The First Epistle of John was written in Ephesus about 90-110 AD, apparently by the same author or authors who wrote the Gospel of John and the other two epistles of John. Not actually a letter, it is a sermon written to counter the heresy that Jesus did not come "in the flesh" but only as a spirit. It also defines how Christians are to discern true teachers: by their ethics, their proclamation of Jesus in the flesh, and by their love. The Epistles also teach you how to discern spirits and set the groundwork in understanding the book of Revelations.

I John 1

 1That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; We have seen and touched the Word of Life, Jesus Christ who was from the beginning. Christ was the Word in the beginning. (John 1:1).

 2(For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) Christ is that eternal life that was made known to us.

 3That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. We have seen in and experienced it, and you can also have this fellowship with Christ.

 4And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. If you believe these things in this letter, then you can also have peace of mind and be full of joy.

 5This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. God is that eternal light that will make all things clear.

 6If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: If we walk in spiritual darkness, we do not know the Word or Christ.

 7But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. IF we walk in the light and fellowship with Christ, it cleanses us from all sin.

 8If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we say we will never sin, we are only fooling ourselves and refusing to accept the truth. Many believe that once you are converted or saved you cannot sin. Not true... We are all sinners as long as we are in this flesh body.

 9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we confess our sins we can count on God to wash away all our sins because Christ died for us and is our mediator.

 10If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. If we say we have not sinned, we are lying to ourselves and we are calling God a liar, because He said we have all sinned.

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I John 2

 1My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: I am telling you this so that you will stay away from sin. But if you sin, we have someone to plead for your sins which is Jesus Christ. All of us will fall short at times and we must repent. This word sin here is (Habitual sinner), or someone who makes a habit of sinning. They do not care who they hurt or walk over as long as it benefits themselves. They don't care about God or any of His laws. 

 2And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. Christ is the atoning sacrifice that paid the price on the cross for our sins. All our sins and for the sins of the world. But, this is only for our sins of the past, not our future sins. Again, we will always fall short at times and we must repent for our sins on a regular basis.

 3And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. Breaking the commandments is sin, so we must look within ourselves and ask; Are we really trying to do what He wants us to? If we try our best and our intensions are good, that is all God expects from us in these flesh bodies.

 4He that saitch, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. If someone says they are a Christian and does not try to keep the commandments of God; they are a liar. God knows that we will all sin again, but He just wants us to be honest with Him and to ask for help when we need it.

 5But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. Those who obey Christ and keep His Word will learn to love God more and more. Perfection takes time, and you must come to maturity in the Word and work at it. Get out of the milk and into the meat!

 6He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked. Anyone who says they are a Christian should try to live as Christ did. This word (abideth), is to (dwell with Him). Christ walked it perfect but we cannot. We are always going to mess up and sin at times and Christ knows it. He just wants us to hang with Him as you would a good friend and He will set the example. We just need to do our best to follow.

 7Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning. God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. The old law remains; but the ordinances were nailed to the cross at the crucifixion.

 8Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth. This commandment will work for you just as it did Christ; and as we obey this commandment, to love one another, the darkness in our lives will disappear and the new light of Christ will shine in.

 9He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now. This word brother in the Greek is "adelphos" (as a connective particle, the womb; a brother literally or figuratively). We are speaking of a family member here. You are not to hate them because they are family. This could also apply to fellow man, in as much as we are all of the same family of God. However, this does not mean that we need to except them and their ways. If they do not care about God and walk disorderly, we are to separate ourselves from them. (II Thessalonians 3:6).

 10He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him. He who shows love (in a social or moral sense), and compassion for his brother or sister and fellow man or woman walks in the light. Keep your mind focused on Christ, for He is the light.

 11But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes. You can separate yourself, but never turn to hate because it will blind you.

 12I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake. Christ paid the atoning price. He made amends for our sins.

 13I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father. Know the Word of God from the beginning so that you may also overcome the wicked one.

 14I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one. Know the eternal God from the beginning. (John 1:1). From the first earth age. Overcome the wicked one by walking in the light.

