1 John 3:4-24 deals with the two natures of the believer in action. 1 John 3:9 says, “Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.” Commit means, in this context, “to do some act, or make some declaration, which may bind the person in honor, good faith, or consistency, to pursue a certain course of conduct, or to adhere to the tenor of that declaration.” The passage does not say, “doth not sin.” It says, “doth not commit sin.” The new nature cannot sin, but the old nature can. Dr. J. Vernon McGee thoroughly explains this matter in his studies on 1 John.
Can psychology deal with the old nature? What about all the books written and sermons preached to deal with the old nature? The following short audio of teaching by Dr. J. Vernon McGee, in this short 3 minute 13 second audio, addresses these questions and more:
Dr. McGee on psychology and controlling the new nature.
Click here to go to the complete program (1 John 3:17-4:1) from which the above was taken.
Click here to go to links to all Dr. McGee’s Thru the Bible studies.
February 12, 2022
In 1 John, 2:1-4:21, the theme is “God is love” or “walking in love.”
1 John 2:3-5 says: “And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.”
In the above verses, what is the meaning of “his commandments?” “What is the meaning of “his word?” How is the love of God perfected?
The Holy Spirit, through Paul, commanded, “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it” (Ephesians 5:25). He did not also say, “wives love your husbands,” or “Churches love Christ.” Why? This brief Bible lesson by Dr. J. Vernon McGee gives an answer. Click here to go to the study on audio.
For Dr. McGee’s complete audio study of 1 John 2:3-8, click here.
What are the 2 marks of a Christian? Christians are to love brothers and sisters in Christ. Are we to also love the lost? How about false teachers (apostates who deny the deity of Christ)? Are we to love them? Which is to prevail, love or truth? Which comes first? In what bounds and context can love be expressed?
These are preeminent matters. This study, by Dr. J. Vernon McGee, looks at those issues and much more.
To hear a 14 minute excerpt from the study click Intro to 2 John.
To go to the entire online study, go to Thru the Bible Radio, Intro. to 2 John; and for links to all of Dr. McGee’s 5 year program of Bible Study, click here.
Churches under Christ Ministry Website: Understanding and Applying God's Principles for Church Headship "Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me. For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ" (2 Corinthians 11:1-3). ————————————This Ministry is under the authority of Charity Baptist Tabernacle of Amarillo, Texas. Jerald Finney, a Christian Lawyer and member of Charity Baptist Tabernacle, having received this ministry in the Lord, explains how a church in America can remain under the Lord Jesus Christ and Him only. "As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen" (1 Peter 4:10-11; See also, Ephesians 4::1-16 and 1 Corinthians 12:1-25). "Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it" (Colossians 4:17). "And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church" (Ephesians 1.22; See also, e.g. Colossians 1:18).
Simply Church: God's Prescribed Relationship Between Church and State 