1 John (Written)

Monday, 13 April 2020

Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. 1 John 3:1

Chapter 3 begins with a resounding cry of wonder and delight, “Behold.” The emotion of the word comes from the surrounding context. At times, it can simply indicate seeing or perceiving something with the eyes. However, John is calling out more than that as he adds on to it – “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us.”

In this, he is asking his reader to open their spiritual eyes and see something that is as real and sure as the ground under one’s feet, and yet it is something that can only be mentally perceived. God has sent His Son as a Gift, and in the sending of His Son, He has become “Father” to those who have received Jesus. The Father of the Godhead, through Christ Jesus, has become our Father in the faith.

This giving of the Son is described by John as a “manner of love.” The word translated as “manner” signifies a kind or sort. It originally referred to the race or tribe one belonged to. Therefore, it is a distinct kind, set apart from other kinds of love. And that love is “that we should be called children of God.”

The word translated as “called” does not mean a divine calling, but rather a naming. We are “named” children of God. As such, being named as children is speaking of adoption, as Paul also describes, such as in Galatians 4:5 and elsewhere. When a father adopts a child, he is bringing that child into his family, naming him in that capacity. It is a way of saying, “I am bestowing upon you all the rights and privileges of any other son in my family.” As Jesus Christ is God’s only begotten Son, the implication is astonishing. God the Father has bestowed a name upon us which signifies a relationship that places us along with His own Son.

The love of the Father for the Son is now extended to the children of adoption. Note that John uses the term teknon, or “children,” and not the word huios, or son. The body of believers is gathered as the Father lavishes His love on them – regardless of any other distinction. It is a touching note of endearment for those who are now His.

However, because of this, John then shows a distinction between those who belong to the Father and those who do not by saying, “Therefore the world does not know us.” The world, the ordered system which stands opposed to God, has no fraternal bond with the Father. Because of this, it has no such fraternal bond with the children.

In this, there is no understanding of who the children of God actually are. Anyone can claim that he is a child of God, but without understanding how God makes this possible, it is an empty claim. When God sent Christ, He made the relationship possible. But it is only in Christ that it is so. Without knowing the Son, one cannot know the Father. And without knowing the Father, the world cannot ascertain, or mentally perceive, the true status of the children. As John further states, “because it did not know Him.”

Jesus said, “He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him” (John 5:23). He also said, “While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.” Jesus is the Light. In understanding who He is, and in stepping into His revealed light, one can then understand the Father, and become a son of light. Without this occurring, those of the world remain in darkness, and they cannot know the Father. Only through Christ Jesus is this made possible.

Life application: For those who understand the nature of God, the state of fallen man, and the importance of the work of Jesus Christ, it is immensely sad to hear non-Christians say, “We’re all children of God.” This is because such a statement fundamentally misunderstands the unhappy state they remain in. It also fails to understand the wrath God feels toward sin. Were it not so, God would never have sent His Son, our Lord Jesus, to the cross. But sin necessitates such a sacrifice. There is one overlying truth about sin – Either the sin in man is judged, or the man is judged in sin.

To judge the sin in man means that a Substitute took the place of the sin. The only acceptable substitute is another man (animals are in a different category). But another man is unacceptable if he too has sin. Thus, we see our need for Jesus – the sinless Son of God. Paul explains the transfer in 2 Corinthians 5:21 –

“For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”

When one understands these thoughts on sin, then he can taste a glimpse of John’s exuberant proclamation. Behold! What manner of love the Father has bestowed on us!

It is at the very edge of our ability to grasp, and actually beyond our ability to fully appreciate, what happened on the cross of Jesus Christ. The significance of that act is more incredible than anything else in all of time and throughout all of creation. And it occurred for a good and beautiful purpose – that we should be called children of God. Hallelujah to the Lamb of God who takes away our sin. Man need not be judged in sin. Rather, the sin in man has been judged for those who come to Christ Jesus.

We marvel at the perfection of Your glorious work, O Christ. May we never tire of telling the story of Your life, Your cross, and Your victory over death. May we never fail to proclaim Your majesty all the days of our unworthy lives. To You, O God, be the honor and glory – now and forever! Amen.

Sunday, 12 April 2020

If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him. 1 John 2:29

John now pens the last verse of the chapter. It forms a connecter between two larger thoughts – the coming of Christ and the righteousness of Christ. John will deal with the latter issue in great detail as he continues this marvelous epistle. The words of the previous verse spoke of not being ashamed at Christ’s coming by abiding in Him. Now, to form that connective bridge to the new direction, he says, “If you know that He is righteous.”