 15Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. Stop loving this evil world and all that it offers you. (The rudiments and elements of the world). If you are involved and love the things of this world, this shows that you do not really love God. Always thinking of money and wealth and getting ahead of the other guy no matter what is involved. Watch your priorities! The day of the Lord is coming. (II Peter 3:10).

 16For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. All the worldly things, evil desires, craze for sex, the ambition to buy everything that appeals to you, and the pride that comes from wealth and importance; these are not from God. They are from this evil world itself. Remember that the world hated Christ; What are they going to think of you?

 17And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. This world is fading away and all the evil and forbidden things will go with it. But, those doing the will of God will live forever. Again, where are your priorities? In the worldly things or the things of Christ.

 18Little 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. This world's last hour has come. You have heard about the anti-Christ who comes first and is against God. Many fakes are already here in the world today and more will come in the form of false prophets and teachers. Christ warned us in the book of Matthew. (Matthew 24:24). This makes us more certain that the end is near.

 19They 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. We are speaking of the Kenites here. They are still with us today, but are not of the light.

 20But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things. If you are in the light you will have an anointing of the Holy Spirit to know all things.

 21I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth. Learn to discern the truth... You should know a lie if you here it if you are of the light.

 22Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. Who is the greatest liar? Satan... The father of lies; And the Kenites who say Jesus is not Christ. (John 8:44-47).

 23Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also. Anyone who denies Christ cannot have the Father either. But, he who has Christ, also has the Father.

 24Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father. Let the Word dwell in you and you will be walking in the light and close fellowship with the Father and His Son.

 25And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life. If you do what Christ says, you have eternal life promised to you.

 26These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you. Holy seduce! Those who would like to put the blinders on you and lead you astray.

 27But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. When you dwell in the light which is Christ, the Holy Spirit will teach you all things when it comes to discerning truth. Don't listen to any man or woman who is contrary to God's Word.

 28And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming. Dwell and stay in fellowship with the Lord so that you are not ashamed to face Him at His return in the second advent. Don't face Him ashamed because you fell for the anti-Christ who comes first.

 29If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him. God is always good and only does right. We may rightly assume that all those who do right are His children and born of Him. Born from above!

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I John 3

 1Behold, 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. Our Heavenly Father loves us so much that He calls us His children. Since most people of the world do not truly know God, they do not understand that we are His children.

 2Beloved, 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. We can't imagine what it will be like later on, but we know that when He appears on the scene again, we will be like Him. Christ was 33 years old when He was crucified, and when He returns, He will be just as when He left. We will be like Him as a result of seeing Him as He really is.

 3And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. If we really believe this, we will try to stay pure because Christ is pure. Pure in spirit by loving Him and wanting to understand Him.

 4Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. But those who willingly keep sinning against God and His law are against God. Sin is transgression of the law, and is against the will of God. Now many may tell you that the law was done away with, but this is not true. The blood ordinances were done away with because they were nailed to the cross, but the ten commandments still stand. Our own constitution was drawn up from the scriptures. God's law! Then like everything else, man started to mess with it.

 5And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. In Christ there was no sin. Christ became a man so that He could pay the price for all of our sins, and He did through the crucifixion.

 6Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. If we stay close to Him and His Word being obedient to Him, we won't be sinning either. Again we are speaking of the habitual sinner... On who does not have any faith in God, or does not care about God or what He says in the Word. They keep sinning because they never really known Him or become His. All of us are sinners in the flesh and will fall short at times, but we must repent.

 7Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. Do not be deceived... You will know them by their fruit. Look for those who are constantly doing good. I will go even one step further and ask are you doing good in the Word and the will of God, or the ways of the world?

 8He 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. If you keep sinning in this manner, it shows that you belong to the devil. Satan is the head sinner right from the beginning when he rebelled and went bad. But, the only begotten Son came to destroy the works of the devil and "death" who is the devil. (Hebrews 2:14). Just one of deceivers names.

