Called 4 Jesus

Living in the Light of Christ

Scripture Text:

“My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 2 He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

3. We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. 4. Whoever says, ‘I know him,’ but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. 5. But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: 6. Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.” 7. Dear friends, I am not writing you a new commandment, but an old one, which you have had since the beginning. This old command is the message you have heard. 8. Yet I am writing you a new command; its truth is seen in him and in you, because the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining.

A Heart of Love and Protection

John begins by reinforcing what he established in chapter one, using a tender phrase—”my dear children”—that reveals the deep love he has for his readers. This isn’t merely casual affection; it demonstrates a pastoral heart concerned for their spiritual well-being.

The central message of this passage is clear: do not sin. However, John also acknowledges a sobering reality—accidents happen, and when they do, we have an advocate: Jesus. An advocate serves as our representative before the judge, who is the Father. Much like a lawyer speaks on behalf of a client, Jesus stands with us and speaks for us. Furthermore, this advocate is completely trustworthy and dependable.

Yet here’s the critical warning: if a person deliberately refuses to obey God’s commands while on earth, they risk being without an advocate when they need one most. To put it plainly, when someone purposefully sins against God, they are gambling with their salvation and eternal judgment.

The Urgency of Today

Consider how quickly life can change. I remember joking around with my friends one moment—minutes later, they were gone. Do you think any of us were discussing death in those carefree moments? Of course not. We were young, living with the assumption that death was 50 or 60 years away.

Think about the young man who was crossing railroad tracks while absorbed in his cell phone conversation. A train struck him, and he was dead in the blink of an eye. Do you imagine he was telling his mother, “I have 30 seconds to live—do you have anything important to tell me?” Death rarely announces itself.

The Bible makes no promise of tomorrow. Today is the day of genuine repentance, and we must take it seriously. Just because you’re alone in your room doesn’t mean you’re safe from the reality of mortality. Live each day as if it might be your last, because one day, you’ll be right.

Our Righteous Advocate

Jesus stands in right relationship with the Father. He is the atonement—the complete reparation for our sins. This is not something we should ever take lightly or forsake.

Importantly, Jesus doesn’t evaluate people based on intelligence or productivity. Jesus wants your heart—not merely in words, but in your soul, heart, and body. He gave us a new commandment that encompasses everything: Love God with all your heart, soul, and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself.

Choosing Love Over Offense

I work to live out this commandment as an example. Truthfully, there’s plenty I could be offended by, but I choose love instead. My personal struggles could easily dominate my perspective—my limitations, financial pressures, physical weakness, lack of sleep. Then there’s the overwhelming nature of the world itself: pain, bills, cruel people, and even those who claim to follow Christ but act otherwise.

If I focused on the negative, I could become a monster. Instead, I deliberately choose to restrain my reactions to demonstrate something better to my family and friends. I give my problems to God, which significantly reduces my desire to sin against both people and God.

Truth Revealed Through Obedience

The passage continues: “We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. Whoever says, ‘I know him,’ but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.”

Keeping His commands demonstrates that we have truly come to know and understand Him. Conversely, the opposite is equally true: those who deliberately, persistently sin are liars, and the truth is not in them.

This connects to Jesus’s declaration in John 14:6, where He identifies Himself as “the way, the truth, and the life”:

The way – our spiritual journey

Truth – shining light on the things that belong to God

Life – zoe, meaning God-breathed life

This means God illuminates our spiritual journey, providing a clear path to follow. Where does this path lead? Toward eternal life. The choice is yours: allow God’s presence to direct you rather than unholy desires. Follow life or follow death.

The Old Command Made New

John concludes this section: “Dear friends, I am not writing you a new command but an old one, which you have had since the beginning. This old command is the message you have heard. Yet I am writing you a new command; its truth is seen in him and in you, because the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining.”

The “beginning” John references echoes what he established in chapter one. The command he’s highlighting is the most essential truth: eternal life exists only in Jesus. He is the sole access point to the Father—nothing added, nothing subtracted.

Many religious systems that claim to be Christian add their own requirements: “It’s Jesus plus our doctrine.” However, anyone who teaches this fails to understand the ancient commandment: “You shall have no other gods before Me”—before Jesus. No other idols. The new command flows from this: love God with everything you have.

