Daily Gains 90

John provides crucial reassurance in 1 John 2:20: "But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you all know". This contrasts with the antichrists who "went out from us". This statement is a gentle, loving reminder, not a corrective, affirming that God has us and our salvation is secure. John likely refers to Pentecost; believers received the power of the Holy Spirit and kn...

The painful truth: many who claim the name of Christ eventually depart, revealing they were never truly part of the family. 1 John 2:19 addresses the painful reality that antichrists often emerge from within the community: "They went out from us, but they were not really of us". John explains that their departure serves as the explicit evidence; if they had truly been "of us,"...

The presence of many who are significantly opposed to Christ is the definitive sign that "it is the last hour". 1 John 2:18 declares, "Children, it is the last hour," confirmed by the appearance of "many antichrists". An antichrist is anyone who rejects or is against Christ. The last hour is characterized by normalization: it may look like the regular "days of No...

Remember the famous saying: "Only the things that you do for Christ will last". John confirms this eternal truth. 1 John 2:17 provides perspective: "The world is passing away and also its lust. But the one who does the will of God continues to live forever". This serves as the ultimate motivation to pursue the things of eternal value. We must navigate the tension between the ne...

These three forces—lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and the boastful pride of life—are the components of the world that keep the Father's love out. 1 John 2:16 lists the defining characteristics of worldliness. These desires originate from our brokenness, representing our self-imposed rule on a "small throne". Commentators link this triplet directly to Eve’s temptation: the lust...

John presents a non-negotiable binary choice: you cannot simultaneously love the world and possess the love of the Father. 1 John 2:15 warns, "If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him". The world here includes the subtle temptation to seek approval or experience the "pride of life," rather than seeking God's glory. When we prioritize worldly wins, we...

John intentionally repeats his addresses to add emphasis: don't miss the truth of who you are and what you possess in Christ. 1 John 2:14 expands on the identity of the young men, stating they are strong because "the word of God remains in you". John uses this parallel structure—speaking to children, fathers, and young men again—as a fatherly charge or blessing, preparing them for fu...

John turns the gem of Christian identity, speaking specifically to the strengths of different groups within the church. In 1 John 2:13, John addresses fathers, who "know him who has been from the beginning," acknowledging their deep-rooted, historical knowledge of God's revelation. He speaks to young men, praising them because they "have overcome the evil one". This victory...

After diagnosing darkness and hate, John offers a crucial "pause point," reminding his readers of their core, forgiven identity. In 1 John 2:12, John addresses "little children" (a term of endearment) to reinforce the foundational truth: "your sins have been forgiven you on account of his name". This forgiveness is the essential starting point and demonstration of Joh...

It’s a tragic progression: hate leads to blindness, leaving us lost and walking without direction. 1 John 2:11 warns that "the one who hates his brother or sister is in the darkness and walks in the darkness and does not know where he is going because the darkness has blinded his eyes". This describes a progression: choosing the path of hate means the lights go out, and the further we wa...

True love among believers ensures we remain in the light and, crucially, removes obstacles for those watching us. 1 John 2:10 asserts that the one who loves their sibling remains (menow, abides) in the light, and "there is nothing in him to cause stumbling". Abiding love, which flows from God, should be so warm and enveloping that it encourages others to release destructive habits. The p...

This verse is straight down the middle: Saying you're in the light while hating a sibling reveals you are actually in the darkness. 1 John 2:9 provides a severe test: "The one who says that he is in the light and yet hates his brother or sister is in the darkness until now". We often wrongly limit "brother or sister" to those with perfect theological alignment. John refers...

Is John contradicting himself? No—he’s utilizing the powerful structure of "yes and," presenting a new perspective on an eternal command. In 1 John 2:8, John writes, "I am writing a new commandment to you... because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining". This is not theological confusion, but the fulfillment of the old law. The command is "new...

Before John gives instruction, he anchors his readers in affection, calling them "Beloved," based on the deep agape love of Christ. In 1 John 2:7, John assures his audience that he is "not writing a new commandment," but an "old commandment" they have held since the beginning. This command is rooted in the identity Christ has given them. John, the beloved disciple, fr...

If you claim to remain in Christ, John issues a direct mandate: You "ought yourself also to walk just as he walked". 1 John 2:6 calls those who abide (remain, live deeply) in Christ to imitate Jesus’ walk. This requires more than simply "playing" follow the leader; it demands active participation and being. Jesus' walk was characterized by radical outreach: eating with sinn...

John pivots from calling us liars to providing the key to completeness: perfected love through consistent obedience. 1 John 2:5 states that "whoever follows his word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected." The word "perfected" means to be completely filled up or mature, like a water glass doming over the top. Following God’s commands, like forgiving or praying for en...

John pulls no punches: If you claim to know God but refuse to obey, he calls you a liar. 1 John 2:4 emphasizes that professing knowledge of Christ without keeping His commandments makes one a liar, revealing the truth is not in them. Obedience is non-negotiable. We cannot judge Scripture or challenge its jurisdiction, much like a "sovereign citizen" challenging a judge; we must receive G...

Do you really know God? John lays out a straightforward, yet challenging, litmus test for spiritual authenticity. 1 John 2:3 provides the theme for knowing if you are in God: "By this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments". True knowledge of God is personal, not merely academic or intellectual. Even demons know God exists, but that doesn't save them. Obed...

Propitiation: It’s a theologically deep word, but understanding its meaning changes everything about how we view the world. 1 John 2:2 reveals Jesus as the propitiation for our sins, and not just ours, but for the whole world (cosmos—mankind). Unlike expiation, which deflects wrath, propitiation means Christ absorbed the penalty for our sin, soaking up the righteous condemnation of God. This found...

Why do we need an advocate when we know we mess up? The answer lies in Jesus Christ, the righteous counsel for our souls. We meditate on the profound truth of 1 John 2:1, realizing that Christ's death was a sufficient sacrifice, bringing us into a familial relationship with God. Even when we are attracted to sin, Jesus stands before the Father, ensuring our rights are protected and advocating...

Welcome back to Daily Gains 90! In this crucial installment of our 90-day reset through First John (NASB), Pastors Jeremy and Joseph tackle the uncompromising conclusion to the chapter, focused entirely on 1 John 1:10: "If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar and his word is not in us". DECEPTION VS. DIVINE TRUTH: John delivers a direct challenge to deeply rooted human natu...

Dive into 1 John 1:9 with Pastors Jeremy and Joseph on Daily Gains 90 Season 5! If our previous episodes established that God is light and that claiming to have no sin is self-deception, today we uncover the beautiful remedy John provides. This crucial verse, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous, so that he will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness&quot...

Focusing on 1 John 1:8, the hosts warn against the danger of saying "we have no sin," stating that doing so means "we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us". The discussion centers on the need for accountability and fellowship as a means to prevent self-deception. True, biblical love requires peers to challenge each other to change and grow. By inviting others into...

The hosts explore 1 John 1:7, the affirmative statement: "if we walk in the light... we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his son cleanses us from all sin". They highlight the connection between walking in the light and having fellowship with each other, noting that this relationship must be restored before the full cleansing of Christ's blood is experienced. S...

This episode analyzes 1 John 1:6, the first binary test: "If we say that we have fellowship with him, and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth". The hosts link walking in darkness to loving evil deeds (John 3:19). They discuss the human tendency toward self-justification and seeking "grayness" when God demands clear truth, affirming that God, as Creato...