Commentary on "Jesus and the Johannine Letters"

COLLEEN TINKER

 

Day 6: Thursday, July 2, 2009

This lesson emphasizes Jesus' ministry as taught in John's epistles. It points out several texts that describe Jesus' work: 1 John 1:7: His blood cleanses from all sin; 1 John 2:25: He has promised us eternal life; 1 John 2:28: we are to abide in Him so we have confidence when we see Him; 1 John 3:8; He came to destroy the works of the devil; 1 John 3:16; He laid down is life for us; 1 John 5:18: He protects those born of God, and evil cannot touch them; 2 John 3: Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us from the Father and from Jesus Christ the Father's Son. The thought questions at the end ask which of these promises the reader is experiencing, and what s/he must do to experience them.

 

Problems

Again, this lesson makes profound points and asks good questions—but the most important question is missed: might your Adventist doctrines be obscuring the power of the gospel in your life? Have you asked God to reveal to you what the Bible actually says without Adventist "filters" over your eyes? One cannot experience the reality of the gospel by pasting it on top of a foundation built from error. The foundational error colors the truth, and while one thinks he is understanding what the Bible says, there are cognitive dissonances that don't quite make sense. The real question everyone must ask is this: might my beliefs be wrong?

We all must submit our heads as well as our heart to Jesus for the light of His truth to expose the corners where we are deceived.

 

Summary

• Are Adventist "filters" over your eyes, obscuring the true meaning of Scripture?
• Have you asked God to reveal the truth to you regardless of what you might lose?

 

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