Spiritual Growth Series 4 on The First Epistle of John book (II)

Hi,

This is a review for the book entitled,
Paul.C.Jong`s Spiritual Growth Series 4 on
The First Epistle of John book (II)

In Chapter 1, the author talks about the love that God has for every single human being.
This type of love is called agape and it is the truest kind of love because it is unconditional. Agape love can only be expressed from the heart of God.

All human beings were born in sin. Our hearts harbour evil desires inherently and although we desire to do good, our sinful nature prevents us from doing so (Mark 7:21-23)

Because we are born as sinners, no matter how good our intentions may be, our actions will ultimately be motivated by selfish desires, and so, if a particular act of love does not benefit us in some way, we will not seek to fulfil it.

However, in contrast to human love, God`s love is unconditional. We cannot measure God`s love for it is infinite. Jesus Himself is the representation of God`s love. He came to this world in the flesh of man and gave up His life to save us from all our sins and condemnation.

By placing our faith in Jesus who was baptized by John the Baptist to bear our sins and crucified to pay for our sins, our hearts become washed clean as white as snow (Isaiah 1:18)

We become reconciled to God and we abide with Him through the Holy Spirit which resides in our sinless hearts.

The scripture passage in first John chapter 3 verse 6 states that,
"Whoever abides in Him does not sin."
What does this passage mean?
This means that the redeemed saints who now abide in God, do not commit the sin of denying the truth that Jesus is the Savior who blotted out all the sins of the world through the gospel of the water and the Spirit.

The righteous who have received the remission of all their sins through faith in the baptism and crucifixion of Jesus, cannot deny their faith in God`s salvation.

This does not mean that they no longer commit sin in the flesh.
It means that they do not deny the biblical fact that Jesus came to this world over 2000 years and washed away the sins of mankind through His baptism, crucifixion and resurrection.
This we cannot deny!

Chapter 4 verse 2 describes this type of person who belongs to God and who does not deny His salvation. It is written,
"By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God."
Those who confess that Jesus has come in the flesh place their whole faith in the works that Jesus did on this earth to redeem them of all sin, that being His baptism from John the Baptist and His crucifixion. However, those who do not confess that Jesus has come in the flesh must repent of their unbelief and return to the gospel of the water and the Spirit

Chapter 5 verse 4 states, "For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.
Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?"

In the beginning, satan tempted Adam and Eve to doubt God`s Word and as a result the sin of disobedience was planted in their hearts and ours (Romans 5:12)

Satan turned human beings into people who disobeyed and disbelieved Gods Word and we cannot overcome him or the world unless we become born again and receive God`s Spirit into our hearts.

The power to overcome, cannot spring forth from a person’s will power, endeavor or passion.
The only reason why the faithful can overcome satan and the world is because they have faith in the water, the blood, and the Spirit of Jesus Christ who is the Lord of Heaven and earth.

Did Jesus come by water? Yes, He did!
The water symbolizes the baptism that Jesus received from John the Baptist in the Jordan River. It was the baptism of redemption by with which He took all the sins of the world upon Himself (Matthew 3:15)

Did Jesus come by blood? Yes, He did!
Three years after He was baptized to take on the sin of the world, He went to the Cross where He shed all His blood to make atoned for all our sins.

Did Jesus come by the Spirit? Yes, He did! Jesus was God, in the flesh.
He came as the Spirit in the flesh of a man to be the Savior of sinners.

The Apostle John also confirms this undeniable truth in chapter 5 verses 6-8
He says,
"This is He who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not only by water, but by water and blood.
And it is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is truth. For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one.
And there are three that bear witness on earth: the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree as one."

May the following words of the Apostle John spoken in chapter 5 verse 20 become a reality for all who read this book-
"And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ.
This is the true God and eternal life."

God bless you all.