Author: iolaHC

I am an Artwork in progress

Be Like Him

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1John 3:1-4 Behold, what manner of love the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knows us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it does 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. And every man that has this hope in him purifies himself, even as he is pure. Whosoever commits sin transgresses also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. 

‘Behold, what manner of love the Father has bestowed upon us’ look upon it and wonder at the kind and quantity of love the Father has given freely and without merit to men (Rom. 8:35-39; Eph. 3:17-19).

‘Sons of God’ sons by adoption (Rom. 8:15; Gal. 4:5; Eph. 1:5) not by begetting as in the case of Christ, who is the only begotten Son of God (John 1:14, 18; 3:16, 18).

‘World knows us not, because it knew him not’ the world will not acknowledge or approve of doctrines and manner of life of the adopted sons because it did not approve of Christ, the only begotten Son.

‘Now are we the sons of God’ John here addresses the adopted sons who work righteousness (2:29).

‘Does 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’ this is the 4th New Testament prophecy in 1 John that is unfulfilled. It is not yet manifest what we shall be like except that we shall have bodies like His glorified human body. This will be at the rapture (Php. 3:20-21; 1Cor. 15:51-54; Col. 3:4). Every person will have his own body, colour, features, and characteristics, as on earth (1Cor. 15:35-54).

‘Every man that has this hope in him purifies himself’ the hope of the rapture is an incentive to purify one’s self even as Christ is pure (1:7, 9; 2:6; 3:3; 5-10; 5:1-4, 18).

‘Even as he is pure’ many proofs are given in the Word that purity is now possible: He shall save … from … sins (Matt. 1:21); for the remission of sins (Matt. 26:28); dead to sin (Rom. 6:2) and reckon ourselves dead to sin (Rom. 6:11); that the body of sin might be destroyed, that we should not serve sin (Rom. 6:6); let not sin reign in your body (Rom. 6:1-23); sin shall not have dominion over you (Rom. 6:14-23); being made free from sin (Rom. 6:18; 8:1-4). They that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts (Gal. 5:16, 24); and that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love (Eph. 1:4). We are commanded to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world (Tit. 2:12). Purged our sins (Heb. 1:3; 9:14); be you holy; for I am holy (1Pet. 1:16). The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin (1:7, 9). We ought to walk even as He walked (2:6). Whosoever abides in Him sins not . . . is righteous, even as He is (3:6-7). He that commits sin is of the devil (3:8-10; John 8:44). Whoever is born of God sins not (4:17; 5:4-5, 18). Without holiness, no man shall see the Lord (Heb. 12:1-29).

‘Whosoever commits sin transgresses also the law’ whoever sins breaks the law and incurs the death penalty (Ezek. 18:4; Rom. 6:23; 8:12-13).

‘For sin is the transgression of the law’ the sin in man is twofold: transgression of the law (3:4) and the spirit and nature of the devil in sinners (2Cor. 5:17)

In 2 Corinthians 5:17 we read “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature” Therefore, in view of the fact that we do not know any man after the flesh, not even Christ, it is vain for any man to profess a relationship with Christ according to the flesh, while he is unchanged in heart and life and dead in trespasses and sins.

Abide in Him

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1John 2:28-29 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. If you know that he is righteous, you know that every one that does righteousness is born of him. 

‘Little children’ a term used nine times in this epistle (2:1, 12, 13, 18, 28; 3:7, 18; 4:4, 21). It is used elsewhere only in John 13:33 and Galatians 4:19. There are four stages of Christian experience: infants; newborn (1Jn. 2:12); little children; those able to walk and talk (1Jn. 2:13); young men; those grown to the prime of life and no longer tossed about like children by fallacies (1Jn. 2:13-14); fathers; those who are matured in the Lord (1Jn. 2:13-14).

