Thoughts on 1st John – Part 2
1JN 2:24 Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father.
1JN 2:25 And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.
When you get saved you are in the Son. And if you are in the Son then you are also in the Father. And God the Spirit indwells you. And will never leave you, He will remain in you.
And continuing in the Son is not dependent upon you. Continuing in the Son is based upon what He promised you. And that is eternal life.
Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
It is impossible once you become born again for you to lose your salvation because it is not based on you or anything you did. It is based upon the promise of Almighty God. Who is faithful and cannot lie.
1JN 2:26 These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.
John is writing to them about salvation being eternal and is based upon not you but the promise of God because false teachers are trying to seduce them into doubting and seducing them into a lie.
There are many false teachers who teach against salvation by faith that is eternal. Why would they do that? Many reasons not being saved themselves and so they cannot understand the scriptures. Another big reason is that eternal salvation by faith goes against man’s pride.
Religionists love works, they love to think they have a part in salvation. That appeals to the pride of man. Look at what I done, look at my works. There is no place in eternal salvation by faith based on the promise of God and that has nothing based on your works. So they attack in many ways from anger to mocking and here we see that some attack with seducing words.
This is nothing new. Works based religionists have been attacking faith based salvation since Cain killed Abel.
1JN 2:27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.
1JN 2:28 And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.
To abide is to adhere to, maintain, defend, to be fixed, to continue permanently or in the same state, to be firm and immovable. We are not to get saved and be on fire for the Lord and then backslide and wonder off. We are to be constantly fixed in our abiding walk with Christ. Abiding in Him each and every day. After all He did for us, should we not be immovable in our walk with Him?
One day we will have to stand before Jesus. And we can stand before Him with confidence or we can be ashamed before Him. If we do not abide in Him we will be ashamed when we look in His eyes. What a horrible moment that will be to look into those loving eyes and be ashamed at the way we lived for Him and to have to give an answer for going after the world and pleasing our fleshly old sin nature. We do not have to go thru that. We can simply abide in Him each and every day. Walk close to Christ today just as if He is standing beside you, and you will not be doing those things that will make you ashamed when you see Him face to face. One day you will be very glad that you did.
1JN 2:28 And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.
1JN 2:29 If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.
Over and over in 1st John he gives the promise of eternal life and John gives evidence of your salvation. Once you are saved you are saved. Period. But even though that is true, we still carry the old sin nature with us and we still mess up and face it sometimes we might not feel saved. So John brings up things in our lives that are evidences that we are saved. Every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.
As a child of God when you chose to do right like Jesus would have us do. Even when there are consequences for it, it is evidence that we are His child.
Now to be really clear. We have no righteousness in and of ourselves.
Isa 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
Rom 3:10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
The only righteousness that we have is the righteousness that is imputed to us at salvation and that is Christ’s righteousness.
Rom 4:22 And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.
Rom 4:23 Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him;
Rom 4:24 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;
Rom 4:25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.
When John writes he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him. John is talking about when you let Christ’s righteousness work thru you in your life and the things that you do, then that is evidence that you are saved. This in no way is talking about doing works of the flesh in your own power.
1JN 3:1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
It is an overwhelming thought that God’s love is so great that He would take a sinner and make him a son of God. Thru simple childlike faith in Jesus, God has bestowed upon us the gift of being called the sons of God. It would have been wonderful just to be saved from hell. But He did more than that. We have been adopted as sons. We have been made joint heirs with Christ.
We cannot fully comprehend all that this entails. God has prepared things for us that are beyond all that we can imagine. Salvation not only saves us from hell, but it makes us sons of God. We have a rich inheritance in Christ.
1JN 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
The moment that you get saved you become a son of God. You switch families. You have a new Father, a Heavenly Father. And as a child of God you have an inheritance coming, but we do not get it today. God has a mansion for us and many other rewards. One that will happen is that we will be changed. Our sin nature will finally be put off and we will get a new body. One that does not have the effects of sin and decay. We will be changed to be like Jesus. This does not mean that we will be exactly like Him. It does not mean that we will be able to perform miracles. We are not told in scripture just how much like Him we will be. But rest assured it is a far cry from what we are today.
