First John Chapter One
Introduction and background:
1. Both GJn and 1Jn have a common identifying characteristic.
- Jn 20:30-31; 1 Jn 5:13
2. The overall theme is stated in 1:3.
His purpose in writing is expressed in 3 parts.
a. 1
Jn 1:4
b. 1
Jn 2:1
c. 1 Jn 5:13
3. Writer: John the apostle, sometimes referred to as John the elder.
Internal evidence:
1Jn 1:1 cf. GJn 1:1,14
In many ways I believe that we will see that 1Jn is an exposition of the words and works of Jesus found in GJn.
1Jn 1:4 cf. GJn
1Jn 1:6 cf. GJn 3:21
1Jn 2:7 cf. GJn 13:34-35
1Jn 3:8 cf. GJn 8:44
1Jn
1Jn 5:9 cf. GJn 5:32,37
1Jn
4. Outline of 1 John
a. Preface/Prologue 1:1-4
b. Body; Main teaching content
1. God is Light 1:5 - 2:29
a. Walking in the Light has certain positive elements 1:5-2:11
#1 Fellowship with God and other believers [walking in the light] 1:6-7
#2 Consciousness of sin is accompanied by confession of sin 1:8-2:2
#3 Christlikeness 2:3-6
#4 Love for other believers 2:7-11
b. Walking in the light has some neg. elements 2:12-29
First some reasons why he is writing
Neg. aspects begin in vs:15; take the form of warnings
#1
the world is to be shunned
#2
antichrists are to be shunned
#3
How to avoid the perils of False teachers, errors of false BD;
2. God is Love 3:1 - 5:12; many evidences of our salvation
a. evidence of Sonship, children of God; seen in life 3:1-24
#1 present and future of God's children 3:1-3
#2 life lived is key evidence to others of sonship 3:4-12
#3 love/hate life/death 3:13-24
b. Evidence of Salvation/Sonship is love 4:1-5:12
#1 first sets the contrast between the Spirit of Truth and the spirit of error 4:1-6 [vs:1 sets the 2 poles]
#2 Love is a mark of Sonship 4:7-21
#3 Love makes obedience easy 5:1-5
#4 Introduces a triple testimony to the incarnation 5:6-8
#5 Acceptance of this testimony gives us assurance of Eternal life 5:9-12
3.
Conclusion - Assurance in relationship with Him
a.
b. teaching on intercessory prayer 5:14-15
c. warning on the consequence of sin 5:16-17
d. 3 great certainties 5:18-20
e.
Final warning!
5. Historical setting of the Book
1. Preface/Prologue 1:1-4
What John does here, is to point out once again what separates Christianity from religion. Its historical, its based on events that really occurred at a point in history.
1:1 What was from the beginning, }O h=n avpV avrch/j(
- the relative pronoun what, does not refer to Jesus Christ
- from the beginning
Is this referring to the same as John 1:1?
Now let's examine these relative clauses.
heard avkou,w perfect emphasizes completed action with abiding
results
have seen o`ra,w also perfect; we have seen and the vision is still with us;
Notice that he adds with our eyes Why??
Several things;
#1 reminds us that this
is direct testimony,
#2 that makes the
testimony here reliable, it's not hearsay.
#3 the word o`ra,w used
here for seeing could be used of perception in the mind or of something visible
in the mind only
what we beheld qeaomai [aor] [theater] look at with attentive regard, look over,
also used of very careful contemplation of something
our hands handled yhlafaw [aor] to feel, touch,
handle with a view to carefully examine;
Lk. 24:39
1:2 and the
life was manifested kai. h` zwh.
evfanerw,qh(
manifested fanerow to
become visible, become known; when used
of a person to become known or shown in their true character
For the first time in vs:2 he adds to life the adjective aiwnioj
which when used of God means without beginning or end, therefore eternal Rom 16:26.
The
eternal life which was with the Father was manifested to us.
John adds two important links in vs:2; what he saw, what he heard is what he is bearing witness of and proclaiming to them.
1:3 With all this
emphasis on having seen, heard, touched, what is the reason? Where is John headed here?
The purpose clause in the middle of verse 3
points us in the right direction.
Fellowship is the purpose.
The idea of koinwnia is joint participation in something because the two
parties have something in common; they are said to be partakers or partners
together.
John says we ate together, we walked together, we
worked together, and that created a koinwnia now 60 years later, Christ is at the Father's
right hand and I'm offering to you, the reader, this same koinwnia.
How can he do that? How is he proclaiming this truth? through writing this
epistle; Look at vs:4
these things we write so that our joy may be made
complete.
It is the written Word, read, taught, and
understood that gives us the means to have fellowship with the Father and the
Son.
The capacity
for this fellowship comes from the Word.
That
our joy may be made complete
is very emphatic;
We know from 3Jn
what makes John's joy full or complete! vs:4
Fellowship with the Father is linked with the
Son! Can you have fellowship with one
without the other? What was it that
Jesus said over and over in the GJn. I and the Father are one.
Begin the Main teaching content
1:5 the message of this first section beginning with vs:5 - 2:29 John centers on
the truth that God is light!
And
this is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you
The first aspect of this message of truth that John wants to emphasize is that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.
This is one of 3 fundamental assertions that John
makes about the nature of God; God is a
Spirit Jn
To John, darkness, is
not merely the absence of light but it has a moral quality;
John
3:19-21 light is a revealer; of man's nature, life, walk.
The picture painted by John 3:16-21 is one where one's affinity for 'light' and 'darkness' serves to reveal one's inner nature. One is forced to a decision to ally oneself with one side or the other.
What I believe that John wants us to consider, keep
in our thinking as we consider these truths is to relate our walk, our pattern
of life, back to the character of God.
"walking in darkness" vs:6 represents the opposite of light/holiness
therefore what is morally evil/sin 1 Jn
2:11
Note: the framework for the following context
beginning with vs:6 is a series of false claims often
made against the truth.
6,8,10 "If
we say" [3cc] some will indeed make these claims.
All of these false claims if believed impact
fellowship.
The conclusions—”do
not practice the truth,” “the truth is not in us,” “we make Him a liar and His
word is not in us”—all refer to rejection of God’s revelation, that is, His
“word”.
1:6 What's the false
claim here?
There's an inconsistency between the profession,
and the practice.
1:7 The reality of the
believer's profession
What does it mean then to walk in the light as He
is in the light?
1:7 is a conditional statement containing a protasis— ”if
we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light,”— and a double apodosis—” #1 we have fellowship…and #2
the blood…cleanses us from all sin.”
To walk in
the light suggests openness and responsiveness on our part to the light, that is to the revelation of the character of Christ
found in the Word.
Walking
in the light is the experience
of continual cleansing, present tense.
When the first provision (vs:7)
is not utilized and as a result we choose to respond to the OSN and commit
personal sins, there is yet another provision (1:9—2:2).
Other co-ordinate
clause in the apodosis
we have
fellowship with one another
Fellowship koinwnia
How is it used in Scripture?
Most basic idea is joint participation in something _________
#1 The most common koinwnia joint participation is in material things.
Rom
#2 Phil
2 Tim. 1:8 suffering for the gospel;
#3 It is possible to have joint participation with evil. 2 Jn 11
#4 Heb.
#5 2 Pet 1:4 because of the fact of our salvation there is another joint participation; divine nature;
#6 The possession of the Holy Spirit provides
the basis for fellowship. 2 Cor
Verse 7 then affirms that there are 2 things that
are true of believers who are walking
in the light.
#1 they have fellowship with God. [Father and the Son]
#2 they are being cleansed from every sin, defilement caused by the sin
nature.
Observations on walking peripate,w
Our walk, our pattern of life, is the
distinguishing characteristic which differentiates us as children of God from
the children of darkness. Titus 1:16
Let's note some passages that give us
some of the characteristics that we should reflect in our lives when we're
living out what John says here in vs:7 of walking in
the light.
#1 Rom 6:4 walk in newness
of life;
#2 Eph. 4:1 walking worthy of our calling also
Col. 1:10
#3 2 Cor. 5:7 walk by faith
#4 Gal.
#5 Eph.
#6 Rom
#7 Eph. 5:2 walking in love
The Contrasts between Light and
darkness
John has drawn a sharp distinction, what does Scripture have to say?
Paul used these 2 metaphors darkness and light in Eph 5:8-10
He does so to emphasize the strong contrast between God's truth, His revelation and all who oppose it!
Our Obligation [5:8]: "walk as children of light" [pres. imp]
Observations on Light and Darkness
1. Just how dark is the world, the country, the city, the family that the light of God's word has not illuminated?
2. What were we before we responded to the gospel? were in Darkness! Eph 5:8; "but now" sets the contrast with our present state.
3. Implications of darkness: being in a state of darkness:
a. You are unable to see the reality of what surrounds you! not able to comprehend spiritual reality at all.
b. Any movement within a sphere of darkness is uncertain, ability is impaired, or may cause one to stumble.
c. When in darkness one who is familiar with the surroundings has the potential of manipulating you. (Satan and false teachers)
d. The only sure way of conquering darkness is to have a source of light.