‘Abide in him’ two such commands are given in Scripture: Abide in Him (1Jn. 2:28) and abide in Me (John 15:4). Keeping the commandments is the only guarantee of constant abiding (John 15:10). Abiding is the condition of fruit-bearing (John 15:4, 7). If one does not abide he is cut off and destroyed like a branch (John 15:6).

‘That, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming’ this is the 3rd New Testament prophecy in 1 John unfulfilled – to be found in Him at His coming is one of the purposes of abiding in Christ. To this end, Paul counted all loss for Christ and made every known consecration (Php. 3:7-16).

‘Confidence’ the Greek word parrhayseeah, all outspokenness, that is, frankness, bluntness, publicity; by implication assurance and bold – boldness in speech.

‘At his coming’ this coming refers to the rapture when Christ will come for the saints who will rise to meet Him in the air (John 14:1-3; 1Cor. 15:23, 15:51-58; Php. 3:20-21; Col. 3:4; 1Thess. 4:13-17; 2Thess. 2:7-8).

‘If you know that he is righteous, you know that every one that does righteousness is born of him’ here three things are mentioned that Christians can know: That Christ is righteous; that every born-again person is righteous and that doing righteousness is proof of the new birth (1Jn. 3:6-10; 5:1-4, 18).

‘Does righteousness’ the blessings of those who do the will of God are: entrance into the kingdom (Matt. 7:21); being kept from falling (Matt. 7:24-29); confirmation that one’s deeds are of God (John 3:21); answers to prayer (John 9:31); being blessed (Jas. 1:22-25); never moved (Ps. 15:1-5); to abide forever (1Jn. 2:17); the new birth (1Jn. 2:29); righteousness like Christ (1Jn. 3:7) and confirmation of sonship (3Jn. 1:11).

Dwells in Us

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1John 4:11-15 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. No man has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwells in us, and his love is perfected in us. Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwells in him, and he in God. 

‘Seen God at any time’ the word seen [Greek: horao] means to see with the eyes and also see with the mind. That it means here to comprehend fully or understand is clear from the fact that many men have seen God with the eyes (Gen. 18:2, 33; 32:24-30; Ex. 24:10; 33:11; Jos. 5:13; Isa. 6:1-13; Ezek. 1:26-28; Dan. 7:9-14; 10:5-6; Acts 7:56-59; Rev. 4:2-5; 5:1-7).

‘Given us of his Spirit’ this is plain evidence of sonship (3:24; 4:13; Rom. 8:15; Gal. 4:6). Only sons [both men and women] are given the Holy Spirit (Rom. 8:9). This does not refer to the fullness of the Spirit, which all sons have not received (John 7:37-39).

‘And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.’ The disciples have actually heard, seen, and touched Him, not transiently, but frequently. They lived with Him daily for years. They heard His teaching and saw His divine works (1:1-3; 2Pet. 1:16; Acts 5:31; 1Cor. 15:1-8).

‘Confess that Jesus is the Son of God’ much stress was laid upon this in the early Christians because the Jews and many Gentile false teachers denied the reality of the incarnation. If one in those days accepted this, Christ’s physical death to atone for sins, and the physical resurrection of Christ, he would likely accept Jesus as personal Saviour. But in our day when Christianity is the accepted religion in our country such confession of Jesus as Son of God has become a mere form in many circles. People think that because they acknowledge this fact in public they are saved from sin and are true Christians. One can do this mentally and verbally many times a day without having a change in his life. One must believe from the heart as well as confess with the mouth (Rom. 10:9-10). If and when one does this he will be made a new creature in Jesus Christ (5:1; 2Cor. 5:17). True New Testament confession includes complete surrender of the life to God and consecration regarding future conduct that it will be according to the whole will of God as light is received (1:7-9; Rom. 12:1-2; 2Cor. 7:10).

Remain In

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1John 2:22-27 Who is a liar but he that denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denies the Father and the Son. Whosoever denies the Son, the same has not the Father: (but) he that acknowledges the Son has the Father also. Let that therefore abide in you, which you have heard from the beginning. If that which you have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, you also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father. And this is the promise that he has promised us, even eternal life. These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you. But the anointing which you have received of him abides in you, and you need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teaches you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it has taught you, you shall abide in him. 

