1. How to deal with those who departed the church

Again this Sunday, we are continuing to read from the epistle of 1 John. The theme of the letters focuses on a split in the church. In John’s church, those who believed in false teachings, perplexed others, destroyed the fellowship, and then left the community. Other members of the church remained in a chaotic state. Many of the people who shared in the worship services suddenly disappeared. Unanimity in the church was broken, causing further conflict and separation. A similar incident occurred also in our church, and others in this area. So we are reflecting upon this phenomena, to see how to deal with such a situation. Today’s reading is from 1 John, chapter 2. (³¤­…)

1. Those who love humans won’t hate their neighbors

We continue today, the readings from John’s epistles. These letters were addressed to the early church where false teachings were disturbing the fellowship of believers. Some rejected the Incarnation of Jesus by saying that God as spirit could not have a human body. They also denied the Passion of God’s Son, and our redemption through Jesus, because they thought such a belief was absurd. Their attitude damaged the joyful feelings of those who felt grateful for Jesus’ birth, and the atonement. Although those false believers departed the church, the members who stayed remained in a chaotic state.

So John wrote in his letter, “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:8-9). To admit our sins is the first step toward salvation and the beginning of the way forward for Christians, he says. Today, we will develop further those previous thoughts by reading the following part of the letter, chapter 2, and meditating on just what a Christians lifestyle should be. (³¤­…)

1. To believers suffering a schism

Since last Christmas we have been reading passages from the Gospel according to John. The book was addressed to believers who were suffering persecution by Jewish authorities. John, the presumed author*, tried to encourage them through Jesus’ words: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). John is saying in effect, “be courageous, do not surrender because He, who has overcome the world, is always on your side”. (³¤­…)

# On the fourth Sunday of every month the assistant Pastor of the church, Nihei Mizuguchi, gives a series of lectures on The Sermon on the Mount, from the Gospel according to Matthew. Today’s lecture is part two of the series.

1. You are the salt of the earth

At the beginning of our series of the Sermon on the Mount we reflected upon ‘the Beatitudes’, which taught that the poor in spirit will be blessed. We meet God through poverty or illness, becoming humble and free from a self-centered mind. Today, the second lecture of the series, we contemplate “Salt and Light”. Salt was a very precious material in the ancient world. (³¤­…)