Treasuring God's Truth in Your Heart

1 John 1:5-6: God is Light

1 John 1:5-6: This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. [1]

We hear many competing stories about Who God is. Many are mistaken, some are blasphemous. John, one of the incarnate Son of God’s disciples, explains Who God is by calling Him light. God is uncreated light, Who has made Himself visible to the world through Jesus Christ. [2] Conversely, darkness in, John’s writing, is anything that opposes God. [3] But everyone is in darkness. [4] John says, “we” because “[our] lives are set against God because of a heart filled with hatred and a will inclined to disobedience.” [5]

This darkness is why Christ, the light of the world, had to come and rescue His children. [6] We cannot save ourselves because by nature we are dead in sin. [7] Christ had to rescue us, and when He rescues, God the Father no longer sees our darkness, but the light of Christ in us. [8] This undeserved gift [9] should make all of us want to live as those who are in the light. [10] This light is for all who believe that Jesus alone is the way, the truth, and the light, Who reunites us to God, when our sins had separated us. [11] Living like the light does not earn salvation, but is a joyful reflection of it. [12] If you are in Christ, what sins can you put aside today? What Christ honoring actions can you take to live as one in the light, for God’s glory and your good?

This blog was written by Seth Dunn.

[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Logos Bible Software. All Scripture references will be ESV unless noted otherwise.

[2] Simon J. Kistemaker. New Testament Commentary: Exposition of the Epistle of James and the Epistles of John. (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1986), 242.

[3] Walter Bauer, William F. Arndt, F. Wilbur Gingrich, and Frederick W. Danker. A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature: A translation and adaptation of the fourth revised and augmented edition of Walter Bauer’s Griechish-Deutsches Worterbuch zu den Schriften des Neuen Testaments und der ubrigen urchristlichen Literatur, Second Ed. Revised and Augmented by F. Wilbur Gingrich and Frederick W. Danker. (Chicago, IL: The University of Chicago Press, 1979). (BAGD), 757.

[4] Ephesians 4:17-24; Titus 3:3-11, etc.

[5] Kistemaker, The Epistle of James and the Epistles of John, 243.

[6] Kistemaker, The Epistle of James and the Epistles of John, 242. See also Luke 19:10; John 3:16, etc.

[7] Ephesians 2:1-10.

[8] Kistemaker, The Epistle of James and the Epistles of John, 243-244.

[9] Ephesians 1:3-11.

[10] Romans 6.

[11] John 14:6; Ephesians 2:11-14.

[12] Titus 3:3-7; 1 Corinthians 6:9-19; James 2:14-26; Galatians 2:15-21, etc.

Treasuring God's Truth in Your Hearts

1 John 1:3-4: Real Fellowship

1 John 1:3-4: That which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4 And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete. [1]

The last blog discussed how John is trying to keep believers from leaving the church by defending his apostleship. [2] In verses 3-4, John continues to counter false beliefs about Christianity by explaining that true fellowship with God and Christians, and true joy only come through the apostles’ teaching—teaching that is affirmed by the whole Bible. [3] The crucial key to biblical fellowship hinges on knowing the Triune God in Christ: that His blood pays for the forgiveness of sins, and His continued work in our lives. [4] Any fellowship claiming to be Christian that lacks these elements is not true biblical fellowship.

This is why doctrine is so important! If we do not rightly understand Scripture, how can we claim to fellowship with God and His people and have His joy? [5] Whether or not you would call yourself a Christian, you need to study the apostles’ teaching. What Christ’s apostles taught is in harmony with the whole Bible, which reveals our sin and our need for a Savior. [6] What Christ’s apostles taught is that that Savior is exclusively Jesus, Who alone brings us into fellowship with God and man. [7] What Christ’s apostles taught leads to lasting joy even in suffering. [8] These things are yours only in Christ, as the apostles taught.

This blog was written by Seth Dunn

[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Logos Bible Software. All Scripture references will be ESV unless noted otherwise.

