Day 181
Pray (ACts) Read - 1 John 2:1 Message - Alan Burke 1 John 2:1 I imagine if I stood up on Sunday and started calling the congregation, ‘My little children’ there would be many who would think I’m taking the mick, people would suppose that I was talking down to them. Maybe id get away with it for a week or two but for after that there would be many who would have had enough. Look here to John 2:1, this is a letter from a pastor to his people, John had been dealing with nonsense that was being spouted by the opponents of the Gospel, the thing that they were saying, the things that they were doing (Ch 1). Now his pastoral heart comes to the forefront once more as he calls them, ‘My little children’. John is concerned for those to whom he writes as a parent for their child, how he address them shows this, he is a pastor showing his concern for his spiritual children. He is writing so that they whom he cares for would not misunderstand what he has just said and interpret it as a licence to do what ever they want and to sin all the more, to think that ‘after all if forgiveness was freely available then why not’ ‘…go on sinning so that grace may increase?’ (Rom 6:1). The reason is that they should not sin (1b) is because sin was and is incompatible with fellowship with God, for as he had said in chapter 1 v6 “If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth.” (1:6). Instead John wants his readers confess their sin, to desire to live without sin, to really live in the light, being conformed more and more into the likeness of their Saviour Jesus Christ. For sin is pervasive, it effects everything we do, who we are, when we allow sin to go unchecked in one part of our lives it impacts everything else. We may see that sin that we harbour, the hidden sin that lies behind closed doors, what we look at online, how we speak to our spouse, our flirtatious exchanges with a college, our constant desire for more things, to not really be an issue but sin is pervasive and slowly impacts the entire lives. Instead we are to confess it, for we have one who speaks to the Father in our defence - Jesus Christ (1d). He is our advocate as John makes clear, the one who will stand on our behalf, as the council for the defence in a court room, interceding for us. He assists our feeble prayers with intercession for us (Rom 8:26). We have nothing that we can plead before God to gain forgiveness but Jesus Christ our defence, literally our advocate enters a plea on our behalf, as our representative head. He is the righteous one who died for the unrighteous so that he might bring them to God (1 Pet 3:18). Jesus Christ, who was without sin, who was obedient unto death, stands in our place, he pleads his own righteousness before God so that we who are sinners may be forgiven in his righteous act. The hearts of genuine Christians desire to live in this way, it doesn’t mean that we will ever be completely free from sin but that we will desire to please out Lord and our God. Pray (acTS) Sing WSC Question 74 What is required in the eighth commandment? The eighth commandment requireth the lawful procuring and furthering the wealth and outward estate of ourselves and others. (Gen. 30:30, 1 Tim. 5:8, Lev. 25:35, Deut. 22:1–5, Exod. 23:4–5, Gen. 47:14,20) Day 182 Pray (ACts) Read - 2 Corinthians 3v1-6 Message - Scott Woodburn It has been stated that extraordinary claims require extraordinary proof. For his critics Paul needed to prove himself to the Corinthian church. He hadn't appeared in front of them, he was full of big words in his letters but in person seemed weak and unimpressive. Why should we listen to such a man? Paul wondered if he needed to prove himself all over again (v1) or perhaps get a letter of recommendation from his local church (v1b). Such letters would be carried by Christians whenever they moved from one church to another. The letter would state that the individual was a Christian in good standing and should be welcomed by their new church. Did Paul need such a letter for the Corinthians to believe him? Perish the thought. Instead Paul says the Corinthians are his letter, written on his heart for all to read (v2). Paul knows these men and women and they know him. He cherishes them, they are written on his heart and he needs no external letter of recommendation to prove himself to a church that he was instrumental in planting. Indeed the very existence of the Corinthian church in such a pagan city was in itself evidence that Paul's ministry was genuine. Paul says that the church in Corinth show that they are a letter from Christ delivered by the apostle (v3). This letter was not written in ink but by the Holy Spirit. This letter was not carved into tablets of stone but into hearts of flesh (v3b). Paul's claims and proof about the Corinthian church couldn't be any more extraordinary. Paul is utterly confident in all of this through Christ toward God (v4). Paul doesn't plead his case with arrogance reminding the Corinthians how wonderful he is (v5). He knows that he is only sufficient for such work because God made him sufficient (v5b). He is a sufficient minister of the new covenant (v6). A covenant not of works but of grace or as Paul puts it, not of the letter but of the Spirit (v6b). For the letter only kills but the Spirit brings life (v6c). Here Paul makes a distinction between the law and the Gospel. The law is from God and is therefore good (Romans 7v12), but it cannot curb human sin (Romans 8v3) and ultimately brings death (Romans 7v10). The Corinthian church was not built by law observance but by the Spirit. Here is Paul's defence, here is his letter of commendation. He arrived in Corinth in much weakness but fearlessly preached the Gospel. The Spirit moved powerfully, sinners were saved and a local fellowship was born. Extraordinary claims require extraordinary proof and in days of doom and gloom you might ask "Where is the Lord?". I would respond "He is reigning". Of course a preacher would say that, but where is the evidence? In Northern Ireland you don't need to look too far. Across this land there exist fellowships of Christians who have been converted to Christ by the preaching of the Gospel and the work of the Spirit. These fellowships are sometimes big and sometimes small. Many of them have preachers known around the country and many have preachers known only to their flock. Many of them have music so wonderful that it could grace a concert hall and many have Gertrude on an old piano that sounds somewhat out of tune. Yet all of them belong to Christ. Where the Word is preached faithfully, where the sacraments are administered correctly and where discipline is exercised - there is the church. May we love the church and take her seriously and understand that she is worth being part of. Extraordinarily she is Christ's letter to this world, a letter of grace and forgiveness to guilty sinners, a letter that cries out "You must be born again!". Pray (acTS) Sing WSC Q75 What is forbidden in the eighth commandment? The eighth commandment forbiddeth whatsoever doth, or may, unjustly hinder our own, or our neighbor’s, wealth, or outward estate. Day 183 Pray (ACts) Read - 1 John 2:1 Message - Alan Burke 1 John 2:2 Many of you will know and love the modern hymn “In Christ Alone”, writer by Stuart Townend and Keith Getty. Doubtless you have sang it many times and not given it much thought but this is a song that caused much controversy around ten years ago. Why, because of the words “the wrath of God was satisfied”. Maybe you are wondering why these words caused any controversy, but for some the idea sounded harsh, maybe it was what is associated with the term wrath, the violet emotions and behaviour that results in it. Maybe it was that people didn’t like the idea of unbelieving family and neighbours being subject to the wrath of God. Yet on the Cross Jesus took upon himself the wrath of God, he was the object of the Father’s wrath. It matters because as we thought about on Monday Jesus is the righteous one who died for the unrighteous so that he might bring them to God (1 Pet 3:18). Jesus Christ, who was without sin, who was obedient unto death, stands in our place, he pleads his own righteousness before God so that we who are sinners may be forgiven in his righteous act. As John continues (2:2) he explains to us how Jesus can be our defence, how he can grant us pardon for the sin, how we can have confidence of sins forgiven, of coming before the living God and that is in his atoning sacrifice. It was Jesus who atoned, who offered a sacrifice for our sins, he made a propitiation as the King James version rightly translates it. A propitiation means that of a sacrifice that turns God’s wrath into favour, for Jesus the perfect sacrifice for sin when he died on our behalf took the wrath of God so that we might know his favour. God the Father gave Jesus His only begotten son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sin, God himself provided the means of our forgives and paid the cost of it. Today the problem is sin is treated so lightly, few would deny that acts of deliberate, clear cut evil are incompatible with faith in Jesus Christ, but many have the view that God makes considerable allowances for weakness and failure, grace abounds, they deny that any of their own actions, their own sin fall into the category of evil. But John writes as a pastor to his children those whom he has spiritual oversight off, writes so that they would not sin (2:1). Because God is light, in him there is no darkness (1:5), if we have fellowship with him while we walk in the darkness we lie and do not practice truth (1:6). None of us are free from sin, none of us can claim to be without it, none of us can claim we do not need the propitiation offered by Jesus for sinners and none of us should belittle sin, sin is serious, it is evil, it is darkness, it is what is opposed to the Light. Pray (acTS) Sing WSC Question 76 Which is the ninth commandment? The ninth commandment is, Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. (Exod. 20:16) Day 184 Pray (ACts) Read - 2 Corinthians 3v7-11 Message - Scott Woodburn When the late Brian Clough took over Leeds United in 1974 he only managed to last 44 days in the job. What was the problem? Clough notoriously said what he thought and he thought very little of Leeds' previous manager Don Revie and how Leeds had played their football. It isn't really the done thing to criticise the person who once upon a time sat