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John 14

Mansion prepared                                                                                                               verse 1- 4

 Let not your heart be troubled – you believe in God – believe also in ME

in MY Father’s house are many mansions – IF it were not so

I would have told you – I go to prepare a place for you

AND IF I go and prepare a place for you – I will come again

and receive you to MYSELF – that where I am – there you may be also

and whither I go you know – and the way you know

 Thomas question                                                                                                               verse 5

 Thomas said to HIM – Lord – we know not where YOU go

and how can we know the way?

 Relationship between Father and Son                                                                              verse 6- 7

 Jesus said to him

I am the way – truth – life

no man comes to the Father – BUT by ME

IF you had known ME – you should have known MY Father also

and from henceforth you know HIM

            and have seen HIM

 Philip’s request                                                                                                                   verse 8

 Philip said unto – Lord – show us the Father – and it suffices us

 Jesus answered Philip                                                                                                        verse 9- 14

 Jesus said to him 

Have I been so long time with you

and yet have you not known ME – Philip?

            He that has seen ME has seen the Father

                        and how say you then – Show us the Father?

            Believe you not that I am in the Father

and the Father in ME?

            The words that I speak to you I speak not of MYSELF

                        BUT the Father that dwell in ME he does the works

            Believe ME that I am in the Father – and the Father in ME

                        OR ELSE believe ME for the very works’ sake

Verily – verily – I say to you

            He that believes on ME – the works that I do shall he do also

and greater works than these shall he do

                                    BECAUSE I go unto MY Father

            AND whatsoever you shall ask in MY name – that will I do

                        that the Father may be glorified in the Son

            If you shall ask any thing in MY name – I will do it

 Promise of Holy Spirit                                                                                                        verse 15- 21

 IF you love ME – keep MY commandments

                        and I will pray the Father

and HE shall give you another Comforter

                                                that HE may abide with you forever

            EVEN the Spirit of truthWHOM the world cannot receive

                        BECAUSE it sees HIM not – neither knows HIM

BUT you know HIM

                                                FOR HE dwells with you

and shall be in you

            I will not leave you comfortless – I will come to you

                        yet a little while – and the world sees ME no more

                                    BUT you see ME

BECAUSE  I live – you shall live also

AT that day you shall know that I am in MY Father

                        and you in ME and I in you

             He that has MY commandments – and keeps them

he it is that loves ME

                                    and he that loves ME shall be loved of MY Father

                        and I will love him – and will manifest MYSELF to him

 

Judas not Iscariot asks question                                                                                         verse 22

 Judas said unto HIM – not Iscariot

Lord – how is it that YOU will manifest YOURSELF to us

                        and not to the world?

 Question answered                                                                                                            verse 23- 31

 Jesus answered and said unto him

IF a man love ME – he will keep MY words

and MY Father will love him

                                    and WE will come unto him

and make OUR abode with him

            He that loves ME not keeps not MY sayings

                        and the word which you hear is not MINE

                                    BUT the Father’s which sent ME

            These things have I spoken to you – being yet present with you

                        BUT the Comforter – which is the Holy Ghost

                                    WHOM the Father will send in MY name

                                                HE shall teach you all things

And bring all things to your remembrance

                                    whatsoever I have said to you

Peace I leave with you – MY peace I give to you

                        not as the world gives – give I to you

            Let not your heart be troubled – neither let it be afraid

                        you have heard how I said to you – I go away

and come again into you – IF you loved ME

                                                you would rejoice – BECAUSE I said

                                                            I go unto the Father

                                                            FOR MY Father is greater than I

            AND now I have told you before it come to pass – that

                        when it is come to pass – you might believe

            Hereafter I will not talk much with you

for the prince of this world comes

and has nothing in ME

            BUT that the world may know that I love the Father

                        and as the Father gave ME commandment

EVEN SO I do

            Arise let us go hence 

COMMENTARY:           

DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers 

: 2        In MY Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. (3438 “mone] means abode, dwelling, room, a hospitable area (within a house or building) where a person can remain for a period of time, or stopping place)

When Jesus left the disciples, HE left with many promises for the future. HE was going to send the Holy Spirit to give power to the ministry of the church. HE was going to be our advocate to the Father. HE was going to come back when the Father thought it was time.

