Thoughts on 1st John – Part 3
1JN 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.
1JN 4:5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.
1JN 4:6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.
1JN 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
Another evidence of Salvation is being able to hear as in understand the truth in the scriptures. In fact the Bible teaches that a lost man cannot understand the scriptures. It is actually impossible for them.
1 Cor 2:13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
1 Cor 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
The Holy Spirit that indwells the believer helps the believer understand. The Bible is spiritually discerned.
The way that the lost speak of the world and the way they hear us NOT is evidence that they are lost.
Those that listen to the spirit of truth is an evidence of salvation.
And those that love with God’s love have another evidence of salvation. The lost can and do love their children. And they can love others, but that is not the love that John is talking about. John is talking about loving with God’s love. He is talking about letting God’s love flow thru us. And when you do that it is another evidence of salvation.
Evidence of salvation is a major theme of 1st John.
1JN 4:8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
God is love. And real Biblical love involves action and sacrifice. It is far more than sentimental feeling or empty flowerily words. So if God is love, then it must have manifested itself in action and sacrifice.
1JN 4:9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
God’s love was manifested toward us. God sent His only begotten Son into this sin stained world to die for us. The just dying for the unjust so that we might have eternal life. God dying for sinful man is the ultimate manifestation of love thru action and sacrifice.
1JN 4:10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
God’s love in truly amazing. God is worthy of love. He is perfect, He is Holy, He is flawless. He has every perfect quality. He has all knowledge and all power. He is worthy. It would not be shocking that someone would love God. On the other hand we are NOT worthy. We lie, cheat, steal, and have bad thoughts. We are selfish, uncaring, and often thoughtless. We are all born sinners thru and thru. And yet God loved us. “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us” He loved us and died for us while we were yet sinners. The love of God is far above anything else that we call love. His love is in a class all it’s own. He sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
Propitiation is the act of appeasing wrath and conciliating the favor of the offended one. Our sin offended a Holy God. His wrath was upon us. The just punishment is hell. Jesus came and took the Father’s wrath upon Himself in our place. He was the propitiation for our awful sins. This should have many effects upon us.
1JN 4:11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.
As recipients of His Great Love, we ought to express that love to one another. Remember we are talking about real Biblical love. We should be working out our love with action and sacrifice for each other.
1JN 4:12 No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.
1JN 4:13 Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.
1JN 4:14 And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.
1JN 4:15 Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.
Here we go again. Another sure mark of a true Christian. A person who testifies to the deity of Jesus is someone who has the Holy Spirit dwelling in his heart. We testify that God the Father sent God the Son into the world for the purpose of saving lost sinful man. And notice it says the Saviour of the world. God’s free gift of salvation is offered to everyone regardless of nationality or race. People who confess that Jesus is the Son of God, are people who have God dwelling in their hearts. It is a sign of a true believer.
1JN 4:16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
1JN 4:17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
There is a judgment for everyone.
Heb 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
However, there are 2 different judgments. One is the white throne judgment that is for the lost. This happens after the 1000 year reign of Jesus and before the ushering in of Eternity.
The other judgment is for all of the people who are saved and it is called the judgment seat of Christ. This judgment is not about if you are saved or not. You have to be saved to be at this judgment.
Verse 17 is talking about the judgment seat of Christ for the saved. And this judgment is all about how you lived for Jesus during this life. You will get rewards or suffer lack of reward at this judgment. Some Christians will hear well done thou good and faithful servant and some will not.
For some Christians what they have done will be precious stones and for some what they did will be wood hay and stubble. And many of us will have some of both.
If you want to look forward to this judgment, then you need to strive to be Christ like in this life and walk close to Him and do His will.
1JN 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
1JN 4:19 We love him, because he first loved us.
1JN 4:20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?
1JN 4:21 And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.
1JN 5:1 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.
John is really pounding this truth home again and again. An evidence that you are saved is that you love the brethren. If someone says they love God and they hate their brother, then he is a liar.
1JN 5:2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.
1JN 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
Jesus tied love and obedience together.
John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
Keeping His commandments is how you abide in His love.
John 15:10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.
And John says that we know that we love the brethren when we love God and when we keep his commandments.
And I love this part. His commandments are not grievous.
His commands for us are good and just and right. They are not burdensome. Every one of them is for our best given to us from a loving God. None of his commands are harmful.
Mat 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Mat 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
Mat 11:30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
God’s commands are given to His children in love and we should obey them out of a motivation of love.
1JN 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
1JN 5:5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
1JN 5:6 This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.
1JN 5:7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
1JN 5:8 And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.
Here is a clear statement on the three in one triune God. We use the term Trinity to describe it. There are 3 distinct personalities. The Father, the Holy Ghost, and the Word. The Word is another name for Jesus (John Ch 1). While these three are manifested to us as 3 individuals, they are still one. And the Bible is very clear, there is only one God.
