WTW 2021
22 July
1 John
And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
1 John 4:3
There is a very real separation that most of us have not experienced yet.
A separation unto righteousness which results in separation unto God from which many friends and family will depart.
Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
1 John 3:1
Just as those in the 1st century chose to follow Christ at all cost even unto death were forsaken by friends and family, so too does a genuine following after Christ now result in decisions which will cause others to forsake us and continue in the ways of the world.
If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth.
1 John 1:6
Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.
1 John 2:18-19
“The righteous life which God requires” (J120) has never been a matter of words but of life and power (1C420). So called cheap grace and cheap salvation are of the antichrist based on these passages. They are counterfeits, and those who hold to a cheap evangel are of the antichrists. We cannot partake with them and when we do not go along with their ways it becomes clear that they hold to the world and are friends with the world and do not know us who are the sons of God who purify ourselves even as we are pure (1J33). This is an arrogant statement except when it is truth because of God’s grace by which we are called sons of God.
I have spread out my hands all the day unto a rebellious people, which walketh in a way that was not good, after their own thoughts; Which remain among the graves, and lodge in the monuments, which eat swine’s flesh, and broth of abominable things is in their vessels; Which say, Stand by thyself, come not near to me; for I am holier than thou. These are a smoke in my nose, a fire that burneth all the day.
Isaiah 65:2, 4-5
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“It doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.”
1 John 3:2b
Wisdom in the WORD 
Thinking about long term righteousness on earth
We look for the LORD’s soon return, just as they were when these things were written in the first century.
It never takes long to see how many will continue pursuing commitment to righteous living and long term faithfulness to separation in a fallen world.
Especially as we approach the planned conclusion of the new testament letters next week and the planned excursion into Revelation for the month of August, in what specific, concrete & lasting ways can we challenge and strengthen each other here to sharpen our focus and commitment toward lifelong and long term righteous living such as declared here in 1 John and as continued next week in John’s other letters and in 2 Jude?
Note that the way which has become common is to relax into comfortable and widely acceptable modes of living which seem to have more longevity rather than the scriptural mode which has always been the mode of the Passover meal with feet shod and tunics tucked in. Most grow weary before long of maintaining a ready triple threat position and keeping wicks trimmed and lamps filled and burning with oil.
As part of a thorough reflection, review and assessment, is it possible that we do have many more now who continue walking in more faithfully established long term lifestyles of lifelong righteousness; that there may actually be a stronger history to draw on now of long term demonstration of lifelong dedication to righteousness in our era than it was possible for there to be in the first century of the young, nascent ekklesia?
Is it also possible that we need to establish some specific ways in our fellowships to return to greater faithfulness to the righteous family, life and Christian community standards as described in the WORD?
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Is this a beneficial way of thinking?
If so, is this a good way to capture it?
Regarding righteousness in Christian lives, families, fellowships & communities:
1. List the areas/ways we are doing well
2. List areas/ways we need to revive biblical standards
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