Dublin, OH
Scripture Reflection by Sang Sur on 1John 2:12-14 posted September 17, 2013 - Prayer Tents
Link:
Keeping the fire.
What's interesting in the verses above talks about three circumstances / positions / timelines of life.
To God's children—all Christians—you are forgiven through Jesus Christ and you know the Father. For the original readers of this letter, it is to serve as a reminder that we have a relationship with God because of what Jesus has done. As believers, we shall never forget this basic truth. Without his intervention, we would have no access to God. It is because of His grace that we can commune with God.
To those who are mature in faith, or to long-time believers, you know Christ, who existed from the beginning. The warning here is to those who have believed for a long time. It is a call to not lose the fire, as you know Jesus that has always been there with you! Don't lose faith. Don't go into religion mode. Don't let go of your relationship with God!
John recognizes that as time goes, we may begin to wander, especially as we go through life circumstances, struggles, and despair. Don't give up.
Finally, there's an address to those who are young in faith. Those of you who have just come into an intimate relationship with God, you have overcome the battle with the evil one.
Do you see why it is so important that people come to know the Lord? That is 90% of the battle to be in an intimate relationship with God. You really cannot be shaken from this faith once you've experienced it. God will hold you, and even as you waver, He will bring you back. And the faith of such young believers—amazing! They have tasted God, and are relentless in staying close with the Lord (because it's so good), and their actions are to do His will.
They are strong, as they have overcome the battle of the heart against the evil one.
Those of you who have never tasted this wonderful relationship with Christ, come to know Him. Only He can transform you. For those of you who have, don't lose the fire—let it be like those who are young in faith, your first love.
12I am writing to you who are God’s children because your sins have been forgiven through Jesus. 13I am writing to you who are mature in the faith because you know Christ, who existed from the beginning. I am writing to you who are young in the faith because you have won your battle with the evil one. 14I have written to you who are God’s children because you know the Father. I have written to you who are mature in the faith because you know Christ, who existed from the beginning. I have written to you who are young in the faith because you are strong. God’s word lives in your hearts, and you have won your battle with the evil one.
1John 2:12-14 (NLT)
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
New York, NY
24
New York, NY
Visible to: public
243 Comments
Scriptures Marked by Sang Sur
Link:
Saturday, May 18, 2024
Everything is peaceful and secure. These are the words that zombies often say. There is no need for growth or change, which God must absolutely do in our lives. Revived people recognize our need for ... [see more]
Everything is peaceful and secure. These are the words that zombies often say. There is no need for growth or change, which God must absolutely do in our lives. Revived people recognize our need for ... [see more]
Wednesday, May 15, 2024
Increasing in love for the believing brothers (and sisters) Paul, Silas, and Timothy didn't see the people as some students they must teach and convert to feel proud of their accomplishment. They lov... [see more]
Increasing in love for the believing brothers (and sisters) Paul, Silas, and Timothy didn't see the people as some students they must teach and convert to feel proud of their accomplishment. They lov... [see more]
Tuesday, May 14, 2024
Praise is a work of priests! We, who are called to priesthood (all Christians!), our work includes singing songs of thanks and praise to God! How wonderful that our task is not mundane, but something... [see more]
Praise is a work of priests! We, who are called to priesthood (all Christians!), our work includes singing songs of thanks and praise to God! How wonderful that our task is not mundane, but something... [see more]
Tuesday, May 14, 2024
Three marks of a Christian. Paul applauds the Christians in Thessolonica for their faith, and specifically points out these three qualities. 1. Welcome, or love for other believing brothers and sist... [see more]
Three marks of a Christian. Paul applauds the Christians in Thessolonica for their faith, and specifically points out these three qualities. 1. Welcome, or love for other believing brothers and sist... [see more]
Friday, May 10, 2024
People were all eager, because God had promised. For those seeking fame, success, and power, we see something very powerful in this verse. People had a heart inclined to make David their king. Of al... [see more]
People were all eager, because God had promised. For those seeking fame, success, and power, we see something very powerful in this verse. People had a heart inclined to make David their king. Of al... [see more]
Thursday, May 9, 2024
