‘Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God. ‘

The brokenness of our world is the result of evil. Jesus came ”to destroy the works of the devil.” That is good news, until we look honestly at our own lives and realize that there are parts of us that are broken and yes, even evil. I’m not comfortable with admitting that I have evil in me, but evil is simply anything that is not good. Jesus came to destroy what is not good. How does God destroy evil without destroying us? Somehow the “seed” he speaks of here makes all of this possible. Well, how does that work?

If you will take a detour with me into the field of chemistry, it might help us understand. Why don’t oil and water mix? There are multiple factors, but the simple answer is that the chemical charge of the molecules is different. Water is a polar molecule, which means it is attracted to other polar charged molecules, while oil is a non-polar molecule and is only attracted to other non-polar molecules. When you poor oil into water they separate from each other because they’re charged differently. There is a way to get oil and water to mix if you use what is called an emulsifier. If you introduce an emulsifier into the water and oil, it allows a stable mixture of the two.

Sin is like an emulsifier. God created humanity in his image as good, and good cannot mix with evil. Good and evil are like oil and water. When we sin, we introduce an emulsifier into our lives that allows evil to mix more closely to us than is natural to being human. Mind you, this is an imperfect illustration, but the seed that abides in the children of God is gradually eliminating sin (the emulsifier) from our lives and separating us more and more from evil. That is why sin is so damaging. It brings us into closer contact with evil rather than good. God purifies his children. We are freed by the seed, if you would. Another text that talks about this separation process is Colossians 2:13-15. Take a moment to read that text and meditate on the work that God has done and is doing in you. Let him separate you from the evil that is around you and avoid the sin that allows evil in.

Colossians 2:13-15: “13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. 15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.”

By Aaron Bjorklund

1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

In our society, we love transformation stories. TV Shows like Extreme Home Makeover and Fixer Upper highlight incredible home renovation projects. By the end of the show, the home barely even looks recognizable. We love to see the before and after photos as we marvel over the radical makeover. In addition, the TV shows make it seem so easy! The neat editing work makes it all seem like it took thirty minutes to be completely transformed.

While we love to watch transformation stories, we find it much harder to actually transform personally. What the show doesn’t often reveal is the hours and hours of tough manual labor. Renovating a house often looks like a mess, with wood, tools, and rubble everywhere throughout the process. Yet, the workers always keep sight of the end goal. They envision the hope of a finished project as they press on during the difficult journey. Along the way, they experience setbacks and trials, but never give up.

In our own lives, we often find ourselves in the mess. It’s easy to look around and become discouraged. We begin to fall into the practices that prevent us from growing in our relationship with the Lord. We take our focus off of the hope we have in Jesus Christ. When this takes place, we lose sight of who we’re called to be and what we’re destined to be. From time to time, we need to be reminded of who we are, where our hope is, and how we should live, even in the midst of difficulties. In Ephesians 4:1, Paul says, “I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.” In Christ, we are a new creation. By the power of the Holy Spirit living inside of us, we are called to be transformed and live out our new identity. Today, consider what you are “making a practice” of on a regular basis. Does it line up with who you are in Christ? Read through Colossians 3:1-17 as you consider what it means to “take off your old self” and “put on your new self” in Christ.

By Billy Berglund  

⁹As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. ¹⁰ If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. ¹¹ These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

The love of a father can be a lifelong memory. As a boy growing up, I felt the love my father had for me. He demonstrated his love through helping me when I needed it, making sure I was doing right by others, and just spending time with me when he was able. I always enjoyed our times together when he was fixing something, whether it was in the house, outside, or one of our cars. Those acts of love from my dad were memorable and I’ll never forget them. I’m guilty of random smiles and teary eyes as they cross my mind. Believe it or not, I still abide in that love, I still live within it. It’s with me all the time.

The love the Father has for Jesus is this and so much more. We know that the Father loves his Son by what he says about him. In Matthew 3:17, after John baptizes Jesus, God declares his love, affection, and trust in his own son. Again, during the transfiguration in Matthew 17:1-8 while Peter is talking, God interrupts him to repeat this declaration about Jesus. This love that God has for his own son is the love that Jesus lavished on his disciples and us.

