1 John 5:1-13
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."
(HEBREWS 11:1)
"Caesariensibus Tiberium Pontius Pilatus Praefestus Iudaeae." These Latin words were found on a stone uncovered at the port city of Caesarea in 1961. The words "To the people of Caesarea Tiberium Pontius Pilate Prefect of Judea" are important because for centuries skeptics doubted there ever was a governor of Judea named Pilate. This stone confirmed otherwise. Scripture names Pontius Pilate as the judge who turned Jesus over to the cross, so this stone was a fatal blow to all doubters. It was found as part of a first century stairway in Herod's magnificent Roman theatre on the shore of the Mediterranean. Now it resides in the Israel Museum. It is extremely difficult to believe what you cannot see. But sight is not faith, and faith is the road we are called to travel, even when physical evidence is lacking. Archeological finds may confirm our faith, but they are not the source of it. In following Christ, we are called to believe in His name. The Spirit of Christ in us grants all the confirmation we need.
INSIGHT
FAITH IS NOT MERELY HUMAN HOPE. IT IS THE SUBSTANCE OF WHAT WE BELIEVE, AND THE EVIDENCE OF FAITH IS CHRIST IN US.
READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
Numbers 21-22
Psalm 72
John 13
(HEBREWS 11:1)
"Caesariensibus Tiberium Pontius Pilatus Praefestus Iudaeae." These Latin words were found on a stone uncovered at the port city of Caesarea in 1961. The words "To the people of Caesarea Tiberium Pontius Pilate Prefect of Judea" are important because for centuries skeptics doubted there ever was a governor of Judea named Pilate. This stone confirmed otherwise. Scripture names Pontius Pilate as the judge who turned Jesus over to the cross, so this stone was a fatal blow to all doubters. It was found as part of a first century stairway in Herod's magnificent Roman theatre on the shore of the Mediterranean. Now it resides in the Israel Museum. It is extremely difficult to believe what you cannot see. But sight is not faith, and faith is the road we are called to travel, even when physical evidence is lacking. Archeological finds may confirm our faith, but they are not the source of it. In following Christ, we are called to believe in His name. The Spirit of Christ in us grants all the confirmation we need.
INSIGHT
FAITH IS NOT MERELY HUMAN HOPE. IT IS THE SUBSTANCE OF WHAT WE BELIEVE, AND THE EVIDENCE OF FAITH IS CHRIST IN US.
READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
Numbers 21-22
Psalm 72
John 13
1 John 5:1-13
New International Version (NIV)
Faith in the Incarnate Son of God
5
Everyone who believes
that Jesus is the Christ
is born of God,
and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well.
2 This is
how we know
that we love the children of God:
by loving God and carrying out his commands. 3 In fact, this is love for
God: to keep his commands.
And his commands are not burdensome,
4 for
everyone born of God
overcomes
the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our
faith. 5
Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus
is the Son of God.
6 This is the
one who came by water and blood—Jesus
Christ. He did not come by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the
Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth.
7 For
there are three
that testify: 8 the[a]
Spirit, the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement. 9 We accept
human testimony,
but God’s testimony is greater because it is the testimony of God,
which he has given about his Son. 10 Whoever believes in the Son
of God accepts this testimony.
Whoever does not believe God has made him out to be a liar,
because they have not believed the testimony God has given about his Son.
11 And
this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life,
and this life is in his Son.
12
Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does
not have life.Concluding Affirmations
13 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.Footnotes:
- 1 John 5:8 Late manuscripts of the Vulgate testify in heaven: the Father, the Word and the Holy Spirit, and these three are one. 8 And there are three that testify on earth: the (not found in any Greek manuscript before the fourteenth century)
IDEAL
CHRISTIAN LIVING
(PHILIPPIANS 4:4-7) [PART 3]
There are many opinions about what we need in order to live an ideal life. Most of them talk about material things, but the apostle Paul gives us six ways we can live the ideal life with Jesus Christ.
(PHILIPPIANS 4:4-7) [PART 3]
There are many opinions about what we need in order to live an ideal life. Most of them talk about material things, but the apostle Paul gives us six ways we can live the ideal life with Jesus Christ.
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