at your desk. As this chapter continues the Apostle Paul speaks of the Prophet Moses and references "the ministry of death" (v7). It is shocking language and at first glance seems to suggest that Paul had no time for Moses and the ministry he exercised. Thankfully Paul isn't on an ego trip but instead is comparing the old and the new covenants. Moses carried the tablets of stone down the mountain with the ten commandments of God carved upon them. Moses wasn't offering the people an alternative path of salvation, instead the law was to be a guardian until Christ came (Galatians 3v24). The law was holy and righteous and good but the people would be utterly unable to keep it. What they needed was a Saviour who would keep the law perfectly on their behalf and pay the price for lawbreakers. That Saviour was Jesus. Moses' ministry was one of condemnation (v9a). The law commands and inevitably the people fail. So the law was published once more at Sinai as a constant reminder of their inability and need of the Christ who was to come. It would be a mistake therefore to think that the ministry of Moses was all black and bleak. Paul stresses that there was glory in Moses' ministry (v7,9a). As he came down the mountain from talking with God his face shone and the people feared to come near him (Exodus 34v29-30). Let’s too not make the mistake that under Moses salvation was by obedience or works. Dearly beloved, the church stretches from Genesis to Revelation and in every day that the sun has risen, salvation comes only by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. Moses’ ministry was to a "church under age" as the Westminster Confession of Faith puts it. The church was organised as national Israel where the ministry of prophets, priests and kings was exercised. It was not without its glory but it was temporary and passing away (v11a). The permanent was coming (v11b) and the glory of the permanent would far outstrip the glory of the temporary. This isn’t to run Moses down but when Christ came He fulfilled the law completely. He was the Saviour that the church had been waiting on. He was the greater Moses whose face shone at the transfiguration. He was the ultimate prophet, priest and king. His blood paid the price fully for the sins of His people and his church would grow in Jerusalem, Judea and to the ends of the earth. The glory of the new far surpassed the glory of the old and it is all because of Jesus. As Paul has already told us in this letter, every promise of God finds its yes and amen in Christ. This same glorious Christ today intercedes for His church and He gives us hope for future glory. In Romans 8v18 Paul reminds us "that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us." One day our faith will be turned to sight and we will dwell in the new heavens and new earth where righteousness dwells. We shouldn't be surprised. It is our eternal home promised and prepared by the glorious Christ for His precious bride. So look around today at the temporary. Just as the new covenant outstripped the old, the Christian's future outstrips our present. The future's bright, the future's glory. Pray (acTS) Sing WSC Q77 What is required in the ninth commandment? The ninth commandment requireth the maintaining and promoting of truth between man and man, and of our own and our neighbor’s good name, especially in witness bearing. Day 185 Pray (ACts) Read - 1 John 2:1 Message - Alan Burke 1 John 2:3-6 The question of assurance is one that arises often today. How does a person know that they do indeed know God? Perhaps you are reading this filled with doubt, or you could be filled with guilt because of sin, alternatively you may lack assurance because you never had that ‘experience’, you can’t name the hour or the day that you came to faith. How can you have assurance that you indeed know God. This questions was in John’s mind, he answers by saying we can be sure, we can literally know, we can confidently know that we have come to know God… ‘if we obey his commands’ (5). This is the yardstick, the test, what quantifies true faith is whether or not we keep his commandments. John’s not saying that your salvation is dependant on works, that certain conditions need to be fulfilled, rather if you are desiring to walk in the light, and you are trying to obey his commandments, this is the characteristic of the knowledge of God. If we truly love God then it is expressed in our keeping of his commandments, it is not a condition of our salvation, it is not a means of earning God’s favour by our works rather if we love God it is tangibly evidenced in our lives. The saying goes, actions speak louder than words, when we say it we mean that a persons actions are a better indication of what a person believes and who they are than what they say, talk is cheap after all, it can easily deceive. For those who claim to know God, and they do not know obey his commands, they do not have unity, show by their actions and speech that as John says that they are a liar and the truth is not in them (4). For those, though who love God, keep his word, they do not merely have the truth of God but God’s love is made complete in them (5). In all that we do we should desire to walk in the way with he he