 9Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. The person who has been born into God's family does not make a practice of sinning, because God's spirit is in him. Born again or born from above! Christ was perfect in the flesh... We can't be perfect in the flesh as Christ was. Only in a spiritual sense do we have a chance.

 10In 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. This is how you tell who is a child of God and who is a child of the devil. By what they do! You can read about how the children of the devil came about from the beginning. (Genesis 3:15-16).

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

 12Not 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. We are not to be as Cain, who was of the wicked one. Cain was the first murderer and was of the seed of Satan from which the kenites came. Christ taught this in the book of Matthew, after the parable of the sower. That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world. Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field. He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. (Matthew 13:35-39). Paul also taught that eve was beguiled (Wholly seduced), in the book of Corinthians. (II Corinthians 11:1-3). Just as in Genesis 3:15-16).

 13Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you. Don't be surprised if the world hates you for teaching the truth. They hated Christ because they could not take the truth just as so many today. Popular doctrine and traditions of men won't cut it in God's world.

 14We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. True love is to warn one who is heading to hell by their ways of the world. Also, to warn those who have been deceived by false teachings and traditions of men. (Ezekiel 3:18-19).

 15Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. If one is headed to hell and you do not warn them, their blood ids on your hands.

 16Hereby 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. Do not be afraid to go a little out of your way to help one who needs spiritual help. Christ went out of His way for you!

 17But 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? Have a little compassion for others when in need of spiritual help, either real love or tough love. How should we treat a fellow brother? Read (II Thessalonians 3:5-15).

 18My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. Don't just talk about it or keep a truth to yourself. Get out their and spread the Word sharing your faith.

 19And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. If we share a truth or our faith with others, we will know by our actions that we are on God's side and our consciences will be clear, even when we stand before God.

 20For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. If we have a bad conscience and feel we have done wrong, God will also know it because He knows everything we do. God is also able to overcome any of our downfalls.

 21Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. If our consciences are clear, we can come to the Lord with assurance and trust.

 22And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. If you please God, He will please you.

 23And 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. God has commanded that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and to love one another when all possible.

 24And 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. Those who obey God to the best of their ability are living with God as He abides or mansions with us. We know this is true because the Holy Spirit that He has given us tells us so.

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I John 4

 1Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Don't believe everything you hear just because someone says it is a message from God. Their are a lot of false prophets and teachers out there. Be familiar with God's Word and you will not be deceived. Remember that all wisdom comes from God! (Proverbs 1:7).

 2Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: Here is how you tell... If the message is from the Holy Spirit it will agree with the Word of God. The main message being that Jesus Christ, God's only begotten Son, actually became man in a human flesh body. He would then be crucified for our sins, defeating death through the resurrection so that we may have eternal life. (Foretold in the old testament Psalms 22, 1,000 years before the crucifixion).

 3And 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. Beware of false teachers, traditions of men and false teachings. These are of the anti-Christ and those against God. Remember that Satan is coming soon, and his attitude of enmity against Christ is already abroad in the world.

 4Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. We have the victory because God is greater than the world, Satan, or any evil teachers in this wicked world.

 5They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. These men and women belong to the world and are always concerned about world affairs; that is why the world pays attention to them. (False teachers and false prophets).

 6We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error. Only those who are children of God will listen to us. (Will listen to the truth of the Word). Others won't! That is another way to discern if the message of truth is from God; if it is, the world will not listen to it. (The world would rather follow what is popular and traditions of men).

 7Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. Practice loving each other. Those who are loving and kind show that they are children of God. As Paul would teach how to treat a brother or sister in the book of Thessalonians. (II Thessalonians 3:6-15).

 8He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. If a person is not loving and kind to others, it shows that they do not know God, because God is love.

 9In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. God showed how much He love us by sending His only begotten Son into this wicked world to bring us eternal life through His death.

 10Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Christ became the atonement for our sins and is now our mediator between us and God.

 11Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. We should love each other also because we are all family in Christ.

 12No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. When God lives in us, our love begins to perfect and mature. As mature Christians we begin to understand love more.