‘Who is a liar but he that denies that Jesus is the Christ?’ there are three false doctrines mentioned here: that Jesus is not the Christ; that God is not the Father of Jesus and that Jesus is not the Son of God. The Jews and the Gnostics, in particular, denied the miraculous virgin birth of Jesus Christ. They considered Him a common man, the son of Joseph and Mary as many others do today (Matt. 13:55-57; Mark 6:3).

‘Whosoever denies the Son, the same has not the Father’ no man can be born again or be saved from sin who denies that Jesus is the Son and the Christ of God. He cannot know God or Christ (1Jn. 5:1; Matt. 1:21; John 3:16; 14:6; 17:1-3).

‘Let that therefore abide in you, which you have heard from the beginning’ let or permit that which you have heard from the beginning remain in you. This no doubt refers to Christ, as is clear from the same expression in 1John 1:1; 2:13, 14.

‘If that which you have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, you also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father’ people will continue in the Father and in the Son only as long as they permit such a relationship. Believers must remain in Him to bring forth fruit. If any man does not abide in Him he is cast forth as a branch and is withered and burned (John 15:1-6).

‘Remain’ the Greek word meno meaning to abide; stand one’s ground; continue. The same word is translated three ways in this same verse: abide, remain, and continue. If you allow or permit Christ to abide (meno) in you, He will remain (meno) in you, and if Christ remains in you, then you shall continue (meno) in the Son and in the Father.

‘And this is the promise that he has promised us, even eternal life’ if one allows Christ to remain in his life, then he receives “eternal life.” This term is used synonymously with “Christ” who is called eternal life in 1John 1:1-2. This eternal life is only in Him (1Jn. 5:11-12). Life eternal is to know God and Christ (John 17:2-3; 1Jn. 1:1-2; 5:20).

‘You need not that any man teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it has taught you, you shall abide in him’ no need of any new doctrine or any instruction from the seducers of 1John 2:26.

The Last Time

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1John 2:18-21 Little children, it is the last time: and as you have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us. But you have an unction from the Holy One, and you know all things. I have not written unto you because you know not the truth, but because you know it, and that no lie is of the truth. 

‘Little children’ a term used nine times in this epistle (2:1, 12, 13, 18, 28; 3:7, 18; 4:4, 21). It is used elsewhere only in John 13:33 and Galatians 4:19. There are four stages of Christian experience: infants; newborn (1Jn. 2:12); little children; those able to walk and talk (1Jn. 2:13); young men; those grown to the prime of life and no longer tossed about like children by fallacies (1Jn. 2:13-14); fathers; those who are matured in the Lord (1Jn. 2:13-14).

‘The last time’ this is an end-time expression that refers to times just before the rapture through the tribulation, the Millennium, and the last dispensation to follow. There are various such statements that cover these periods: Latter times (1Tim. 4:1); latter years (Ezek. 38:8, 16); latter days (Num. 24:14; Deut. 4:30; 31:29; Jer. 23:20; 30:24; 48:47; 49:39; Dan. 2:28; 10:14; Hos. 3:5); latter day (Job 19:25); last days (Gen. 49:1; Isa. 2:1; Dan. 8:19; Mic. 4:1; Acts 2:16-21; 2Tim. 3:1; Heb. 1:1-2; Jas. 5:3; 2 Pet. 3:3; Jude 1:18); last day (John 6:39, 40, 44, 54; 11:24; 12:48); last times (1Pet. 1:20); last time (1 Jn. 2:18; 1Pet. 1:5).

‘And as you have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time’ this is the 2nd New Testament prophecy in 1John unfulfilled. Antichrists refer to anyone against Christ. In this sense, there are many (1Jn. 2:18, 22; 4:3; 2Jn. 1:7), but the one referred to here is yet to come.

