Gnosticism
Started to arise in the late 1st Century
They emphasized KNOWLEDGE (Gnosis) above orthodox teachings, traditions, and authority
Believed the physical world is evil
God can’t be physical (only Spiritual)
The goal is to escape the physical realm
Jesus didn’t die because he wasn’t physical (No Death, Burial, Resurrection)
Dualistic Theology (Monad and Demiurge)
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— 2 the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us— 3 that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4 And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete. —The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (1 Jn 1:1–4). (2016). Crossway Bibles.
9 For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, —The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Col 2:9). (2016). Crossway Bibles
Jesus was
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. —The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Jn 1:1–5). (2016). Crossway Bibles.
14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, —The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Jn 1:14). (2016). Crossway Bibles.
5 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. —The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (1 Jn 1:5–10). (2016). Crossway Bibles.
105 Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path.
106 I have sworn an oath and confirmed it,
to keep your righteous rules. —The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Ps 119:105–106). (2016). Crossway Bibles.
We
Light
My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 2 He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. 3 And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, 5 but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: 6 whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked. —The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (1 Jn 2:1–6). (2016). Crossway Bibles.
25 Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. —The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Heb 7:25). (2016). Crossway Bibles.
27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. —The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Ro 8:27). (2016). Crossway Bibles.
Is there someone you could meet with in person today to confess to? If you have someone, set up a time to meet with them in a setting that is safe. This should be done man to man or woman to woman.
We share these confessions not only with God but other brothers/sisters in Christ. This is to be done with much discernment, for not all can handle confessions. The person must be a trusted, reliable, Christian who is not judgmental, but humble and willing to listen and pray with you.
8 And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. 9 But the Lord God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you? —The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Ge 3:8–9). (2016). Crossway Bibles.
Takeaway: Where are