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What if understanding love and obedience could reshape your spiritual journey? Discover the profound teachings in the second chapter of the First Epistle of John as we, Christie and the team, uncover the essence of true knowledge of God, which is demonstrated through adhering to His commands. Love takes center stage as we discuss its pivotal role in binding us to the Father and each other, warning against the seductive allure of worldly desires. This episode serves as a spiritual compass, guiding us through the challenges foreshadowed in the Book of Revelation and emphasizing the necessity of faithfulness and love in these turbulent times.
Continuing our exploration, we turn our focus to the cornerstone of recognizing Jesus as the Christ, a truth that anchors our connection to the Father. Denying this truth severs this profound relationship, whereas embracing it offers the promise of eternal life. We'll navigate the teachings from the beginning, fortified by the Holy Spirit's guidance, ensuring we remain steadfast as we anticipate Christ's return. Join us for this compelling discussion, as we offer insights on how these enduring themes resonate with our lives today, preparing us for the spiritual journey ahead.
Thank you for joining us in this episode of In the Field Audio Bible, where we explore the richness of God’s Word, one chapter at a time. We hope today’s reading brought insight, comfort, or inspiration to your journey of faith.
As we close, we invite you to take a moment to reflect on what God might be speaking to you through this passage. Remember, the Bible is a living text meant to guide, uplift, and transform. Whether you’re seeking answers, peace, or encouragement, know that God’s presence is with you in every season.
If this episode has been meaningful to you, consider sharing it with friends or family who might benefit. And don’t forget to subscribe so you won’t miss our next chapter. Together, we’ll continue exploring the stories and wisdom that have brought hope to generations and continue to shape our lives today.
We’d love to hear your thoughts and questions! Feel free to send us a text to let us know how In the Field Audio Bible is impacting your faith journey. Until next time, may God’s Word guide and bless you.
Thank you for listening, and stay tuned for our next episode in this journey through the Bible one chapter at a time.
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Welcome to the reading of the First Epistle of John, Chapter 2, with In the Field Audio Bible.
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My name is Christie, your host for this episode.
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John is now the last apostle, living as an old man writing this letter to his children.
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He first distinguishes knowing God from doing God's work on earth.
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John claims that he does not add new commandments or statutes, but emphasizes the most important command of all.
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This two-fold process involves loving one another and loving God.
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John also distinguishes between loving worldly things from loving the Father.
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If we believe and love worldly, earthly things, we take away from loving the One who created them.
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It is now that we see John start to touch on what would be the final book of the bible, Revelation.
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Toward the end of this chapter, John introduces us to the tribulation with what it looks like, with periods of intense judgment on the unbelieving world.
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Within this period, the intensity will be terrible for the Jewish people, but the Deliverer will come out of Zion saving them.
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The Antichrist is here now, placing discerning Christians on alert for Christ's coming.
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It is at the end of this chapter that God's true children recognize Jesus as both fully God and fully man, with the only way to salvation being through him.
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We have a lot to unpack and listen to with this chapter.
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It may take a few times listening to it to start understanding the importance of love and its place in the upcoming tribulation.
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The importance of love and its place in the upcoming tribulation.
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This chapter is the precursor and the preparation of what we know as the final book of the bible, the Revelation of Jesus Christ.
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Find your quiet place, pray over the scripture and prepare yourself to listen to the First Epistle of John, Chapter 2.
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The First Epistle of John, Chapter 2.
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Then we have a friend who speaks to the Father for us.
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He is Jesus Christ, the blameless one.
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He gave his life to pay for our sins.
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But he not only paid for our sins, he also paid for the sins of the whole world.
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We know that we have come to know God if we obey his commands.
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Suppose someone says I know Him, but suppose this person does not do what God commands, then this person is a liar and is not telling the truth.
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But if anyone obeys God's word, then that person truly loves God.
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Here is how we know we belong to Him.
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Those who claim to belong to Him must live as Jesus did.
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Dear friends, I'm not writing you a new command.
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Instead, I'm writing one.
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You have heard before.
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You have had it since the beginning, but I am writing what amounts to a new command.
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Its truth was shown in how Jesus lived.
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It is also shown in how you live.
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That's because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining.
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Is passing away and the true light is already shining.
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Suppose someone claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister, then they are still in the darkness.
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Anyone who loves a brother and sister lives in the light.
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There is nothing in them to make them fall into sin.
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But anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness.
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They walk around in the darkness.
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They don't know where they are going.
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The darkness has made them blind.
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Dear children, I'm writing to you because your sins have been forgiven.
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They have been forgiven because of what Jesus has done.
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Fathers, I'm writing to you because you know the one who is from the beginning.
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Young men, I'm writing to you because you have won the battle over the evil one.
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Dear children, I'm writing to you because you know the Father.
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Fathers, I'm writing to you because you know the One who is from the beginning.
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Young men, I'm writing to you because you are strong.
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God's Word lives in you.
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You have won the battle over the evil one.
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Do not love the world or anything in it.
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If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them.
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Here is what people who belong to this world do.
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They try to satisfy what their sinful desires want to do.
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They long for what their sinful eyes look at.
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They take pride in what they have done and what they do.
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All of this comes from the world.
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None of it comes from the Father.
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The world and its evil desires are passing away.
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The world and its evil desires are passing away, but whoever does what God wants them to do lives forever.
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Dear children, we are living in the last days.
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You have heard that the great enemy of Christ is coming, but even now, many enemies of Christ have already come.
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That's how we know that these are the last days.
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These enemies left our communities of believers.
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They didn't really belong to us.
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If they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us, but by leaving they showed that none of them belonged to us.
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You have received the Spirit from the Holy One and all of you know the truth.
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I'm not writing to you because you don't know the truth.
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I'm writing because you do know it.
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I'm writing to you because no lie comes from the truth.
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Who is the liar?
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It is anyone who says that Jesus is not the Christ.
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The person who says this is the great enemy of Christ.
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They say no to the Father and the Son.
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The person who says no to the Son doesn't belong to the Father, but anyone who says yes to the Son belongs to the Father.
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Also, make sure that you don't forget what you have heard from the beginning.
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Then you will remain joined to the Son and to the Father.
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And here is what God has promised us.
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He has promised us eternal life.
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I'm writing these things to warn you.
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I am warning you about people trying to lead you astray.
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But you have received the Holy Spirit from God.
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He continues to live in you, so you don't need anyone to teach you.
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God's Spirit teaches you about everything.
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What he says is true.
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He doesn't lie.
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Remain joined to Christ, just as you have been taught by the Spirit, dear children, remain joined to Christ.
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Then, when he comes, we can be bold.
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We will not be ashamed to meet Him when he comes.
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You know that God is right and always does what is right, and you know that everyone who does what is right is God's child.
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