Category Archives: 1 John

We live in an age when it is less and less “proper” to believe and say that Jesus is the only way to be saved.

Such a view is being branded as exclusive and insensitive. And unloving. Wrong, in other words.

If someone is Buddhist, don’t tell them Jesus is the only way? If someone is Muslim, don’t tell them salvation is only through Jesus? If someone deifies nature or worships their shoe, don’t tell them only Jesus is worthy?

Listen to the one opinion that matters — that of the One True God:

“He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life” (1 John 5:12).

Am I alive spiritually? Yes! Because I have the Son!

(I wonder if other people would agree with that opinion I have of myself . . . .)

“Beloved, let us love one another…” (1 John 4:7).

Why? Why should I love another?

Well, let me think.

I should love another because it’s the noble thing to do and doing so makes me feel good.

So it’s about me. I am noble; I feel good. (Except neither of those is true all the time.)

OK, fine. I should love another because he needs it and because he likes it.

Hmmm. So it’s about the other person. She needs it; she likes it. (Except neither of those can be very motivational for me sometimes.)

Why, then, should I love another?

“…for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.”

It’s about God!

It’s about being born of God.

It’s about knowing God.