Reformed Kenya

1John.5.16 - If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask, and God will give him life--to those who commit sins that do not lead to death.  In church when we see fellow believers commit a sinful act most often our natural reaction is to castigate or despise them. Here John notes that seeing a fellow believer sin should lead us to prayer on their behalf that God would give life (righteousness) over that area of their life. John has many times spoken of loving our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ within the epistle of 1 John. In this instance, Love portrays itself, not in castigating or despising them but in praying for them. Let's pray for each other brethren.

1John.1.4 And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete. (ESV) It amazes me that all that John seeks to write in this letter is so that *our joy may be complete.*  So if we doubt the physical existence of Jesus (2000 years ago) and his divine power we rob ourselves of joy (1 John 1:1-3) If we do not submit to the truth, we rob ourselves of joy. If we walk in darkness, we rob ourselves of joy. If we don't confess our sins, we rob ourselves of joy. If we don't admit our guilt of sin, we rob ourselves of joy... (1 John 1:5-8) Joy is sustained through continual belief in the true person of Jesus and His teachings as taught by his apostles. (1 John 1:1-3; acts 2:42) Joy is sustained through walking in the light and submitting to His truth. Joy is sustained through admitting our guilt of sins and confessing them. (1 John 1: 5-9) Come to think of it... When our joy isn't complete we probably have departed from some of the things John writes. Blessings