Many titles are given of the Antichrist: the Assyrian (Isa. 10:20-27; 30:18-33; 31:4-32:20; Mic. 5:3-15); the King of Babylon (Isa. 14:4); the spoiler and extortioner (Isa. 16:4); Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal (Ezek. 38:2-3); the little horn (Dan. 7:8, 24; 8:9, 23): the king of fierce countenance (Dan. 8:23); the prince that shall come (Dan. 9:26-27); the King of the north (Dan. 11:5-45); that man of sin (2Thess. 2:1-12); the son of perdition (2Thess. 2:1-12); the wicked (Isa. 11:4); that wicked (2Thess. 2:8-12); the beast (Dan. 7:11; Rev. 13:1-18).

‘Unction’ the Greek word chrisma meaning anything smeared on; a scented unguent or ointment of a thicker consistency than sweet oil or perfume. The ointment here refers to the Holy Spirit from who flow all the gifts and graces of the body of Christ. He is typified in Exodus 29:7; 30:23-25 (cp. Ps. 45:7).

‘You know all things’ all things necessary to salvation and the Christian life in general, so you do not need the so-called superior knowledge of the Gnostics and others who seek to deceive you (1Jn. 2:26-27). When you read the Word of God yourself, no one can deceive you as the Holy Spirit will work this knowledge into you as living waters. When we allow others to teach us the Word of God, seducing spirits will bring us the doctrines of devils that will seduce us and eat away the Truth as a canker (1Tim. 4:1; 2Tim. 2:15-17).

‘I have not written unto you because you know not the truth, but because you know it, and that no lie is of the truth’ John wrote to confirm the truth that is already known, and to warn us against those who will seduce us given any chance (1Jn. 2:26-27).

Do Not Love the World

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1John 2:15-17 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passes away, and the lust thereof: but he that does the will of God abides for ever. 

‘Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world’ two things not we cannot love: the world [Greek: kosmos, the order, behaviour, fashion, and government of this world system (Matt. 4:8; 13:22; Eph. 2:1-3; Jas. 4:4; 2Pet. 1:4; 2:20)], and the things that make up the world system of evil and rebellion against God.

‘If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him’ this is the reason men must not love the world or the things in it. Love of God and love of these things are not compatible.

‘For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes …’ there are three classes of things in the world mentioned here: The lust of the flesh (Eph. 5:19-21).  The lust of the eyes: (1) lust for women (Matt. 5:28; Job 31:1); (2) eyes full of adultery – even men with men and women with women (2Pet. 2:14; Rom. 1:18-28); (3) covetousness (Ps. 10:8; Luke 12:15); (4) all things desired (Eccl. 2:10); (5) idolatry (Ezek. 6:9; 18:6-15); (6) all kinds of evil (Matt. 6:23; 7:22). The pride of life: (1) self-righteousness; (Job 32:1); (2) positions (Gen. 3:5; Ezek. 28:11-17; 1Tim. 3:6; 3Jn. 1:9); (3) power (Lev. 26:19); (4) riches (Ps. 39:6; Ezek. 28:5); (5) beauty (Ezek. 28:11, 17); (6) strength to war (2Chron. 26:16); (7) constant boasting of one’s self; glorying in sexual activity; pleasures, and all the vanity of life (1Jn. 2:15; Ps. 24:4; 36:2; Isa. 3:16)

‘Pride of life’ the Greek word alazoneia which means vain-boastings.

‘The world passes away, and the lust thereof; but he that does the will of God abide for ever’ this is the 1st New Testament prophecy in 1 John unfulfilled. The kosmos [Greek] social system will be changed, not annihilated (Eph. 2:2; 2Pet. 3:10).

‘World’ the world system passes away, but the man who does not conform to it abides forever.

‘Passes away’ this does not mean annihilation, but a change, passing out of operation, or away from man’s realm.