walked, we live we must live as Jesus did (6). We may think that the bar has been raised so high that it is impossible, how can we possibly live as Jesus did, for his life showed his active obedience to God the Father and his death his passive obedience! He was fully God and fully and fully man, taking to himself a true body (Heb. 2:14,16, Heb. 10:5) yet without sin (Heb. 4:15, Heb. 7:26). We are sinners, how then can we do this? The point is not that we will be perfect, that we will be sinless, rather it is that in our lives we will examine whether our thoughts, words and deeds show that our allegiance is to the God who is light. Remember how Jesus said ’by their fruit you will recognise them, do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles’ (Mt 7:16). The fruit of the plant indicates the nature of the plants life within. If we really walk in the light it will be seen in our lives, we look to his example and follow it, for those who abide in Christ cannot fail to display the fruit of the Spirit in their lives, a Christ-like character should be plain for others to see as we lived as Jesus lived, we ought to walk in the same way that he walked (6). We are not to be made anxious, worrying about our salvation, for if we truly love God will our desire will be to obey his commands and reflect on what we do, what we say, how we think of others, our prayer life, how we spend our time and money, how we raise our children, how we treat our coworkers, our spouses, neighbours and friends. Pray (acTS) Sing WSC Question 78 What is forbidden in the ninth commandment? The ninth commandment forbiddeth whatsoever is prejudicial to truth, or injurious to our own or our neighbour’ s good name. (1 Sam. 17:28, Lev. 19:16, Ps. 15:3) Day 186 Pray (ACts) Read - 2 Corinthians 3v12-18 Message - Scott Woodburn The Apostle Paul is able to have boldness in his ministry because the mystery of redemption has now been revealed (v12). Paul's hope is that the coming of Christ has put away the types and shadows of the past and now in Jesus the fullness has come. Moses was unable to minister in such a way. After spending time with the Lord, Moses' face was radiant. So much so that the people were fearful to approach him (Exodus 34v30). Moses therefore took to wearing a veil after conversing with the Lord (Exodus 34v33). Eventually Moses' face would return to normal and eventually his "ministry of condemnation" would come to an end (v13b). The law and the types and shadows of the sacrificial system were only ever temporary. They couldn't bring salvation but their purpose was to point the people to the Christ who was to come. Unfortunately in Moses day, Paul's day and today the hearts of the Jews are hardened against the things of Christ (v14). To this day "whenever Moses is read a veil lies over" the hearts of Jews worldwide (v15). All seems hopeless and lost for spiritually blind Jew and Gentile. What is to be done? We are confident and we are bold in our proclamation of the Gospel. To this very day, Jesus is able to remove spiritual blindness (v14b). "When one turns to the Lord" (v16) the veil is lifted, hearts are softened, eyes are opened. We need no gimmicks, we do not need the latest thinking in church growth, our message does not need to change. The Gospel is preached, the Spirit works and sinners once blind, now can see. This is all possible because "the Lord is the Spirit" (v17a). What does this mean? Have we got the Trinity wrong when we say that we believe in God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit? Does this verse state that Jesus is the Spirit? Is God three yet one or two yet one? Paul's point here is that the Spirit gives life to the previously hardened sinner and Christ is the Spirit. Just as Jesus stated that "I and the Father are one" (John 10v30), so too He and the Spirit are one. Charles Hodge tells us that Jesus and the Spirit are "not one and the same person, but one and the same being." There is no disunity or confusion in God and when the Spirit of the Lord is at work, freedom is always the result (v17b). This freedom in Christ allows us with unveiled faces (18a) to behold the glory of the Lord. We no longer require the temporary types and shadows of the past, instead the fullness has come. We behold Jesus in all of His majestic glory and day by day we are being made more and more to resemble Christ (v18b). We are being sanctified each day and while we rarely notice any progress in our sanctification we can be sure that "he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." (Philippians 1v6). It was true in Corinth and it remains true to this very day. Since we have this hope, we are very bold (v12) for it comes from Christ who is the Spirit (v18c) and we know that Jesus never fails. Prayer (acTS) Sing WSC Q79 Which is the tenth commandment? The tenth commandment is, Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife, nor his man-servant, nor his maid-servant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor anything that is thy neighbor’s. Day 188 Pray (ACts) Read - 1 John 2:7-8 Message - Alan Burke Here, as John begins this new section, speaking to his ‘Dear friends’ literally his beloved (7), it is clear he cares for his people, deeply cares, he