[1 John Series 4] The Heavenly CourtroomSample

Good teaching keeps us from bad living

Have you ever wondered why somebody is telling you something? Some people just start talking, and instead of going straight to the point, they take you for a ride. There is never a more comforting thing to hear in those times than the words, “I’m telling you this because….” 

John gives us a startling reason for what he has already told us up to this point. He says, “Little children, I tell you these things…” But, what are “these things”? They are that Jesus Christ is the atonement for our sins and that we have to confess our sins to one another and to God. Then, he goes on to say, “I tell you these things, so… that you will not sin.”

Most of us are going to sin. We are not going to get up today and never sin again. It is not going to happen. We can sin less, but we will never be sinless. Then, what is John trying to say?

Good teaching is intended to keep us from bad living.

We need good teaching in our life. Many of us are basically taking whatever the media gives us; our minds are being shaped, formed, and molded by the things that are happening in the news. Digging into good teaching is really a challenge, particularly for adults. Students are challenged this way all the time. They get it so much they get tired of it. Adults have to look for it. Why? It is because we are not usually at a learning environment. 

Where do you get good teaching? Where does it comes from? From your reading plan. From your Bible reading. From mission trips. From the music you listen to. Maybe you listen to podcasts from pastors. At church, we receive godly input from the weekly sermon, conference, message, or presentation. In some churches, adults sign up for Sunday School or Bible class. There are many options. But you just can’t expect to have good living without good teaching. It is not going to work. We need good inflow to give good outflow.

Spend time in God’s Word. Take notes. Get something out of the Scriptures. Because sin destroys direction, kills joy, and shreds relationships. But good teaching is intended to give us direction, fill us with joy, and help us in our relationships. Do you see the difference?