‘Does the will of God abides for ever’ the blessings of those who do the will of God are: Entrance into the kingdom (Matt. 7:21); being kept from falling (Matt. 7:24-29); confirmation that one’s deeds are of God (John 3:21); answers to prayer (John 9:31); being blessed (Jas. 1:22-25); never moved (Ps. 15:1-5); to abide forever (1Jn. 2:17); the new birth (1Jn. 2:29); righteousness like Christ (1Jn. 3:7) and confirmation of sonship (3Jn. 1:11).

New Commandment

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1John 2:7-14 Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you have heard from the beginning. Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shines. He that says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness even until now. He that loves his brother abides in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him. But he that hates his brother is in darkness, and walks in darkness, and knows not whither he goes, because that darkness has blinded his eyes. I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name’s sake. I write unto you, fathers, because you have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because you have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because you have known the Father. I have written unto you, fathers, because you have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the wicked one. 

‘New’ the Greek word kainos meaning renewed or fresh. This new commandment is an old one renewed and made complete in meaning by Jesus Christ (1Jn. 2:7-8; Lev. 19:18 with John 13:34). We see this commandment in Leviticus 19:18 “…but thou shall love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD” and John 13:34: “A new commandment I give unto you, That you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.”

‘He that says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness even until now’ no man professing a Christian experience who hates his brother has received a saving knowledge of the Truth (1Jn. 2:9, 11).

‘He that loves his brother abides in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him’ a man that truly loves his brother has proof of his Christian experience, and if he continues to love he will not stumble over his brethren.

‘Stumbling’ for those abiding in the light, there will be no possibility of stumbling away from the Truth.

‘Little children’ a term used nine times in this epistle (2:1, 12, 13, 18, 28; 3:7, 18; 4:4, 21). It is used elsewhere only in John 13:33 and Galatians 4:19. There are four stages of Christian experience: infants; newborn (1Jn. 2:12); little children; those able to walk and talk (1Jn. 2:13); young men; those grown to the prime of life and no longer tossed about like children by fallacies (1Jn. 2:13-14); fathers; those who are matured in the Lord (1Jn. 2:13-14).

‘Abides in you, and you have overcome the wicked one’ this is the secret of victory over sin. As long as one remains in harmony with the Word of God he cannot sin (1Jn. 3:9). Keeping God’s commandments is the only guarantee of constant abiding (John 15:10). Abiding is the condition of fruit-bearing (John 15:4, 7). If one does not abide he is cut off and destroyed like a branch (John 15:6).

Our Advocate

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1John 2:1-6 My little children, these things write I unto you, that you sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that says, I know him, and keep not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keeps his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. He that says he abides in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked. 

‘Little children’ a term used nine times in this epistle (2:1, 12, 13, 18, 28; 3:7, 18; 4:4, 21). It is used elsewhere only in John 13:33 and Galatians 4:19. There are four stages of Christian experience: infants; newborn (1Jn. 2:12); little children; those able to walk and talk (1Jn. 2:13); young men; those grown to the prime of life and no longer tossed about like children by fallacies (1Jn. 2:13-14); fathers; those who are matured in the Lord (1Jn. 2:13-14).

‘You sin not’ this is the purpose and demand of the gospel (Matt. 1:21; Rom. 6:16-23; 8:1-13; Gal. 5:16-26; Col. 3:5-10; Tit. 2:11-12). Even though man was born into sin, he has no excuse to continue therein. For those who claim ‘we are all sinners,’ the Word calls those who chose to follow Christ, as the Word commands (1Pet 2:21-23) ‘saints,’ ‘holy,’ ‘children of God,’ ‘brethren,’ ‘children of obedience’ and ‘… of righteousness,’ etc.

‘If any man sin’ we do not sin if we walk in the light (1Jn. 1:7, 1:9), but if one does fall into sin he still has hope: he can confess sin and be cleansed again (1Jn. 1:9; Gal. 4:19).