The promise in this verse is that there will be a prepared place for all those who are followers of the LORD. This prepared place is thought to be in the New Jerusalem that is going to come down from heaven after HIS second coming. There will be room for all believers to live there for eternity.

Once this project is done there will not be anything holding back HIS return to take us home to be with HIM. Our responsibility is to occupy our world with a testimony for HIM. There is a certain number of people that will be followers of the LORD and when the last one becomes a follower HE will return.

So each of us have to witness and we might be the one who has the last one who is to be saved become a believer because we told them about Jesus. Reach out and touch a life for the LORD today. 

DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers 

: 6        Jesus says to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh to the Father, but by me. (3598 “way” [hodos] means a traveled way, journey, path, road, a coarse of conduct, way of life, route or a way of thinking, feeling, deciding)

DEVOTION:  Jesus was giving final instructions before HIS death. HE told the disciples HE was leaving to prepare a place in heaven for them. HE was telling them the truth. HE told them that they knew the road to heaven. There was a manner of life that led to heaven.

Thomas was asking the question about which road to take. He wanted to know where Jesus was going and how to follow him.

Jesus made a statement regarding the road to heaven. HE stated that HE was the road. HE was the way of life that led to eternal life. HE was giving them the path they needed to take to get to heaven.

Next, Jesus gave a message to the disciples regarding the coming of the Holy Spirit into their lives. The Holy Spirit was going to lead them down the right road. HE was another comforter like Jesus. HE was going to abide in the disciples. HE abides in all those who are followers of Jesus. HE was going to train all the followers of Jesus in the truths of the Scriptures. The Father was going to send him after Christ left the earth. The Father in Jesus name sent the Holy Spirit. Today, we have the Holy Spirit active in the lives of all those who are genuine followers of Christ. The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Godhead or Trinity. They are co-equal. They are co-eternal. They are all involved in our salvation and growth. We need to look to HIM daily for guidance. We need HIS daily strength in our lives and witness. Each day we have a choice to make. Let’s not wander off the road set before us. In the wonderful book, Pilgrim’s Progress, we have the Pilgrim leaving the right path and getting into trouble. However, he was led back to the right path by a character named Evangelist. Throughout the book we have an example of all the pitfalls of the Christian life but also we have the victories.

CHALLENGE: Read the book “Pilgrim’s Progress” by John Bunyan. There is even a pictorial version for those who don’t like to read.

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6     But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and                      bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you 

DEVOTION:  The Bible teaches us that there is Godhead. In this Godhead is the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We learn that there is only ONE God but three persons. Theologians use the term Trinity to help us understand what this all means. It is hard to understand but it is the teaching of the Word of God.

In our verse we find all three persons of the Godhead active. The Father is going to send the Holy Spirit to help the disciples perform their ministry. They will need help to reach the world for the LORD.

Jesus states that HE doesn’t want the disciples to be comfortless. They need comfort because they are going to face many trials that seem impossible to overcome but with the help of the Holy Spirit they will be able to have victory.

Now we continue to need the help of the Holy Spirit in our life and in the life of the church. We are living in very trying times. Our world seems to be at war with our standards. They want to live without any control from the Bible.

So each day if we are faithful to the LORD we are going to face the arrows of the devil that are being fired from any sources. We can fight off these arrows with the armor of God. Each day we have to pray for the Holy Spirit to help us put that armor on before we face our present evil generation. If we see a brother or sister in the LORD losing their battle we need to come along side and share our armor with them. Jesus wants us to love one another.

We are not alone in our battle. We shouldn’t leave anyone else alone either. Our prayers are important. We might lose some battles but we know that the war is won in the LORD. CHALLENGE:  We are on the winning side. Praise the LORD.