Just as I recall my those times with my dad, when we remember the love God has for us, we begin to understand just how deeply we’re loved and known. The deep, abiding love of our Father in Heaven is brought to light by being his children. Being his children. This is something to consider and think about all the time. It will help us in our day-to-day activities and interactions with people. As you give thought to this abiding love the Father has for you, consider what love requires of you today towards your family or friends.

1 John 3:1: “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.”

By Rich Obrecht  

1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. ² And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. ³ And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. ⁴ He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” ⁵ And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also, he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” ⁶ And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. ⁷ The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son. ⁸ But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”

In the past, slaves could not even speak to their masters. Some tyrants would also not allow them to speak to the servants to the high officials unless he gave them permission. The high priest of the Israelites used to go into the Holy of Holies once a year with a rope tied around his ankle, lest he should die. Jesus came to earth as the sacrifice for man’s sin once and for all. The curtain to the Holy of Holies was torn asunder. God graciously accepts all who come to him through his son, the Great High Priest. We have the freedom now to approach boldly, speak freely, and kneel unashamed at his throne.

Through this act of divine grace, Jesus made the holiest place accessible and the approach to God possible for all people. We who are believers are bond servants of the Most High God. Yet we have the all the privileges of a son or daughter. We can freely cry out, “Abba, Father.” He hears our prayers anytime, anywhere, about anything. We can abide with him in confidence, nothing holding us back, no shameful chains pulling on us, no stone of guilt dragging us down, no more burden of sin. We can always be sure of God’s reaching out to us in love and compassion.

“Let us draw near with confidence” (“come boldly” in the King James) is the most incredible invitation the world has ever received. This invitation allows us to freely and wholeheartedly pursue God. In addition, Jesus makes us new creatures. His word is trustworthy and true. We need not fear when Jesus comes back someday to make the church his bride. He will make a new heaven, a new earth, and a new Jerusalem. He will be with us. He will be our God and we will be his people. Let this reality shape your everyday life, your every relationship, your every decision. Let life with Jesus now and in the day to come fill you with confident anticipation and joy. Today, listen to This I Believe by Hillsong as you consider these wonderful realities.

Hebrews 4:16: “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” 

By Donna Burns  

This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not God’s child, nor is anyone who does not love their brother and sister.

Jesus had been traveling and teaching for a while when Nicodemus approached him by cover of night. Nicodemus was a “ruler of the Jews” and for him to meet with Jesus would have been frowned upon by others in such positions of power. It was in this clandestine meeting by cover of dark that Jesus confronted Nicodemus’ misconceptions about the kingdom of God and laid out the path of rebirth and renewal. In the climax of their conversation, Jesus said to Nicodemus, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again they cannot see the kingdom of God.”

Jesus goes on to explain that he means someone needs to be “born of the Spirit” in order to enter the kingdom of God. For centuries, followers of Jesus have used the term “reborn” to describe conversion experiences. Implicit within this terminology, is that we are made new and have a different familial association – we are children of God.

In his letter of 1 John, John used the moniker ‘children of God’ to describe those who follow the way of Jesus. However, he didn’t use this term loosely. In fact, in 1 John 3:10 he wrote, “By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.” He claimed that it’s obvious who the children of God are – those who practice righteousness. Becoming a child of God happens by the Spirit (John 3:5), but it is confirmed through our lives.

John challenged his readers to wrestle with the reality of the fruit of their lives. He’s not suggesting that they can live perfectly, he’s already dispelled that erroneous and dangerous myth (1 John 1:8). John’s point was that our new identity as children of God is not solely something to be enjoyed, but it’s a way of life that is to be practically embraced. Today, read through Romans 8:1-17. Take note of everything the passage says about you as a follower of Christ. Affirm it in prayer. If there are parts of this passage that aren’t true of your life, ask for the Lord to show you ways to more fully embrace your reality as a child of God. 

By Ryan Paulson  

21 And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, 22 and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.