4. The only source of light for the spiritual darkness of the world is Jesus Christ. John 8:12; 1:4-5;
5. Man's natural tendency is not to move to the light but away from it! Jn 3:19
6. Must recognize that darkness is the rule, the dominion of Satan. Acts 26:15-18;
7. At salvation we were delivered from the domain of darkness. Col. 1:13
8. Since we are delivered from the power of darkness we should no longer walk in darkness, our life being characterized by darkness.
- Eph 4:17-18; Eph 5:8-11
9. If we choose to walk in darkness we have no fellowship with God. point of 1 Jn 1:6-7
10. Our source of light for our life is His truth, the Word of God.
- Ps 43:3
- Ps 119:105
- Ps 119:130,
11. God mediates His light, Word of God, to mankind in this
dispensation through lamp stands and stars!
Our conduct is to follow our nature!
I would take it that to walk as children of light, as Paul emphasizes it in Eph. 5 is related to becoming imitators of God! Eph 5:1
To walk in the light is to reflect the holiness of God in our life.
But what does it mean to walk in light?? Eph. 5:9-10 explains!
- When the light of Christ shines through the life of the believer it produces 3 characteristics:
#1 goodness; agaqusunh speaks of moral excellence; w/generosity
#2 righteousness; dikaiosunh quality of "rightness" from God's vpt; knowing what is right and doing it consistently
#3 truth; alhqeia here we have
the quality of honesty and
genuineness; not just something to be said but to be done! [
As children of light; we need to continually analyze our thoughts, our words, our actions, in order to bring our lives into conformity to the will of God; Result is a life that is pleasing to the Lord!! That is walking in the light!!
1:8 the 2nd false claim that is often made
1:8a the false claim; failure to acknowledge that one has an OSN
1:8b John's strong condemnation of this view
Just as the one who is walking in darkness
cannot claim to have fellowship with God; the one who is walking in the light
can not claim to not have an OSN.
- What's the most common view of mankind today?
If one says that they have no OSN, notice who is the one fooled!!
we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in
us.
1:9 The provision for restoration of fellowship or the
correction for the fruit of the OSN is found in 1:9
If we confess our sins
If the
light of the word of God exposes sin it must be dealt with
Word for confess
is o`mologe,w to say the same thing; to confess that something
is true; to agree or confess that
something is true;
1:9 The provision for restoration of fellowship or the
correction for the fruit of the OSN is found in 1:9
If we confess our sins
If the
light of the word of God exposes sin it must be dealt with
Word for confess
is o`mologe,w to say the same thing; to confess that something
is true; to agree or confess that
something is true;
In judicial matters it means to make a binding
statement, to bear witness; to make a
statement of what one believes publicly, to
profess, confess, acknowledge.
Who are the we? Are they believers or unbelievers?
Need to distinguish between how we
deal with sin and sins, not the same at all.
Root or fruit!
What is the requirement here for the believer?
What is the criteria for what is sin?
If we know the Word we will have the
basis to correctly ID the sin and name it, and move on in our Christian life and
have impact for Christ.
WOG Conduct
Do they line up or not?
God's response to our confession is
two fold: #1 forgiveness; and #2
To cleanse us from all unrighteousness; in other words to make us clean!
Did you notice what is not here?
When we operate on the basis of 1Jn
1:9 we are clearly operating in a way that harmonizes with grace!
Where is the assurance? That is, that forgiveness is received?
Some thoughts/observations 1:9
The context of 1:9 is not judicial but experiential.
Forgiveness is conditioned on confession of sin; confession of sin is never connected to acquiring Eternal life, that is conditioned on faith and faith alone.
Forgiveness is assured and does not violate His holiness.
When a believer loses personal touch with the God of light he begins to live in darkness. Confession of sin is the way back to the light.
Note: The Freeness of forgiveness
or the grace in forgiveness is NOT so that we can continue in sin but
to motivate us to not sin.
God is gracious in
cleansing us on a grace basis, work of Christ on the Cross,
simply name it, agreeing with Him, and your forgiven, cleansed.
First John Chapter Two
Intro:
John tells us directly that he is
writing these things [1:5-10] so that we would not sin, to prevent acts of sin,
not to promote sin!
It is not okay to sin because we have an "easy fix."
My
little children, I am writing these things to you that you may not sin.
What John presents here is the ideal, what should be the goal, the consistent pattern of our lives, walking in the light, being in fellowship.
Is there a provision made, Yes! All of Grace!
And
if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the
righteous;
We have a personal advocate
we
have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous
para,klhtoj basic = one called alongside to help, to give
assistance; also used as a legal technical term, as one who appears in
another's behalf, and advocate, defender, intercessor.
Jesus Christ is our advocate, our attorney before the Father, in Heaven, so that when we do sin we have One to plead our
case, the only One who is qualified, Jesus Christ the righteous.
Notice what our advocate does not do in this role as advocate.
1. Does not plead our innocence!
2. Does not plead extenuating circumstances!
3. He does acknowledge our guilt and introduces the basis for our acquittal, the cross work of Christ.
4. The focus: How does God the Father feel about the cross work of Christ, what's His evaluation?
We have a guarantee of acquittal 100% of the time!
There is never an instance of not being acquitted when the Work of Christ will be presented as the basis.
Our advocate, our defense
attorney is free from the problem of sin,
and is explicitly described here as Jesus
Christ the righteous.
Not only is He our righteous
advocate, He is also the judge Jn.
2:2 The provision for our sin in Jesus Christ
2:2 and He [J.C.] Himself [in his own
person]
is [gnomic present, always true] the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but
also for those of the whole world.
The idea of propitiation, i`lasmo,j is to satisfy a demand, to provide satisfaction.
When we think of propitiation we must think of the three parties that
are involved!
FATHER is the one who is offended;
SON His work on the Cross satisfies the demands of the Father;
SINNER
our only contribution = our
sins
Definition: Propitiation is the accomplishment of Christ whereby the demands of God's righteousness are satisfied.
The
last phrase "and not for ours
only, but also for the sins of the whole world" points out the
true scope of Christ's atoning sacrifice.
The
adversative "but," "but also for the sins of the whole
world" marks the contrasted scope between our sins and those of the
whole world, the people of this world, all of whom are guilty of sins.
What
this statement declares very forcefully is that "no one is, by Divine pre-determination, excluded from the scope
of God's mercy and grace, He died for all.
2:3-17 Reflecting the
Light, Evidence to look for
The fact that God is light without any trace of darkness in His nature (1:5) is fundamental to any clear understanding of the nature of the Christian life since we are to walk in the light as He is in the light.
In 2:3-17 John points out four signs that give evidence that fellowship with God is being maintained.
#1 the sign of obedience (vv. 3-5a)
#2 the sign of imitation (vv. 5b-6).
#3 the sign of love (vv. 7-11)
#4 the sign of separation from the world (vv. 12-17).
1. The
Sign of Obedience (vv. 3-5a)
Verse 3 states the assurance that we derive from being obedient;
verse 4 states
the conclusion that must be drawn
from the absence of obedience;
verse 5a concludes the discussion with a declaration concerning the assured result of obedience.
a. The assurance from obedience (v.3).
"There is only one way of proving
to ourselves that we know God, and that is by loving obedience to His
will."
Such a keeping of God's commands is not legalism but a voluntary response to our relationship with Him.
b. What is the situation if there is an
absence of obedience (v.4)?
There is a sharp contradiction between his profession, what he says is the ongoing situation and the reality of his daily life. His conduct invalidates his claim.
c. The
result of personal obedience (v.
5a).
In such an individual it is true that
"the love of God" is
"perfected" .
2. The Sign of Imitation (vv. 5b-6)
Viewed as a second sign, John now points to an objective standard by which we as believers may measure our own conduct. Jesus Christ!
a. The assurance of the believer (v. 5b).
This phrase "By this we know that we are in Him: " gives us a new expression of our assurance as believers.
To be "in him" expresses the reality of an intimate union with Him; He is the sphere of being, relationship, a koinwnia, that shapes/directs the life and conduct of the one united to Him.
b. The resultant obligation of the believer (v.6).
the
one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He
walked.
"abides" menw means far more than just remaining or abiding
in a place; to live or dwell; it implies relationship, fellowship, harmony.
The use of "ought" (ovfei,lw) rather than "must" (dei) makes it clear that the compelling power for such conduct is not an external compulsion but the result of an abiding inner consciousness that is a result of the ongoing relationship with Him.
In thus insisting that the believer's relationship with Christ involves an obligation of consistent moral conduct, John delivers a crucial blow against the Gnostics who tried to divorce their claimed spiritual enlightenment from their daily moral manner of life.
Observations:
1. How can we, as believers, claim to have fellowship with Him, to walk in the light, and not reflect the character of Christ in our life.
2. Most inner conflict that we experience in our life as believers comes when we attempt to live our life apart from the DWOG, the standard's of DVPT set forth in the Word.
