Eight Suppositions

Scripture 

Suppose we say that we share life with God but still walk in the darkness. Then we are lying. We are not living by the truth.

~I John 1:6, NIrV

Quote

Let us, with extreme caution, indulge in the supposition that morality can be maintained without fear of God. It cannot!

~Adapted from a George Washington quote

A ‘supposition’ is an uncertain belief: an idea, a notion, a conjecture, a speculation, a feeling, a hunch or a theory. It is something that may or may not be true. One of the things I love about the NIrV is the clear visibility of list. I am a list maker and list are so easy to spot in the NIrV. In I John, follow the key word ‘suppose’ and you will come up with eight suppositions. Each supposition has a corresponding consequence that begins with “THEN.”

1. Suppose we say that we share life with God but still walk in the darkness. Then we are lying. We are not living by the truth. {1:6}
2. Suppose we walk in the light, just as he is in the light. Then we share life with one another. And the blood of Jesus, his Son, makes us pure from all sin. {1:7}
3. Suppose we claim we are without sin. Then we are fooling ourselves. The truth is not in us. {1:8}
4. Suppose someone does sin. Then we have one who speaks to the Father for us. He stands up for us. He is Jesus Christ, the Blameless One. {2:1}
5. Suppose someone says, “I know him.” But suppose that person does not do what God commands. Then that person is a liar and is not telling the truth. {2:4}
6. Suppose someone claims to be in the light but hates his brother or sister. Then he is still in the darkness. {2:9}
7. Suppose someone sees a brother or sister in need and is able to help them. Then he doesn’t take pity on them, how can the love of God be in him? {3:17}
8. Suppose you see your brother or sister commit a sin. But that sin is not the kind that leads to death. Then you should pray for them.  {5:16}

Some people suppose that they are going to heaven because they are religious, members of a church, been baptized, believe in God but all these are false suppositions. Jesus told Nicodemus, “You must be born again.” Jesus did not say, “You need to be born again or I suggest that you be born again or you might want to consider being born again.” He said clearly, “You must be born again.”

I’m working out of the house tonight and not my office so I do not have the 2000 journal. I came down with a bad headache just before bed time and had to take some Excedrin and of course, they have caffeine which I don’t need. So I am posting this slightly before March 4. We have a pretty full schedule today with GOLDEN GIRLS this am and the MEMORIAL SERVICE for Adrian’s aunt this evening. Tomorrow, LORD willing, I will be going to Cullman County to preach but I will get the biscuits and donuts and be at LCBS. They don’t start until 11:00. Rebekah got great news yesterday: nothing was cancerous. Hallelujah, Praise Jesus. God is good. He is worthy of praise.

I had a half dozen things on my To-do list yesterday and got one of them done. I got Lexi’s yard and that’s all. When I came home Chloe was here and she came out side to help me. That pretty much put and end to my to-do list.