‘Advocate with the Father’ Christ is three things to believers: a Helper; Advocate (note, John 14:26); the Righteous One, having suffered, the just for the unjust (1Jn. 2:1; 1Pet. 3:18; 1Cor. 1:30; 2Cor. 5:14-21); the atoning sacrifice for sins (1Jn. 2:2; 4:10).

‘Not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world’ not for the apostles or the Jews only, but also for Gentiles (Eph. 2:11-18; 2Cor. 5:14-21; John 3:16).

‘Hereby we do know that we know him’ the ‘hereby’ reasons ‘we do know that we know Him’ can be summarized as follows: By personal fellowship (1:3-7; 2:13); in fullness of joy in the heart (1:4); in keeping His commandments (2:3; 3:22); when walking even as He walked (2:6; 1Pet. 2:21-23); in love of the brethren (2:9-11; 3:10-19, 23; 4:7-21; 5:1); overcoming the world and satan (2:13-14; 5:4, 18); in the hatred of the world (2:15-17); being one with Christians (2:19); in Holy Spirit anointing (2:20-27); knowing the truth that sets free (2:21; John 8:32-36); acknowledging God and Christ (2:22-25); doing righteousness (2:29; 3:7-10; 5:1-4, 18); by purifying ourselves (3:3); being born again (2:29; 3:9; 5:1-18); cleansing from sin (1:7-9; 3:5-10); in freedom from condemnation (3:20-24); the indwelling Spirit (3:24; 4:4, 13); in faith (2:23; 5:1, 10); by confessing Christ (4:14-15); and receiving Him (5:10-13; John 1:12); through answered prayer (3:21-22; 5:14-15).

‘If we keep his commandments’ to be saved one must keep His commandments; not merely start keeping them, but continue in keeping them. If the condition is to keep them, then upon this basis only will God bless and save people (Rom. 1:5; Jas. 1:22-25; 1Pet. 1:2).

‘He that says, I know him, and keep not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him’ if any man professing to be saved does not keep the commandments he is a liar (2:4-5). This is a death blow to the claim of those who live in sin and say the blood of Christ covers their ungodliness.

‘He that says he abides in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked’ everyone who makes a Christian profession ought to walk as Christ did (2:6; 3:1-10; 4:17; 1Pet. 2:21-23). To be in Christ means that one is a new creature and that affections and lusts of the flesh have been crucified (2Cor. 5:17; Gal. 5:16-26; Rom. 8:12-13; Col. 3:5-10).

‘Abides in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked’ there are many proofs given in 1John of abiding in Christ: to walk as Christ walked (2:6; 1Pet. 2:21-23); love of the brethren (2:10; 3:14-15); God’s Word abiding within (2:14); doing the will of God (2:17); permission of the individual (2:24-25); continued anointing (2:27); freedom from sin (3:6); keeping commandments (3:24; John 15:10); the indwelling Spirit (3:24) and fruit-bearing (John 15:4, 7).

 

God is Light

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1John 1:5-10 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanse us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. 

‘This then is the message which we have heard of him … God is light, and in him is no darkness at all’ This is the chief message Christ came to deliver, of which John can testify in person, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. Neither Moses nor the prophets ever gave the fullness of this message (John 1:16-17). Christ Himself is the chief manifestation of God’s light to men (John 1:1-9; 3:16-20; 8:12; 12:35-36).

‘God is light’ God is a person and dwells “in the light that no man can approach unto; whom no man has seen (in all His glory) nor can see” (1Tim. 6:16). The phrase “God is light” does not constitute the being of God. It must be understood in the same sense that we understand God is love, God is good, God is a consuming fire, and other statements about Him. In the same sense, we understand that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, or the door (John 10:9; 14:6). These expressions don’t do away with the reality and personality of God and Christ.

‘Darkness’ as the source of wisdom, knowledge, holiness, and truth, God cannot have the least degree of ignorance, imperfection, sinfulness, and darkness. God is to man what the sun is to our world, hence the importance of the message that God is light and no darkness at all.