There is, as at other times, a question as to who the subject is here. Is it Jesus, or is it God? The reason is that it is Jesus who was just referred to in the previous verse. However, John will next refer to being “born of Him.” That is an act he always ties in with God – being “born” of God.

The debate is unnecessary. Jesus is God. John is dealing with the God/Man. He is not dealing merely with a human that he met along the path of life. He is speaking of Jesus Christ, and in the thought of “Christ” is the concept of both His humanity and His deity. Therefore, the One who is coming in His humanity is also the One who begets children in His deity.

This One is righteous. It is impossible to know God and not know that righteousness is a character which defines His very nature. The gospel itself implies this. Christ died for our sins. If we have sin, it is because we are unrighteous. If God sent Christ to die for our unrighteousness, then He must be righteous. John says that if you know this, “you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him.”

There is a difference between the verbs translated as “know” in the first and second clauses. The first is eidó, and it signifies the ability to mentally grasp something. The second is ginóskó, and it speaks of an experiential knowledge. He is saying that if you can mentally grasp and understand that He is righteous, you will then be able to perceive through the application of that knowledge that those who practice righteousness do so because of their unique, God-birthed connection.

It is also possible that the verb is to be taken as an imperative. “If you know that He is righteous, you are also to know (actively understand) that those who practice righteousness are born of Him. The verb can be taken either way, and either way the point is that in understanding the righteousness of God in Christ, each person in Christ is also to conduct himself in righteousness. In this practicing of righteousness, a person shows that he “is born of Him.”

The verb here is in the perfect tense. It more appropriately reads, “has been begotten of Him.” A person who has been begotten of God is to conduct his life as if that is the case. It is contrary to being born of God to continue in the life that he lived before coming to God.

As a simple example, albeit not intended as a perfect one, if someone has a computer which is not connected to the internet, it will perform its functions based on its limited reach, and it will only work within those parameters. But if that computer is hooked up to a modem and is made internet-capable, it would be pointless for it to continue to operate as it once did. There is a new standard expected of it, and a new hope for it to reach out and operate as a part of a greater whole.

When one comes to God through Christ, he is to reflect the change that has taken place in him, and he is to conduct his affairs by this new standard. The reason for this verse is now understandable when connected to the previous verse. Obviously, John is teaching us that in practicing righteousness, we will not be ashamed at His coming – the very point that he stated in the previous verse. We are to “abide in Him,” and we are to practice righteousness, for this very reason.

Life application: John’s words here present a complex thought which is actually rather hard to follow. When it says, “If you know that He is righteous,” it is speaking of Jesus based on the context of the preceding verse. It also makes sense because the righteousness of God should be taken as an axiom. As this is so, then it must be speaking of Jesus’ human nature and the righteousness He demonstrated, proving His character and validating His position as the Christ.

Understanding this, we can then move to the next concept – “everyone who practices righteousness.” Being a present tense verb, it indicates practicing righteousness habitually or constantly. Immediately after this, John says that anyone who does practice (habitually) righteousness is born of Him.

With this refresher added to the main analysis of the verse, let us simply apply it to our own lives. Let us constantly apply the righteousness of God in Christ to our walk before Him. Each step that we take, we are to consider it in the light of the holiness of God, and to then move onto the next step with that same thought in mind. Step by step, we are to walk in righteousness – to the glory of God, and as it is displayed in our lives.

Lord God, surely Your word gives us wonders to consider and to learn. Thank You for challenging our understanding of the Person and work of Jesus as well as the role of the Father and the Holy Spirit. May we be given eyes and understanding to properly evaluate Your word so that we don’t fall into error as we study. To Your glory we pray. Amen.

Saturday, 11 April 2020

And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming. 1 John 2:28

Here we begin a new section of thought with the words “and now.” Again, John calls his readers his “little children,” using the endearing word teknia. It is an address to all levels of ability and knowledge, but as if they were his own dear possession.

He next asks them to “abide in Him,” meaning Christ, which is certainly referring to keeping His commandments as is indicated in verse 6 and elsewhere, and by living in the love previously mentioned, such as in verse 10. In doing so, John says that “when He appears.” Some manuscripts say, “if He appears,” meaning in the stream of time, not in whether it will happen or not. In other words, it would be like saying, “If He comes today.” The change in texts from “when” to “if” does not substantially change the intent. Either way, the Lord is coming, and when that occurs – if we are abiding in Him – “we may have confidence.”

The Greek word is parrésia, or “boldness.” It is what one has when speaking in a public forum, openly and without shame or shying away. This particular word was used to note the free citizens who lived in Athens and who were permitted to speak in the assembly with confidence about whatever was on their mind. By abiding in Christ, there will be a boldness that the life lived in faith will have been well spent. Such will “not be ashamed before Him.”