is concerned for their salvation. They are his brothers and sisters in the Lord and as he obeys the word, God’s love is made complete in him and is shown in his care for those whom he writes. He writes not with a new command but an old one, what is John talking about, not a new command rather it is an old one, it is one that they have heard since the beginning, this old command is the message you have heard. Look at the context, look with what comes before in verse five and what comes after in verse ten. In verse five, But if anyone obeys his word, God’s love is truly made complete in him. In verse ten we read ‘whoever loves his brother lives in the light’ What is the command that is not new, that is an old one? It is the command to love. Jesus spoke of a new commandment, a command to love one another but to them it is not new, years have past, they have heard this teaching. We need to go back to John chapter 13, where the love and humility of Jesus was so vividly portrayed to his disciples whom he was with. They were gunning among themselves, bickering over who was the greatest, and Jesus took of his outer clothes, and washed their feet, he did what they were unwilling to do, he showed them and example by his actions of what love looked like, love that would humble itself before others, that would be willing to do what others would not, love that was willing to wash the feet of the one who would betray him. It’s hard for us to imagine and understand the significance of what Jesus did, it wouldn’t have been lost on those who were there or those who heard it, what Jesus had done was a powerful demonstration of the commandment that he had given his disciples to love ones enemies (Matt 5:44), a love that displayed itself in self giving. After washing their feet, after he had put on his outer garments, while they were all together in the upper room, a new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this people will know that you are my disciples if you have love for one another (Jn 13:31-35). The command that is not new, but an old one, that which they had heard from the beginning was to love one another as Jesus had loved. This is how believers are to live, we are to love. We are to love one another lets be real about it, it can be hard to love one another, it can be hard to love someone who has hurt us, whom we have history with, but Jesus only requires from us what he has already manifested in his own person and life. For Jesus in his sacrificial life and death provide the example of love. We are to love each other as Christ loved (Jn 15:12). The truth of how ‘Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends (Jn 15:13). It was Jesus who gave the command to love, but it was Jesus who lived out love for his own, (Jn 13:1). We see it manifested most vividly on the cross, it is the act by which we are gathered together. We are to love, just as this love, sacrificial love, giving love, was seen in Jesus so vividly it should be seen in us. What genuine Christianity looks like according to John is seen in the love that we have for one another. Prayer (acTS) Sing WSC Question 80 What is required in the tenth commandment? The tenth commandment requireth full contentment with our own condition, (Heb. 13:5, 1 Tim. 6:6) with a right and charitable frame of spirit toward our neighbour, and all that is his. (Job 31:29, Rom. 12:15, 1 Tim. 1:5, 1 Cor. 13:4–7) Day 189 Pray (ACts) Read - 2 Corinthians 4v1-6 Message - Scott Woodburn Life is rarely easy for anyone. Admittedly there are some who never seem to catch a break, but most people at some stage will know trouble, disquiet, sleepless nights and heart rending sadness. The temptation in such moments is to give up. "Why do I bother?" we ask. "What's the point?" we cry. Whilst we are often tempted to raise our Biblical heroes to pedestals believing them to be superhuman, the evidence we have in the Scriptures paints a different picture. Just because Paul was an Apostle didn't mean that he never struggled (2 Corinthians 11v24-28). Yet he was, like us, a recipient of God's mercy (v1a). A man who had been made a minister of the new covenant (v1b) and therefore he didn't lose heart (v1c). Paul understood that this present age was and is temporary and it doesn't compare to the hope that is ours in Christ Jesus. This hopeful heart filtered its way into Paul's ministry. He didn't seek to convince people with"secret and shameful ways" (v2a), nor did he seek to deceive (v2b) and he certainly did not take God's Word and distort it (v2c). Paul's approach to the Corinthians was marked by integrity. He opened the Scriptures and set forth what they taught plainly (v2d). Indeed if the Corinthians examined their conscience they would know that what Paul is now saying is true (v2e). Often we are like magpies and are attracted to the latest bright shiny fad in the church. One day, the church to be at, is down the road, the next it is two towns over. One day, there is no preacher as good as the one in Seattle, the next it is that one in Florida. But Paul reminds us here that there is much to be said for a simple ministry that doesn't make the headlines or attract the crowds. Paul never preached Paul (v5a) but Christ as Lord (v5b). He