- Phil. 2:5 [begin with
MA]; Eph.
3. To imitate Christ does not refer to some pattern of legalistic mimicking!
4. True imitation flows out of what's within, the new man being rooted and grounded in the thinking of Christ! [Word!]
3. The Sign of Love (2:7-11)
a. The characterization of the commandment (vv. 7-8).
1) First the commandment of love as old (v.7).
In characterizing the commandment in view John declares, negatively, that what he is writing to them is "not a new commandment," not something "new" (kainoj) in kind or quality. or originating with him.
Further, it is a commandment "which you have had from the beginning " as a continuing possession through the years, in fact, "from the beginning" (avpV avrch/j\).
Sidebar!
John 13:34-35 A New Commandment!
A question that must be answered as you look at these 2 verses is this;
Do the words "that you love one another" tell us
#1 the content of the New Commandment or
#2 Is the New Commandment something else and the loving one another a result that flows out of that commandment?
Mt 22:34-40
- This New commandment is new in quality character, there is a freshness about it. There are 2 possibilities:
#1. What is the basis or test, the evidence of love under the original commandment?
#2. There's also something else that occurred during this meal, that is not covered by John but is by Luke;
God's plan is to demonstrate,
to show His love through those that are His. Ongoing visible manifestation of that love.
That is, love expressed among believers within the body of Christ is the means to convey God's love to non-Christians, the unbelieving world out there.
2)
Second the commandment of love as new (v.8).
John's further statement,
"On the other hand, I am
writing a new commandment to you ", recognizes paradoxically that, looked at in another way, this commandment
of love is indeed new.
Then follows an
explanatory comment, "because
the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining " which
provides the evidence that this new commandment of love is already operative in
the lives of these believers as they abide in Him.
Any professed
"gospel teaching" which distorts or counterfeits the true
message of the Word of God or the good news of the Gospel of grace only prolongs
and expands the operation of the darkness.
b. The application of the commandment (vv. 9-11).
1) The profession without love (v.9). [no application]
This one's persistent practice nullifies his profession.
2) The individual who loves (v.10).
The present participle denotes that his love is no occasional, sporadic matter but a continual, habitual practice of his life.
The individual's practice of
such God motivated love reveals two facts concerning him.
1st
2nd
3) The individual who hates (v.11).
the "one hating" again depicts his characteristic attitude at this time; hatred is the outstanding mark of this individual.
The first two statements, "is in the darkness and walks in the darkness", declare his present sphere of existence spiritually and the daily impact on his activities.
Darkness marks this individual's experiential separation from God, no basis for fellowship; and at the time in view, being in darkness remains the controlling reality of his life.
1 Jn 2:12-14 is a bridge to the next sign of or evidence of walking in the light which we find in vs:15-17 that of separation from the world.
In these 3 verses John assures them that he is not dissatisfied with their progress.
For "Children" John uses 2 different words
tekni,on 2:1,12,28;
it comes from verb tiktw to bring forth, to give birth to; therefore a teknion refers to a born one; idea is kinship, will see that John ties to the new birth; logical.
paidi,on 2:13,18; verb paideuw means to educate, to train; so the noun refers to
those who are instructed, taught, little instructed ones; is idea; the thrust
of the word is subordination, not
age, subordination so that they can become learners.
He also refers to them as fathers
and young men;
path,r father
neani,skoj young man
If your in the family of God what's
your first asset? Your sins are
forgiven!
What is the basis for this, for
our sins being divorced from us?
His name's sake is a Hebraism found often in OT that refers
to the sum total of the character, the qualities of the person referred to;
here what makes God, God! i.e. His person
Faith is necessary because it is
the means, we are saved through faith, it
is never the cause of salvation. Everything in salvation flows from God to us, that's grace.
If you want assurance of forgiveness of sins, of your standing before God you don't look at your self, ever, you have to look to Him and His provision only!
1
John 2:15-17 Separation from the
World; Evidence
for walking in the Light
vs:15-17 separate from the World system
vs:18-29 separate from those who promote the World system, namely anti-christs, false teachers.
Do
not love the world, nor the things in the world. If
anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
Do not
love the world should be Stop loving the world,
If we're to stop loving the world, kosmoj, we need to know just what the world is!
World, kosmos [kosmoj], has several uses in Scripture;
1. a completely non-moral meaning; the physical world
Mt. 13:35,38; John 17:5
2. A definite moral meaning/use of all who are unbelievers John 7:7; mass of humanity not related to Jesus Christ.
John
It is also used of a philosophy or way of thinking, the mindset of any one who is untouched by the Word of God;
1 John 4:5
What are some of the elements of Worldliness? What is its make up? the elements of this world?
1. It is Ordered by Satan. 2 Cor. 4:4; John
2. It has men/mankind as inhabitants/subjects; Eph. 2:2
3. The world has standards; it has a philosophy, wisdom. norms/opinions 1 Cor 2:6
Worldliness is an organized and attractive system of ideas, concepts, attitudes, and methods which Satan uses to compete with God's expressed viewpoint of how people are to live on planet Earth.
Worldliness is most often presented as something beautiful, desirable, and enlightening and when the OSN rules it causes a corruption of our perception of reality, our ability to think straight.
Worldliness is Satan's window dressing, presenting evil in a way that makes it seem like its the good, right, proper thing to do.
If we want to be successful as Christians in avoiding worldliness we must first understand its basic characteristics.
In 1 John
The added words "nor the things in the world" particularize this love of the world, prohibiting such a love relationship with any particular aspect or feature of this evil world.
The
"things" then are those realities that are
rooted in and characterized by this evil world.
What does it say then about the individual that loves the world?
That the things of the world have become more important then God and our relationship w/Him.
The reasons for the prohibition to stop loving the world (2:15b-17).
John gives us here three reasons believers should not love the world:
(1) because it reveals ones personal
condition (v. l5b);
(2) because of the character of the world (v. 16);
(3) because of the contrasted ends (v.17).
#1 The personal condition revealed by love of the world (v. 15b).
If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
John presents a hypothetical situation to illustrate "If any man love the world"
The conclusion declares negatively the reality of his spiritual condition- "the love of the Father is not in him"
#2 The
character or nature of the things in the world (v. 16).
John details the components of the world that we as believers are not to love. Points out for us the contrast with what our lives should be as believers.
The following three phrases are an unfolding of the character of these things: the mindset of the world.
"the lust of the flesh and the lust of the
eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the
world."
The first component is the "the lust of the flesh."
"The lust of the flesh" denotes what?
The second component is the "the lust of the eyes."
This has to do with desire for
things that we see, things which catch our eye. The emphasis is on external attractiveness without examination of the underlying
values.
"The lust of the eyes" then is associated with what?
The third component is the "The boastful pride of life"
It is the arrogant attitude by which people think more highly of themselves than they ought. It is the ambition to center one's life around self rather than God.
Having set forth the nature of "all that is in the world," John concludes his sentence with a double assertion concerning the source of this moral depravity: doesn't want anyone to miss it!
"is not of the Father, but is of the world"
#3. The contrasted ends (v.17).
On the one hand is the transitory nature of the world: "And the world is passing away, and also its lusts;"
Over against the transitory nature of the world stands the abiding life of the true believer: "but the one who does the will of God abides forever."
The abiding life of fellowship with God/F and Christ gives us the assurance of permanence even amid the present scene of change and decay that surrounds us.
The nature of this
world view or mindset, the wisdom of man is seen in Jas. 3:13-17 [rabbit
trail]
James
This section contrasts heavenly
and earthly wisdom (
Have 3 characteristics of this
wisdom that is not from above.
1. earthly = evpi,geioj(
2. natural = yuciko,j
3. demonic = diamoniwdhj
Summary Observations James 3:15
1. There is a clear distinction drawn in scripture between the wisdom of this world, the kosmos, and the wisdom of God. 1 Cor 1-2
2. This wisdom produces a line of thought, a mindset and a conduct which maintains the alienation of the UB'r from God. 2 Cor 4:3-4
3. The believer who chooses to operate with this mindset is alienated from God. no fellowship.
4. The term earthly stamps this wisdom as that which man possesses by natural birth and inclination.
5. Because it is earth-bound wisdom, under it man will never achieve a life of true peace and contentment. (world mindset, attempts to deceive man into thinking that under his system they will)
6. That its soulish relates it to the soul being ruled by the I/OSN.
7. Such wisdom produces distorted concepts, desires and aspirations.
Seen in the examples given that demonstrate this wisdom is present in vs:14 & 16
8. Such wisdom is also demonic in that it mirrors the vpt of demons, who operate on the marching orders and vpt of Satan.
9. Satan has road blocks at every stage of the Christian life.
SUMMARY
1. This wisdom is self condemning by what it produces.
2. Where you see these manifestations of the OSN you find social chaos.
3. Selfish ambition and jealousy will always destroy ones spiritual life and the witness of the life for Christ.
4. The phrase every vile practice emphasizes the total worthlessness, being of no account, that is of the results of such a mindset.