Very able men. Christians, or people of priesthood, are called to be able and prominent. There is a view that Christians are supposed to not-strive and useless in the world… but the call is the c... [see more]
Very able men. Christians, or people of priesthood, are called to be able and prominent. There is a view that Christians are supposed to not-strive and useless in the world… but the call is the c... [see more]
Tuesday, May 7, 2024
God cares for us all! Reading of the genealogy might seem boring or redundant, but it shows how importatneach one of these people were in God’s story. We, too, may feel we do not amount to much, bu... [see more]
God cares for us all! Reading of the genealogy might seem boring or redundant, but it shows how importatneach one of these people were in God’s story. We, too, may feel we do not amount to much, bu... [see more]
Tuesday, May 7, 2024
Caring for others matters to the Lord Verse 21 and 30 refers to people who are considerate for the things of God. What is “important” to God? 1. Not seeking what is best for themselves (v. 21) 2... [see more]
Caring for others matters to the Lord Verse 21 and 30 refers to people who are considerate for the things of God. What is “important” to God? 1. Not seeking what is best for themselves (v. 21) 2... [see more]
Sunday, May 5, 2024
Things beyond our planning and understanding. The Scriptures were lost for ages, and its discovery brought about a new wave of revival. Notice that Josiah’s heart was in the right place, but he was... [see more]
Things beyond our planning and understanding. The Scriptures were lost for ages, and its discovery brought about a new wave of revival. Notice that Josiah’s heart was in the right place, but he was... [see more]
Sunday, May 5, 2024
Pray in the Spirit. Prayer is not as easy at times. What words to say, what does God want me to speak? Praying in the Spirit means to let the Spirit take over, and to let Him lead the prayer. What a ... [see more]
Pray in the Spirit. Prayer is not as easy at times. What words to say, what does God want me to speak? Praying in the Spirit means to let the Spirit take over, and to let Him lead the prayer. What a ... [see more]
Saturday, May 4, 2024
This is how God sees His church, His bride. It’s His to protect and guide. Let us be obedient to trust, fear, and follow Him.
This is how God sees His church, His bride. It’s His to protect and guide. Let us be obedient to trust, fear, and follow Him.
Saturday, May 4, 2024
How did Isaiah know what Hezekiah was praying? Let us, too, ask for God’s prophetic gifts so that we can speak God’s heart to kne another. Only then can we move, especially when it is hard to dis... [see more]
How did Isaiah know what Hezekiah was praying? Let us, too, ask for God’s prophetic gifts so that we can speak God’s heart to kne another. Only then can we move, especially when it is hard to dis... [see more]
Friday, May 3, 2024
Losing the blessings of God Having others settle in your homes, while being forced to move to subpar conditions is terrible. Yet, this is only a minor experience compared to losing our opportunity of... [see more]
Losing the blessings of God Having others settle in your homes, while being forced to move to subpar conditions is terrible. Yet, this is only a minor experience compared to losing our opportunity of... [see more]
Friday, May 3, 2024
Disaster comes when we turn away from God, and more so because He wants us to turn back to Him. In all our troubles, we should first check our hearts and ask if we have turned from God. (Repent if we... [see more]
Disaster comes when we turn away from God, and more so because He wants us to turn back to Him. In all our troubles, we should first check our hearts and ask if we have turned from God. (Repent if we... [see more]
Saturday, April 27, 2024
So Elijah got up. With such power Elijah witnessed, he could have easily sat on his throne and enjoyed the people coming and jested at the king. Elijah was not staying because he feared the king El... [see more]
So Elijah got up. With such power Elijah witnessed, he could have easily sat on his throne and enjoyed the people coming and jested at the king. Elijah was not staying because he feared the king El... [see more]
Saturday, April 27, 2024
Is God our trust? Why did the King Ahaziah, the king of Israel go to the temple of Baalzebub to ask about his future/next steps? God was not his highest priority! In the same way, we can easily fall... [see more]
Is God our trust? Why did the King Ahaziah, the king of Israel go to the temple of Baalzebub to ask about his future/next steps? God was not his highest priority! In the same way, we can easily fall... [see more]
Saturday, April 27, 2024
The king (that's us!) must hear from God. The king can rely on the prophets of God for guidance, but he must also have a relationship with God too. Here, the King Ahab has turned away so much from G... [see more]
The king (that's us!) must hear from God. The king can rely on the prophets of God for guidance, but he must also have a relationship with God too. Here, the King Ahab has turned away so much from G... [see more]
Saturday, April 27, 2024
That's our job as children of God! Micaiah’s heart is the model to follow, especially in days of group think and tendency to mark our desires as the voice of God.
