[:en]If we sin, Jesus, the Righteous One is our defense. He is the atoning sacrifice for the sins of the world. He can remove our sins and in Him we are forgiven and purified.
Those who know Jesus will do what Jesus says and live as Christ wants. To walk as Christ did, we must obey His teachings and follow His example of complete obedience to God and loving service to people. True Christian faith results in loving behavior. Love is the key to walking in the light.
“Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in darkeness” (v. 9) John’s words focused on our attitude towards people. Christian love is a choice to treat people with respect and love.
John was writing to believers of all ages – children, fathers, young men. Children who had learned about Christ are just beginning in their spiritual journey. Young men move from victory to victory as they grow in relationship with Christ. Fathers have developed the wisdom needed to teach the young people. Has your Christian growth reached the maturity level appropriate for your stage in life?
DO NOT LOVE THE WORLD (vs. 13-17)
Worldliness is not limited to external behavior. It is also internal because it begins in the heart. Loving the world includes – cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does. The serpent tempted Eve and the devil also tempted Jesus with these areas – the gratification for physical pleasure, lust of material things and pride in position and status. The world and its desires will pass away but the man who does the will of God lives forever. (v. 17)
WARNING AGAINST ANTI-CHRIST (vs. 18-27)
The last days refers to the time between Christ first and second coming. We are now living in the last days. During this time, Anti-Christ will appear. They are wolves that come to lure weak members away from Christ. There are also so-called Christians but who do no really belong to Christ because they deny the divinity of Jesus. The Anti-Christ in John’s day were claiming faith in God while denying and opposing Christ.
The basic truth about Christ is that Christ is God’s Son and He died for the sins of the world and raise to give us eternal life. He will return and establish His kingdom in the future. No other teachings can contrast the truth in the Bible.
Christ has promised to send the Holy Spirit to teach His followers and keep them from going astray. We have the God-inspired Scriptures to know the truth. We can put our trust in Him, rely on Him for guidance and strength and live as He wants us to live.
CHILDREN OF GOD (vs. 28-29)
True believers are those who constantly do what is right. Good deeds cannot produce salvation but they are necessary proof of true faith in Christ. Are you a true child of God?[:]