SCRIPTURE: 1 JOHN 2
BIBLE VERSES:
“Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.” (1John 2:4-6)
“Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness. Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble. But anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness. They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them. Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness. Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble. But anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness. They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them.” ( 1 John 2:9-11)
“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.” (1 John 2:15-17)
Jesus Christ is our Advocate representing us before the Father. His atoning sacrifice can purity and forgive our sins if we confess it. To know him means to obey his commands and walk in the light. To walk in the light is to love his brother. Whoever hates his brother is walking in darkness.
JOHN WROTE TO FAMILY CONSISTS OF CHILDREN, YOUNG MEN AND FATHER WITH DIFFERENT STAGES OF SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT:
- To the Children – your sins are forgiven and your have known the Father.
- To Young Men – you have overcome the evil one and are strong living the Word of God.
- To Fathers – you have known him who is from the beginning.
DO NOT LOVE THE WORLD (vs. 15-27)
Do not love the world of anything in the world. Things from the world are: the cravings of sinful man; the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and has done. The world does not come from the Father and it will pass away. But those who do the will of God lives forever.
WARNING AGAINST ANTI-CHRISTS (VS. 18-27)
The man who denies the Father and His Son Jesus Christ is the Anti-Christ. Those who acknowledge the Son and the Father have eternal life.
CHILDREN OF GOD (vs. 28-229)
Be children of God by continuing to do what is right so that your may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming.
THOUGHTS:
A true child of God will prove his spiritual birth by being obedient to God’s Word. To obey God’s word is to love God and fellowmen. A real born again Christian does not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth (v. 18)
Sonship” with Jesus will result in a new nature being transplanted at the new birth. The old nature is being transformed that gives the believer a desire for devotion to God. True Christianity has the witnbess of the Spirit giving believers the assurance that we shall see him when he appears. In the meantime, we should do what is right and refrain from doing what is sinful.
ESSENTIAL COMMANDS FOR CHRISTIANS:
- Believe in Christ
- Love one another
- Live a morally upright life.