We are Sure

We are Sure

1 John 4: ¹³ We are sure that we live in union with God and that he lives in union with us, because he has given us his Spirit. ¹⁴ And we have seen and tell others that the Father sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. ¹⁵ If we declare that Jesus is the Son of God, we live in union with God and God lives in union with us. ¹⁶ And we ourselves know and believe the love which God has for us.

 

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“Are you sure?” was the seemingly undermining question that knocked me down. I had a theory that something could work, but no experience. The question easily exposed my inexperience and my theory was brushed off by others.

 

• I was not sure that my theory would work.
• I was not convincing to anyone because I was unsure.
• I had no evidence that my theory would work.

 

John seems like he was addressing insecurity. He may have seen believers who showed faith, only to be met with trouble and difficulties. Some people may have felt discouraged. John provided  a way to have assurance regarding a relationship with GOD. “Declare that JESUS is the SON of GOD.”

 

My Observations:

• Difficult times blind me to the truth that GOD loves me dearly.
• GOD provided the remedy to all my troubles, namely believe in JESUS with all my heart.
• Saying the words “JESUS is the SON of GOD” to someone solidifies my relationship with GOD so I can have assurance.

 

“There is power in the name of JESUS” was what some folks used to say and sing. I can see that. Just saying HIS name is powerful. But believing in my heart and turning my life over to HIM is very different.

 

Usually when I feel unsure about my relationship with GOD is when things are going wrong or I have blatantly sinned and it can no longer be hidden. I start thinking GOD thinks less of me. I could not be further from the truth. I am glad GOD loves me in spite of my sins so I am ready to declare JESUS is the SON of GOD!

 

Challenge

• Why does the writer emphasize “telling” people that “JESUS is the SON of GOD?”
• When you are sure about something small like directions, are you afraid to tell strangers or are you confident?
• Will you increase your confidence in your relationship with GOD by declaring that JESUS is the SON of GOD to someone today?

Never Considered

Isaiah 53: Who has believed our message
    and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?
² He grew up before him like a tender shoot,
    and like a root out of dry ground.
He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him,
    nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.
³ He was despised and rejected by mankind,
    a man of suffering, and familiar with pain.
Like one from whom people hide their faces
    he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.

⁴ Surely he took up our pain
    and bore our suffering,
yet we considered him punished by God,
    stricken by him, and afflicted.
⁵ But he was pierced for our transgressions,
    he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
    and by his wounds we are healed.
⁶ We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
    each of us has turned to our own way;
and the Lord has laid on him
    the iniquity of us all.

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Tired of struggling, I just sat. Bills were greater than pay, car was not working and my grades were suffering. I was exhausted from trying hard and not getting anywhere. Could someone just reach out their arms and pick me up like a little baby?

• Sometimes life has brought me tough times.
• Sometimes life has delivered to me trials.
• Sometimes life has given me prolonged pain that I cannot think my way out of.

I had no idea where to turn or what to do, then something inside said “Pray.” This did not make sense. I had not prayed in a while nor had I considered it effective. I mean could I just pray for X amount of money and get it? I had never seen anyone do that and have it work for them. I prayed “Help me! I don’t know what to do.” I felt peace to keep going.

• JESUS has no beauty or majesty to attract me to HIM.
• JESUS has nothing in HIS appearance for me to desire HIM.
• JESUS was despised and held with low esteem so I did not consider HIM.

I considered the lottery. I considered selling my stuff to get out of bills, but I did not consider JESUS as being an answer to day to day problems. Yeah HE saved me but did HE care about the debt collector calling me? HE led me beside still waters that day. HE said “Keep going” so I did. I truly cannot remember how I was delivered, but I was.

With bills paid and car fixed, I graduated and moved onto another phase of my life. I sought after GOD from then to now. HE has never failed me.

• Are you trying things on your own?
• Do you feel like you have ot do thing under your own power?
• Can you stop trying to carry the load and allow GOD to help you?
• Will you believe that no matter what you have done in the past, you are forgiven by JESUS who took your punishment for you?