John personally saw Jesus, met Him, knew Him intimately, and understands Him as the truth itself. As we grow in knowing Jesus, the darkness passes away from us, and the true light shines progressively brighter in us and through us.

An Obsession Worth Having

I’ve been called obsessed with Jesus, and I gladly accept that description. The world offers countless things to obsess over, but in time, they will all pass away. Jesus and His words will never pass away.

That’s an obsession worth having.

God bless

Verse 1 opens with the word “beginning,” translated from the Greek arche, which also means “most important.” What’s so important?

John, the beloved disciple, heard, saw, and looked into the face of Jesus. He touched Jesus, and Jesus touched John. John refers to Him as “the Word” (see John 1:1)—the Word of life.

Moving to verse 2, we learn that the Life appeared when Jesus came into the world. The apostles saw Jesus and now testify about Him. To testify literally means to be charged with a responsibility, carrying a strong sense of personal involvement. John assures us that Jesus is eternal life, emphasizing that Jesus was assigned by the Father and came to earth with this divine mission.

Verse 3 raises an important question: Why do the apostles proclaim this message? The answer is so that others may come to understand and believe. Once again, the apostles assure us that they have fellowship not only with Jesus but also with God the Father.
This leads us to consider: Is there enough evidence to convict you as a Christian? Have you ever thought about how desperately Satan wants the Rapture to occur—perhaps even more than Christians do? Why? Imagine the havoc that will unfold once obedient Christians are removed from the earth. Do we truly understand the parameters that God places on us?

Verse 4 states, “We write this to make our joy complete.” Do you understand that God delights in us? How does this happen? First Peter 1:16 provides the answer: “Be holy, for I am holy.” We are called to be distinct, set apart, and pure. This must be our daily practice.

Consider the passage from Deuteronomy 23:12-14, which instructs: “Designate a place outside the camp where you can go to relieve yourself. As part of your equipment have something to dig with, and when you relieve yourself, dig a hole and cover up your excrement. For the LORD your God moves about in your camp to protect you and to deliver your enemies to you. Your camp must be holy, so that he will not see among you anything indecent and turn away from you.”

The world is full of impurity—like excrement. We must dig a hole and bury it so that God will move freely around us and our homes. Do you think God wants to see or hear what you do in secret? Keep your house and your person holy so that your family can be safe and blessed.

Verse 5 declares: “This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.” The apostles heard this message directly from God as recorded plainly in the Bible. Now they declare it to us: “God is light; in Him there is no darkness at ALL.” Therefore, it is essential that we also be light.

Zephaniah 2:3 reinforces this call:
“Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land, you who do what he commands. Seek righteousness, seek humility; perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the LORD’s anger.”

Verse 6 warns: “If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth.” Scripture is clear that there is no inheritance of heaven for the unrighteous (see 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Galatians 5:19-21; Ephesians 5:5; 1 Timothy 1:9).

However, verse 7 offers hope: “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.” To walk in the light means to pursue the things of God with intentionality.
As your father, I can only point you toward Jesus, strive to be an example, and pray for you—which I do daily. Yet you must choose to read Scripture, pray, and take God seriously.

Verses 8-10 present a sobering truth: “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.”

Do not claim to be sinless—especially before God. It’s time to “take the mask off,” a phrase I often use when sharing Scripture. If we claim sinlessness, we deceive ourselves, and Jesus disqualifies us because the truth is not in us.

Therefore, it is time to confess our sins—not to me, but to God. Ask God to purify you with the blood of Jesus.

Notice that John repeats himself in verses 8 and 10, demonstrating the critical importance of this message. The theme of this entire chapter revolves around the supreme importance of walking in truth, confessing our sins, and maintaining fellowship with God through Jesus Christ.

So, obey Christ and forget the world!

God bless

By TA York

Galatians 2:20
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

You’ve probably heard this as a quote, read it on a plaque, or maybe even preached it from behind the pulpit. What image do you get when you read this text? Jesus hanging on the cross? That’s what I used to see. It never occurred to me what the true meaning was.

Today, I’d like to share what I learned as we break down this powerful verse together.

I believe there are several messages in being crucified with Christ, but let’s start with the foundation of this truth.

The Reality of Our Crucifixion

“I have been crucified…” We know Jesus was crucified, and even why He was crucified. Yet as believers, we too have been crucified!

