Lesson 8

“Will you trust Me?”

The Challenge of living the FAITH-REST LIFE

Rabbit trail - 1 John 2:3-6 continued:

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. The Sign of Imitation (vv. 5b-6)

 

In verse 5b John states the assurance of the believer and in verse 6 sets forth the evidence that demonstrates the basis for it.

 

 

 

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.