5. Clearly such wisdom then has no redeeming value or qualities as far as God is concerned. Man is often impressed.
But the wisdom from above (in contrast to that
just looked at in vs:14-16 is first
pure
THEN FOLLOWS
THE OBSERVED RESULTS OF THIS WISDOM -
6 characteristics
1. then
peaceable [eirhnikoj]
- peaceful, what promotes peace
2. gentle - epieikhj (not easily translated) - it signifies a humble patience - steadfastness - forbearance which is able to endure injustice, maltreatment w/o responding with hatred or malice it involves trusting in God in spite of ill-treatment received.
3. reasonable - eupeiqhj (hapax) = easily persuaded, ready to obey, compliant
4. Full of mercy and good fruits
- eleoj = mercy, compassion towards those in distress which leads to practical help for the one with a need
- good fruits - agathoj karpoj (pl) - good/beneficial production
5. unwavering (adj. - hapax) = adiakritoj fr: diakrinw to discern - judge
6. without hypocrisy - anupokritoj = good txln; this wisdom is free from all pretense; no working behind a mask - nothing to hide
It takes God working in us and through us for these to become a reality and for God to be glorified by our lives.
Rabbit trail #2
Titus
1. "instructing us" peideuw (pres act ptc) to train by discipline; to train a child; to instruct.
2. Next Paul describes the curriculum of Grace; 1st neg and then pos.
The negative "to deny ungodliness and worldly desires"
How are we to accomplish this denying all ungodliness and worldly desires?
The positive instruction: 3 things that we are to affirm and embrace!
"to live
sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age,"
#1 Sensibly; swfronwj focus is inward; emph on self-control from sound thinking;
#2 righteously; dikaiwj justly, in a just manner, uprightly
- the focus is outward, related to our dealings, our treatment of other believers.
#3 godly; eusebwj; godly, reverently; the focus looks upward to our relationship with the Lord.
3. Such a life Paul says is not only a possibility but also a duty "in this present age." our
responsibility
Rabbit trail #3
Roman 12:2 Two Cmd’s establishing or describing How
this instruction by grace becomes a reality in our lives.
Two commands:
Neg. And
do not be conformed to this world, [Rejecting]
Pos. but be transformed by the renewing of your
mind, transforming
And do not be conformed to this world
Word conformed is suscwmati,zw to be conformed or fashioned into a pattern or mold.
What is Paul referring to by
the phrase “this world”?
Lit. “this age”
often txlted world to differentiate from its use to
indicate forever
- basic idea is a segment of contemporary time, an era, here its the present age, time one is living in.
Now we come to the Positive aspect, a positive command.
but be transformed by the renewing of your mind,
be transformed metamorfo,w which refers to an inner change of nature that is reflected in the life! Therefore externally.
Used of the inner change of
the believer that should be ongoing in the life of each of us continually,
pres. tense. 2 Cor
#1. It spells out a condition that is required, unveiled face.
#2. The place
we are to look, “beholding in a
mirror the glory of the Lord”
#3. The thing seen, “the glory of the Lord.”
#4. The result accomplished, the same image as the Lord;
#5. Its a step by step process. “From glory to glory”
#6. Its empowered by Holy Spirit! from the Lord, the Spirit.
Back to Rom 12:2
Notice in the next phrase where the transformation takes place, its
in your mind. “by
the renewing of your mind”
The change is effected as we grow and mature as believers;
“renewing” anakainwsij making new, different, fresh.
Then we have 3 adjectives to describe the will of God.
“that
which is good and acceptable and perfect.”
2:18-19 Warnings about Attacks on the Faith of
Believers
John makes a strong assertion concerning
the character of the time (v. 18a) and then points to the presence of the
antichrists as confirmation of the reality (v. 18b).
a.
The characterization of the hour, the time (v.
18).
1) The assertion concerning the time (v. 18a).
John's assertion: "it is the last time"
2) The sign of the hour "many
antichrists" (v. 18b).
and
just as you heard that antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have
arisen; from this we know that it is the last hour.
Observations related to the Antichrist;
Some things we need to know!
#1 There will be a final antichrist, singular; this one is called by Paul as "the man of lawlessness" "the son of destruction" 2 Ths. 2:3-8
#2 There will be predecessor antichrists, plural, many, who will be on the scene from John's day in the 1st century of C/A to the present. 1 Jn 2:18;
#3 There is also an antichrist spirit operational in the world, that is many are buying into Satan's world viewpoint, mindset.
b. The nature of the current crisis with
antichrists (v.19).
How do we recognize the
antichrist character/spirit?
"They went out from us, but they were not of us"
"for if
they had been of us, they would have remained with us”
"but they went out, in order that it might be shown
that they all are not of us."
Some Observations on who the antichrists are that John warns about!
1. refers
to one who rejects truth 1Jn
2. refers to one who denies that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, Cristoj and in so doing they also deny the Father and the Son.
1Jn
3. refers to one who denies the divine origin of Jesus. 1 Jn 4:3
4. 2Jn 7 one who denies the incarnation of Jesus.
a. The
anointing from the Holy One (v.
20a).
"But you"
Have here the second important possession of the believer emphasized by John in chapter 2.
What is it?
- the advocate provides the solution !
- the anointing provides the solution ,
.
- anointing
= cri/sma refers to anything that is rubbed or smeared on; not the act of rubbing or
smearing but the thing itself, the ointment, the oil;
Whatever or whomever was anointed was "most holy" that is set apart, consecrated for service.
Since it marked the entry into an office, a function or responsibility before God it was never repeated. True whether it was priest or king, they were anointed once for all!
God the Father, does the anointing, the Holy Spirit is the anointing, as 1 John 2:20 and 27 make clear, and we as believers in Christ are the ones who are anointed; occurs at the point of salvation.
- The indwelling brings .
- The anointing, .
b.
The knowledge of the truth (vv. 20b-21).
He asserts the fact that they all know
(v. 20b) and then relates that fact to his writing to them (v.21).
1) The
assertion of their knowledge (v.
20b).
A second resource which enables the readers to resist the antichrists is .
They know the reality and reliability of God's truth through the teaching of the indwelling Spirit.
2) The reason for writing this to them
(v.21).
"I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you know it"
because no
lie is of the truth.
The last phrase emphasizes that no lie, none of the denials of the antichrists can be a part of the truth that they (believers) know!
2)
The reason for writing this to them (v.21).
"I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you know it"
What he is saying is that all believers
have the ability to know the foundational truths of Christ and their
relationship with Him, the truths that these antichrists, the false teachers
are denying.
because no lie is of the truth.
3. Confronting the Antichrists (vv.
22-25)
a. The
mark of false and true believers (vv.
22-23).
how to
identity the antichrist, he is a liar (vv. 22-23a)
basic
criterion for identifying the true believer (v. 23b).
1) The
mark of the antichrist - liar (vv. 22-23a).
The rhetorical question, "Who is the liar but the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ?"
John answers his own rhetorical question.
but the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ?
So the liar is the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ, what is the result? A denial of His deity! A denial that He is Savior and King! A denial of His atoning work!
2:23b The one who confesses the Son, the one who agrees, acknowledges (o`mologew) that Jesus is deity, we also know and have a relationship with the Father.
b. The appeal to believers 2:24-25
As for you, let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning.
This is the second time that John has emphasized the importance of the Word of God abiding in the believer.
And this is the promise which He Himself made to
us: eternal life.
quantitative aspect focuses on , forever/eternal
qualitative aspect focuses on that eternal life is;
John 17:3; Mt. 25:46
4. Our Resources in the face of Danger
2:26-27
a. 2:26 Have the reason for his writing this section given
These things I have written to you concerning
those who are trying to deceive you.
Need the Word to combat deception.
b. 2:27 Provision of the
Ministry of the Holy Spirit
And as for you, the anointing which you received from Him abides in you
This verse expresses 2 very
important points about the Holy Spirit, that He is , and that He will be there! He remains!
and you have no need for anyone to
teach you
Who is the anyone?
Basic Hermeneutics 101; One passage cannot be interpreted to contradict another passage! If there is an apparent contradiction in your interpretation, then you have a problem!
The Doctrine involved!
1. The Holy Spirit is the believers only teacher of truth.
2. It is the Holy Spirit brings conviction of sin.
conviction = elegcw to persuade by using facts;
This word is used in connection with 3 groups in the Bible.
#1 Work/ministry of the Holy Spirit John 16:8
#2 Word of God 2 Tim 3:16-17;
#3 of the P/T in his ministry of the Word 2 Tim 4:2; Titus 1:9
3. He uses tools in His work of teaching us.
a. The Word of God
b. He uses gifted men as teachers to provide the hearing!
1 Cor 2:12-13; Eph 4:11f
2:27b but as His anointing teaches
you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught
you, you abide in Him.
Couple of things we should learn from this part of the verse.
1. The ongoing teaching ministry of the H/S to the believer is always consistent with what the Spirit has already taught.
