John desired that those to whom he wrote would have fellowship
with the Father and Son, that their joy might also be full. He describes
several ways to do this in 1 John 1-3.
1 John 1:8-10: To have greater fellowship with God, we can become
clean of sins through the Atonement. No greater peace exists than that of a
fresh start which places us back in His presence spiritually.
1 John 2:3-6: When we obey the commandments of God, in us “is the
love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.” Obedience grants
heaven’s blessings, which testify of Father’s love.
1 John 2:9-11; 3:11-19: The love of God helps us to love our
brethren, but “he that loveth not his brother abideth in death.”
1 John 2:15-17: If we want to love the Father, we cannot love the
things of the world which are full of lust and pride. We must love heavenly
things.
1 John 2:20-21, 27: The Holy Ghost teaches of all things. We have
this special gift that grants truth from on high and guides our actions in this
life to bring us home to God. We must abide in the truths that we learn from
the promptings of the Holy Ghost.
1 John 3:4-6: Sin leads away from God and takes away knowledge of
Christ. We cannot abide in sin.
One of the most powerful principles to me of those listed above is
that if we want to love the Father, we cannot love the things of the world. I
have found that as a source of much strength in my life every day. I have done
my best to fill my life with good things, including daily prayer and scripture
study, uplifting music, clean and inspiring movies and media, and whatever is
of good report and praiseworthy.
Because I have surrounded myself with these things for years, when people around me are enjoying unclean music and foul language, I recognize the love I have for God that makes me comfortable in situations where the Holy Ghost can be there. Because I have been around coworkers lately that use foul language, I can strengthen my fortitude by praying more often and showing a good example to them.
Because I have surrounded myself with these things for years, when people around me are enjoying unclean music and foul language, I recognize the love I have for God that makes me comfortable in situations where the Holy Ghost can be there. Because I have been around coworkers lately that use foul language, I can strengthen my fortitude by praying more often and showing a good example to them.
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