The regret of not abiding in Christ will be made manifest in each believer who failed to abide in Him, and it will be made manifest in each non-believer who claimed they belonged to Him, but who did not abide in Him. John is obviously writing to believers (little children), and he is including himself in these words (we). Therefore, his words are directed most specifically to those who are believers, but who have not faithfully remained in Him as they should have. For them (is this applicable to any of us?), we shall be in a state of shame “before Him at His coming.”

John’s words, like those of the other apostles, and indeed Christ Himself, show that He really is coming again. It is not a dubious hope or promise, but it is the truth of God in Christ. He is coming, and we need to be ready at all times for His appearance. In this, we will be found acceptable for reward and not loss.

Life application: If we live for Christ Jesus in this life, we will be able to speak with complete confidence when we stand in His presence for judgment. However, if we fail to do these things we will be just like a child caught with his hand in the candy jar. We will feel the guilt and the remorse at being caught completely unready for the glory which He intends to bestow upon us.

As the wording of the rapture, which is explained by Paul, indicates no set time or day, it is no different than the moment of our death. It will happen when it happens, and it would be good for us to be about His business when the moment occurs in our lives.

Should we die doing something naughty, we will awaken ashamed of our last moment on earth. Likewise, if we are acting in an inappropriate way when He comes for His church, we will have been found to be living foolishly. As you live out your days, remember the cross of Jesus and what He endured to purchase you from this world. Live in a manner which is wholly fitting and honoring to Him.

Dear Lord, give us the sense and discernment to live properly until Your return. Let us be found living our lives in a pleasing manner which will bring a smile from You, and not a state of shame in us, when You call us home. This we ask that You will be glorified by the lives we lead. Amen.

Friday, 10 April 2020

But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him. 1 John 2:27

Here John now makes a positive statement concerning believers, as he did in verse 2:2. It begins with an emphatic “you” in it. The verb is in the aorist tense as well. The Greek more precisely reads, “And you, the anointing you received.”

It is a fact that occurred, and its effects continue on. With that emphatic and sure statement made, he then says, “from Him.” It is speaking of the anointing which comes from the Anointed One, Christ Jesus. By faith in Christ, one is anointed with the Spirit of Christ. John says this anointing from Him “abides in you.”

The tense of the verb is present. It is an ongoing thing with continuing effects. As Albert Barnes rightly notes, “…it is an incorruptible seed, and a living principle, which can never be destroyed, notwithstanding all the corruptions in a man’s heart, the pollutions of the world, and the temptations of Satan.”

Man is fallen and lives in a fallen body, but when man comes to Christ, he is treated by God as if he is already glorified, even though the corruption of this world continues on in Him. Through God’s unconditional decree, the man is anointed, and he remains anointed until the day he is brought to the final state of glorification. This is a work of God and it is accomplished in God’s mind. John then says of this state, “and you do not need that anyone teach you.”

These words are taken to unhealthy extremes by Christians who are unwilling to spend the time necessary to learn theology. Depending on a verse such as this to justify a specially revealed knowledge placed actively into their mind by the Holy Spirit is not what this is referring to. Rather, John himself is providing teaching and instruction (and he will continue to do so) in this epistle. Further, nobody has knowledge without studying and contemplating things.

One will not, and cannot, know the book of Romans unless he reads it. John here is saying that it is the Lord, through the Holy Spirit, who provides proper doctrine. John’s letter is just such a means of obtaining that, as are all the words of Scripture. Believers do not need anyone to tell us the doctrines of God – salvation, justification, right and holy living, and so on. Rather, God tells us those things through His word. We have received the anointing of the Lord, and it is the Lord who has given us His word. That is where we go to find instruction.

With this understood, John continues with, “but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things.” There is a slight variation in some texts here which reads, “His anointing.” That would mean “Christ’s anointing.” As it says in the first clause, “from Him,” and because it is speaking of Christ, this is to be understood with either text.

It is the anointing of Christ which teaches us all things concerning salvation – both immediate and in its eternal effects. It is that word which was received by John and the other apostles, and which is carefully laid out in Scripture. In this anointing, which came through calling on Christ, John next says, “and is true, and is not a lie.”

This is taking the reader back to verse 22, which said, “Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ?” There is the true anointing, and there are false teachings. The true anointing comes from the acceptance that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and thus fully God. This is the truth of God in Christ, and it is not the lie of the antichrist.

In the acceptance of who God is in Christ, the person is anointed with His anointing, and he now has no need for anyone to teach him. He has been taught, and he has moved to God in Christ, and he has been given eternal life. This is then confirmed by John as he closes the verse with, “and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.”