[2] Colin G. Kruse. The Letters of John. General Editor: D.A. Carson. (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2000), 52-53.

[3] Joel Beeke. The Epistles of John. (Webster, NY: Evangelical Press, 2006), 25-26.

[4] Beeke, The Epistles of John, 26.

[5] Beeke, The Epistles of John, 27. See also John 15:11, 16:24, 17:21; 1 Corinthians 1:9; 1 John 1:1, 2:24.

[6] Luke 24:39-50; Acts 2-3; Galatians 3; 1 Peter 2, etc.

[7] John 14:6; Acts 2:42, 4:12; 2 Corinthians 6:14; Ephesians 1:3-10, 2:1-10, 1 John 1:5-10.

[8] 2 Corinthians 1:3-10; Philippians 4:11-13; James 1:2-4; 1 Peter 1:3-12.

Treasuring God's Truth in Your Heart

1 John 1:1-2: For Real

1 John 1:1-2: That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— 2 the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us. [1]

If you were to write a letter to help a friend who was making a bad decision, what would your letter say? 1 John is a letter to remind Christians of the Gospel’s truth and keep them from making the very poor decision of leaving the church. [2] The author, John the apostle, starts his letter by affirming that he and the other apostles are eyewitnesses to the “Word of life.” [3] This Word of life is not an “impersonal” force, but the Son of God incarnate—the person of Jesus Christ. [4]

Clear truths and application flow from these facts. Jesus, the second person of the Trinity, is alive and is Lord as taught by His witnesses, Scripture, and history. [5] Because Christ reigns, His statements about being the exclusive way to salvation are true, which means everyone must follow Him or face the consequences. [6] But serving Jesus is not impersonal. He cares for us, understands our trials, and intercedes for us. [7] Christ’s loving kindness is enough to keep anyone in the church and sustain them for all of life. Are you willing to trust Him today by the power of His Holy Spirit?

This blog was written by Seth Dunn

[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016). All Scripture References will be ESV unless noted otherwise.

[2] Colin G. Kruse. The Letters of John. General Editor: D.A. Carson. (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2000), 51.

[3] Kruse, The Letters of John, 52-53.

[4] Kruse, The Letters of John, 57.

[5] Luke 24:36-53; John 19:35; Acts 4, 5:27-32, 26; 1 Corinthians 15:3-9; Hebrews 11-12:3; 1 Peter 5:1; 2 Peter 1:16.

[6] John 14:6; Ephesians 1:3-2:16; Philippians 2:5-11; Colossians 1:15-2:15; Hebrews 1:1-3:6; 1 Peter 1:13-23; 1 John 2:1-3, 3:1-10; Revelation 21:1-8.

[7] Psalm 34:18; John 11:5, 35, 17:1-26; Romans 8:34; Hebrews 4:14-16.

Treasuring God's Truth in Your Heart

Psalm 63:9-11: Future Reality

Psalm 63:9-11: But those who seek to destroy my life

shall go down into the depths of the earth;

10     they shall be given over to the power of the sword;

they shall be a portion for jackals.

11     But the king shall rejoice in God;

all who swear by him shall exult,

for the mouths of liars will be stopped. [1]

When we started studying Psalm 63, we observed how this Psalm highlights God’s past, present, and future help. [2] As we finish Psalm 63, David’s future hope shines through. [3] Verses 9-10 show that David’s “unquenched” faith rests on God Who will bring justice, which the Lord providentially did in 2 Samuel 18. [4] Verse 11 teaches that those who “swear” (pledge their “loyalty to”[5]) God will be vindicated because the Trinity will bring justice. [6]

God’s coming justice should give us reverential pause. Because of our sins, Scripture describes all humanity like those who opposed David—as insurrectionists. [7] The only way we can receive God’s graciousness rather than His rightful wrath is to believe that Jesus alone bore the wrath we deserve. [8] If you do believe, when Christ returns He will justify you before God and your enemies, and welcome you to paradise. [9] May God use this future hope to call those who lack it to Himself and to sustain those who believe.

