Emmanuel Okoro (aka MrLift)

We overcome by faith "For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith." (1John.5.4)  It is by faith that we overcome. Faith is believing that what God said is so. If the enemy tries to put sickness on you, but God's word says you are healed. Letting that word take precedence and acting according to the word is faith. By acting as though the word is true because it is, is faith.  It is by faith that we overcome. Not by our actions but by faith. Not by how we feel but by faith. Not by what we see but by faith. Not by what we hear but by faith. Faith is what gives us the victory.  Our text says whatever is born of God overcomes the world. Because we are born of God, we are victorious. But for us to experience that victory in our lives we must act in accordance with the word or better still let the word of God work effectually in us "For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye re...

From abstract to concrete "If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?" (1 John.4.20)  Thomas wasn't altogether wrong when he said unless he saw and touched he wasn't going to believe, at least from the natural standpoint. In fact, we have a saying for it, seeing is believing.  "The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe." (John.20.25)  We associate sight and touch with natural things. The same principle of sight and touch was put to use here by John the Beloved when he said, how can one say one loves God Whom one cannot see but hates one's brother whom one can see? It sounds abstract to me. If I can relate with my brother that I can see a...

Seeing the face of God  "No man has at any time [yet] seen God. But if we love one another, God abides (lives and remains) in us and His love (that love which is essentially His) is brought to completion (to its full maturity, runs its full course, is perfected) in us!" (1John.4.12 AMP) Our text says no man has seen God yet. In the Old Testament, we are told that no man can see God's face and live. To the point that Moses, who was reputed to be the friend of God could not see the face of God.  Our text further says that God abides in us, that is lives and remains in us. That means, if no man has seen God and God lives and abides in us it simply means if any man wants to see God they just need to see us. So that when they see us, they see God.  John tells us that as He is so are we in this world. (see 1 John.4.17)  Jesus strengthens this argument further when he told the disciples, if you have seen me you have seen the Father  "Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew u...

We have eternal life through him "God showed how much he loved us by sending his only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. (1John.4.9 NLT) When God demonstrated His extravagant love toward us, there was a purpose attached to it. God showed how much He loved us by sending His only Son into the world.  Our text is reminiscent of John.3.16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." I want you to observe the end product of this extravagant love demonstrated by God our Father towards us. It is so that we may have eternal life. And this eternal life is only possible through the only begotten son of God.  Eternal life is the life of God. It is ceaseless, endless, and everlasting life. This is the life that is available to the one who responds to the love God shows by believing in the only begotten son Jesus Christ.  Do you have this life?  If no...

Knowing God is loving people "He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love." (1John.4.8)  To say you know God is to love people. Loving people is the evidence of your knowledge of God.  1 Cor:13 shows us what it means to love people. You hear people say they know God but when watch how they treat people, you will realize it is just lip service. Treating people the way God would treat them is what it means to know God.  If you say you know God show it by loving people. This is how the love of God expresses itself:  > Love never gives up.  >Love cares more for others than for self. >Love doesn't want what it doesn't have. >Love doesn't strut,  >Doesn't have a swelled head,  >Doesn't force itself on others,  >Isn't always "me first,"  >Doesn't fly off the handle,  >Doesn't keep score of the sins of others, >Doesn't revel when others grovel,  >Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth, >Puts u...

The spirit of truth and the spirit of error  "We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error." (1John.4.6)  The Apostle John makes it clear that there is a spirit of truth. We know this is true because it conforms to what Jesus talked about when he referred to the Holy Spirit as the Spirit of truth.  "Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you." (John.14.17)  And here Jesus tells us that the world cannot receive the spirit of truth. And that was what John in our text meant when he says that those that are "not of God heareth not us".  See what Jesus told the Jews of his days in John 8.43 - 44 "Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will...

The Greater One live in you  "Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world." (1John.4.4)  You belong to God because you came from God. God is your Father. He may be God to the whole world but He is Father to you. He begot you because you are in Christ Jesus. This is important but more important is the fact that He lives inside of you.  You have overcome the world... You will not overcome, you have already overcome the world. This is what Paul meant when he said we are more than conquerors. In Christ, you overcame the world.  "Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us." (Rom.8.37)  John tells us that the One Who lives inside of us is greater than the one who is in the world. We must come to this consciousness and walk in it on a regular. The one you carry on the inside is Bigger and Greater than anything that can and will come against you. You are mo...