 13Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. God gave us the gift of the "Holy Spirit" to dwell in our hearts to show us that He will live in us and us in Him.

 14And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. They have seen that God has sent a Savior to the world. Spoken of in the Old Testament Psalms 22, and Zechariah 9:9-10.

 15Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. Believe in Jesus; The only begotten Son of God!

 16And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. God is love and we should try to love as He does. Remember that there is gentle love and tough love. Don't spoil someone or become an enabler because you are afraid to use a little tough love.

 17Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. As we live in Christ our love grows and matures so we become more complete. We will not need to be ashamed at judgment day if we will try to love as Christ did in the world. Judgment for us will be a good thing.

 18There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. We need not fear someone who loves us perfectly. Perfect love will cast out fear and evil. Satan fears a real child of God and cannot hurt one hair on your head! (Luke 21:18, Revelation 9:4).

 19We love him, because he first loved us. Our love for Him comes as a result of His loving us first. He chose you for His own pleasure! (Revelation 4:11).

 20If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? If anyone says He loves God but keeps hating his brother, he is a liar. If he cannot love someone who he has seen, how can he love someone who he has not seen. Again we are speaking of a brother who walks according to the will of God. You do not need to be a wimp and let everyone walk over you. If someone needs a attitude adjustment; give it to them... It is called tough love!

 21And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also. God has said that one should not love only God, but his brother too. (Not as Cain and Abel).

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I John 5

 1Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. If you believe that Christ is the Son of God (born from above), then you are a child of God. When you love Christ you love the Father.

 2By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. Love one another as we are of the same family or of one body in God. This is one of His commandments.

 3For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. Loving God means doing what He tells us to do. His commandments are the truth and the truth shall set you free! Never let anyone put you in bondage with their rules, regulations, and traditions of men.

 4For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. We are to be overcomers in the world, defeating sin by trusting in Christ to help us. That is what faith is and without it it is impossible to please God. (Hebrews 2:14).

 5Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? Who could possibly fight and win this battle except that we believe that Jesus is the Son of God. The word world used here is cosmos.

 6This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth. God said with a voice from heaven that Jesus Christ was His only begotten Son, when Jesus was baptized and again when He was facing death as the Holy Spirit bear witness.

 7For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. Unity that bear witness in heaven. The full God head... Remember that Christ is the Word.

 8And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one. The Holy Spirit, the voice of God at the baptism of Christ, and the voice of God before He died bear witness on earth.

 9If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son. We believe in men who witness in our courts, so we should surely believe whatever God declares.

 10He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. You either believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God or you don't. If you don't, you are calling God a liar. Jesus Christ is written of in the Old Testament and spoken of by the prophets. The crucifixion written by the prophets 1,000 years before it took place.

 11And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Through the Word of God, (His record). God has given us eternal life through Christ.

 12He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. Your choice... Eternal life through Christ, or death through Satan. Yes... The devil holds the power of death! (Hebrews 2:14).

 13These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. Written to you so that you know that you have eternal life through Christ. Why? So you can share it with others. You plant the seed and let the Heavenly Father make it grow.

 14And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: We can be sure that God will listen to us whenever we ask for anything in line with His will.

 15And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him. If we really know He is listening when we talk to Him, then we can be sure He will answer us.

 16If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it. We are speaking of intercessory prayer. But it must be according to God's will. The one sin to death would be the unpardonable sin written of in Luke 12:9-10.

 17All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death. Every wrong is a sin... We are all sinners and all fall short at times.

 18We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not. We are talking of the habitual sinner, not just one who falls short at times and repents. Stay in Christ... Satan cannot overcome Christ!

 19And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness. The ways of the world under Satan's power... Lying, cheating, scamming, usury, sexual perversion etc.

 20And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life. We are talking of the one true God here... Not the fake anti-Christ that comes first to deceive the world.

 21Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen. The apostasy, idol worship, keep away from anything that might take God's place in your hearts.

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Keep The Faith,
Pastor Bart