3rd John Part 1

1:1-3 The elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth. Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.

John’s third epistle, an intimate letter written to a man named Gaius who is apparently attending a house church John is familiar with or had seeded, is something of a portfolio of three men. The first of whom we find in verse 1. John writes that Gaius is beloved, that his soul (or spiritual health) prospers, and that he walks in the truth; or perhaps said health prospers BECAUSE he walks in the truth.

Sin or Sins: Is There a Difference? Part 4

Hebrews 10:26-31 describes the folly of continuing in willful sin after one is saved. He likens the matter to the time of Israel under Moses when God gave them the Law. Anyone who transgressed the Law and was caught was killed on the testimony of witnesses, without mercy. Again, it cannot be overstated that the writer never mentions the spiritual state of the party killed by the Jews for law breaking; only that the Law demanded death for its infraction.

Sin or Sins: Is There a Difference? Part 3

The issue of sin has been dealt with efficiently and perfectly in Jesus Christ. It was done once for all, a phrase repeated for effect throughout Hebrews. Christ stands a Savior of all men, having destroyed the Devil’s works, which at least one of which was an impending fear of death, 1st John 3:8; Hebrews 2:14-15. The saint of God knows that the Devil’s works are destroyed since in Christ death holds no more fear. The love of God drives out fear of both death and judgment, 1st John 4:18. Jesus is the door through which a saint may walk into the eternal presence of the Father.

Sin or Sins: Is There a Difference? Part 2

Whereas the high priest entered the Holiest of All with the blood of bulls and goats once per year, Jesus entered “not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption,” Hebrews 9:12. The sacrifice Jesus made on our behalf goes well beyond merely “atoning” in the Old Testament sense of animal sacrifice.

Sin or Sins: Is There a Difference?

The Bible seems to give conflicting reports about what has been done for us regarding our state before God. Did Jesus Christ die for our sins individually, or did He die to put sin itself away? What I’m asking is, did our Lord atone for only some sins and not for others, or did He pay for all sins for all people, past, present and future, and therefore pay for sin (singular)?

2nd John Part 10

1:12-13 Having many things to write unto you, I would not write with paper and ink: but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face, that our joy may be full. The children of thy elect sister greet thee. Amen.

It appears that John restrained himself from writing further to advance his conversation with his audience. He didn’t stop on account of having nothing more to say, but rather that he would finish saying these things face to face rather than through a letter. His intention was that their (mutual) joy may be full. Paul the apostle wrote much the same thing to the Christians at Rome when he said “For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established; That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me,” Romans 1:11-12.