Study Desk

Whoever believes in the Son of God has the truth that God told us. But people who do not believe God make God a liar, because they do not believe what God told us about his Son.

Whoever has the Son has life, but whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.

Doing wrong is always sin. But there is sin that does not lead to eternal death.

We know that we belong to God, but the Evil One controls the whole world.

Everyone must continue to follow only the teaching about Christ. Whoever changes that teaching does not have God. But whoever continues to follow the teaching about Christ has both the Father and his Son.

Don't accept those who come to you but do not bring this teaching. Don't invite them into your house. Don't welcome them in any way.

I have much to say to you. But I don't want to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to come visit you. Then we can be together and talk. That will make us very happy.

I wrote a letter to the church, but Diotrephes will not listen to what we say. He always wants to be the leader.

When I come, I will talk with him about what he is doing. He lies and says evil things about us, but that is not all. He refuses to welcome and help the believers who travel there. And he will not let others help them. If they do, he stops them from meeting with the church anymore.

My dear friend, don't follow what is bad; follow what is good. Whoever does what is good is from God. But whoever does evil has never known God.

I have many things I want to tell you. But I don't want to use pen and ink.

Dear friends, I wanted very much to write to you about the salvation we all share together. But I felt the need to write to you about something else: I want to encourage you to fight hard for the faith that God gave his holy people. God gave this faith once, and it is good for all time.

I want to help you remember some things you already know: Remember that the Lord saved his people by bringing them out of the land of Egypt. But later he destroyed all those who did not believe.

Not even the archangel Michael did this. Michael argued with the devil about who would have the body of Moses. But Michael did not dare to condemn even the devil for his false accusations. Instead, Michael said, "The Lord punish you!"

But these people criticize things they don't understand. They do understand some things. But they understand these things not by thinking, but by feeling, the way dumb animals understand things. And these are the things that destroy them.

But you, dear friends, use your most holy faith to build yourselves up even stronger. Pray with the help of the Holy Spirit.

Rescue those who are living in danger of hell's fire. There are others you should treat with mercy, but be very careful that their filthy lives don't rub off on you.

I am the one who lives. I was dead, but look, I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.

"I know what you do, how hard you work and never give up. I know that you don't accept evil people. You have tested those who say they are apostles but are not. You found that they are liars.

"But I have this against you: You have left the love you had in the beginning.