This blog was written by Seth Dunn

[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Logos Bible Software 7. All Scripture references will be ESV unless noted otherwise.

[2] James Montgomery Boice. Psalms, Vol. 2: Psalms 42-106. (Grand Rapids, MI: Bake Books a division of Baker Book House Co, 1996), 518.

[3] Alec Motyer. Psalms By the Day: A New Devotional Translation. (Geanies House Fearn, Tain Ross–shire IV20 1TW, Scotland, UK: Christian Focus Publications, 2016), 165.

[4] C.H. Spurgeon. The Treasury of David, Containing An Original Exposition Of The Book Of Psalms; A Collection Of Illustrative Extracts From the Whole Ranger Of Literature; A Series Of Homiletical Hints Upon Almost every Verse; And Lists Of Writers Upon Each Psalm In Three Volumes, Vol., 3: Psalm LVIII To CX. (Peabody, Mass: Hendrickson Pub, 1876), 79.

[5] Motyer, Psalms By the Day, 165.

[6] Spurgeon, The Treasury of David, Vol. 2, 80.

[7] Genesis 6:5; 1 Samuel 15:23; Jeremiah 17:9-10; Malachi 1; Romans 3:9-23, 8:7-8; Ephesians 2:1-10, Titus 3:1-7; 1 John 3:8, etc.

[8] Isaiah 53:4-12; John 3:16, 14:6; Acts 4:12, Ephesians 2:11-22; etc.

[9] Revelation 6:9-11, 19, 21:1-8, 22:1-5.

Treasuring God's Truth in Your Heart

Worship During War

Psalm 63:7-8: for you have been my help,

and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy.

8  My soul clings to you;

your right hand upholds me. [1]

As we continue memorizing and studying Psalm 63, we repeatedly see David’s confidence and worship of God. [2] David’s assurance and devotion are seen in his trusting and clinging (v.8) to the Lord. [3] While the Trinity is David’s hope, he also fulfills his duty of pursuing and trusting. [4] We also see David is thinking of formal worship in the LORD’s temple. [5] The language of the Almighty having “wings” can signal tender protection, but may also point to the cherubim wings on the ark of the covenant. [6] Despite being far from the temple, David still longs to worship and keeps his faith exclusively in the Triune God. [7]

While we may not face the specific challenges David did, we all are daily engaged in worship wars. In all circumstances, we are tempted to turn from Christ to idols. [8] How do you want to do battle? Without the Creator who made you or with His help that has sustained His people like David throughout the centuries? May the Holy Spirit help all of us to cling to Christ more and more.

This blog was written by Seth Dunn.

[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Logos Bible Software 7. All Scripture references will be ESV unless noted otherwise.

[2] Willem A. VanGemeren The Expositor’s Bible Commentary with the New International Version of the Holy Bible in Twelve Volumes: Vol. 5 (Psalms-Song of Songs). General Ed. Frank E. Gaebelein. (Grand Rapids, MI: The Zondervan Corporation, 1991), 427. See also The Reformation Study Bible. General Editor R.C. Sproul. (Lake Mary, FL: Ligonier Ministries, 2005), 789-790.

[3] VanGemeren, Psalms, 427.

[4] VanGemeren, Psalms, 427.

[5] The Reformation Study Bible, 790.

[6] The Reformation Study Bible, 789.

[7] The Reformation Study Bible, 790.

[8] Ecclesiastes 1:8; Jeremiah 2:13; Jonah 2:8-9; Ezekiel 36:25; Matthew 6:21-23, 33; Acts 20:24; Philippians 4:10-14; 2 Timothy 3:1-2; Hebrews 12:1-17; 1 John 2:15-17, 5:4.

This blog was written by Seth Dunn