1JN 3:3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
Again we see another mark of a true believer. Those who truly have the hope in him will purifieth himself. He will strive to live a holy life. A life that is pleasing to his Lord. He will hate sin and turn from it, and when he does stubble it breaks his heart.
We have a wonder future promised to us. We are children of Almighty God. Therefore we should live like it.
1JN 3:3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
The hope verse 3 is talking about is in verse 2 and that is the hope that we will be changed and we will see Jesus face to face. And if you truly realize that then your natural desire will be to change and grow as a Christian and put off the old man and put on the new man. You want to live for Jesus and grow to be more Christ like in this life. And if you do you will receive a well done my good and faithful servant from Jesus when you see Him.
1JN 3:4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
1JN 3:5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.
Jesus was God manifested in the flesh. He could die for our sins because He had no sins of His own.
2 Cor 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
Jesus came and took our sin upon Himself.
1 Pet 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
Jesus left the glories of Heaven and came to a manger for the purpose of going to the cross and paying the penalty of sin for us. When we believe and call upon Jesus to save us our sins are taken away. They are forgiven and are separated from us as far as the east is from the west.
In a supernatural and judicial act of Almighty God our sins were placed upon Jesus on the cross. He actually bared our sins in his own body. He died with our sins upon Him. The wages of sin is death and Jesus died with our sins upon Him.
1JN 3:6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.
1JN 3:7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.
Again we have no righteousness of our own. This is Jesus’ righteousness that works thru us. When His righteousness works thru us it is an evidence of salvation.
And when the wickedness of the devil works thru someone that is evidence that they are lost. These two truths are being contrasted here.
1JN 3:8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
1JN 3:9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
1JN 3:10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.
Notice the word manifest! This section is not talking about how to be saved. It is contrasting those who are saved who let Jesus’ righteousness work thru them and the child of the devil who lets his wickedness work thru them. Verse 9 is not talking about a Christian who messes up. It is talking about letting the Devil’s wickedness work thru them.
Those that are saved have the Holy Spirit indwelling them. And greater is He that is in you.
1 John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
Once you are saved the Devil can no longer work his wickedness directly thru you. So in that way Christians cannot sin. That is what verse 9 is talking about. It is not talking about a Christian backsliding or having a bad moment and getting in the flesh.
1JN 3:11 For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.
1JN 3:12 Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous.
1JN 3:13 Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.
Adam taught his sons all about God sacrificing a Lamb for a covering for sin. Abel listened and chose to believe and so Abel brought a lamb for a sacrifice which was a picture of the Coming Jesus who is The LAMB that taketh away the sins of the world. And Abel’s sacrifice was accepted by God.
Cain was too proud for a salvation by grace and faith. Cain wanted a part in working for his salvation so Cain brought the works of his hands. Cain brought what he did. That does not work with God and Cain’s sacrifice was rejected.
Cain was the first one who chose to follow a vain works based religion. Cain was of that wicked one meaning the Devil who is behind every works based religion. Cain was the first works based religion follower to kill a saved by faith and grace believer.
And this has been common in the world ever since. This world system and its followers hate born again believers. We should not marvel at this. This is not a new thing. It has been this way since the beginning.
John now give yet another evidence of salvation and that is that you love the brethren.
1JN 3:14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.
1JN 3:15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.
1JN 3:16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
The same Holy Spirit that indwells you also indwells your brother in Christ. God the Spirit and God the Father and God the Son love every one of their children.
Therefore the Holy Spirit will only guide and encourage and empower you to love the brethren. Any hate for a brother in Christ must have another source because it cannot come from God.
If you love the brethren it is an evidence that you are saved and if you hate the brethren that is an evidence that you are not saved.