2. Therefore nothing that the H/S legitimately taught will be negated or denied by anything that He continues to teach.
3. What John is combating here is the revisions of doctrine brought in by the antichrist false teachers.
4. Today we have a great many claims to new insight into "truth", health and wealth prosperity gospel; spiritual warfare teachers who see a demon behind every problem re. sin in our lives; many forms of New Age mysticism presenting new insights into spiritual life.
All of these novel teachings must be evaluated based on the previous
teaching of the Word we heard. 1 Thes.
5. Why are some Christians led astray by false teaching? They are not abiding in Him!
The H/S is quenched or grieved!
There is to be a link between Things to Come and our present relationship with the Father and the Son.
“so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming.”
when He appears is a 3cc conditional statement;
we may have confidence
and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming.
Believe there are two factors here.
First, What is the first
event after He returns?
Secondly, I believe that we will begin to have a greater understanding, a realization for the first time just how much it cost Him to provide us our salvation!
What should we have picked up here
in verse 28.
1. Time in view is the return of
Christ, at His coming, parousia.
2. John maintains here (and in the
main section through ch4) that as believers we need to maintain the
"abiding life" because it alone can prepare us to stand before Christ
at the Bema Seat with boldness rather than shame.
3. The "abiding life" is not automatic it results from daily
choosing to walk by faith, to walk in the light which takes abiding in the
truth daily, noted in vs:24.
4. John will give us a clue later
how we avoid shame and have confidence at Christ's return. 4:16-19
2:29-3:3 Some
marks of the true believer
If
you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone also who practices
righteousness is born of Him.
“If
you know that He is righteous”
What is John saying? Knowing the righteous
standards, characteristics of God, then those who are in the family, born of
Him should evidence those characteristics.
you know that everyone also who practices
righteousness is born of Him.
The reality of one’s membership in the family of
God is revealed to others through the practice of righteousness, living, walking
in the light.
First John Chapter Three
The dynamic reality of the new life (3:1).
1) The amazing gift of God's love (v. la).
See how great a love the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should
be called children of God;
This love, originating with God, ever seeks the true welfare of those being loved;
that we should be called children of God;
2) The world's failure to understand believers (v. lb).
For this reason the world does not know
us, because it did not know Him.
Basis then of the worlds attitude towards believers is that we're God's children, and our life manifests that reality!
It would be most natural to see here a reference to Christ's reception at His first coming.
The world failed to
understand or receive God's supreme revelation of Himself in His Son (John
3:2-3 Present and Future of the believer
vs:2 The implications of God's love - gift what flows from being His children
"now we are children of God, and it has not
appeared as yet what we shall be. "
We know that, when He appears, we shall be like Him, because we
shall see Him just as He is.
The Resurrection
Body, some Observations.
INTRO:
The resurrection
completes the believer’s redemption. [Rom
1. It will be a God-given body - a body which God
by His grace and by His power will bestow upon us, it is not bound by the laws
of this world, but is made by the direct action of God. (cf. 1
Cor.
- There
is a connection between the sower, the seed, death and resurrection. 1 Cor
2. Our resurrection body will be "the
body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory,” Phil.
3. It will not be pure spirit, or a spirit body,
but will have flesh and bones like the resurrection body of our Lord. (Luke 24:39);
4. It will be immortal and incorruptible (1 Cor.
5. It will be a powerful body, not subject to
weakness or weariness or the limitations of our present physical bodies, but
possessed of powers and capacities of which we have had no experience in our
present form of existence. 1 Cor. 15:43
6. It will be a heavenly or celestial body, i.e.,
a body adapted to the environment of the heavenlies and suited to heavenly uses
and purposes. (cf. 1 Cor. 15:47-49 with 1 Cor. 15:40).
7. It will be a shining, luminous, or glorious
body. This is shown by the direct statement, “It is sown in dishonor, it is
raised in glory," (1 Cor.
8. The resurrection bodies will have variety,
differing one from another. (1 Cor. 15:41, 42a).
c. 3:3 The impact of Christian hope upon present living
" And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure."
The word "hope," which occurs only here in the John's writings, concerns the unseen future, but it does not imply any uncertainty or mere probability.
Our eschatological hope has objective validity and will certainly be fulfilled because Christ Himself is the guarantee of its fulfillment.
The added words "just as He is pure" set
before the believer the pattern for our self-purification.
3:4 Have a description of the
nature of sin
“Everyone who practices sin also
practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness.”
An
unbeliever who sins is a creature sinning against his creator.
A
believer who sins is a child sinning against his/her Father.
What about
this lawlessness? avnomi,a
It speaks of
the assertion of the individual will against and in defiance of God’s
standards.
3:5 The remedy for sin/lawlessness.
And you know that He appeared in
order to take away sins; and in Him there is no sin.
And here John says and in Him there is no sin, emphatically declares the sinlessness of the one who remover of sins.
3:6-8a The distinction is drawn between two classes of humanity
The two classes (v.6).
#1 No one who abides in Him sins;
Of one in this first group, John
asserts that he "sins not"
does not continue in willful, habitual
sin.
#2 no one who sins has seen Him or knows Him.
"has seen" o`ra,w
"known" ginwskw
3:7-8a The moral character of the two classes
a) John’s pastoral warning against deceivers (v. 7a).
Little children, let no one deceive you;
b) The moral criterion for each class (vv. 7b-8a).
The criterion for a believer, one who as defined in vs:6 is “abiding in Him” is, "the one who practices
righteousness is righteous".
John insists that the moral nature of an individual's conduct is the sure evidence that his inner life, his thinking conforms to the righteousness of God.
Knows the Word, DVPT, and lives it, its observed.
The added phrase "just as He is righteous" points out that the conduct of the true believer corresponds to the moral nature of the Christ to whom he is committed.
3:8a The other group is also identified by its conduct
"the one who practices sin is of the
devil; "
By his life the Unbeliever reveals his diabolical nature.
The Devil has many different names in Scripture: Satan (adversary, enemy), the devil (accuser/slanderer), Abaddon or Apollyon (destroyer), the prince of this world, the dragon, etc.
Whatever name you call him, keep in mind that his chief activity is to oppose Christ and God's people.
3:8b-9 The Deliverance from the Practice of Sin
a. The divine provision in Christ's mission (v. 8b).
The Son of God appeared for
this purpose, that He might destroy the works of the devil.
"that he might destroy the works of the devil", presents Christ's redemptive mission as it relates to the Devil, the great spiritual antagonist of God and mankind.
b. 3:9 The basis for deliverance from sin; the new birth
“No one who is born of God practices sin,"
This is a restatement of verse 6 where his abiding in Christ was used to indicate his relationship which is reflected in his conduct.
John explains the born-again, abiding believer’s not practicing sin by adding "because His seed abides in him."
"His seed," appears only here in the Johannine epistles, and it's understood a number of ways.
1. It may denote the Word of God, or the gospel message, as the regenerating agent [tool] that produces the new birth (cf. James 1:18; 1 Pet. l:23-25).
2. Others take the term more generally as
designating the divine principle of life, the new birth, the new life it self,
which God implants in the believer at salvation.
3. Still others suggest that the reference
is to the Holy Spirit as the life-giving agent.
John's second statement concerning the born-again believer is
"and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.”
This does not declare a perfectionism which insists that the believer, can arrive at a point where he no longer commit an act of sin.
What it says is that the , the seed, cannot sin!
3:10-12 The Sign of the Family Relationship
; Observed in one’s conduct
a. The two classes of humanity are clearly visible (vv. 10-11).
The words "By this the children of God and the children of the devil are obvious;” point to a summary of the discussion concerning these two classes.
1) 3:10b The children of the Devil [main focus].
“anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor the one who does not love his brother. ”
The 2nd characteristic of the unbeliever is stated next;
nor the one who does not love his brother. ”
This statement makes clear that love of the brethren is an essential aspect of the practice of righteousness.
2)
"For this is the message which
you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another;
The original apostolic message declared that believers should love one another, that the practice of mutual love within the body was fundamental to the Christian faith.
b.
John cites the story of Cain as evidence that the absence of brother-love is a mark of a child of the Devil.
not as Cain, who was of the evil
one, and slew his brother.
And for what reason did he slay him?
Because his deeds were evil, and his brother's were righteous.
3:13-24 Have Love and Hate as the indicators of the family connection.
This section breaks down into four parts; John uses the believer’s relationship to something or someone else to illustrate his point.
#1
#2
#3
#4
#1
Do not marvel, brethren, if the
world hates you.
When the world reveals its hatred toward the Christian, it is vitally important that the believer recognize that such hatred is the natural response of the sinful world toward righteousness, that is, the Christian life being lived out.
#2
“We know that we have passed out of death into life,”
How do we know that we have moved from the sphere of death to the sphere of life?
“because we love the brethren.”
"He who does not love abides in death."
Everyone who hates his brother
is a murderer;
John now equates the
preceding negative in verse 14, "does
not love," with active hatred in verse 15.
The one who does not love
but hates shows his lineage, the devil.
In God's eyes the
hater-although he may refrain from actual killing because of his fear of the
consequences-and the murderer are both guilty.
and you
know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.