‘If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie’ there are 5 “If’s” of Human experience given: The hypocrite – (1:6) if we say we know God and still walk in darkness, our sins prove we are liars. The Christian – (1:7) if we walk in the light, we have fellowship with the Father and the Son (1:3) and the blood of Jesus Christ keeps us cleansed from all sin. The self-deceiver – (1:8) if we say we have no sin to confess, that is, we are not sinners, we deceive ourselves because we know better, and we lie. Gnostics and other heretics deny that they are sinners and that Christ’s death atones for sin. The penitent sinner – (1:9) if we confess our sins, that is, if we will be honest and acknowledge we are sinners (Rom. 3:23), God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. The wilful rebel against God – (1:10) if we say that we have never sinned, we make God a liar and His Word is not in us. In 1John 1:8 the idea is of contending that we are not guilty before God; here it is that we were never guilty.

‘Blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanse us from all sin’ we are cleansed from all sin from the time of confession of sin (1:9) and as long as we walk in the light (1:7).

‘If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness’ if we do one thing – confess our sins – God will do four things: Be faithful to us; be just with us; forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Fellowship

~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

1John 1:3-4 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that you also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. 

‘Fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ’ four persons with whom to have fellowship: God the Father (1:3-7; Isa. 57:15; John 14:23; 17:21-23; 1Cor. 6:13); God the Son (Matt. 18:20; John 14:23; 15:1-8; 1Cor. 1:9; 10:16); God the Holy Spirit (Rom. 8:9; 1Cor. 3:16; 2Cor. 13:14; Php. 2:1); other Christians (Acts 1:14; 2:1, 42-47; Eph. 5:19; Php. 2:1-2).

Scriptures warn against fellowship and friendship with non-believers: not to get counsel from the ungodly, or to follow in the same ways as sinners or workers of iniquity, or to sit with those who mock the Word of God, those who are vain or wicked (Ps. 1:1-6; 6:8; 26:4-5; 1Jn. 2:15-17) and not to go in with dissemblers [hypocrites]. Not to cast your lot with criminals and sinners when they entice you to follow in their wicked ways (Pro. 1:10-15). We are warned to stay away from foolish and angry people and not to be friends with them (Pro. 9:6; 14:17; 22:24); to stay away from backslidden Christians and those who walk disorderly (Matt. 18:15-17; 2 Thess. 3:6; 2Jn. 1:9-11) and those that cause divisions and offences (Rom. 16:17). We cannot listen to false teachers’ teachings and think we will afterwards understand God’s Word at all (1Tim. 4:1-2; 6:3-5; 2Tim. 2: 16-17; 2Jn. 1:10). We cannot have company with those who do not obey God’s Word (2Thess. 3:14-15); be in business, friendship or fellowship with unbelievers or those who live in unrighteousness and darkness (2Cor. 6:14-18). We cannot keep company or eat with fornicators, covetous, heady and high-minded people, idolaters, railers, drunkard, or extortioners (1Cor. 5:9-11). Stay away from those who are lovers of themselves; boasters; proud, unthankful, unholy people; blasphemers; disobedient to parents; those without natural affection; trucebreakers; false accusers; incontinent; fierce people, despisers of those who are good traitors, those who love pleasure more than God and the hypocrites – those who have “a form of godliness, but deny the power thereof” (2Tim. 3:2-5).

‘That your joy may be full’ to live in peace, harmony and love we have to follow God’s instruction on fellowship otherwise we allow other’s consequences for sin into our lives as well as give our approval to their sinful natures and habits.  Listen to His commandments if you want to stand in Truth and against the wiles of the devil (Eph. 6:10-18).

We have clear instructions not to allow those who live in sin and don’t follow in Christ’s footsteps (1Pet. 2:21-23) into our lives from 2John 1:9-11: “Whosoever transgress, and abide not in the doctrine of Christ, has not God. He that abide in the doctrine of Christ, he has both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that bid him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.”