Dr. Barnhouse & the Bible

1 John 2:15-17 An old Gospel song reminds us, "This world is not my home, I'm just a-passing through; my treasures are laid up, somewhere beyond the blue; the angels beckon me, from heaven's open door; and I can't feel at home in this world anymore." This song echoes John's apostolic admonition: "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”

1 John 2:1-2 You can get clean and refreshed after a hot shower -- but after the gym or mowing the lawn, you need to head right back to the shower again. There is a sense in which the blood of Jesus Christ has cleansed us from our sin once and for all. But as we stumble and fall into sin during our earthly pilgrimage, we need to be continually cleansed by His precious blood, through confession, repentance, and faith.

1 John 1:9 "Confession is good for the soul" is not just a familiar saying -- it's a vital biblical principle as well. Our sin damages our fellowship with God, but He promises that if we confess our sins to Him with an honest and contrite heart, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. What are the marks of true confession according to God's Word?

1 John 1:8-10 In the great hymn "Rock of Ages," we sing, "Foul, I to the fountain fly; wash me, Savior, or I die." When we are justified through faith in Jesus Christ, His blood cleanses us from sin once and for all, and as we grow in sanctification, His blood continues to provide cleansing for our individual, particular sins. Have you been washed in the blood of your Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ?

1 John 1:6-10 The Egyptians buried the Pharaohs with gold and riches to enjoy in the next life, and the Greeks believed a boat carried the dead across the River Styx. People today may picture a heavenly afterlife of white robes, clouds and harps, while others see death as the sudden cessation of all consciousness. With all these different ideas about the afterlife, what does God’s Word teach us about life after death?