3:16-18 The Manifestation
of Love and Hatred, Some Illustrations
a. 3:16a The manifestation of love in Christ's self sacrifice
We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us;
The kind of love John is
talking about is not innate to mankind.
Christ's love is known by what He did: "because
he laid down His life for us"
He was not killed as a martyr but voluntarily gave Himself "for us."
b.
3:16b-17 The
duty of believers to practice love
With his use of "and" (kai), John at once relates the example of Christ's self-sacrificing love to the lives of believers.
1. 3:16b The supreme obligation of love
and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
John uses "ought" (ofeilw) which is used predominately in the NT to express obligation, necessity, duty, be
obligated; it
conveys an inner sense of "moral obligation."
John is not seeking to stimulate
a spirit of martyrdom in his readers, but he is stressing that this is the
extent to which Christian love should be willing to go (John
2)
But whoever has the world's
goods, and beholds his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how
does the love of God abide in him?
The adversative "But" (de) marks a duty connected with, but different from, the ideal just presented.
The vivid picture John is painting involves a deliberate contrast; both have something; the latter has a personal need and the former has the personal means to meet that need.
John's dramatic question "how does the love of God abide in him?” challenges his readers to express their own evaluation of this heartless response.
c.
He lovingly appeals to them as a spiritual father intent on exhorting and encouraging the members of the family to give appropriate expression to the love that is to flow out of their relationship w/Christ since they were born into God's family.
It is the truth of God which motivates love in the believer and it must also govern and direct the outward expression of love.
3:19-24 The Assurance from the Practice of Love
1) 3:19a The assurance as to our spiritual origin.
We shall know by this that we
are of the truth,
2) 3:19b-20 The quieting of our conscience before God.
and
shall assure our heart before Him,
When our conscience is consistent with DVPT then our self condemnation will be on track, justified.
Where do Christians deal with their troubled conscience?
b. The assurance of acceptance before God (vv.
21-22).
1) The blessing of confidence before God (v.21).
2) The blessing of answered prayer (v.22).
So what’s John
saying? That we as believers will often
face situations in our life which may not be covered by a specific commandment,
but His love being perfected in us motivates us to act in ways we know would be
pleasing to the Lord.
c. The assurance of union with Christ (vv.
23-24).
Basic to our assurance as
believers is the reality of our spiritual union with Christ.
1) The two-sided commandment to believers (v.23).
What are we to believe? The object of
faith is "in the name of his Son
Jesus Christ".
The second part of the command logically follows "and love one another.”
John has mentioned the need for mutual love before (
2)
And the one who keeps His
commandments abides in Him, and He in him.
And we know by this that He
abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.
1 John Chapter Four
Intro: 4:1-6 Strong warning to exercise discernment.
This first section points to the supernatural character of the conflict that we face as believers which John says, ultimately involves "the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error."
Outline Chapter 4
Evidence of Salvation/Sonship is love 4:1-5:5
#1 first John sets the contrast between the Spirit of Truth and the spirit of error 4:1-6
#2 Love is a mark of Sonship 4:7-21
#3 Love makes obedience easy 5:1-5
Those who reject or mutilate the Christ centered message thereby reveal their anti-christ character.
John now exhorts his readers to test one’s true identity (v.1),
He next gives the criterion for testing the spirits (vv. 2-3),
He then sets forth the criterion for identifying the true character of
the human speakers (vv. 4-6).
1. The Charge to Test the Spirits (v.1)
a)
The command in regard to the 'spirits' (v.
1a).
John formulates his charge to the readers both negatively and positively.
Beloved, do not believe every
spirit,
Positively, John adds that an active practice must accompany the prohibition to stop believing every spirit
but test
the spirits to see whether they are from God;
What is the nature of the test?
In vs:2-3 we will find that it is doctrinal, specifically in content Christology.
Why the necessity of the test?
Why the importance of the test?
because many
false prophets have gone out into the world.
What is a false prophet?
2. The Criterion for Testing the Spirits
(vv. 2-3) BD'l test
How to separate the Spirit of Truth from the spirit of error!
In verse 2 he states the test positively, indicating the assured presence of the Spirit of God;
in verse 3 he states the test negatively, revealing the spirit of antichrist.
a. The
evidence of the Spirit of God (v.2).
By this you know the Spirit of God:
every
spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God;
The test centers on the confession made concerning the person of Jesus Christ.
What is the content of the confession?
Speaks of the reality of the incarnation which is at the very heart of Christianity.
The incarnation is what makes Christianity distinctly unlike any religious system.
What do we mean by the incarnation?
John emphasizes 3 important things with his statement.
#1 humanity; #2 deity #3 permanence of the union.
This permanent union of the divine and the human in the person of Jesus Christ qualifies Him to be the mediator between God and men (1 Tim. 2:5).
b. The evidence of the spirit
of antichrist (v.3).
With verse 3 John introduces the negative result that may flow from this testing of the spirits.
John depicts the negative result of this testing as:
#1 the spirit's failure to confess 'Jesus" (v. 3a);
#2 this failure identifies the spirit as of antichrist (3b)
#3 and confirms the fulfillment of prophecy (v. 3c).
1) The failure to confess Jesus (v. 3a).
and
every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God;
2) The spirit of antichrist (v. 3b).
and this
is the spirit of the antichrist,
3) The fulfillment of prophecy (v. 3c).
of
which you have heard that it is coming, and now it is already in the world.
3.
He next sets forth the criterion for identifying the true character of the
human speakers (vv. 4-6).
a. The criterion for establishing their origin (vv. 4-5).
1) The sign of those who are of
God (v.4).
You are from God, little children, and have overcome them;
"because greater is he who is in you, than he who is in the world,"
The contrast is between two personal powers, while the comparative adjective "greater" stresses the superior authority and power of the one who is in believers than the one who is in the world.
2) How
we know those who are of the world (v.5).
They are from the world; therefore they speak as from the world, and the
world listens to them.
The world of mankind in rebellion against God is attracted by the false prophets and their cults because fundamentally they have the same desires and inclinations. They are operating in the same sphere.
b. The response to the speaker summarized (v. 6a).
We are from God;
he who knows God listens to us; he
who is not from God does not listen to us.
c. The summary concerning the testing of the spirits vs:6b.
By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.
These two spirits represent two distinct moral realms competing for influence and control over the masses of humanity.
Satan and his demonic forces are engaged in a relentless effort to lead believers into spiritual error and deception, working in and through their human agents.
Love is a mark of Sonship 4:7-21
4:7 Intro:
DEF Love: Love is an attitude that motivates us to do what is best for another, in the light of Word of God [eternity], no matter what it costs you.
What is done by so many today is to attempt to define Biblical love by cultural love.
4:7 Love a mark
of Sonship
Beloved, let us love one
another, for love is from God;
Says very emphatically that this
love, h`
avga,ph,
is not something that is produced or even can be produced by man's own
abilities or efforts, no matter how hard we try.
Identity of the abiding believer; have 2 indicators
and
everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.
4:8
Absence of love shows lack of family connection.
The emphasis here is that we cannot partake of God's nature and not reflect some of His character; specifically love.
The one who does not love does not know
God, for God is love.
What Scripture says about the fact that God is LOVE
Intro:
There are certain terms-three in all that are used in the Scriptures as comprehensive descriptions of God, namely,
- Spirit - "God is a Spirit" (John
- light - "God is light" (1 John 1:5);
- love - "God is love" (1 John 4:8);
God has not attained unto love, not learned to love us nor does He by any effort maintain this love;
But the phrase God is Love expresses the nature of His being.
Without the attribute of love, God would not be who He is.
When God's love is expressed or manifested it reveals much about God!
1. DEFINITION: LOVE IS THAT PART OF GOD'S CHARACTER THAT CAUSES HIM OR MOTIVATES HIM TO GIVE HIMSELF FOR THE WELL BEING OF THE ONE LOVED.
- Basic foundational definition: Love is an attitude that motivates one to do what is right and in the best interest of the one loved, no matter what the cost.
1 John 3:16;
Gal. 2:20
2. Terms that express the Love of God.
a. Grace - God's love is manifested by His Grace.
[all that God is able to do for us because of the Cross]
Rom.
Grace is extended based on His character, His essence, not on the basis of any merit in the object.
Rom. 5:6 -
Rom. 5:8 –
Rom
b. Mercy - loving kindness (O.T. dsx lit. loyal love)
God's compassion toward man who is suffering the consequences of living in a sin cursed world. 1 Chr. 16:34;
-
Ezra
c. Long suffering - God's patience
This is the Characteristic of God of withholding judgment in spite of continuing presence of sin. [when totally deserved]
- 2 Pet 3:9,15; Ex
34:6; Rom 2:4 [crhsto,j]
3. The essential factors in God's Love
a. It provides for the one Loved. 1 John 4:9a
b. It seeks the best for the one Loved 1 Jn 4:9b
c. It is not based on reciprocity. 1 John 4:10
d. It is not based on human merit. Rom. 5:8
e. It participates in the suffering of the one Loved.
