1 João 2
Charles Spurgeon · Citado em PreceptAustin
1 João 2:1-6
Spurgeon - He is anxious that they should not sin, he knows they do, and that if they say they do not, they lie. Still the Christian’s object is sinless perfection, and though he will never have it till he gets to heaven, that is all the better because he will always then be pressing forward, and never reckoning that he has attained. Knowledge involves obedience Union involves imitation
1 João 2:1-6
Spurgeon - The sinner’s advocate (See full sermon The Sinner's Advocate) ‘My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.’ 1 John 2:1 The happiest way of living is to live as a poor sinner and as nothing at all, having Jesus Christ as your all in all. This truth, so evangelical and so divine, should be practically remembered. It should be practically remembered, dear friends, at all times. Every day I find it most healthy to my own soul to try and walk as a saint, but in order to do so I must continually come to Christ as a sinner. I would seek to be perfect; I would strain after every virtue, and forsake every false way; but still, as to my standing before God, I find it happiest to sit where I sat when I first looked to Jesus, on the rock of his works, having nothing to do with my own righteousness, but only with his. Depend on it, dear friends, the happiest way of living is to live as a poor sinner and as nothing at all, having Jesus Christ as your all in all. You may have all your growths in sanctification, all your progress in graces, all the development of your virtues that you will; but still I do earnestly pray you never to put any of these where Christ should be. If you have begun in Christ then finish in Christ. If you have begun in the flesh and then go on in the flesh, we know what the sure result will be. But if you have begun with Jesus Christ as your Alpha, let him be your Omega. I pray you never think you are rising when you get above this, for it is not rising, but slipping downwards to your ruin. Stand still to this— ‘Nothing in my hand I bring, Simply to thy cross I cling.’ Still a sinner, but still having an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous—let this be the spirit of your everyday life. Grant Richison has some interesting thoughts for believers to consider when they do commit sin... John does not write so that his readers have justification for their sin (1Jn 1:6, 8, 10) but that they might conquer sin. Although Christians sin (1Jn 1:10), they can conquer sin - “so that you may not sin.” John writes with the purpose that his readers will have a safeguard against sinning. If we practice sin, we will become more proficient in it. That is how we were before we received Jesus as our Savior. Now, it is altogether different; we have Someone to live for. John’s desire is that his readers will not sin at the point of temptation. Although believers are not free from sin they can overcome sin. Temptation never becomes a sin until we allow our negative volition to yield to sin. There is no sin in being tempted but it is a sin to yield to temptation. Once the temptation becomes a sin, there is a danger of entering into carnality and dominance of sin unless we confess the sin. Although we are not in a state of carnality when we commit an act of sin, we do step out of fellowship with the Lord. If we go on without confessing, we make ourselves vulnerable to domination of our sin capacity. Because God is absolute, spirituality must be absolute (1Jn 1:5). We cannot be 50% spiritual and 50% carnal. At any point of time, either the Spirit controls us or our sin capacity controls us. Before we came to Christ sin was the rule rather than the exception. Now when the child of God falls into sin, he grieves the Father, the Holy Spirit and the Lord Jesus. He even grieves himself. That is why we do not remain in sin with a clean conscience. The believer who wants to stay in tune with God confesses his sin immediately (1John 1:9-note). He restores fellowship as soon as possible. He keeps short accounts with God. Many believers get into a zigzag orientation in their daily walk with God. All of us have had this experience. It is one thing to commit individual acts of sin and immediately confess them but another thing to cave into the power of our sin capacity. The cross gives victory over the power of sin. By confession, we appeal to the cross and have the right to fellowship with God. Jesus broke the back of our sin capacity on the cross. (1John 2 Commentary) The Circle Of Fear If anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. — 1 John 2:1 Today's Scripture : 1 John 2:1-11 When the popular band The Eagles prepares a new song for concert, they sit in a circle with acoustic guitars and unamplified voices and rehearse their intricate vocals. They call this exercise “The Circle of Fear” because there is no place to hide and no way to conceal any errors they might make in the harmonies. That sense of absolute exposure for their mistakes is what makes this drill so frightening to them. Apart from Christ, we would suffer a far worse kind of exposure before the God of all justice. If we had no advocate and no