Don't believe everything you hear "My dear friends, don't believe everything you hear. Carefully weigh and examine what people tell you. Not everyone who talks about God comes from God. There are a lot of lying preachers loose in the world. (1John.4.1 MSB) This instruction is very instructive for this day and age. Social media makes every Tom, Dick, and Harry an expert in one area or the other. But if you are wise, you will check, double check and recheck. Our text says it best, don't believe everything you hear. Another translation has it thus: test every spirit if they are of God.  Sometimes, people have the best of intentions, yet sincerely wrong. It is your place to test every spirit and not take it hook line and sinker. You have to carefully weigh and examine what people tell you.  Why? You may ask. Because not everyone who talks about God comes from God. You have to use the word of God as the yardstick to filter, sieve, and probe what you hear. The word of God is...

Secret to receiving answers to prayers  "And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight." (1 John.3.22)  Here is one of the secrets to prayer answering. And it also references John 15:7 where Jesus said something similar to our text.  "If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you." (John.15.7)  He said if you abide in me and my words abide in you, you will ask what you will and it will be done for you. Here in our text, John the Beloved says whatever we ask, we receive. That is powerful. But it went on to tell us why we receive... He says that we keep the commandments and do the things that please God.  As in the home so in the family of God, the obedient child gets what he wants. You know, it was the Apostle James who told us that we receive not because we ask amiss(see Jam. 4:3). In other words, if we ask we shall receive. A...

Confidence toward God  "Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God." (1John.3.21)  There is something that confidence toward God does for you. It is the right to stand before God without guilt or shame. It is both a legal and a moral right that the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ secures for us as believers.  Do you remember the story of the two men who came before God in prayer and one who couldn't lift his eyes? Why couldn't he lift his head?  "And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for everyone that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted." (Luke.18.13 - 14) The reason he could not lift his eyes was that he did not have confidence in God, sin makes sure of that. But the Bible tells us to...

Tormenting hearts "Whenever our hearts in [tormenting] self-accusation make us feel guilty and condemn us. [For we are in God's hands.] For He is above and greater than our consciences (our hearts), and He knows (perceives and understands) everything [nothing is hidden from Him]." (1John.3.20 AMP) Self-accusation is one of the most tormenting moments one could face. Once our sense of right and wrong is set, and we fall short of what we consider right, most will go on an emotional roller-coaster of self-accusation that ends up in guilt and condemnation. That is where the devil wants you at all times if he can. Knowing that with that state of mind, you could not approach God successfully.  So the Apostle John says even in that state you must know that you are still in God's hand and that God never condemns you. Yes, God never condemns you.  "Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who...

Living in God's reality  "This is the only way we'll know we're living truly, living in God's reality." (1John.3.19 MSB) Living truly is truly living in love. One way one can measure one's spiritual growth is not so much by quoting so many passages of the Bible, it is not the amount of hours one Prays but how one loves people around. Love is the measuring stick by which one judges one's spiritual growth.  Our text says that the only way we'll know we're living truly in God's reality is by living in love. It is not by fasting and prayers, These have their benefits but the only way we'll know is by living in God's reality which is love.  Jesus said that by love others will know that you are His disciple  "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." (John.13.34 - 35) Loving...

Love is a "doing something"  "Little children, let us not love [merely] in theory or in speech but in deed and in truth (in practice and in sincerity)." (1John.3.18 AMP) In a few days, it will be St. Valentine's Day, a day set aside for lovers to express their love one for another. On that day, you will hear "so much "I love you"  thrown out there but with really no meaning to it. For many, it will empty words that really do not emanate from the heart.  That reminds me of the story of the man whose wife kept telling him every chance she got that she loved him but acted contrary to what she said. So one day the man said to her, "If you love me as you say, show me a sample".  Love is a "doing something". It is okay to express it in words but like our text says, we cannot love in words only. We must love in deeds. Do not just say you love someone, show them in action. God so loved the world that he gave His only son. That was sacr...