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DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers

: 13      And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. (1392 “glorified” [doxazo] means honor, magnify, extol, celebrate, adorn with luster, or clothe with splendor)

DEVOTION:  Prayer is very important in the life of a believer. Jesus taught HIS disciples how to pray. HE gave them an example of someone who prays. HE gives instruction regarding what kind of prayers will be answered.

How close do we watch the instructions that are given in the Bible regarding prayer? Too often we don’t even know the guidelines. Many people just pray like they feel like with no intention to give God honor if the prayer is answered. Many of our prayers are not to bring honor to the LORD.

We have a tendency to pray for what we want and if we receive the right answer we go on with our life. If we receive the wrong answer we wonder why God didn’t give us what we wanted.

Jesus makes it plain that we have to pray according to HIS will. Every answer to pray should cloth the LORD with splendor. People should stand up and take notice that we have a God who answers prayers in a mighty way.

Sometimes we are not praying for great things that the LORD wants to have happen in our life and in the life of the church. We should realize that we are able to do greater things and expect greater things.

CHALLENGE: Do we pray for miracles on a regular basis or just ask for little things from the LORD? Let us ask for miracles in our life and in the life of our churches. We don’t serve a small God!!!

DISCIPLINES OF THE FAITH:

BODY

Chastity (Purity in living)

Fasting (Time alone with LORD without eating or drinking)

Sacrifice (Giving up something we want to serve the LORD)

Submission (Willing to listen to others and LORD)

Solitude (Going to a quiet place without anyone)

SOUL

Fellowship (Gathering together around the Word of God)

Frugality (wise use of resources)

Journalizing (Writing down what you have learned from the LORD)

Study and Meditation (Thinking through your study in the Word)

Secrecy (Doing your good deeds without others knowing but God)

SPIRIT

Celebration (Gathering around a special occasion to worship LORD)

Confession (Tell the LORD we are sorry for our sins on a daily basis)

Prayer (Conversation with God on a personal level) 

Power of Prayer in Jesus’ name                                                                   verse 13- 14

Jesus prays Father to send Holy Spirit                                                        verse 16 

Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)

Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)

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DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:

Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)

God the Father (First person of the Godhead)

                     Father                                                                                                        verse 2, 6- 13, 16, 20, 21, 23, 24,                                                                                                                                                         26, 28, 31

                        Father loves those who love Son                                                             verse 21, 23

                        Father sent Son                                                                                         verse 24

                        Father sends Holy Spirit                                                                           verse 26

                        Father greater than Son                                                                           verse 28

                        Father gives commandments                                                                  verse 31 

God the Son (Second person of the Godhead –God/man, Messiah) 

Lord                                                                                                            verse 5, 8, 22

Jesus                                                                                                           verse 6, 9, 23

Way                                                                                                            verse 6

Truth                                                                                                           verse 6

Life                                                                                                              verse 6

Works                                                                                                         verse 12

Son                                                                                                             verse 13

Not leave disciples comfortless                                                                verse 18

I in you                                                                                                       verse 20

Loves the Father                                                                                        verse 31

Father gives Son commandments                                                            verse 31 

God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)

                       Another Comforter                                                                                  verse 16

Spirit of Truth                                                                                            verse 17

Comforter                                                                                                 verse 26

Holy Ghost                                                                                                verse 26

Teacher                                                                                                      verse 26

Brings things to believers memory                                                          verse 26 

Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)     

God                                                                                                           verse 1

Abode in believers                                                                                    verse 23 

Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil) 

Prince of this world  [Satan]                                                                     verse 30 

Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation) 

World                                                                                                        verse 19, 22, 27, 31 

Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels) 

Troubled                                                                                                    verse 1, 27

Not keeping Jesus’ sayings                                                                      verse 24

Afraid                                                                                                        verse 27 

Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins) 

Believe                                                                                                      verse 1, 10- 12, 29

Mansion                                                                                                    verse 2, 3

Greater works                                                                                           verse 12

Ask                                                                                                            verse 13, 14

