WALKING IN HOLINESS....FOCUSED by Dr. Jim Savage

"As we begin to Focus upon God, the things of the Spirit will take shape before our inner eyes." (A.W. Tozer, 1897-1963)

1 John
This epistle is a discourse upon the principles of Christianity, in doctrine and practice. The design appears to be to refute and guard against erroneous and unholy tenets, principles, and practices, especially such as would lower the Godhead of Christ, and the Reality and Power of His sufferings and death as an Atoning Sacrifice; and against the assertion that Believers being saved by Grace are not required to obey the Commandments.

This epistle also stirs up all who profess to know God, to have Communion with Him, and to Believe in Him, and that they Walk in Holiness, not in sin, showing that a mere outward profession is nothing without the Evidence of a Holy Life and Conduct.

It also helps forward and excites real Christians to Communion with God and the Lord Jesus Christ, to Constancy in the True Faith and the Purity of Life. (Preface to 1 John, Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible)

"Give us Love, sweetest of all Gifts, which knows no enemy. Give us in our hearts pure Love, born of Your Love to us, that we may Love others as You Love us. O most Loving Father of Jesus Christ, from whom flows All Love, let our hearts, frozen in sin, cold to You and cold to others, be warmed by this Divine Fire. So help and bless us in Your Son. Amen." (St. Anselm, 1033-1109)

"These Things Are True of You" (1996, Tommy Walker)
Unshakable, immovable, Faithful and True; Full of Wisdom, Strength, and Beauty:
These things are True of You.
Fearless, Courageous, Righteousness shines Through in All You do;
Yet You're so humble, You laid down Your Life:
These things are True of You.
And as I turn my face to You, Oh Lord, I ask and pray, By the Power of Your Love and Grace,
Make these things True of me, too.
Make these things True of me, too.
"Eternal and Most Glorious God, You have stamped the soul of humanity with Your Image, received it into Your revenue, and made it part of Your Treasure; do not allow us so to undervalue ourselves, so to impoverish You, as to give away these souls for nothing, and all the world is nothing if the soul must be given for it. Do this, O God, for His sake who Knows our natural infirmities, for He had them, and Knows the weight of our sins, for He paid a dear Price for them; Your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ." (John Donne, 1572-1631)

"What does Love look like? It has hands to Help others. It has feet to Hasten to the poor and needy. It has eyes to See misery and want. It has ears to Hear the sighs and sorrow of others. That is what Love looks like." (Saint Augustine of Hippo, 354-430)