To be crucified means to be put to death by being nailed or bound to a cross. It was a method of capital punishment used in the ancient world, resulting in a slow and painful death by asphyxiation. But for us as Christians, this crucifixion carries profound spiritual meaning.

Simply put, the cross is meant to destroy, utterly demolish, and strip away anything that is not of God. Our old identity, our selfish desires, our negative feelings—all are wiped away on the cross. Why does God allow this painful process? So He can transform us into what He needs us to be.

This transformation is beautifully described in Romans 12:1-2: “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

The Cost of Transformation

In reality, this transformation is a painful process. The question we must ask ourselves is: How much of yourself can you offer to God?

Perhaps we start small—only one arm on the cross, experiencing just a little discomfort. But God asks that we place our whole body on the cross, holding nothing back.

“I have been crucified with Christ.” We are called to be nailed with Him—exposed and vulnerable to the world, feeling the rough wood cutting our skin, experiencing pain while still breathing this world’s air. This imagery may seem harsh, but it reveals a profound truth.

We should die next to our Savior—not as punishment for our sins, but to bring glory to God’s kingdom. As Jesus taught in John 12:24: “Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.”

When we willingly place our bodies on the sacrificial altar, we must trust the process. The knife comes down, yet we should not move. Why? Because it’s a surgical blade, removing the cancer, the plagues, and the sickness of this world from our lives.

Once this spiritual surgery is complete, our minds are renewed, and we begin to understand better what God’s will is for us.

The Promise of New Life

Here’s the encouragement we desperately need: Do not fear—Jesus is on the cross next to you. The verse continues with these hopeful words: “I no longer live.” And here’s the most glorious part: “I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.”

Think about this incredible exchange: Aren’t you willing to give up your old life so that Jesus will live in you? This isn’t loss—it’s the greatest gain imaginable.

Let me share a personal example of how this truth plays out in daily life. I have three kinds of arthritis and kidney problems. The doctors are confused that I’m not dying, and some days are very painful. Yet through it all, I feel His peace, comfort, and joy sustaining me.

It breaks my heart when people don’t want to experience Jesus in this way. The realization of His love is so overwhelming that there are no words to express it adequately. I’m so filled spiritually, physically, and mentally that there is nothing that can replace Jesus. It doesn’t matter what tomorrow brings because Jesus will never leave or forsake me. I’m completely safe in His arms.

Living by Faith

The verse concludes: “The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God.”

This raises an important question: Who am I now? This body that has died with Christ has no control over this new life. The cross has completely killed my old self. My sins and my fallen nature are dead. In this state, our humanity as Christians is not our reality—only God’s grace through surrender defines us.

This is the freedom that Christ promises, and it’s unlike anything the world offers. I’m free in mind, spirit, and soul. The joy is continuous and unshakeable.

As Jesus declared in John 8:36: “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”

Embracing Daily Freedom

This freedom isn’t just a one-time experience—it’s meant to be lived out daily. We can be set free every day through prayer and devotion, continually surrendering ourselves to the transforming power of the cross.

The invitation stands before each of us: Will we join Christ on the cross, allowing our old selves to die so that He might live through us? The choice is ours, but the promise remains constant—in losing our lives, we find true life in Him.

God bless.

*By TA York*

There is a famous Japanese story about a man who adopts a stray dog. The man names the dog Hachi, and the two develop a strong connection. The man takes Hachi everywhere as a puppy and plays with him constantly. When the dog grows too big to take to work, the man leaves Hachi in the yard. Yet every day at the same time, the dog escapes the yard and meets the man at the train station.

One day the man dies at work. So Hachi spends the next nine years waiting for his master at the train station. Hachi becomes famous as the loyal dog, waiting for the return of his master until Hachi himself dies. In honor of his loyalty, a bronze statue is placed outside the train station at the exact spot where Hachi sat and waited.

**1 Peter 1:13**
*”Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming.”*

A movie was made about the story of Hachi. I could almost hear Hachi say, “Maybe today the master will return. I must be here when he returns. He expects me to wait.”

Then the train entrance would fly open. Excitement would fill Hachi. “Nothing yet. I will keep waiting.” In rain, snow, summer heat—whatever the conditions, he waited.

