[W]e know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.

1 John 5

[W]e know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. 1 John 5:11

I continue my study of 1,2,3 John using the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for these books.  Today, my focus is a "mostly" unassisted review of 1 John 5:13-21.  A core theme of John in the text today is how must protect ourselves from the world and the influences of the evil one Satan. John starts the text by sharing that he wants believers to know and have assurance that they have eternal life and this assurance should give us confidence to approach God in pray as He intercedes on our behalf. He hears our prayers.  John then focuses on one specific prayer - for another believer that sins who is able to truly repent from and receive forgiveness.  John does share that there is sin that leads to death and John Piper describes this as sin where a believer is unable to truly repent and receive forgiveness because God has given up on them or turned them over to his or her sin (see discussion here on this question). John then shares how God protects those born of Him where they abide in Him and He in them. V20 appears to be key in our power as Jesus has come and "given us understanding" and this leads us to Jesus, pushes us into Him vs falling prey to the world.  John ends with a blunt warning to keep ourselves from idols. 

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are the One True God and You are life - now to the full and forever in Heaven.  You protect me from sin and give me power over both sin and death - You also hear all of my prayers and respond - thank You Jesus for all of these blessings and of course for my salvation.  What a great God You are.  I am not deserving of such rich blessings nor my salvation.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome my sin and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.

Hebrews 6

We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek. Hebrews 6:19-20

I continue my study of Hebrews, assisted by the commentary Christ Centered Exposition: Exalting Jesus in Hebrews. This morning, I maintain my focus on Hebrews 6:9-20, as I lean on my commentary, and how it unpacks the third division "The Hope Behind the Curtain," which refers to Hebrews 6:19-20.  Here, the commentary highlights how, in the midst of the ups and downs of life, we all need "an anchor for the soul...The promises of God are firm and secure enough to hold us steady in a storm."  The commentary then highlights (and wraps on this note) how Jesus's death on the cross "accomplish[ed] all that God’s justice required [for our sin]....As our great high priest, Jesus has purchased our salvation and assured us of the promises of God."  This assurance provides a supernatural confidence, hope, and peace that only Jesus offers - believe!

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for this assurance, and the supernatural confidence, hope and peace that it provides.  I am not deserving of such assurance.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

Zechariah 1-6

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1

Day 270 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) continues as my commentary* moves focuses on the ministry of Zechariah, as he shares eight visions. According to the commentary*, the first vision is assurance that Israel is to prosper as she is restored. The second vision is that "Israel’s oppressors will indeed be punished". The third vision "is assurance that God will be among his returning people". The fourth vision is "assurance that the sins of the people will be removed by him who is called the Branch". The fifth vision is "assurance that God will complete his temple through his two anointed ones". The sixth vision is "assurance that wickedness will always be punished". The seventh vision "assurance that wicked nations will be brought to their knees". The eighth vision is "assurance that there is to be rest at last!" Finally, "Zechariah is...told to place a crown on the head of Joshua the high priest, an enactment which is symbolic of the Messiah, who will be both Priest and King over his people. As the office of high priest evolves in post-exilic Israel, it will take on king-like overtones. This change will prove to be significant when the Messiah comes to establish his own kingdom, for his “kingship” will threaten the priestly power structure and will lead ultimately to his death".

*Smith, F. LaGard. The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®). Harvest House Publishers. Kindle Edition. 

Most importantly, as John Piper puts it this podcast, believers should have assurance that "we are children of God" not just now, but also that we remain His forever.

This assurance is key to our faith.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a God that does not change and Your promises to us do not change as and they are true as You are faithful.  Thank You Jesus for the assurance that we are Yours and always will be.  I am not deserving for the assurance You provide.  My sin is great and it is daily, including worry, etc.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.