Isa 63:7-9 -
Speaks of His relationship to
4:9-10 The manifestation of Redeeming love.
In vs:9 we see the incarnation revealing this love.
In vs:10 we see the atonement, His work on the cross, paying the penalty for our sin demonstrating also what is love.
vs:9 By this, the love of God was manifested in us,
that the God sent His only begotten
Son
- God is the subject, ;
- the Son is the object, ,
Where did God send Him? ,
What was the purpose?
so that we might live through Him.
In this is love, not that we loved God,
but that
He loved us
What is love? A
feeling? Words?? No! Its action
and sent
His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
Practical application!
If because of the death of Christ God is satisfied, then what can the sinner do to try to satisfy God?? NOTHING!!
4:11-12 The Practice of Brotherly Love within the family
Intro:
God's Grace Seen in Walking in the Light
Beloved, if God so loved us,
the stress or emphasis of the verse is not on the fact that God loved, that is assumed;
but the emphasis is on the way or manner
in which He demonstrated that love.
We must answer the question; In what way does God love?
Rem: His love for us is a love based on His character, who He is, not on the basis of any merit that we have;
"ought" = ofeilew, to be morally obligated, to owe a debt that must be paid; to have something that must be done.
we also ought to love one another.
God loved me and took action for me, in my best interests; and since He did that for me; I am under a moral obligation to do the same thing to fellow believers. This is true John says for every believer.
No one has beheld God at any
time;
God is also used here with out the definite article which is significant because it places the emphasis on quality or character; His nature, His essence, who He is!
Amplified translation
4:12a
No one in the past has seen with abiding results that no one is seeing right now, that is God as to His true nature.
Seeing
God
Faith
- Word Sight
Timeline
4:12b John says that God's presence is seen by the presence of love between believers.
if we
love one another, God abides in us, and His love is perfected in us.
Here we see another aspect of Love, in that it is evidential in character, it is a credential, it proves something.
What's John saying here? That God's love achieves it's goal and reaches its full measure in us when that love is reproduced in us and reflected through us as we love one another.
Assurance that we have the love of God.
By this we know that we abide in Him and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit.
The Holy Spirit is not the gift, but the source of the Gift.
How is this love we are to have toward one another manifested or put into operation??
How is this love we are to have toward one another manifested or put into operation??
In Rom 5:5 we see a link between the love of God and the Holy Spirit. Paul also links our "hope" in time with the reality of God's love in us, h agaph.
The tie here in vs:5 is to the ministry of
the H-S as the seal of God, the pledge, the guarantee of our eternal
future. (Eph
Look at Rom
3 Things that are true because we are sons.
And we have beheld and bear witness that the
Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world.
When John says "we have beheld and bear testimony" he is not dealing in speculative philosophy or what he thinks occurred; He is dealing with what he and the other Apostles were actually a personal witness to.
The foundation of the Christian life rests on the acknowledged reality of God's revelation of Himself in His Son and a personal acceptance by faith, of his unique Son's person and cross work.
The heart of the Apostolic witness is this; "that the Father has sent the Son (to be) the Savior of the world."
The salvation that He provided is inseparably connected with His person as the unique Son of God.
4:15-16 Confirmation of God's Love through the mutual fellowship between God and man.
Whoever confesses that Jesus is
the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.
That Jesus is deity, He is God; that He is the one sent as the manifestation of God's love. (Vs:14)
So the confession here that, "Jesus is the Son of God" is an explicit acknowledgement of the abiding reality of the incarnation, that the man Jesus is indeed the Son of God, the one sent to be the Savior of the World.
4:16a The Living Reality In the Life.
And we have come to know and have believed the
love which God has for us.
Because what is no longer visible on the earth, the incarnate Christ, therefore God is manifesting His love as it is now being displayed in and through His people.
4:16b The experience of reciprocal love (v. 16b).
God is love, and the one who abides in love
abides in God, and God abides in him.
The focus here is on the outworking of God's love in the life of believers.
To dwell in God is to have one's spiritual roots so deeply implanted
in Him that His life flows through the total person and manifests itself in our
life.
4:17-21 The Results of this Love in the life of the Believer
Love's impact in the life.
1st Love produces boldness! vs:17
By this, love is perfected with us,
Where is love developed?? i.e. with us meqV h`mw/n(
What does this love, God's love operational in us, What does it produce??
that we may have confidence in the day of judgment;
Confidence, boldness when?? In the day of judgment!!
When is this day of judgment??
The last phrase gives us the reason for the boldness, ties together for us.
because as He is, so also are we in this world.
Flow of context: Summary
- God's love -- acted in our best interest.
It gave His unique Son.
His Son acted in our best interest in providing our salvation and continues to act in our best interest as His children.
If you believe that! If that is a part of your settled convictions.
Then there is no fear of judgment. NO fear of God!
- What has happened?? God's love activity has cast out this fear/fright.
Note: a textual problem; Some texts insert here either
"Him" or "the God" after love.
Why would he want to stress that He first loved us?
4:20-21 With these next 2 verses we see the responsibility, the obligation that God's love brings.
***Prin: that underlies the hypothetical situation John presents
Right relationship with God guarantees right relationship with others.
#1 #2 #3 #4
#1 Can we live in this state? Yes!
#2 Can we live in this state? Yes!
#3 and # 4 are impossible conditions!
And this commandment we have from Him, that the
one who loves God should love his brother also.
Observations:
1. What this command does in conjunction with the example of vs:20 is to link the believer's love for God and his love for other believers.
2. The present tense says this is a continual obligation and duty.
3. The subjunctive mood (should love) recognizes volition is involved.
4. The present with the subjunctive says that decisions will need to be made in this area throughout your life.
5. This is not the first time that John has covered this principle.
- Jn 13:34;
First
John Chapter Five
5:1-5 If we Love Obedience is Easy!
5:1 Relationship between saving faith and the application of love
The Thesis that John presents here upon which this rests is this:
To be born of God is to be born into His family and this carries obligations to the Father and to the family (all the children).
Whoever believes that Jesus is
the Christ is born of God;
We are to love not on the basis of something loveable in the person but on the basis of one's paternity - born ones.
What has John also just detailed for us here??
The evidence of the New Birth
and
whoever loves the Father loves the child born of Him.
Point is, if we love the regenerator then we are to love the regenerated!
How do we know if we love other believers?? What is the proof?
The answer is found in verse 2.
By this we know that we love the
children of God, when we love God and observe His commandments.
What John is going to say here is that the answer is not found by looking to our relationship with them but by looking at our relationship with God.
How do we love believers?
We love believers by means of loving God, pursuing our relationship with Him and obeying Him.
5:3 Expands on the test for the statement "I love God."
For this is the love of God,
that we keep His commandments;
Last phrase explains the impact of the word in the experience of the believer.
and His
commandments are not burdensome.
How do the commandments of God become burdensome for the believer?
- Whenever we desire to do something inconsistent with His directives.
- When we set out to carry out our own will, our own agenda for life, not his!
5:4-5 The Relationship of Saving Faith and Overcoming the World.
For whatever is born of (ek) God overcomes the world
What John is saying here is that the assets needed to overcome, the power to overcome, is related to the new birth.
and this is the victory that has overcome the world -- our faith.
5:5 And who is the one who overcomes the world; (pres. tense) but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.
5:6-12 Assurance Through the Witness of the
Spirit
Section breaks down in two parts;
1.
John points out the historical witnesses to Jesus Christ (vv. 6-9)
2.
John underlines the Spirit's witness within as crucial to our assurance of the
possession of eternal life (vv. 10-12).
5:6 The Historical witness
of the one who came
This is the one who came by
water and blood, Jesus Christ; not with the water only, but with the water and
with the blood.
The coming referred to here is not His
birth in
5:6b
The Witness of the Spirit
Beside the two historical
events which bore witness to Jesus as the Messiah, John explicitly mentions the
witness of the Holy Sprit.
The validity of the Spirit's witness to Jesus is grounded in the very nature of the Spirit: "the Spirit is the truth."
5:7-8 The Agreement of
the Three Witnesses
KJV 7 For there are three that bear
record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are
one. 8 And there are three that bear witness in
earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.
NASB For there are three that bear witness, the
Spirit and the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement.
John now in verses 7-8 draws together
these three witnesses: "for there
are three that bear witness the spirit, and the water, and the blood".
Why three?? The principle is that three witnesses are
needed to ensure that the testimony is reliable and authentic (cf. Deut. 17:6;
When John adds "and the three are in agreement" he underlines the fact that these witnesses agree in proclaiming the same message concerning Jesus Christ, that He is the Son of God.
But these three witnesses unite in bearing a consistent witness to the reality of God's work in Christ by the Spirit, both in the believer and in the world;
5:9 The
Trustworthiness of the Divine Witness
If
we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater;
What
John is doing here is to argue from the to the greater. If you accept the word of men why not
of God?
The
term "greater" implies
both the greater trustworthiness of God's testimony because of its , and also its greater importance
and value because of its .