Measure your love "By this we come to know (progressively to recognize, to perceive, to understand) the [essential] love: that He laid down His [own] life for us; and we ought to lay [our] lives down for [those who are our] brothers [in Him]. (1John.3.16 AMP) The Holy Spirit impressed these powerful words on my heart, "Love is God's response to selfishness and it should be yours also." God has every reason to be mad at man but instead loves man. So when you have every reason to be angry, try love.  Yes, it is true, some people are bent on getting on your last nerve but love is the way to victory.  Our text says that the way we come to know love is progressive. That is, do not expect to love your enemy instantaneously. Begin by loving the loveable and progressively you will love the seemingly unlovable.  Jesus, as a result of his love for us, laid down his life, that is the way he showed his love for us. And we too  "ought to lay our lives down for [those who are...

The Love not are as good as dead  "The way we know we've been transferred from death to life is that we love our brothers and sisters. Anyone who doesn't love is as good as dead. (1John.3.14 MSB) There is a sure way to determine one's destination after this world. My son suckered up to me and said Dad I want to ask you a question. I said OK, what is it?  He was quiet for a bit. And then he said, have you ever thought about what happens after a person dies?  I could see he was a bit scared. And I reassured him as best as I could using scriptures and you could see that that fear left before he left my room.  And then I settled down to write, and low and behold, our text has some assurances to give. It says the way we know that we have been transferred from death to life is that we love our brothers and sisters. Love John tells us is the only message from the beginning. And when we love we meet God's standard. So why won't we love? "For this is the message (t...

The reason Jesus was manifested  " [But] he who commits sin [who practices evildoing] is of the devil [takes his character from the evil one], for the devil has sinned (violated the divine law) from the beginning. The reason the Son of God was made manifest (visible) was to undo (destroy, loosen, and dissolve) the works the devil [has done]. (1John.3.8 AMP) The gospel according to John draws a contrast between Jesus Christ and the devil. He told us the threefold agenda of the devil and gave an antidote. He says the devil came to steal, kill, and destroy but that he has come as the antidote to killing, stealing, and destroying. He came so you may have life, more life, and abundant life and this life is in Him.  "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."(John.10.10) But in the Epistle according to John, he further shows us that Jesus Christ was made manifest to des...

Boys to men "Boys (lads), let no one deceive and lead you astray. He who practices righteousness [who is upright, conforming to the divine will in purpose, thought, and action, living a consistently conscientious life] is righteous, even as He is righteous. (1John.3.7 AMP) It was the poet, William Wordsworth who coined the expression, "child is the father of the man" to say the way a man turns out in life is dependent on his childhood. At least that's one way to interpret it.  This is what the Apostle John teaches in this verse. He says to the lad, the young boys not to let any man deceive them. Drawing a sharp contrast between the boys and the men. Boys are still in the formative years and need the guiding hands of the man to show the way. He says the man you must let lead you must practice righteousness. One who is upright, conforming to the divine will in purpose, thought, and action, living a consistently conscientious life. So that, it is not one that just speak...

Abide in Him "No one who abides in Him [who lives and remains in communion with and in obedience to Him - deliberately, knowingly, and habitually] commits (practices) sin. No one who [habitually] sins has either seen or known Him [recognized, perceived, or understood Him, or has had an experiential acquaintance with Him]. (1John.3.6 AMP) It was Jesus who said If you abide in me and my words abide in you, you will ask what you will and it shall be done "If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you." (John.15.7)  That is a blank check. And the only prerequisite is for you to abide in Christ. But John in his epistle tells us that abiding in Christ also frees us from willful and deliberate sin.  What does it mean to abide in Christ?  It means to live and remain in communion with and in obedience to Christ. It says if you abide in Him you will not deliberately, knowingly, and habitually commit or practice sin. Indeed, ...

Your sins are taken away "You know that He appeared in visible form and became Man to take away [upon Himself] sins, and in Him there is no sin [essentially and forever]." (1 John.3.5 AMP) Some people do not believe that Jesus came into this world as a man. But he did.  He operated on the earth as a man anointed by the Holy Spirit. Acts 10:38 tells us that much.  "How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him." (Acts.10.38)  It was true that He did good deeds, true that He healed all that were oppressed by the devil, walked on water, and all the wonderful things He did. However, the primary reason he came was to take away your sins, yes yours and mine too.  "And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins." (Matt.1.21)  At the announcement of his birth, his primary purpo...