Mar 12:32 And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he:
1Co 8:6 But to us [there is but] one God,
Deu 6:4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God [is] one LORD:
Joh 10:30 I and [my] Father are one.
There are different illustrations that people try to use to explain the Trinity (a glass of water with ice, an egg, and so on) but they all far short. To be honest fully understanding the Trinity is beyond our finite minds. But we do not have to completely understand it for it to be true. Truth is truth if we understand it or not. God clearly declares the trinity in His Word. Therefore it is true. Our place is not to demand full 100% understanding in all its details. Our place is to believe what God has said; to put faith in it; and then to act upon it. Learn the truth of God’s word and share it with others.
There is only one God, and He is a trinity. All three have a part in our lives as Christians. For example in prayer we are to pray to the Father, in the Spirit, in the name of the Son. As far as salvation the Father desired that we be saved and therefore sent the Son, the Son paid the penalty and rose again for our justification, and the Spirit seals our salvation. Again all three are involved.
Some of you might be wanting a better explanation of the Trinity. You might be thinking how can they do different actions and still be one. Well I cannot give you a better explanation than it is true. The depth of the truth of it is beyond our ability. In the end we just accept it on faith.
Heb 11:6 But without faith [it is] impossible to please [him]:
1JN 5:9 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.
1JN 5:10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.
1JN 5:11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
1JN 5:12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
The witness of God is greater than the witness of men. When man witnesses in any way something that disagrees with God’s witness, God’s is right and the man is wrong. The witness of God is always greater than the witness of men.
It is God’s witness that He hath given to us eternal life and that it is only to be found in Jesus.
And it is God’s witness that whoever has the Son has this eternal life and whoever does not have the Son does not have eternal life.
Joh 3:14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
Joh 3:15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have 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.
Joh 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
Joh 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
Joh 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
Joh 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
God’s witness is whoever has the Son has eternal life and you receive the Son by believing.
Many will disagree. The witness of many men say something totally different from Mormons to Hindus to Buddhists. The list is huge. It does not matter how many witness of a different way. The truth is God’s witness is greater.
There is only one way to receive eternal life and that is by receiving Jesus as your savior.
1JN 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
“that ye may know that ye have eternal life” You can know 100 percent if you are going to go to heaven. God wants you to know. That is why God gave us the Bible. He wants everyone to be saved and to get saved we have to know how. The Bible tells us that we have eternal life by believing in and receiving Jesus Christ as Saviour.
1JN 5:11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
1JN 5:12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
Eternal life is not something that we have to wonder about. You do not have to be unsure about it. You can actually know. And the only reason that you can know is because God gave us the Bible. Without the Bible we could not get saved because we would not know how. Everything that we know about God we only know because of the Bible. Every promise of God that we count on we only know of it because of the Bible.
Shouldn’t we then respect the Bible more? Shouldn’t we then read the Bible more?
1JN 5:14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:
The book of 1st John time and again speaks of knowing and you will see words like confidence. A Christian will have confidence in His Lord. He will know that God loves him, and that he is one of God’s children. Verses 14 and 15 talk about our confidence that He hears our prayers. But notice the if that is presented here. If we ask any thing according to his will. God will hear our prayers, and this is talking about hearing as in heeding. A hearing that results in action.
1JN 5:15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.
We know that whatsoever we ask; whatever petition that we desire we will get answered. But we need to always remember the if. If we ask according to His will. This is why we need to pray in the Spirit and not in the flesh.
As Christians we have great confidence that God hears our prayers.
1JN 5:16 If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.
1JN 5:17 All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.
This one confuses many. 1st notice that both men mentioned are brothers in Christ. The one Christian sees his brother in Christ sin, and he is to pray for his brother. So far so good.
Then it says there is a sin unto death, and there is a sin not unto death. This is a hard truth. There are times when a Christian gets so backslidden that he is living a really horrible testimony before the lost and before other Christians.
He is bringing utter shame to His Lord and hurting the cause of Christ. When this happens God will bring conviction and God will bring chastisement to try to wake His child up and turn him around.
But if he refuses and goes headstrong into wickedness, then God can and sometimes will say enough of this. It is time for you to just come home as in heaven. He does not lose his salvation and he does not go to hell. God just stops his wickedness by bringing him home.
Where exactly that point is we are not told. How bad does a Christian have to get before he just gets called home? I don’t know. I think it must be really bad; so bad that chastisement will not work. John is saying here that there is a point where someone can push God too far.
1JN 5:18 We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.
1JN 5:19 And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.
1JN 5:20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.
1JN 5:21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.
John finishes this letter with the truth that we know. Christianity is not hunches or maybes or might or might nots. Christianity is we know. God gives us assurance of His truth and of our salvation.
See more lessons from 1st 2nd 3rd John