When LeBron James entered the NBA in 2003, he did so with no small amount of fanfare. After growing up with mounting expectations and dominance in high school basketball, his hometown Cleveland Cavaliers chose him with the first pick in the NBA draft. Before he ever played an NBA game, he was touted as “King James” and was lauded as the only player alive with the potential of displacing Michael Jordan as the greatest basketball player of all-time. He was the chosen one; the one who was to bring a championship to Cleveland. An ancient Hebrew would have used the term, “anointed.”

In ancient Israel, anointing was something that shepherds did to sheep. The oil prevented bugs from burrowing into the skin of sheep – it was a way to protect them. However, over the years, anointing was used to convey symbolic power as well. Kings and prophets were anointed with oil. It was a way of representatively giving power, prominence, expectations, and hope to a person and to the role they would fulfill. The anointed ones were chosen ones.

In the New Testament, the term “anointed” was once again expanded. The nation of Israel longed for a Messiah – literally, an “anointed one.” They got a Messiah in Jesus, and in Jesus by the power of the Spirit, they became “the Messiahed-ones.” Instead of some special believers being anointed, the scriptures are clear in stating that every believer is anointed. Paul made this clear in 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 when he wrote, “And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.” Paul claimed that all believers are ‘anointed’ because they have the gift of the Holy Spirit.

There is a rampant misunderstanding within the church today. People view gifted teachers, musicians, or evangelists as “anointed.” However, what’s often missed is that every believer is anointed. You are anointed! Today, take some time to remember who you are. The spirit of God lives in you and you are a “Messiahed-one.” Watch this short video clip and remember who you are. 

By Ryan Paulson  

“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

If you’re anything like me, you probably have a dozen different passwords for your phone, computer, various websites, bank accounts, and home security systems, since you can even find a DIY security system online for your home. In addition, you carry around many keys for your car, gym, work, and home. Everyday, we rely on these to grant us access to the things we need and desire. Without them, we panic. Remember your emotions the last time you couldn’t find your car keys or when you couldn’t remember that certain password?

While security measures can be time-consuming to set up and difficult to keep track of, we really do need them. We don’t want anyone driving away with our car or hacking into our online bank account. We rely on our keys and passwords to protect the truth and allow us to enter where we need to go. In the same way, Jesus provides us access to the Father. He is the key. He is the “way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6). Contrary to the popular saying, “All roads lead to heaven,” Jesus shows us that only through faith in him can we be in a true relationship with God.

Without a proper view of Jesus as Lord, we won’t be able to approach God with confidence. We will operate out of fear and performance, relying on our own efforts to grant us access to Him. As John urges us throughout his letter, we must solely cling to and find our hope in the person of Jesus Christ. He writes in 1 John 2:23, “No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also.” He is the “Word” who “became flesh and made his dwelling among us…full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). Today, read Jude 1:24-25. Personalize these words and make them your own. Declare it today and walk in confidence.

Jude 1:24-25: “24 To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— 25 to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.”

By Billy Berglund  

“Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us.”

If you have not been around the church for very long, maybe you wont have the same baggage that others of us do when you hear the word antichrist. I grew up thinking of the antichrist as the character who would one day be a part of a scary end of the world battle. In this passage, the term “antichrist” is far less about a singular character that incites the end of the world and more about people who are against Jesus. The word means “anti” (against) “Christ” (Jesus).

So why is John talking about antichrists here? For John, one’s affiliation with Jesus was the fundamental issue. Those who were against Jesus were considered antichrists and those who were seeking worship and living like Jesus were called children. Like a Trojan horse in the enemy’s camp, there were some right in their midst who were not a part of them. When it was all said and done, the issue that separated them was their association with Jesus. This group had decided to reject the way of Jesus and that meant they could no longer associate with other Jesus followers.

As we consider our lives today, faith in Jesus is what separates children from antichrists. There is pain when we see loved ones and friends who don’t profess Jesus. Take some time and write out a list of 5-10 loved ones and friends who don’t follow Jesus. Pray that they would see the beauty Jesus and would become children of God.

