One dictionary definition describes an idol as a person or thing that we honour above others. So John is telling us that Jesus must be The One we honour most. The One whose advice we seek, The One whose words we remember, and pay attention to, The One we honour.

At the end of his first epistle, John gives us his reason for writing. He wants his readers to be absolutely sure that they have eternal life, or are saved as many would say. Sadly there are many church goers who have not experienced salvation as God intended us to.

Once the first disciples had been given the Holy Spirit, nothing could stop them telling others the truth about Jesus. Nothing! Once Paul had had his Damascus road experience, nothing could stop him sharing his faith, and satan tried hard by sending shipwrecks, imprisonment and every kind of opposition.

Overcoming the world is a huge challenge. Ask yourself today if you really believe in your heart that Jesus is The Only Son of God, living in you by His Spirit. If the answer is yes, then challenge yourself to use His power working through you to overcome the world.

If we take the 10 commandments seriously, then we need to apologise to God for breaking His rules. Many too, may need to recognise that the sicknesses and difficulties we are experiencing today are because our ancestors have not been obedient. Yes, Jesus broke those curses at the cross, but …

Across the world there are hundreds of different styles and confessions of church. Sadly many have been formed because of dispute, because a group of people wanted to do things differently. We are privileged to live in a day when Jesus is doing a great work of reconciliation among His followers.

There is no prayer of commitment in the Bible, all we are called to do to become believers is recognise that Jesus is the Son of the Almighty God. It sounds simple, and it has to be, because many people across the world have no scriptures to read.

Many church-goers go because it is their regular Sunday activity, many out of obligation to parents or spouse. For non-believers, church does not conjure a picture of a loving happy community. It suggests a building where people sit on hard seats, have whispered conversations, and listen to boring messages.

In Matthew Jesus answers a Pharisee explaining that the greatest commandment is to love the Lord your God with all you heart, with all your soul and with all your mind. The Israelites wandering in the desert had great difficulty doing that. It is not much easier for us today.

The theme of yesterday continues with an explanation, Jesus living in us through His Spirit is the answer. To everything! John makes it sound simple, but for us living in the 21st century it is not so clear. We need ears tuned to the Holy Spirit to survive the coming days.