No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him

John 6:44
No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.

In various evangelism and preaching, we may be led to believe that it is our decision to come to Christ and accept Him as Lord and Saviour. Although it may not be the preachers' intention to do so, sometimes we believe it is because of our faith that leads to our salvation. This can be deceptive, because firstly, salvation is done by Yshua only through the cross. Secondly it is not our decision, but God who chooses and draws us near Him. Our response can be appreciation, gratefulness, love, and so on. We have nothing to boast at all about our belief or faith that is saving us.

To those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

Romans 8:28
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 

This is an often rememebered verse, used mostly when bad things happen and beyond our control. This helps believers take solace that God is in full control and that no matter how bad the situation is, God will make things better for us. It is useful to also read the last part of the verse which is "to those who are called according to His purpose". So this applies even more so to those who are involved in doing God's will, following God's command to do something. It is not a verse that covers things we do for ourselves, or circumstances that affect us due to the evils around us. Yes, God does heal and mend sometimes, but perhaps this verse should be used as an encouragement to do God's will and to live "according to His purpose". For when doing so, then we are operating in God's sovereign will and God's will always work out for His good.

All things work together for good to those who love God

Romans 8:28
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 

This verse has usually used to comfort believers when they are in difficulty, facing struggles and hardships. In a more general sense it says that God is in control of everything. It is His providence rather than any coincidence that we are placed in any situation. We can always make use of the current situation and be a blessing for others, as we yield to God's providence.

Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me

Galatians 2:20
I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me

This passage shows what being a Christian is supposed to be. Usually people introduce others to Christianity with salvation, which is true and essential. Once we accepted Yshua as Massiach and our Lord, then we are crucified with Him. Paul explains this crucifixion of self as being that we need to live our lives for Him. In other words, it is about doing His will, not our own will based on our plans and desires.

be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect

Matthew 5:48
be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

Yshua asked us to be like Him in perfection. How can that be when He and us know that we are never really perfect as humans in this world. Yet it must be possible because He calls us to be perfect. This perfection is not the kind of human perfection that we can achieve. On the contrary it is God's perfection that is revealed in us. The way this is evident is through our love we have for others, just as Yshua has loved us - this is the means that the world may see God through us.

Do you love me..... feed my sheep

John 21:16
Do you love me..... feed my sheep

This verse has been used to teach on the need to care for the ones whom Jesus our Lord care most deeply about. They include the disadvantaged in our society and those who believe in Him. It is more than doing and taking care of our Lord's sheep, because if we do simply that, we could wear out soon. Underlying this obedience must be a sense of devotion to our Lord. He needs to be our sole focus and so all these things will follow after.

You will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ

2 Peter 1:8
For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

This verse continues from talking about fruits (faith, virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, love) that are developed once we are in the Lord. So when we have developed each of the virtues, we become aware of them. Of course the virtues itself does not always mean we are productive in the Kingdom. However they do indicate we become more and more equipped to serve in the Kingdom.

Add to your godliness, brotherly kindness

2 Peter 1:5-7
...add to your faith ...., to godliness brotherly kindness ...

As part of our spiritual development that starts from faith, it should lead to virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, love. The brotherly kindness is the last stage just before love, and it is already very similar to it. We all know the theory that love is not an emotion but something we need to will it and committed to. There are people who are difficult to love by human standard. However it is still possible to be kind and eventually love in the way God loved us. Also keep in mind that God loves us though many of us seem like unlovable people. One commentator said "love is spontaneous, but must be maintained through discipline".

Love suffers long and is kind

1 Corinthians 13:4
Love suffers long and is kind

Suffering for long is not in the natural nature of man, and kindness may be in the same category too. However, love has the characteristic of long-suffering and kind. Love can be seen in both believers and non-believers - it is part of the image of God that is embedded in us, who are His creation. In fact the qualities of love are spontaneous, they happen by itself without premeditation. If it is planned, than it would not be love, rather it will have ulterior motive. Another act of love is in fact heroism, when a stranger risks himself to save another, without understanding the reason - our Lord said, "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends." (John 15:13)

Are You going there again?

John 11:7-8
Then after this He said to the disciples, “Let us go to Judea again.”
The disciples said to Him, “Rabbi, lately the Jews sought to stone You, and are You going there again?”

The disciples were genuinely concerned about the safety of their Master. We would say the same thing for the person we love too. It is easy to forget that Jesus is the Almighty, All-Knowing, All-Powerful one which the whole Universe is created by.

Today, the believer have the Holy Spirit in us who also lead us according to the will of the Father. But as humans, sometimes we think that we know better than the living God, although we meant no offence. It takes practise to train ourselves to trust God completely and obey Him, even though his direction for us seems contrary to our opinions.