escape, we would also have no hope. But in Christ, the believer has a Defender who stands before the Father on our behalf. First John 2:1 says, “My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” With our failings exposed, He takes our defense. Our Defender carries our relationship with God beyond a “circle of fear” to a fellowship of grace and truth. Frail children of dust, and feeble as frail, In Thee do we trust, nor find Thee to fail. Thy mercies how tender! How firm to the end! Our Maker, Defender, Redeemer, and Friend. —Grant The One who died as our Substitute now lives as our Advocate. Spurgeon - Morning and Evening - “If any man sin, we have an advocate.” Yes, though we sin, we have him still. John does not say, “If any man sin he has forfeited his advocate,” but “we have an advocate,” sinners though we are. All the sin that a believer ever did, or can be allowed to commit, cannot destroy his interest in the Lord Jesus Christ, as his advocate. The name here given to our Lord is suggestive. “Jesus.” Ah! then he is an advocate such as we need, for Jesus is the name of one whose business and delight it is to save. “They shall call his name Jesus, for he shall save his people from their sins.” His sweetest name implies his success. Next, it is “Jesus Christ”—Christos, the anointed. This shows his authority to plead. The Christ has a right to plead, for he is the Father’s own appointed advocate and elected priest. If he were of our choosing he might fail, but if God hath laid help upon one that is mighty, we may safely lay our trouble where God has laid his help. He is Christ, and therefore authorized; he is Christ, and therefore qualified, for the anointing has fully fitted him for his work. He can plead so as to move the heart of God and prevail. What words of tenderness, what sentences of persuasion will the anointed use when he stands up to plead for me! One more letter of his name remains, “Jesus Christ the righteous.” This is not only his character BUT his plea. It is his character, and if the Righteous One be my advocate, then my cause is good, or he would not have espoused it. It is his plea, for he meets the charge of unrighteousness against me by the plea that he is righteous. He declares himself my substitute and puts his obedience to my account. My soul, thou hast a friend well fitted to be thine advocate, he cannot but succeed; leave thyself entirely in his hands. J.C. Philpot, Ears from Harvested Sheaves - 1 John 2:1 This advocate is here called, as elsewhere, “pleading the cause” of the believer, and is connected with deliverance, for such an advocate can never fail: “O Lord, thou hast pleaded the causes of my soul; thou hastredeemed my life” (Lam. 3:58). The figure is taken from a lawyer pleading the cause of a criminal, and using his best endeavours to bring him off uninjured. But such advocacy may fail for two reasons: 1. the incompetency of the advocate; or 2. the badness of the cause. But there are no such hindrances to the success of the advocacy of Christ. How He can plead His own sufferings, blood, and obedience. His very Person as the Son of God, and yet son of man, gives unspeakable value and validity to every plea of the great Intercessor. What validity, then, has His intercession in the court of heaven! It is true that He cannot deny the truth of the charge brought by the accuser of the brethren against His client; but He can present His own meritorious sufferings, and the sorrows He endured for the culprit. On this ground He can stand up as His surety and representative, and plead with the Father that He has suffered in his place and stead. On the firm, solid ground, then, of justice and equity, He can plead on his behalf, “let him go, for I endured the penalty due to him.” Our Great Assurance: 1 John 2:1 INTRODUCTION: Ever have trouble forgiving yourself of past regrets? This verse gives us a great assurance. Our Great Adversary: Sin—“if anyone sins.” Our Great Adventure: Victory—“that you may not sin.” It’s possible to have consistent victory over known sin. Sin should not have dominion over us. While we can’t be perfect in this life, we can have steadfast victory. Our Great Advantage: Scripture—“These things I have written to you that you may not sin.” Our Great Advocate: “And in anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father.” CONCLUSION: The reason we can forgive ourselves of past mistakes and regrets is simply this—His forgiveness is all encompassing, total, eternal, and final. The blood of Christ so thoroughly expunges our sins that it’s a sin to keep bringing them up. They’re gone. As Eliza Hewitt put it, “I need no other argument, I need no other plea; / It is enough that Jesus died, and that He died for me.” The Truth About Sin We have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. — 1 John 2:1 Today's Scripture : 1 John 1:1-10 A man rebuked me for admitting that I still sin and often need forgiveness. He quoted verses 6 and 9 of 1 John 3 and said that a Christian does not sin, implying that I was not a Christian. I assured him that I don’t want to sin, but that I can’t say I’m Christlike in everything I think, say, and do. I suggested