The local vendors told Hachi that the master wasn’t returning. Yet Hachi’s mind never changed.

I am Hachi. I await the return of the Master. He hasn’t returned yet, but I haven’t lost hope. I continue to pray for His return.

**1 Timothy 2:4**
*”(God) who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.”*

This is one reason I am inclined to share the gospel. Everyone gets the opportunity to accept or reject Christ. Then He will return. You could say I’m helping to usher in the return of Jesus.

The world says that Jesus isn’t real—that I’m wasting my time, that He will never return. Those words cut me. Yet I’m not willing to stop waiting and watching.

I await the clouds to open up so I can run to His arms, safe in the Master’s arms.

I am Hachi. I wait with passion. How about you?

God bless.

By TA York

Here’s a Holy Spirit joke: “There are a lot of crocodiles in denial (the Nile). So be careful in foreign waters.”

Oswald Chambers, an early 20th century theologian, said, “The grace you had yesterday will not be sufficient for today” (My Utmost for His Highest).

**2 Corinthians 6:1-2**
“As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. For he says, ‘In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.’ I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.”

There’s a teaching in some churches today that God’s grace is upon a person if you’re healed in spirit, soul, and body. God’s grace is upon you if you are financially unburdened. God’s grace is upon you if your friends are just as wealthy as you are.

Well, I guess 99 percent of us believers don’t have grace—including the Apostles.

Seriously though, that’s a lie.

Grace comes when we believers pray, seek God’s face, and wait for His hand to mercifully care for us.

“Let light shine out of darkness,” Paul writes (2 Corinthians 4:6).

## Example:

I have stage 4 chronic kidney disease and arthritis that is crippling and painful. I can’t take pain medicine due to my kidney issue.

Yet I serve God with all my heart. I go out and evangelize and serve the homeless. I have a prayer book in which I write down names and issues and pray over them daily. I help in churches, other ministries, and groups. If the Lord would open the door, I would go back to the foreign mission field.

Many people are amazed by what they experience through my example. They are encouraged!

For me it’s normal. “Today is the day of salvation.” Jesus gave me the light. I let it shine. My body is in darkness—it wants me to lay down and give up.

Yet if Jesus could suffer, be humiliated, and die for me, then I can suffer and die too.

Jesus gives us grace daily to carry on our portion of the burden that becomes easy and light. Even our struggles seem less with the knowledge that if Christ is before us, nothing can be against us.

## Onions of Denial:

Have you seen an onion going bad? There might be one or two layers of good onion, yet under the surface there are bad sections of onion. I peel the bad portion off, wash it off, or throw it away while I save the good portions of onion.

That’s just like a believer. There are portions in our subconscious or conscience that are untrue—maybe a concept of God that’s untrue.

Denial is another character flaw that prevents us from moving forward in Christ, whether we know it or not.

I’ve talked to many people who say, “I didn’t realize my stronghold until the Holy Spirit revealed it to me.” Some even tell me about childhood trauma that isn’t remembered until the Holy Spirit tells them about it.

It is important to pray with an open heart and mind. God will reveal what you need when you need it.

I’ve also talked to people who get mad at me for sharing or quoting scripture. They take it as a personal attack on them. This is a clear sign of denial. I suggest to that person to take some time and calm down, then pray about it.

Whether you know your strongholds or not, denial will dull your faith.

“Without faith it is impossible to please God” (Hebrews 11:6). Grace can’t flow where faith doesn’t live.

Cleanse your heart by prayer. Allow grace to flow into your life.