became a servant of the Corinthians for the sake of Christ (v5c). Paul was once an enemy of Christ but God brought him out of darkness and into the glorious light of Christ (v6). He had been miraculously converted and now by the grace of God, Paul preached Christ and Him crucified. As we have discussed, Paul's conversion didn't keep him from trouble and if the history books are to be believed Paul was beheaded outside the city walls of Rome. Yet during his life he was a servant of Christ and exercised that ministry faithfully, plainly and humbly. Life is rarely easy for anyone but today we keep going. There are many to whom the Gospel message is "veiled" (v3). They don't get it, don't want it, don't see the need. Satan who is "the god of this age" has blinded their minds (v4) so that they do not see Christ. But we are not blind. We have not been left in darkness. Christ has removed the veil from our eyes and today we see "the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God." So brothers and sisters press on! Find a church close to your home where the Bible is preached faithfully and attend it. Do not lose heart even if it seems the hordes of hell stand at your door. As Boris speaks, as Covid continues and as October comes, our Saviour remains. "The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it." (John 1v5) Pray (acTS) Sing WSC Q81 What is forbidden in the tenth commandment? The tenth commandment forbiddeth all discontentment with our own estate, envying or grieving at the good of our neighbor, and all inordinate motions and affections to anything that is his. Day 190 Pray (ACts) Read - John 13:31-35, 1 Cor 13:4-6 Message - Alan Burke If you mention the word ‘love’ to many they think of romantic love, or if you spoke of the love we have for each other in the church to those outside it they would see love as simply niceness. What does it mean though for believers to love one another, what does it mean to do what Jesus commanded us to do, to love one another, just as I have loved you and how by this people will know that we are his disciples if you have love for one another (Jn 13:31-35). Well we need to look to Jesus and how he loved. On Monday we thought about how Jesus washed his disciples feet (Jn 13), how he showed his love in how he served them, doing what they were unwilling to do, how he showed them by his example of what loved looked like, how love that would humble itself before others, that would be willing to do what others would not, love that was willing to wash the feet of the one who would betray him. But Jesus also made a whip out of chords, came to the temple and drove out the sheep, cattle, scattered the coins and the money changers and over turned the tables, forcing them out of God’s house of prayer (Jn 2:15). Were his actions unloving, were they lacking in love when he did this? No they were not. If he had tolerated their behaviour that was sinful and wrong that would not have been love. I’m not suggesting we go make a whip out of chords and clear the meeting house out on Sunday, but when we tolerating behaviour that is sinful and wrong that is not love, as a church we are to love, love one another, where are we to look as the example of love, we are to look to Jesus. Love is not weakness, it is not politeness, love doesn’t call sin good, but it is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth, It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. (1 Cor 13:4-6). A doctor who tells his patient that he has cancer is not lacking in love, the minister who tells us that we are sinners is not lacking in love, and for all of us, the test of our love for one another is how we respond when we are ill treated, whether we show kindness or we lack kindness, our freedom from jealously or envy, our sincere graciousness towards people, our endurance when people are difficult, our humility or lack there off, our attitude to our self, our ability to control anger, our freedom from a critical spirit, our willingness to suffer for the sake of good relationships, our determination to persist in friendships no matter what happens, that is love. When we truly love one another, where we display it, where we are characterised by great love, we will be a place that people want to be part of, they will see that the gospel is real in how it is lived and how it is spoken off and it will be attractive to many. And He who showed that love in his life and death, has given us the power to live in that way also, for we are members of a new community, the Holy Spirit is working within us if we walk in the light, if we keep his commands and we are able to reflect the light of God. We are being conformed into the likeness of Christ our saviour by the work of the Spirit within us and God empowers us to fight our flesh and keep in step with the Spirit of God (Gal. 5:16-26). Do you love? Prayer (acTS) Sing WSC Question 82 Is any man able perfectly to keep the commandments of God? No mere man since the fall is able in this life perfectly to keep the commandments of God, (Eccles. 7:20, 1 John 1:8,10, Gal. 5:17) but doth daily break them in thought, word, and deed. (Gen. 6:5, Gen. 8:21, Rom. 3:9–21, James 3:2–13)
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