and caring for them, even after their sin against him. Yahweh is faithful and demonstrates his grace to Moses, allowing him to see the land, despite his own sin before the people. Despite the ups and downs of life, Yahweh is faithful and sustaining his people; he is sustaining you through Jesus. Deuteronomy is one of the most significant books in our OT, but one that is often not addressed. Throughout Deuteronomy, Moses will challenge Israel over and over again, to hear the word of Yahweh, and then, to heed it in obedience. Deuteronomy displays the character and attributes of Yahweh in numerous ways, it especially emphasizes the love of Yahweh poured out on Israel. Deuteronomy ultimately sets a choice before us, a choice to prioritize and follow Yahweh, to be right with him through Jesus alone.

Propitiation for Sins

As John continues, he addresses the reality of sin and the remedy for sin. Sin is a reality, this is the truth. Jesus is the only remedy for sin. Jesus alone satisfies the wrath of God against our sin and atones for our sin through his death. Jesus is the propitiation for sins and for the sins of the world.  1 John has often been described as a letter written to offer assurance to believers. Believers can know that they have indeed been delivered from their sins and stand justified before God, only through Jesus, and a right understanding and belief about him and in him alone. John also makes statements about not living in darkness or continuing in the practice of sin 1 John 1:6-8 [https://ref.ly/1%20John%201.6-8;esv?t=biblia]; 3:9-10 [https://ref.ly/1%20John%203.9-10;esv?t=biblia]; 5:18 [https://ref.ly/1%20John%205.18;esv?t=biblia]. These statements can seem confusing and this is one of the elements of the epistles of John that can be hard to fully understand. How can we be sure of our salvation, of our relationship with Jesus, if the measure is not sinning anymore? We can confidently know that we are believers, resting in the finished work of Jesus. John’s epistles are unique, in that, John is clearly addressing antagonists against Jesus, the gospel and these believers (the audience may be the churches of Asia Minor that he addresses in Revelation). No matter the audience, there is clearly antagonism from outside the church, from some who have left the church, but are still causing chaos and confusion for those remaining in the church.  Remember, belief in Jesus alone saves; the evidence of salvation flows from this belief, not vice versa.

Proclaiming the words of Yahweh

Deuteronomy is an amazing book, the most quoted Old Testament book by Jesus. Deuteronomy contains "the words of Moses," the sermons of Moses to Israel before he dies. He preaches to a young audience, a community that is now 60 years or younger. Moses preaches to explain the expectations of Yahweh, to clarify his priorities and expectations for them as they enter the land of promise. Moses will review their history and offer a clear admonition (Deut. 1-4 [https://ref.ly/Deut.%201-4;esv?t=biblia]), Moses then moves to the law and the expectations of the law for the people of God (Deut. 5-28 [https://ref.ly/Deut.%205-28;esv?t=biblia]), and finally, Moses offers the potential consequences of rejection and rebellion against Yahweh (Deut. 29-30 [https://ref.ly/Deut.%2029-30;esv?t=biblia]). Through Moses, Yahweh graciously and clearly directs his people to follow his words, to follow his priorities in their lives and choices. As believers, we must also hear the words of Yahweh and humbly obey. As Hebrews reminds us, Yahweh has now spoken to us through his son, Jesus.  Deuteronomy is one of the most significant books in our OT, but one that is often not addressed. Throughout Deuteronomy, Moses will challenge Israel over and over again, to hear the word of Yahweh, and then, to heed it in obedience. Deuteronomy displays the character and attributes of Yahweh in numerous ways, it especially emphasizes the love of Yahweh poured out on Israel. Deuteronomy ultimately sets a choice before us, a choice to prioritize and follow Yahweh, to be right with him through Jesus alone.

Light, Sin and Fellowship

John begins to address the antagonists by first presenting foundational truths about God: God is truth and there is not darkness in him at all. John then addresses several irrefutable issues that are true about us as human beings. With all of this in view, John calls believers to walk in light and enjoy real fellowship with God through Jesus.  1 John has often been described as a letter written to offer believers assurance of their salvation. Believers can know that they have indeed been delivered from their sins and stand justified before God, as John notes, this is only through Jesus, a right understanding and belief about him and in him alone. But John also makes statements about not living in darkness or continuing in the practice of sin 1 John 1:6-8 [https://ref.ly/1%20John%201.6-8;esv?t=biblia]; 3:9-10 [https://ref.ly/1%20John%203.9-10;esv?t=biblia]; 5:18 [https://ref.ly/1%20John%205.18;esv?t=biblia]. These statements can seem confusing and this is one of the elements of the epistles of John that can be hard to fully understand. How can we be sure of our salvation, of our relationship with Jesus, if the measure is not sinning anymore? Is this actually John’s point? We can confidently know that we are believers, resting in the finished work of Jesus. John’s epistles are unique, in that, John is clearly addressing antagonists against Jesus, the gospel and these believers (the audience may be the churches of Asia Minor that he addresses in Revelation). No matter the audience, there is clearly antagonism from outside the church, from some who have left the church, but are still causing chaos and confusion for those remaining in the church.  Remember, throughout this letter, John never veers from the clear assertion that all who believe that Jesus is the Messiah have been born again (1 John 5:1a [https://ref.ly/1%20John%205.1a;esv?t=biblia]). Believing this truth saves; the evidence of salvation flows from this belief, not vice versa.

The Incarnate, Word of Life

The purposes of John enable us to understand genuine fellowship with Jesus. You must understand these purposes of John.  1 John has often been described as a letter written to offer believers assurance of their salvation. Believers can know that they have indeed been delivered from their sins and stand justified before God, as John notes, this is only through Jesus, a right understanding and belief about him and in him alone. But John also makes statements about not living in darkness or continuing in the practice of sin 1 John 1:6-8 [https://ref.ly/1%20John%201.6-8;esv?t=biblia]; 3:9-10 [https://ref.ly/1%20John%203.9-10;esv?t=biblia]; 5:18 [https://ref.ly/1%20John%205.18;esv?t=biblia]. These statements can seem confusing and this is one of the elements of the epistles of John that can be hard to fully understand. How can we be sure of our salvation, of our relationship with Jesus, if the measure is not sinning anymore? Is this actually John’s point? We can confidently know that we are believers, resting in the finished work of Jesus. John’s epistles are unique, in that, John is clearly addressing antagonists against Jesus, the gospel and these believers (the audience may be the churches of Asia Minor that he addresses in Revelation). No matter the audience, there is clearly antagonism from outside the church, from some who have left the church, but are still causing chaos and confusion for those remaining in the church.  Remember, throughout this letter, John never veers from the clear assertion that all who believe that Jesus is the Messiah have been born again (1 John 5:1a [https://ref.ly/1%20John%205.1a;esv?t=biblia]). Believing this truth saves; the evidence of salvation flows from this belief, not vice versa.