---The
application part of the Agape love of God in our lives, is understood very well
by John in all his letters. ---Notice that
John continues his theme that one has to walk in truth. 2 John 1:4. The Old
Testament taught of walking in the Torah or Revelation of God even His Law
which is His character (Psalm 119). ---All New
Testament writers knew it. ---Ready for
his appearing. Paul was talking all the time about it. Peter did and so did
John. ---All of them
stressed that transformation of our sinful habits and passions and lusts and
desires and thinking is very important before the Second Coming. ---Hear John: “And
you know that He appeared [First Coming] in order to take away sins and in Him
there is no sin” Sinless [actions] human nature of Christ. [But sinful human
nature just as we are without any desire to sin although tempted to because of
downprayed help from the Third being in heaven, the Holy Spirit]. (1 John 3:5).
---“No one who
abides in Him sins, no one who sins [acts, thoughts, desires, passions,
behaviors] has seen Him or knows Him”. (1 John 3:6) Is it just Christ in heaven
as Status in our place or Substitution all the way? ---Clarification
is in 1 John 3:7 “Little children, let no one deceive you, [and now the truth
as of Jesus through John] the one who practices righteousness is righteous just
as He is righteous”. [Is holy just as He is holy; is perfect just as He is
perfect]. How? Practices? Yes, behavior, acts, thoughts, passions, desires,
overcoming, transformation successfully. ---There is no
room for weakling-theology: “Oh, I can never be perfect!” ---Overcoming
is to be ready. Can one say: “I am stopping to smoke. I can stop smoking 39
cigarettes a day but just one I do now and then?” Is that overcoming smoke
habit? ---Can one say:
“I quit alcohol but just now and then one beer?” Is that quitting totally? Is
that proper overcoming? ---“The one who
practices sin is of the devil” (1 John 3:8). Clear is it not? ---Did any
preacher told you it does not matter how you are, just cling to Jesus? It is
half the truth. Now that you cling to Jesus let the Holy Spirit also on earth
work on you. This is confidence theology. Not humanistic but divine-human
cooperation and interaction all the time. ---Pastor
Charles Brooks use to say: “Now that the fish is caught, it needs to be scaled.
Conversion will clean you house, clean your teeth, pull up your tie, it will
wash your face and you will be a different person.” ---The gospel
is free and cheap and simple and available to anyone immediately. Now. Right
now find the nearest Adventist church. Make you phonecall to the elder or
pastor. ---They will
keep your seat warm for you and join the family of God.