Love                                                                                                          verse 15, 21, 23, 28

Keep commandments                                                                              verse 15, 21, 23

Give another comforter [Holy Spirit]                                                      verse 16, 26

Give Spirit of Truth  [Holy Spirit]                                                             verse 17

Indwelling Holy Spirit                                                                              verse 17

Believers in Christ                                                                                    verse 20

Manifest Christ in believer                                                                      verse 21- 25

Teach                                                                                                        verse 26

Peace                                                                                                       verse 27

Rejoice                                                                                                    verse 28 

Israel (Old Testament people of God)

Church (New Testament people of God) 

Thomas                                                                                                  verse 5
Philip                                                                                                      verse 8

Judas (not Iscariot)                                                                                verse 22 

Last Things (Future Events) 

Forever                                                                      verse 16 

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QUOTES regarding passage

28 In concluding this discourse, Jesus reminded them that he was about to return to the Father and that he had forewarned them so that their faith might not be disrupted by his removal. The statement “the Father is greater than I” refers to position rather than essence. Jesus was speaking from the standpoint of his humanity, the incarnate state he assumed in order to fulfill the purposes of redemption. He had already acknowledged that “the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing” (John 5:19). The numerous statements that the Father had sent him confirm that Jesus was acting under authority and was obligated to fulfill the Father’s commands. (Tenney, M. C. (1981). John. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: John and Acts (Vol. 9, pp. 148–149). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.)

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John 14:28

I go away, and I come (ὑπαγω και ἐρχομαι [hupagō kai erchomai]), both futuristic presents (7:33; 14:3, 18). If ye loved me (εἰ ἠγαπατε με [ei ēgapāte me]). Second-class condition with the imperfect active of ἀγαπαω [agapaō] referring to present time, implying that the disciples are not loving Jesus as they should. Ye would have rejoiced (ἐχαρητε ἀν [echarēte an]). Second aorist passive indicative of χαιρω [chairō] with ἀν [an], conclusion of second-class condition referring to past time, “Ye would already have rejoiced before this” at Christ’s going to the Father (verse 12). Greater than I (μειζων μου [meizōn mou]). Ablative case μου [mou] after the comparative μειζων [meizōn] (from positive μεγας [megas]). The filial relation makes this necessary. Not a distinction in nature or essence (cf. 10:30), but in rank in the Trinity. No Arianism or Unitarianism here. The very explanation here is proof of the deity of the Son (Dods). (Robertson, A. T. (1933). Word Pictures in the New Testament (Jn 14:28). Nashville, TN: Broadman Press.)

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14:28. If the disciples had been more mature in their love for Jesus, they would have been glad for His departure. But their love was still selfish at this point. Jesus was in His humiliation on earth, but by going back to the Father He would be exalted in glory (cf. 13:31–32) and He will come back (cf. 14:3).

Arians and Jehovah’s Witnesses argue from the statement, The Father is greater than I, that Jesus is a lesser god. But this would make Jesus a created being or would lead to polytheism, both of which are clearly unbiblical. The Father and the Son share the same essence (cf. 1:1–2; 14:9; 20:28). The Father and the Son are “One” in purpose and essence (10:30). Thus the Father is greater in office or glory than the Son was in His humiliation. (Blum, E. A. (1985). John. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 324). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)

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Again, Jesus assured them that they would see Him again (John 14:28). Why rejoice because He returned to the Father? Because His return made possible His wonderful intercessory ministry on our behalf, our great High Priest in heaven (Heb. 2:17–18; 4:14–16). We have the Spirit within us, the Saviour above us, and the Word before us! What tremendous resources for peace! (Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 354). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)

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14:28 greater than I. Jesus was not admitting inferiority to the Father (after claiming equality repeatedly, see note on vv. 7–11), but was saying that if the disciples loved Him, they would not be reluctant to let Him go to the Father because He was returning to the realm where He belonged and to the full glory He gave up (17:5). He was going back to share equal glory with the Father which would be greater than what He had experienced in His incarnation. He will in no way be inferior in that glory, because His humiliation was over. (MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (2006). The MacArthur study Bible: New American Standard Bible. (Jn 14:28). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers.

MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (2006). The MacArthur study Bible: New American Standard Bible. (Jn 14:28). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers.)

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Ver. 28. Ye have heard how I said unto you, &c.] Christ had not only told his disciples that he should depart from them in a little time, but also that he should return again to them, and comfort them with his presence, and receive them to himself, to be with him in his father’s house for ever: and this he again suggests, I go away, and come again unto you; so that they had not so much reason to be troubled and afraid, as they were: had he only said to them that he should go away, without giving any hint of his coming again, they might well have been uneasy; what made the friends of the Apostle Paul so sorrowful at his departure, was most of all, because he had signified to them they should see his face no more; but Christ assured his disciples that in a little time they should see him again, to their unspeakable joy and comfort: if ye loved me, adds he, ye would rejoice; not but that the disciples did truly love Christ, and their concern for the loss of his bodily presence is a proof of it; nor was their love unknown to him, nor does he call it in question, only corrects it, or rather uses means to increase it, to draw it forth aright, that it might move and run in a proper channel; they loved him, and therefore were unwilling to part with him, but this was not a pure expression of love to him, it shewed too much a regard to themselves, than to the object loved; whereas had they considered things aright, since it was to his greater advantage to remove, they should rather have discovered a willingness to it, and have rejoiced at it; this would have shewn pure love and unbiassed affection to him: two reasons our Lord gives why they should have rejoiced at his remove; one is, because, says he, I said, I go unto the father; who was not only his, but their father also; at whose right hand he was to sit, an honour which no mere creature ever had; where he was to be glorified and exalted above all created beings; and besides, his glorification would secure and bring on theirs; as sure as he lived in glory, so sure should they; yea, they should immediately sit down in heavenly places in him, as their head and representative, and therefore had good reason to rejoice at his going away: the other is, for my father is greater than I; not with respect to the divine nature, which is common to them both, and in which they are both one; and the son is equal to the father, having the self-same essence, perfections, and glory: nor with respect to personality, the son is equally a divine person, as the father is, though the one is usually called the first, the other the second person; yet this priority is not of nature, which is the same in both; nor of time, for the one did not exist before the other; nor of causality, for the father is not the cause of the son’s existence; nor of dignity, for the one has not any excellency which is wanting in the other; but of order and manner of operation: these words are to be understood, either with regard to the human nature, in which he was going to the father, this was prepared for him by the father, and strengthened and supported by him, and in which he was made a little lower than the angels, and consequently must be in it inferior to his father; or with regard to his office as Mediator, in which he was the father’s servant, was set up and sent forth by him, acted under him, and in obedience to him, and was now returning to give an account of his work and service; or rather with regard to his present state, which was a state of humiliation: he was attended with many griefs and sorrows, and exposed to many enemies, and about to undergo an accursed death; whereas his father was in the most perfect happiness and glory, and so in this sense greater. That is, more blessed and glorious than he; for this is not a comparison of natures, or of persons, but of states and conditions: now he was going to the father to partake of the same happiness and glory with him, to be glorified with himself, with the same glory he had with him before the foundation of the world; wherefore on this account, his disciples ought to have rejoiced, and not have mourned. (Gill, J. (1809). An Exposition of the New Testament (Vol. 2, p. 63). London: Mathews and Leigh.)

