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Sunday School Lesson
The degenerate human mind can devise new doctrines to replace the things that have served as points of reference for mankind throughout the centuries. These new enlightenments are, simply, old spiritual baggage dressed in new language. Spiritual darkness is never converted to light by clothing it in modern verbiage. After the establishment of the church - on that momentous day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4) - the thoughts of new revelation had begun to raise their ugly heads before that first century drew to a close. The Apostle John wrote his letters to those people who were being bombarded with these new doctrines that were attempting to undermine the simplicity of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. The offspring of these philosophers continue to be with us. Most of the new philosophies - that are, simply, the old ideas in new cloaks - have come to bring us "new light." Darkness is darkness, no matter what dress is used to cover the death that lies beneath. The new enlightenments were addressed by the apostle. John declared to his readers, "Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning." 1 John 2:7a. He reminded his readers, "The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning." 1 John 2:7b. If these readers insisted on something new, the apostle would give them that which they desired. "Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth." 1 John 2:8. The attitude that was demonstrated by those who brought new light was that of "spiritual light." Others were not seen in a positive light. John wrote, "He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness, even until now." 1 John 2:9. The contrast is clear. "He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him." 1 John 2:10. The apostle painted a dismal picture of these who saw themselves as enlightened. "He that hateth his brother abideth in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because darkness hath blinded his eyes." 1 John 2:11. The Apostle John has been called the "Apostle of Love," since this theme is woven into all of his letters. He addressed different groups, as a father would speak specifically to members of the family. I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake. "I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the father." 1 John 2:12, 13. This declaration could be made by the apostle because he was aware of the godly influence that the fathers would have over their households. The father of the family is expected to be the "spiritual head" of the household. Ephesians 5:25; 6:4; Colossians 3:19. Too often, fathers have abandoned their divinelyassigned role, and have allowed the children to "raise themselves," with little or no positive imput into their spiritual development. Is it any wonder that some of the children have turned out the way that we see them in our society? John continued his encouragement to the men of the families. "I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one." 1 John 2:14. With difficulties surrounding our lives - and teachings that might cast doubts on the things that we believe - it could be easy to begin to wonder, "What if 'they' are right?" Temptations do not always present good or bad choices, but forces one to make a choice between the good and the best. It might be easy to rationalize our choices, based on some compromise of the basic principles that we know to be based on the word of God. John - under inspiration of the Holy Spirit (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21) - gave a directive that became a rallying point for the believers of that day - and reaches into our lives, today. Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. 1 John 2:15a. He warned the believers of that day, and that warning is valid, today. "If any man love the world, the love of the father is not in him." 1 John 2:15b. We live in a real world with real problems, real tests, and real temptations. It is comforting to know that our Lord Jesus Christ lived in a real world, with real problems, and faced real temptations. The writer to the Hebrews assured us that Jesus knew the things that confront us, and he overcame them. Hebrews 4:15c. Thus, we have divine help with our difficulties of life. Hebrews 4:16. John wrote, "For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the father, but is of the world." 1 John 2:16. Yes, our Lord overcame all of these on the mount of temptation. Matthew 4:1-11; Luke 4:1-13. This present life is temporary at best.We can claim that which is eternal. 1 John 2:17.
Rev. Temples can be contacted at P.O. Box 1569, Auburndale, Fla. 33823; 863-965-0157. Email: jctjet@ aol.com
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