That's our job as children of God! Micaiah’s heart is the model to follow, especially in days of group think and tendency to mark our desires as the voice of God.
Thursday, April 25, 2024
Business leadership vs God leadership. The failure of Ahab is that he did not ask God to hear Him. Ahab did not fear God, especially in a time when people did not seek the Lord. Ahab is shown as a p... [see more]
Business leadership vs God leadership. The failure of Ahab is that he did not ask God to hear Him. Ahab did not fear God, especially in a time when people did not seek the Lord. Ahab is shown as a p... [see more]
Tuesday, April 23, 2024
Contentment and drivenness is always mind boggling. David went after Goliath because Goliath defied God, and David felt driven toward knocking him out and God was with him. The opposite can be said…... [see more]
Contentment and drivenness is always mind boggling. David went after Goliath because Goliath defied God, and David felt driven toward knocking him out and God was with him. The opposite can be said…... [see more]
Monday, April 22, 2024
Heart of a pastor… wants hearts for the Lord. Giving a great message is not the goal Having good relationships is not the goal Having other church stuff is not the goal The driving desire of a pas... [see more]
Heart of a pastor… wants hearts for the Lord. Giving a great message is not the goal Having good relationships is not the goal Having other church stuff is not the goal The driving desire of a pas... [see more]
Friday, April 19, 2024
We are but a flower fading, here today and gone tomorrow… His justice and provisions for this day is all we need.
We are but a flower fading, here today and gone tomorrow… His justice and provisions for this day is all we need.
Friday, April 19, 2024
Things of God are not much, but most powerful. We like to hoard much. Wealth, fame, power… but things of God seems to be simple, and that's always more than enough. Inside this “powerful” ark ... [see more]
Things of God are not much, but most powerful. We like to hoard much. Wealth, fame, power… but things of God seems to be simple, and that's always more than enough. Inside this “powerful” ark ... [see more]
Wednesday, April 17, 2024
Promise made to Abraham was already fulfilled here. Yet, more to come! (Descendants of Jesus! That's us!)
Promise made to Abraham was already fulfilled here. Yet, more to come! (Descendants of Jesus! That's us!)
Saturday, April 13, 2024
The heart of a father. Even when his children rebel and even want his life to end, he still loves them and want them to be well. God gives us human fathers (though imperfect, and not all may show th... [see more]
The heart of a father. Even when his children rebel and even want his life to end, he still loves them and want them to be well. God gives us human fathers (though imperfect, and not all may show th... [see more]
Friday, April 12, 2024
Critical heart Some people take positions to be heard and drive things the way they see fit. This pride can lead to disappointment when their direction are not followed. Why do we believe we are alw... [see more]
Critical heart Some people take positions to be heard and drive things the way they see fit. This pride can lead to disappointment when their direction are not followed. Why do we believe we are alw... [see more]
Friday, April 12, 2024
Let people curse and criticize. It gives great relief that we don’t have to do anything to those who hurt us. We can simply bow before God and trust He’s involved in everything in our lives, incl... [see more]
Let people curse and criticize. It gives great relief that we don’t have to do anything to those who hurt us. We can simply bow before God and trust He’s involved in everything in our lives, incl... [see more]
Friday, April 12, 2024
True community, led by example David was going through immense pain as he was being attacked by his son. Perhaps he can quell the rebellion, but is that worth hurting his own son? So the king takes ... [see more]
True community, led by example David was going through immense pain as he was being attacked by his son. Perhaps he can quell the rebellion, but is that worth hurting his own son? So the king takes ... [see more]
Thursday, April 11, 2024
Praise God for the times when there seems to be nothing we can do. That is when we can depend on God and see Him produce miracles and amazing outcomes. The opposite is also true. We are most cursed w... [see more]
Praise God for the times when there seems to be nothing we can do. That is when we can depend on God and see Him produce miracles and amazing outcomes. The opposite is also true. We are most cursed w... [see more]
Saturday, April 6, 2024
The Word was missing, but the “church” continued. 🤔 For many generations, until King Josiah ordered the repairs in the temple, the temple operations continued for many generations without kno... [see more]
The Word was missing, but the “church” continued. 🤔 For many generations, until King Josiah ordered the repairs in the temple, the temple operations continued for many generations without kno... [see more]
Feature coming soon
Feature coming soon