Though the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved

2 Corinthians 12:15
though the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved.

Continuing on Paul's explanation about service, he declares that the more he loved others, the less he is loved. This could be in terms of his service to others. Besides preaching the gospel, he willingly serves them without demand for anything in return. When he preaches in various places, he ends up living in the community for a certain period of time. He did not just go to preach for a few days and then leave. Instead he lived with the people for some time and assisted them in understanding how to live out the gospel. While doing this, there would be physical demands on himself such as financial and labour costs. Paul bears most of this himself and served others out of his abundant love.

Arise, let us go from here

John 14:31
But that the world may know that I love the Father, and as the Father gave Me commandment, so I do. Arise, let us go from here.

Jesus had just taught His disciples of the coming Holy Spirit that will be with all believers, when Jesus leaves earth. In addition, the Enemy is also moving fast because the coming of the Holy Spirit also signals another milestone in God's plan where He will restore earth again.

So the last statement here is the call by Jesus to rise up and go. It is a call to action, not tallying around. There is a sense of urgency in Yshua's mission. Now two thousand years had passed, and God's patience of trying not to lose anyone unnecessary, may seem long to us. Some of us no longer have that urgency. That is why we need to be reminded that the Yshua's mission is still on - we still need to arise and go with His message, as His Coming Again is nearer.

For the love of Christ compels us

2 Corinthians 5:14
For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; 

Paul summarises accurately the source of his motivation which is the "love of Christ". This has changed his whole life, as it should with ours. It did not matter what people thought of him, what hardships and persecution that he had to go through. This causes a single minded to pursue what God wants us to do.

Although it is not mentioned explicitly, the love of Christ in us can only be manifested if the Holy Spirit is working. All believers are given the Holy Spirit to dwell in us. However, we must be open to receive the Holy Spirit in His power, only then can the power of God be manifested in our lives. It is a matter of asking to have none of us, and all of Him in our lives.

Look to Me, and be saved

Isaiah 45:22
“Look to Me, and be saved,
All you ends of the earth!
For I am God, and there is no other.

God desires very simple from us - our attention, devotion, loyalty and so on. All these will be there if we simply love God with all our hearts, mind, soul and body.

We only need to look to God and be save. How consistent is this requirement from God throughout both Old and New Testaments. There is no difference in doctrine, no complexity. There is nothing we can do to achieve salvation, neither in the pre and post first Coming our Yshua Ha Masiach.

As the rest of this verse reminds us, He is the Creator and He chooses how we can be together with Him. All His Righteous requirements are satisfied in His perfect and only plan for salvation through Yshua our Lord. There can be no other for us to look upon that will be able to save us.

Thus says the Lord: “I remember you"

Jeremiah 2:2
“Go and cry in the hearing of Jerusalem, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord:
“I remember you,
The kindness of your youth,
The love of your betrothal,
When you went after Me in the wilderness,
In a land not sown.

God was about to deliver a rebuke to Israel and He started first by reminding them of their original love for God, in the wilderness and in a foreign land. We too may show great enthusiasm when we first found the Lord. Human tendency means that we may grow to take the relationship between us and God for granted. It is the utmost importance that we maintain the relationship with God through walking in the spirit with His Spirit. Other practical things are useful such as daily devotion, serving in church, supporting charities but doing them without the Spirit is no better than 'filthy rags' as Jesus once said.

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me

The letter to the lukewarm church of Laodicea is to warn them against their self-reliance and self-satisfaction leading to arrogance since they did not need any material things from God. The harsh rebuke is such that God would rather they be cold like unbelievers, which still had a chance of listening to the gospel. The state of being lukewarm means that the people already know about God, but have no apparent need for God, these are the people most at risk of sliding away unknowingly.

God reminds them that although they are materially self-sufficient, they are in fact wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked unless they walk with God. They are urged to take God's gold and white garments which are the free gifts of salvation. They are reminded to be zealous and repent, and that Yshua is always ready to meet them where they are. Those who overcome are rewarded by sitting next to Yshua's throne.



Revelations 3
The Lukewarm Church

14 “And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans[f] write,

‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: 15 “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot,[g] I will vomit you out of My mouth. 17 Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked— 18 I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. 21 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.

22 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”’”

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches

This revelation give the detailed warnings to the seven different churches.

The church in Ephesus is acknowledged for its great service which include hardworking, patience and rejects evil. They have worked hard to promote the Gospel and according to the New Way. However, they are warned that their first love, which is supposed to be God, has waned. They are encouraged to overcome this and their reward is the fruits from tree of life.

The church in Smyrna is facing persecution and tribulations and is being acknowledged for that. The revelation is that these sufferings will continue, but they are encouraged to persevere. They are encouraged to overcome and their reward is the crown of life and they will not be hurt by the second death.

The church in Pergamos also worked for the gospel and have been faithful previously. However, currently, they have swayed to the doctrines of idol worshippers and also to a group called the Nicolaitians whom is totally against the Lord. The warnings against this church is for immediate repentance or face the Lord's judgment. They are encouraged to overcome and their rewards are hidden manna and a special stone with their names written on it.