By Aaron Bjorklund

15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. 17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

My great grandfather preached in the Midwest, started churches, and even helped found a university/seminary. My mother tells me the words that often came from his mouth were, “the will of God is my happiness.” He kept a plaque on the wall of his study saying the same in Latin “DEO VOLUNTAS MEO FELICITAS.” My mom still has his preaching Bible with his notes. What little I know of him and his passion for God inspires me. It gave him pleasure to do the will of the Father. His affections determined the choices he made and the directions he went, the life he lived.

Jesus loved his Father and it was his good pleasure to do his will. Every precious moment and interaction on this earth was in agreement with him. Even when he was tempted for 40 days in the desert his affections were guarded. He refused the desires of the flesh and did not eat the bread offered. He refused to test God and refused to bow down to Satan in the offer for all the kingdoms of the earth. The confrontation ended with Jesus saying, “You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve” (Mathew 4:10).

Jesus was tempted like we are with worldly desires and pride. His example serves us well. The truth is we become like what we worship and bow down before. If we want to be more like Jesus, we must worship him alone and follow him more closely than anything else. What consumes the affections of your heart? Take a look at how you use your time and your resources. Look at who and what you love. My great grandfather was from the same isles as C. S. Lewis. Consider this quote from the great author and apologist, “Aim at heaven and you will get earth thrown in, aim at earth and you will get neither.” What’s your aim? Determine today to set you affections on the eternal, and make the will of God your happiness.

James 4:1-10: “What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? ² You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. ³ You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. ⁴ You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore, whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. ⁵ Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”? ⁶ But he gives more grace. Therefore, it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” ⁷ Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. ⁸ Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. ⁹ Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. ¹⁰ Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.

By Donna Burns  

24 Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father. 25 And this is the promise that he made to us—eternal life.

Every morning and every night, devote followers of Yahweh recite the Shema. It’s found in Deuteronomy 6:4-5 and reads, “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” Two times every day, every Hebrew family reminds themselves of who God is and what they are called to as his people. It’s as though God knew that they’d need the reminder. It’s as though God is aware that the most important realities can also be the slipperiest truths. From the beginning we have known, stories have power and that remembering the most important stories demands intentionality.

In many ways liturgy is the rhythm we live by – it’s a way remembering and reinforcing the important. Ritual has been a part of the human story from the beginning. We see it at sporting events, in schools and workplaces, and in church services. We are designed to be caught up in the pageantry of the significant, but we often lose sight of what’s most important and true. In 1 John 2:24-25, John reminds his churches about the importance of remembering their story. He wrote, “Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father. And this is the promise that he made to us—eternal life.” Notice the progression John expounds. Abide in the story, which leads to realizing relationship with God (the Father and the Son), which in turn leads to life eternal.

Abiding in the story is not easy. There are times when the repeated becomes mundane, where we begin to take it for granted, and when the new seems appealing. When John instructed the church to “let what they heard from the beginning abide in them,” he was calling them to intentionally push against the inertia of amnesia and amusement. He’s calling them to persist in memory for the sake of their own vitality. In the same way that Israel circled around Shema daily, the church is called to recall the gospel. That’s our story. That’s the story they and we have heard from the beginning. Today, remember that old, old story. Take a moment and read through this hymn that brings the same message to bear on our hearts.

Tell Me the Old, Old Story
By A. Kathrine Hankey, 1866

Tell me the old, old story of unseen things above,
Of Jesus and His glory, of Jesus and His love.
Tell me the story simply, as to a little child,
For I am weak and weary, and helpless and defiled.

 Tell me the old, old story, tell me the old, old story,
Tell me the old, old story, of Jesus and His love.
 Tell me the story slowly, that I may take it in,
That wonderful redemption, God’s remedy for sin.
Tell me the story often, for I forget so soon;
The early dew of morning has passed away at noon.

 Tell me the story softly, with earnest tones and grave;
Remember I’m the sinner whom Jesus came to save.
Tell me the story always, if you would really be,
In any time of trouble, a comforter to me.

Tell me the same old story when you have cause to fear
That this world’s empty glory is costing me too dear.
Yes, and when that world’s glory is dawning on my soul,
Tell me the old, old story: “Christ Jesus makes thee whole.”

By Ryan Paulson