5:9b for the witness of God is this, that He has borne witness concerning
His Son.
This
witness is great because it was given by God and is about His Son.
5:10-12 The
Efficacy of The Divine Witness
1. The Responses to God's Witness (v 10)
a. The one believing God's witness (v lOa)
The
one who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself;
"believing into (eij) the Son" pictures his faith as directed toward the one who is the object of his faith with a result one enters into a vital union with the Son.
Point is, the realities which the Holy Spirit activates in our own heart as believers, are grounded in and thoroughly consistent with the external testimony of God as now recorded in Scripture.
b. The one not believing God's witness (v. lOb).
"the one who does not believe God has made Him a liar,".
John's very strong categorical verdict
"has made Him a liar"
underlines the
fact that his rejection of God's witness is not an acceptable option.
John clearly underlines the nature of
the unbelief: "because he has not believed in the witness
that God has given concerning His Son."
Know that the unbeliever's rejection of
the Son inevitably involves an attack upon the character of the Father Himself.
2. 5:11-12 The Believer's Relationship to Eternal Life
a. The witness to God's gift of life in His Son (v. 11).
And the witness is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this
life is in His Son.
Although this life continues on in the
timeless ages of eternity, God has already imparted it to the believer and is
our present possession today.
b. The
necessity of having the Son for eternal life (v.12).
The positive reality
"He who has the Son has the life;"
Point is the possession of eternal life is experienced on an individual level; everyone must believe for themselves.
Over against this glorious reality, John solemnly places the opposite truth: the reality of the consequence of rejection of the Son of God.
"he who does not have the
Son of God does not have the life."
Without Him, or apart from Him, one is spiritually dead, having no life!
Need to remember that this life, is not just another kind of life, it is His life, it is life "in His Son."
Verse 13 does 2 things, it introduces the conclusion to the epistle, and summarizes John's purpose for writing.
These things I have written to
you who believe in the name of the Son of God, in order that you may know that
you have eternal life.
"These things I have written to you" What things?
Next we find who he is addressing "to you who believe in the name of the Son of God."
Involved is all that John has taught concerning
the identity of the man Jesus as the Son of God.
Next we find John's stated purpose in having written: "in order that you may know that you have eternal life."
The verb "know" (oi=da) here denotes a knowledge
that is characterized by assurance, something known with certainty, no
question.
The present tense presents this assurance as a present reality in our lives as believers.
The Confidence of Believers Before God (
In
verses 14-15 John deals with the believer's confidence before God in prayer,
and in verses 16-17 he relates that confidence to the practice of intercession.
1. The Confidence of Answered Prayer
(vv. 14-15)
John speaks of the condition for answered
prayer (v.14) and the assurance of answered prayer (v.15).
a. The
condition for answered prayer (v.14).
"And this is the confidence
that we have in him"
What is the nature of this confidence,
seen in next phrase,
that, if we ask anything according to His
will, He hears us.
Prayer is never to be used as a device for imposing our will upon God, but rather the bending of our will to His, in the desire that His good will may be
done.
When praying according to God's will, we
are assured that "he hears us"
(akouw),
not merely listens to our prayer but listens favorably.
b. The assurance of the granted request
(
John, I believe, is intent on holding
before his readers the exalted privilege
of a relationship with God whereby we
can have assurance of answered prayer.
The conditional statement "And
if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, " the
"if" implies no doubt.
Having submitted our will to God's
will, we then can have the freedom or liberty to make any request, however big
or small or seemingly unusual, which we know to be in God's will and purpose
for us.
It logically follows that assurance in asking results in assurance of God's answer: "we know that we have the requests which
we have asked from Him."
Prayer - Some Observations
The basis of prayer is our position, it flows from relationship.
John 14:13,14
John 15:7
When the Word of God is abiding in the believer, then that person has the ability to know the will of God, and then it will follow that the things that will be requested in prayer will be those things that will bring glory to Him.
John 16:23-27
According to our context in 1 John
How can you know the will of God unless you abide in the Word of God?
There is nothing too great for God to deal with for us, and there is nothing too small for us to bring before God as His children.
Rom.
There is one major problem. Do most Christians really mean business with God when it comes to prayer?
Hindrances to effective prayer or why is prayer not answered?
1. Carnality (Ps 66:18; Isa 59:2)
2. Wrong content (Prov 28:9 - based on neg. vol. and/or ignorance of the Word, doctrine)
3. Wrong intent (you pray motivated by lust pattern of OSN. Jas. 4:3
4. Unbelief (Mk
5. Lack of domestic harmony (1 Pet 3:7 - Here due to the husband's lack of understanding towards his wife).
6. Lack of forgiveness (Mt
7. Simply because you don't ask (Jas. 4:2b)
8. Lack of compassion towards others (Prov
5:16-17 Counsel/Advice in Respect to Intercession
a. The
specific occasion prompting the intercession (v. 16a).
John states
the occasion very precisely: If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not
leading to death,
Point
is the observing believer recognized the sinful nature of the
act(s) but understood that it was a sin "not leading
to death".
b. The indicated result of the
intercession (v. 16b).
The response
to the scene observed is stated: he shall ask and God will for him give life to
those who commit sin not leading to death.
The first verb, "he shall ask," sets forth the way the believer should
respond to the observed scene.
The fact that neither of the two
closely connected verbs, "shall
ask, and will give," has an expressed subject does create some
difficulty for us in interpreting this passage.
C. The suggested limitation on such
intercession (v. 16c).
There is a sin leading to death; I do not say that
he should make request for this.
Scripture states three reasons for the physical
death of a Christian:
1. A Christian may die because his/her
work is finished.
2. A Christian may die for the glory of
God.
3. A Christian may die under the
chastening hand of God.
d.
All unrighteousness is sin, and
there is a sin not leading to death.
John abruptly terminates the subject of
prayer and intercession by reminding the intercessor of two unacceptable
attitudes toward sin.
All sin is serious but not all is
hopeless and beyond the reach of Christian intercession; this leaves a standing
challenge to each of us as to brotherly intercession.
C. Some Certainties of the Christian
Faith (vv. 18-20)
1. The Believer's Relationship to Sin (v.18)
We
know
a. The believer and the practice of sin
(v. 18a).
that no one who is born of God sins;
A child of God may sin; but his normal
condition is to be one of abiding in Him and therefore resistance to sin.
b. The believer and Christ's keeping (v. 18b).
"but He who
was born of God keeps him."
We can never be indifferent to or relax our efforts to make right choices to maintain our fellowship with God, we do so knowing that apart from divine empowerment our own efforts would be ineffectual.
C. The believer and Satanic efforts (v. 18c).
"and the evil one does not touch him"
The title "the evil one" underlines the malicious, evil-minded
nature of the Devil as the active enemy
of the believer.
2. The Contrast Between Believers and the World (v.19).
We know that we are of God,
True believers know that they belong to God and not to this world. We live in the world, but are not to be of
the world.
We are to have an abiding inner assurance concerning our
spiritual origin: "We know that
we are of God"
and the
whole world lies in the power of the evil one.
What this emphasizes is that He, Satan, holds a dominating influence over those in the world as a usurper of authority, one who operates with tyrannical authority, organizing and orchestrating the operation of the Kosmos to express his own rebellion and hatred against God.
As a free moral agent,
man is free to choose his master, but he is not free to be without a master.
Illustration: Swimming pool
3. The Certainty Concerning Christ's
1.
John again asserts the certainty that the Son
of God has come (v. 20a),
2. he
indicates there is a gift of
understanding (v. 20b),
3. he expresses the resulting experiential realization or impact for each believer, our union
with Him (v. 20c).
a. The
assurance concerning the Son's coming (v. 20a).
And we know that the Son of God
has come,
The
title "the Son of God"
reasserts the true deity of the one in whom Christian faith is centered. Jesus Christ is deity.
b. The
resultant gift of understanding (v. 20b).
and has given
us understanding, in order that we might know Him who is true,
understanding speaks of a function of the intellect resulting
in insight comprehension, understanding.
The knowing here is not emphasizing facts but a developing intimate
relationship. Flows out of the understanding of truth.
John's statement adds that the chief
objective of this gift of understanding is to lead us into a
knowledge of God, that results in a relationship with Him.
"so that we may know him that is true."
c. The
union of believers with God (v. 20c).
What flows out of our
knowing Him who is true, our intimate relationship with Him is an increased awareness of our position "in
Him"
and we
are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal
life.
The
Final Warning is Against Idolatry (v.21)
"Little children, guard yourselves
from idols."
John's terse command "guard yourselves
from idols" sums up his strong spiritual concern for their
spiritual safety.
The reflexive pronoun
"yourselves"
stresses their/our personal responsibility in assuring their safety. Responsibility for choices.
An "idol" then is
anything which occupies the place due to God.
Need to recognize that idolatry blinds one
to the true God and to Eternal life!
Anything that takes you away from sound
doctrine and detracts from your relationship with Christ can and will become a
form of idolatry.