The church in Thyatira are commended for their works, love, service, faith, and patience. However, they have been influenced by Jezebel, a prophetess. This may be a person but may also be prophetic symbol of idolatry in future which led the believers sexual immorality. The Jezebel will be judged with her followers but there is salvation for them if they repent.  They are encouraged to overcome and their reward is power over the nations.






Revelation 2
The Loveless Church

2 “To the angel of the church of Ephesus write,

‘These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: 2 “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; 3 and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. 4 Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent. 6 But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

7 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.”’

The Persecuted Church

8 “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write,

‘These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life: 9 “I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

11 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.”’

The Compromising Church

12 “And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write,

‘These things says He who has the sharp two-edged sword: 13 “I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. And you hold fast to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. 14 But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality. 15 Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.[a] 16 Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth.

17 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.”’

The Corrupt Church

18 “And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write,

‘These things says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass: 19 “I know your works, love, service, faith,[b] and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first. 20 Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow[c] that woman[d] Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce[e] My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. 21 And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent.[f] 22 Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their[g] deeds. 23 I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works.

24 “Now to you I say, and[h] to the rest in Thyatira, as many as do not have this doctrine, who have not known the depths of Satan, as they say, I will[i] put on you no other burden. 25 But hold fast what you have till I come. 26 And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations—

27 ‘He shall rule them with a rod of iron;
They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter’s vessels’[j]—
as I also have received from My Father; 28 and I will give him the morning star.

29 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”’

For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh.

John writes to the "elect lady", perhaps a prominent Christian leader in those early days. John emphasizes the commandment of love, that we should continue to walk in it. Secondly he warns of many false teachers who do not believe in Jesus and who are deceiving others.

The main way to tell if people are on God's side, is if they believe and follow Yshua's Way. John even advises not to be hospitable to those who do not share the same doctrine so that we don't participate in their evil of denying God.



2 John 1
Greeting the Elect Lady

1 The Elder,

To the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all those who have known the truth, 2 because of the truth which abides in us and will be with us forever:

3 Grace, mercy, and peace will be with you[a] from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.

Walk in Christ’s Commandments

4 I rejoiced greatly that I have found some of your children walking in truth, as we received commandment from the Father. 5 And now I plead with you, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment to you, but that which we have had from the beginning: that we love one another. 6 This is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, that as you have heard from the beginning, you should walk in it.

Beware of Antichrist Deceivers

7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. 8 Look to yourselves, that we[b] do not lose those things we worked for, but that we[c] may receive a full reward.

9 Whoever transgresses[d] and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; 11 for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.

John’s Farewell Greeting

12 Having many things to write to you, I did not wish to do so with paper and ink; but I hope to come to you and speak face to face, that our joy may be full.

13 The children of your elect sister greet you. Amen.

That he who loves God must love his brother also

Since there are many false teachers and prophets, when a word is said, we need to test if it is from the Spirit of God. This can be tested because the true Spirit declares Jesus to have come from God. Those that deny Jesus are clearly not from God.

Again we are called to love God and love another. Those who belong to God know how to love whereas those who do not love, do not really know God. To be made perfect in love is to no longer have fear. Then we are able to share the good news of Jesus boldly. This chapter ends with the teaching of Jesus that: that he who loves God must love his brother also.




1 John 4

1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, 3 and every spirit that does not confess that[a] Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.

4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 5 They are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them. 6 We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.

Knowing God Through Love

7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9 In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.


Seeing God Through Love

12 No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us. 13 By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. 14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world. 15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. 16 And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.

The Consummation of Love

17 Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. 19 We love Him[b] because He first loved us.

Obedience by Faith

20 If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can[c] he love God whom he has not seen? 21 And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.

Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!

John affirms our status as children of God, though this may not be understood by non-believers and also not fully yet understood by us. Sin is equated with lawlessness, and believers are not meant to sin, although being still in the fallen state we do sin. The Scripture here states that those who are born again should not sin.

It is also written here that whoever does not practice righteousness and love is not of God. Since all believers are still sinners and also do not practice righteousness and love all the time, this scripture may seem to call upon a perfection that none of us mortals can fulfil. The only way that this can be fulfilled is we repent whenever we committed new sins and substitute our sins for the righteousness of Jesus. So God regards us as righteous as we put on the righteousness of Christ. Finally we are reminded of the two main commandments, to believe in the name of the Son, Jesus (which is to love God) and to love one another.





1 John 3

1 Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God![a] Therefore the world does not know us,[b] because it did not know Him. 2 Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. 3 And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.

Sin and the Child of God

4 Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. 5 And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin. 6 Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him.

7 Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. 8 He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. 9 Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God.

The Imperative of Love

10 In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother. 11 For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another, 12 not as Cain who was of the wicked one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his works were evil and his brother’s righteous.

13 Do not marvel, my brethren, if the world hates you. 14 We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother[c] abides in death. 15 Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.

The Outworking of Love

16 By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 17 But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?

18 My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. 19 And by this we know[d] that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him. 20 For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. 21 Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. 22 And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. 23 And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us[e] commandment.

The Spirit of Truth and the Spirit of Error

24 Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.