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NASB | 1 John 1:1 What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of Life-- |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 1 John 1:1 [I am writing about] what existed from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of Life [the One who existed even before the beginning of the world, Christ]-- |
Subject: Salvation is of the Lord... |
Bible Note: Dear GJH, I believe that JRdoc gave you good and Godly counsel. I will remember you in prayer and ask God to grant you His blessed assurance. You may also take comfort in the fact that all christians, to one extent or another, battle unbelief and doubt. I know I have and I have been a christian, Praise God, for many years and still my faith is challenged! Sometimes I think it is my old dead carnal nature that rises up to plague me. At other times I am almost certain it is an attack by the devil. The Bible tells us that we WILL have trials and tribulations! What are we to do when these thoughts and our own sinfulness along with the devil (the accuser of the brethrn) conspire to defeat us? Go to prayer beseeching God's help and Go to his promises found in his Word. A great saint of God, John Bunyon, wrote a book while he was in prison for preaching the gospel. This book is "Pilgrims Progress". It is an allegorical tale of the trials of a man called Christian. I think that brother JRdoc would not object to your reading this particular book. In the story Christian learns from Evangelist that he is destined for destruction unless he flees from his wicked city to the "light" that appears in the far distance. Out of fear and desperation he heeds the warning and starts off at a brisk pace toward the light. But are hero runs into trouble almost immediately, for in his haste he takes his eye off the light and falls into an awful swamp. The Swamp of Despair.(can you identify with his problem?) Well here he is, sinking deeper and deeper under the filthy muck of sin, guilt and doubt. Is this the end for our despairing friend? NO! God has sent a helper to him who reaches in and pulls him out. Praise the Lord!!! The Helper tell Christian that he could have gotton out by simply moving to the steps that have been built into the side of the swamp! He explains that those steps are called "The Promises of God". So dear friend you are experiencing something that is not unique, but rather is common to all pilgrims. Place your hope not in your faith, but in the One who is the Author AND Finisher of that faith Jesus Christ. Sleep well tonight. You may find "Pilgrims Progress" on the net at http://www.ccel.org/b/bunyan/progress/title.html Your Brother John |