1JN 3:17 But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
1JN 3:18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
Many people do not understand biblical love. They get this notion that love is some touchy feely sentimental feeling and that is it. They will say they love you with their mouth, but their actions tell a different story. Biblical love is quite different. It involves action. Real love will work its way out in deeds. God says, “let us not love in word, neither in tongue” This does not mean that we are not to say I love you. This means that we are not to say the words and that is it. This is clarified by the rest of the verse, “but in deed and in truth.” We are to love with actions.
If you are like me, you have had your share of people say that they love you, and then stab you in the back. Their talk is full of caring words, but in action they hurt you. We need to not be like that. Instead we should love in action. Is someone you know does not have enough to eat? Don’t tell them that you love them and are praying for them. Love them by getting them a bag of groceries. Is there someone that you know that has kids that will not get any Christmas presents? Love them by getting them something they need. We are to love in deed.
And we are also to love in truth. It is not love to let someone believe a lie. If someone is in error, then love demands that you tell them the truth. If you really love them, then you will want what is best for them. You will want them to realize that there is a hell, you will want them to get saved. Once saved, it is best for them to walk close to Christ, and to believe His word and study it, and so on.
Our love is to be a love of action and truth.
1JN 3:19 And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.
1JN 3:20 For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.
1JN 3:21 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.
1JN 3:22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.
1JN 3:23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.
1JN 3:24 And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.
For verses 19 thru 24 click for the Lesson
1JN 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
We are given instructions here to not believe every spirit. We are to try them. The bible does teach that a Christian is to judge. The reason given here is that false prophets are in the world. If you don’t judge, you will be drawn into all kinds of heresy. Verse two and three gives us an important guideline to use in our discernment.
1JN 4:2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
1JN 4:3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
Many groups deny that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. They deny the deity of Christ. They do not accept that He was God manifested in the flesh. Jehovah Witnesses and Mormons are just two of the groups that deny the deity of Jesus. They Bible says that they fail the test and are not of God. Instead the Bible says that denying Jesus’ deity is the spirit of antichrist.
As Christians we are not to blindly accept anything that is put out there. We are to take a look at it to see if it denies the deity of Jesus.
Many of the new Bibles do just that. Some of them take the word virgin out and call Mary a maid. Some plainly call Joseph Jesus’ father. This is denying His deity. If Jesus had a human father, then He would be just like us with a sin nature. The only way for Jesus to be God in the flesh is to be virgin born.
Taking the virgin birth out of the new Bibles is not the spirit of God because it is denying Jesus’ deity. Remember this is not my test it is God’s test.
People will often respond with but in this other verse it shows Jesus’ deity. I will say yes it does. However, in the changed verse it does not. Instead the changed verse denies His deity or waters it down. God says that He is not behind doing such a thing. So someone else is.
You can show people the proof of the changes made in new versions but most will not listen. The saying don’t bother me with the facts comes to mind. They will usually respond with my version still has the good news in it. I will tell them yes it does. But I also tell them that in places it has serious problems because in places it denies the deity of Jesus.
The real issue with the new Bibles is how much corruption do you want with your Word of God? Are you willing to accept 80 percent Word of God and 20 percent corruption? How about 95 percent Word of God and 5 percent corruption? How about 98 percent Word of God and 2 percent corruption? New versions have truth mixed with error. In many places they water down or deny the deity of Jesus. God says that this is not of Him.
Many people get mad about this. They should get mad at the bible publishers, but instead they get mad at people who stand for the truth.
They will call you names and accuse you of having a hateful attitude when all you are doing is trying the spirits and not accepting the denying or watering down of the deity of Jesus.
If I did not love God’s Word, and God’s people, then I would keep quiet and save myself the trouble. But I do care so I must speak out.
I am going to get more hate mail for this one. I have a solution for that. It is called the delete key. Does that sound harsh? Not really. In most cases you are not going to change the mind of the Bible changers. All the proof in the world will not avail because it is not a proof problem, it is a heart problem.
See more lessons from 1st 2nd 3rd John