1 John Chapt. 3

1 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.

2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and 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.

3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.

5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.

6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.

7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.

8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

9 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.

10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.

11 For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.

12 Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous.

14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.

15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.

16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

17 But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?

18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

19 And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.

20 For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.

22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.

24 And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.

Heavenly Father, thank You for giving Your Son for us so we can be called Your children. Help us to also know You and Your Son and Your Holy Spirit better through our study of Your Word, and also strengthen Your Church, including all of Your missionaries, pastors and church leaders, and all those being persecuted for Your Son's name, including in North Korea, China, Africa and Muslim lands, and Christians here like Peter Vlaming who have lost their jobs for not compromising on Your Word, and keep Chinese leaders from corrupting Your Word in Chinese-language Bibles and help believers in North Korea and China, including children, to know You and meet in the truth of Your Word. Help us also as we face living in this time and place which is more and more rejecting Your Son and in which evil is so often called good and good evil, lies are called true and the truth called lies, and false accusers abound, as Satan's temporary grip on this world is increasing, and in which coldness is growing in many churches and those with the spirit of the tare and the spirit of the hireling so often have the loudest voices. Help us also to follow Your direction on how we are to live each day, not depending on our own sight or own understanding but on You, and help, too, our leaders in the world, including the Trumps and Pences, and help our nation also so that many hearts here turn back to You and many more souls are saved. Help and protect also children who are being abused and children in the womb and those fighting to protect them. In Jesus' precious name, Amen.

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