**2 Corinthians 4:15-16**
“All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.”

God bless

By TA York
There’s always a question in my mind about the human character.
Why is it so important for a person to put on a mask and pretend to be godly? Do these
kinds of people really understand what they are doing? Or do they just think that the
Holy Spirit will turn His head and pretend not to see?
Let’s delve into this a little more.
Acts 5:1
“Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of
property.”
Here in the first verse, we see a piece of property was sold, along with other believers
(previous chapter). I find this an interesting statement. “A piece of property.” Not
Anania’s property, or the couple’s home. Yes, this is clarified in verse four, we will get
there.
Who does the property really belong to? God!
So here’s the idea. Believer, when you buy a house, God allows it. The jobs we have,
given to us by God. Our families, given to us by God. So everything we have, everything
we are, is God produced.
So, utilize your home, life, and family to bring glory to God. Pray, read the Bible and ask
your pastors how this is done.
Acts 5:2
“With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought
the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet.”
Premeditated acts of lying, greed and a type of manipulation shows incredible
disobedience to God. How can a person truly think they can trick God?
I’ve been in positions of great lack. What did I do? I am candid with God. I tell Him
exactly what I’m going through. Sometimes faith pulls me through, sometimes my mind
makes me fail. Yet, I won’t lie to God and I open up completely to Him.
Acts 5:3-5
“ Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have
lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the
land? 4 Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the
money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied
just to human beings but to God.”
5 When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard
what had happened. “
Verse four is part of our answer at the beginning of the article . The apostle admits, “…it
belongs to you…” (the house and money). God gave both to Ananias. Yet he continued
to pretend to be a good believer to the apostles and ultimately God. Reveal yourself to
the Holy Spirit. Don’t try to hide your problems or your heart.
When we don’t have regard for God and our brothers in Jesus. Our faith will falter and it
will result in spiritual death.
Ananias pretended to be an obedient Believer in front of the apostles. Yet, the Holy
Spirit discernment uncovers the pretenders.
The result is anxiety, fear, and mental anguish. Maybe somebody will find out that they
are faking it. Lol.
I’ve talked to people that say good things about me. Then when I turn around, they talk
about my faults behind my back. They act like “godly Christians,” yet inside are dead
man’s bones (as Ezekiel would say).
Jesus would rather you take off the mask and be real with God, with fellow believers and
themselves. That’s how to learn to grow in Christ.
Here’s part of my morning prayer:
1. Pray against the strongholds in my life.
2. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal other strongholds to me.
3. Dedicated my mind and senses to God. Even my deepest thoughts.
4. Pour the fruit of the spirit on me (Galatians 5:22-23).
With these in prayer, you will see a different Christian life evolve.
God bles

By TA York*

##Understanding Pharmakeia

In Strong’s Greek translation, “Pharmakeia” has four definitions:

1. The use or administering of drugs
2. Poisoning
3. Sorcery and magical arts, often connected with idolatry and fostered by it
4. Metaphorically, the deceptions and seductions of idolatry

What strikes me is that only one of these four definitions serves humanity’s good. The other three are tools of Satan.

##A Street Encounter

While sharing the Gospel on the street, a gentleman struggling with drug addiction asked me, “Why should I trade one addiction—drugs—for another addiction—God?”

This led me to ask a deeper question: “How much of God do you want?”

##Wanting Only a Piece

Many people unknowingly answer, “I only want a piece of God.” They demonstrate this by not completely obeying Him, by continuing to live independent lives.

I speak with many people who claim to have a relationship with God, yet they still smoke marijuana. Their reasoning? “Well, it’s legal, right? So I’m going to do it.”

While it may be legal by human law, by God’s law it produces spiritual death.

**1 Peter 1:13** reminds us: “Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming.”

## The Devil’s Trap

Let me be clear: pharmakeia is the devil’s trap.

I’ve spoken with people hooked on fentanyl, which is ten times more powerful than heroin. Smoking marijuana no longer provided the high they craved, so they required stronger drugs to achieve their desired feeling.

This illustrates definition #4: the deception and seduction of idolatry—the idol of chasing the drug.

Eventually, users die from overdose (definition #2). People are drawn to the “magical” qualities of drugs and the feelings they produce (definition #3).

## Peter’s Example

In **Luke 5:8**, when Simon Peter witnessed Jesus’ power, “he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, ‘Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!’”

Did Peter really want Jesus to leave? Absolutely not! It was the shame of living a sinful life that made him tell Jesus to go away.

## God’s Peace

**Philippians 4:7** promises: “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”

Dear friends, don’t you want this peace?

## A Prayer for Peace

If you desire God’s peace instead of just a piece of temporary satisfaction, pray this prayer aloud:

*”Dear Jesus, forgive me of all my sins. I know that I’m far from You. I want You, Jesus, to come into my life. Thank you for forgiving me. In the name of Jesus. Amen.”*

## Moving Forward

Dear family in Christ, I encourage you to:
– Find a good Christian church
– Pray daily
– Read the Bible daily

God bless you.