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FROM MY READING:

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But to do an induction on the basic words “Israel” and “church” would have been in order, He might then have seen more easily why the dispensationalist believes that God has two distinct purposes – one for Israel and one for the church. (p. 96)

The church and Israel are somewhat blended, though not amalgamated in this age (they are kept distinct in the Millennium). (p. 96)

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Classic dispensationalism is a result of consistent application of the basic hermeneutical principle of literal, normal, or plain interpretation. No other system of theology can claim this. (p. 97) (Dispensationalism by Charles C. Ryrie)

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James 4

While selfishness produces conflict, humility produces submission to God.
INSIGHT

Selfishness is the foundation for all conflict. When two hearts want different things – and neither is willing to sacrifice for the sake of the other – conflict arises. Selfishness is the cause of war, crime, and interpersonal conflict. By looking out for ourselves, we think we can get what we want from life. In contrast, the Lord teaches us that humility, not selfishness, results in satisfaction in life. Promote yourself, and wars and conflict result. Even God is against you (v. 6). But live in humility and wars and conflict cease, assuming all parties participate. And the Lord will lift you up. (Quiet Walk)

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As a couple drove their trailer through dry Northern California, they felt a tire blow and heard the scrape of metal against pavement. The sparks ignited the 2018 Carr Fire—a wildfire that burned nearly 230,000 acres, destroyed more than 1,000 homes, and resulted in the deaths of several people.

When survivors heard how the couple were overcome with grief, they formed a Facebook page to show “grace and extend kindness . . . for the shame and despair” enveloping them. One woman wrote: “As someone that lost their home to this fire—I need you to know my family [doesn’t blame you], nor [do] any of the other families that lost homes. . . . Accidents happen. I really hope these kind messages ease your burden. We will all get through this together.”

Condemnation, our fear that we’ve done something unredeemable, can cannibalize the human soul. Thankfully, the Scriptures reveal that “if our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts” (1 John 3:20). Whatever our hidden shame, God is greater than all of it. Jesus calls us to the healing act of repentance (if needed) or simply unmasks the shame consuming us. Then, encountering divine redemption, we “set our hearts at rest in his presence” (v. 19).

Whatever our regrets over things we wish we could undo, God draws us near. Jesus smiles at us and says, “Your heart is free. (by Winn Collier for Daily Bread)

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THE WORLD
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever. 1 John 2:15-17
That is, perhaps, one of the fullest statements in Scripture of what the New Testament means by this term the world; here John once more comes back to it. He is always very anxious about it, as is every writer in the New Testament. You cannot read the New Testament truly without seeing the whole of the Christian life as a life of conflict; we are in an atmosphere and in a world where there is a great fight going on. There are two kingdoms, the kingdom of light and the kingdom of darkness, and you get these constant comparisons and contrasts. Paul says to the Ephesians, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (or “in the heavenlies”) (Ephesians 6:12). “The world,” says John, “is there the whole time, and the Christian is fighting against it.” So it is of vital importance that we should know what he means by this.
Perhaps the best way of defining what the New Testament means by “the world” is that it is everything that is opposed to God and His Spirit. God calls upon men and women to worship Him and to glorify Him; He calls upon them to live for His glory. There is a famous quotation in the Shorter Catechism of the Westminster Confession that says, “The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.” That is the chief object for which God created us; we are meant to glorify God in every way conceivable.
A Thought to Ponder: We are in a world where there is a great fight going on.

 (From Life in God, p. 36 ,by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)

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The Immortal Dies
“Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.” (1 Timothy 1:17)
The second verse of “And Can It Be That I Should Gain?” poses and solves a great mystery:

T’is mystery all! the immortal dies!
Who can explain this strange design?
In vain the first-born seraph tries,
To sound the depths of love divine;
T’is mercy all! Let earth adore!
Let angel minds inquire no more.
Our text reminds us that God is immortal. And yet, “Christ died for our sins” (1 Corinthians 15:3) to bring us salvation. If this astounds us (and it should), we can take solace in that we are not alone. “Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things . . . which things the angels desire to look into” (1 Peter 1:10-12).
Think of it! The Creator, the Author of life, has died to offer eternal life to His creation, for “all have sinned” (Romans 3:23), and the “wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). He died so that we don’t have to die! This grand plan remains beyond our full grasp, as it always was to the prophets and the angels.
The motive behind His plan is God’s mercy. “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us; . . . Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour” (Titus 3:5-6). “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out” (Romans 11:33). (JDM, The Institute for Creation Research)

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