1 John | Paula Wiseman

STT: If…Then

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Last week we started a discussion of some signpost words to help guide you through your Bible study. We learned to watch for "therefore" and the conclusions or reasons it points to. This week, we have a different kind of concluding signpost: The If – then team.

You'll find the if-then anytime the writer is trying to build a case leading to a logical conclusion. If the premise is true, then the conclusion must be.

Paul uses it regularly in his letters. For example, in defending the grace of God as the means of salvation, he says: "I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.” Galatians 2:21

The statement prompts you to stop and examine the premise part, the "if" part. Does righteousness come from the law? Well no. It comes from the grace of God. To agree with the premise means you must accept the conclusion that Christ dies in vain. We know He didn't. Paul knew his readers wouldn't accept that conclusion either, so they'd would have to go back and reexamine their ideas about righteousness, grace and the law.

However, you are much more likely to see the "if" without the "then". It's implied. Logically it's still there as part of the argument. Honestly, I doubt we even notice it's missing. Here area few more examples.

[I]f anyone is in Christ, (then) he is a new creation – 2 Corinthians 5:17
If we confess our sins, (then) He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9
If anyone thirsts, (then) let him come to Me and drink. John 7:37

So, when you see that "if" marker slow down and take notice.

What is the premise (the "if" part)?

And what is the conclusion (the "then" part)?

What do you learn from them?

Filed Under: Study Tip Tuesday Tagged With: 1 John, 2 Corinthians, Bible study, Galatians, John

Stay in the Light

By Paula

Running in silhouette At 5 a.m., it's dark. Even after the change back to standard time. So from September to May, my running routes are limited to well-lit streets. (Well-lit, but without heavy traffic- tricky) This helps keep me safe and protects me from a fall or a turned ankle on uneven pavement.

Running (or walking) in the light is key to my Christian life as well. In 1 John 1:7, the apostle cites walking in the light as the mark of a genuine Christian. What does it mean, then to "walk in the light"? Back in verse 5, John says God is light. So walking in the light means to walk "in God", – in His holiness, in obedience, in truth.

Walking in that light of God keeps me safe from the effects of sin, and protects me from hurts that might slow me down or put me out of the race for a time.

It's a dark world out there. Stay in the light.

Filed Under: Running Lessons Tagged With: 1 John, Running

STT: Now, Then and When

By Paula

Trail Marker Study Tip Tuesday is back! Often little words carry great weight, and today's tip looks at some important small words that can be a big help during our study time.

One key to understanding a passage of Scripture is getting a handle on the sequence of events presented. Some signposts to watch for are "now", "then" and "when".

For instance, I flipped open to Matthew chapter 2. Here's a sample of sequence markers (the "trail" markers):
V.1 "Now after"
V.3 "when Herod"
V.4 "when he had gathered"
V.7 "Then Herod"
V.9 "when they heard the king"
V.10 "when they saw the star"
V.11 "when they had come into the house"
"When they opened their treasures"
V.12 "then being divinely warned"

While these sequences are especially important studying the narrative sections of Scripture like the Gospels or some of the Old Testament books, they also figure in other books as well.

1 Corinthians 15:54 "So WHEN this corruptible has put on incorruption and this mortal has put on immortality, THEN shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory."

1 John 3:2 "Beloved NOW we are the children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that WHEN He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is."

Other times they introduce a condition or a contingency:

Jeremiah 29:13 "And you will seek Me and find Me WHEN you search for me with all your heart."

Ezekiel 36:23 "…[A]nd the nations shall know that I am the Lord, WHEN I am hallowed in you before their eyes."

2 Chronicles 7:14 "If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, THEN I will hear from heaven and forgive their sin and heal their land.

Watch for these trail markers as you read, and take a moment to consider what truth they are highlighting.

Do you have other examples?

Filed Under: Study Tip Tuesday Tagged With: 1 Corinthians, 1 John, 2 Chronicles, Bible study, Ezekiel, Jeremiah, Matthew

Study Tip: Go To the Source

By Paula

Bible study… Intimidating? Frustrating? Go to the Source.

The Holy Spirit inspired every word written in Scripture. He is the One who pulls back the curtain revealing new things each time we study Scripture. In fact the Bible itself underscores how necessary the Spirit is for understanding.

1 John 2:27 He teaches us

Isaiah 11:2 He is the source of all wisdom

John 14:26 He will teach us all things and remind us

John 16:13 He guides us into truth

Nehemiah 9:20 God gave the Spirit to instruct us

1 Corinthians 2:10-13 The Spirit searches and reveals the deep things of God, the things only He can know and teach

1 Corinthians 2:14 Learning from the Spirit is the mark of a believer

Seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance as you read and study. Let this be your prayer. “Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things from Your Law.” Psalm 119:18

j0385403 Bible study… Intimidating? Frustrating? Go to the Source.

1 John 2:27 He teaches us

Isaiah 11:2 He is the source of all wisdom

John 14:26 He will teach us all things and remind us

John 16:13 He guides us into truth

Nehemiah 9:20 God gave the Spirit to instruct us

1 Corinthians 2:10-13 The Spirit searches and reveals the deep things of God, the things only He can know and teach

1 Corinthians 2:14 Learning from the Spirit is the mark of a believer

Seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance as you read and study. Let this be your prayer. “Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things from Your Law.” Psalm 119:18

Filed Under: Study Tip Tuesday Tagged With: 1 Corinthians, 1 John, Bible study, Holy Spirit, Isaiah, John, Nehemiah

What We Don’t Know About Authenticity

By Paula

After a couple of weeks considering what authentic faith is, here’s my summary – we don’t know.

That’s not a cop-out answer. 1 John 3:2 says “Beloved, now we are the children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.”

Authentic faith is a humble realization that we have a long way to go, and a lot to learn along the way. Every day and every situation brings the opportunity for a deeper understanding of God and His ways, which we relish. We readily share our insights, rejoice with each other, grieve with and comfort one another. We uphold each other, carry each other to the throne of grace, and lean on each other. All the while we hold on to the hope the assurance that one day we will know, we will understand, we will see.

And we welcome fellow-travelers.

j0438658 After a couple of weeks considering what authentic faith is, here’s my summary – we don’t know.

That’s not a cop-out answer. 1 John 3:2 says “Beloved, now we are the children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.”

And we welcome fellow-travelers.

Filed Under: Authenticity Challenge Tagged With: 1 John