There is another variation in texts here. Instead of “you will abide,” it says, “you abide.” It is present indicative. You do abide, and you will continue to abide. This seems the preferable reading based on his other words of surety. The action is complete, its effects are ongoing, and the person has been granted eternal life. This is the truth of God in Christ. It is not a dubious hope which may be lost through man’s efforts or failings. Rather, it is a surety which is provided to the one who trusts in God’s offer of Jesus Christ.

Life application: There is one baptism into the Holy Spirit, and only one. This comes the moment a person truly believes in his heart that Jesus is Lord. For someone to speak about a “Holy Spirit Baptism” apart from this occurrence is to completely misunderstand what happens in the believer. Paul sums up this doctrine in Ephesians 1:13 –

“In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise…”

Because of the baptism (seal) of the Holy Spirit, believers have received the permanent and eternal anointing. The Spirit of God – the Spirit of Christ – becomes a part of their existence. The Holy Spirit convicts us of wrong doctrine, but He doesn’t force right doctrine on us. We must follow His leading to determine truth. If we reject the leading, our doctrine will falter.

In order to ensure we stay in tune with His wishes, the second thing we must do after His baptism is to be filled – a repeatable occurrence – with Him. When we are disobedient and sin, the Holy Spirit’s filling decreases. When we live for Christ, we are filled anew. This is the working of the Spirit and it is through this process that we learn to determine truth from falsehood. The truth we learn will abide in us because of the power of God through the working of His Holy Spirit.

Thank You, O God, for the baptism of Your Holy Spirit. Thank You that You would condescend to dwell, even in us, and to lead us to all truth as is revealed in Your precious word! Fill us today and each day with Your Spirit as we open ourselves to You through study, prayer, fellowship, and praise so that we will be exemplary students in the knowledge provided in the pages of the Holy Bible! Amen.

Thursday, 9 April 2020

These things I have written to you concerning those who try to deceive you. 1 John 2:26

John’s words now turn to an explanation of his words of the previous verses by saying, “These things I have written to you.” This is most especially concerning those who would teach the false doctrines of antichrist (especially verses 18-23) and how to avoid their false teaching. The preeminent thought of his words was that of the Father/Son relationship between God and Jesus Christ.

John’s words clearly and unambiguously state that unless one has the Son, he does not have the Father. Denying the Son is the doctrine of antichrist, and it is what John is referring to. He has written these things as a warning “concerning those who try to deceive you.”

The word “try” is inserted by the translators, and it would have been better to leave it out. Though John will show in the next verse that believers are secure in their relationship with Christ, it does not mean that they cannot be deceived.

The term “deceive” here indicates someone who would actively “seduce” or “lead astray” others who are in the congregation. John uses a present participle which more accurately says, “those who are leading you astray.” This is the constant habit of such false teachers. They not only teach unsound doctrine, but they continue to do so. They are always leading people astray. This is because they do not have either the Father or the Son. As such, they belong to the devil, and it is his modus operandi to deceive.

John’s words seem to indicate that there was, even in the church he was addressing, those who were attempting to, but had not yet, led members away from the sound gospel. His epistle then is not only an attempt to clarify and instill doctrine, but it is a plea to hold to it and to not be led astray by people – either in the church or in another congregation – who were actively seducing believers with false teachings.

Life application: It is important to note, especially in today’s world, that these deceivers aren’t just waiting in the shadows of the church, but are out in the open teaching heresies, false doctrines, and watered-down truths right on the internet, and even on Christian television. It cannot be stressed enough that if you don’t read and study your Bible, you are setting yourself up for manipulation by such people. How can you determine the truth or a lie, if you don’t know how to properly analyze verses which are thrown out at you by deceivers?

Understanding the context of a verse is absolutely essential to understanding the meaning of that verse. But a false teacher knows that most people don’t know the context of the verse, and therefore he can casually toss out any verse and claim his use of it is under the authority of “the Word of God.” But… this is exactly what Satan did when he tempted Jesus. He used the Scriptures in an attempt to mislead Jesus. Fortunately, Jesus knows the Scriptures far better than the devil, being the very Author of them.

It cannot be stated enough – read your Bible, study your Bible, and remember your Bible so that you will be safe from the active and persistent attacks of false teachers who would lead you astray for their own evil intentions.

Lord God, we have been far too negligent in our personal study time in Your word. Give us the wise discernment to understand that the rest of the movie on the DVD can wait, the baseball scores will be posted tomorrow, the playtime can be ended earlier, and so on. Whatever the distraction – it is not nearly as important as studying Your precious word. May we take this to heart today. Amen.