By Scott Johnson
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. (1Jn 1:7 NIV)
He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. (1Jn 2:2 NIV)
As for you, see that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father. And this is what he promised us--eternal life. (1Jn 2:24-25 NIV)
See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! (1Jn 3:1 NIV)
Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. (1Jn 4:7 NIV)
This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: (1Jn 4:17 NIV)
And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. (1Jn 5:11-12 NIV)
I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. (1Jn 5:13 NIV)
We know also 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 by being in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. (1Jn 5:20 NIV)
Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on them. (Joh 3:36 NIV)
Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?" (Joh 11:25-26 NIV)
The "Gospel" means good news---not bad news! The good news is that Jesus Christ paid the debt for sin 2,000 years ago and that all who are born of his water and his Spirit will live forever in a paradise called Heaven. His grace and his mercy cover our many short-comings and pave our entry into life-everlasting. Our work on earth is to be led by the Spirit, fed by the Spirit, and walk by the Spirit for flesh gives birth to flesh but Spirit gives birth to Spirit. Born-again folks never die! Not born-again people die and face judgement on the first resurrection and a face a very possible second death. The born-again do not die, nor do they face a fearful and unknown judgment. Therefore, there is no condemnation and we can stand in complete confidence and assurance: Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. (Rom 8:1-6 NIV)
Scott and Jane Johnson minister with East Faulkner Church of Christ and BRG Bible. Bible questions can be sent to [email protected]