that the verses in 1 John 3 refer to a sinful lifestyle, and I pointed him to other verses in 1 John which teach that Christians still need forgiveness (1:8-10; 2:1). Becoming like Christ is a lifelong process. Only in heaven will we be without sin. I believe that’s why John warned us to beware of three lies about sin: First, saying “we have fellowship with [Christ]” while we “walk in darkness” (1 Jn. 1:6). Second, saying “we have no sin” (v.8). And third, saying “we have not sinned” (v.10). Following each lie he gave us the truth. First, if we walk in the light, Jesus’ blood cleanses us from all sin (v.7). Second, if we confess our sins, He forgives and cleanses us (v.9). And third, if we sin, Jesus speaks in our defense before the Father (2:1). In our struggle with temptation and sin, let’s pray as David did, “Who can understand his errors? Cleanse me from secret faults. Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins” (Ps. 19:12-13). By: Dennis J. DeHaan Please help me, Lord, in all I do To act and think with motives true; And by Your love reveal to me Those sins that only You can see. —DJD Christians are not sinless, but they should sin less. The Devil In Court I have removed your iniquity from you. — Zechariah 3:4 Today's Scripture : Zechariah 3:1-5 The Devil and Daniel Webster” is a short story by Stephen Vincent Benet. In it, Jabez Stone, a New England farmer, has such “bad luck” that he sells his soul to the devil to become prosperous. Eventually, the devil comes to collect Jabez’s debt. But the eminent lawyer Daniel Webster is called in to defend him. Through a skillful series of arguments, Webster wins the case against the devil, and Jabez is saved from perdition. Of course, this tale is only fiction. But the Bible records a vision in which Satan accuses a believer before the Divine Judge. Joshua, a high priest, stands before God. As a picture of his personal sin and guilt, the priest is dressed in filthy clothing. Nearby, Satan accuses Joshua. But the Angel of the Lord rebukes him and says to Joshua: “See, I have removed your iniquity from you, and I will clothe you with rich robes” (Zech. 3:4). Only God can make a sinner acceptable to Him. And the New Testament tells us how: “If anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous” (1 John 2:1). The power of God can turn a heart From evil and the power of sin; The love of God can change a life And make it new and cleansed within. —Fasick Justification means our guilt gone, Christ’s righteousness given. The Advocate If anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 1 John 2:1 Today's Scripture & Insight : 1 John 1:8–2:2 From a Florida prison cell in June 1962, Clarence Earl Gideon wrote a note asking the United States Supreme Court to review his conviction for a crime he said he didn’t commit. He added that he didn’t have the means to hire a lawyer. One year later, in the historic case of Gideon v. Wainright, the Supreme Court ruled that people who cannot afford the cost of their own defense must be given a public defender—an advocate—provided by the state. With this decision, and with the help of a court-appointed lawyer, Clarence Gideon was retried and acquitted. But what if we are not innocent? According to the apostle Paul, we are all guilty. But the court of heaven provides an Advocate who, at God’s expense, offers to defend and care for our soul (1 John 2:2). On behalf of His Father, Jesus comes to us offering a freedom that even prison inmates have described as better than anything they’ve experienced on the outside. It is a freedom of heart and mind. Whether suffering for wrongs done by us or to us, we all can be represented by Jesus. By the highest of authority He responds to every request for mercy, forgiveness, and comfort. Father in heaven, please help us to know what it means to have the freedom of Your love and presence. May we experience this freedom even in places that we have only seen as our confinement! The one who died as our substitute now lives as our advocate. HOW TO FAIL SUCCESSFULLY Inventor Charles Kettering has suggested that we must learn to fail intelligently. He said, “Once you’ve failed, analyze the problem and find out why, because each failure is one more step leading up to the cathedral of success. The only time you don’t want to fail is the last time you try.” Kettering gave these suggestions for turning failure into success: (1) Honestly face defeat; never fake success. (2) Exploit the failure; don’t waste it. Learn all you can from it. (3) Never use failure as an excuse for not trying again. Kettering’s practical wisdom holds a deeper meaning for the Christian. The Holy Spirit is constantly working in us to accomplish “His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13), so we know that failure is never final. We can’t reclaim lost time. And we can’t always make things right, although we should try. Some consequences of our sins can never be reversed. But we can make a new start, because Jesus died to pay the penalty for all our sins and is our “Advocate with the Father” (1 John 2:1). Onward and upward your course plan today, Seeking new heights as you walk Jesus' way; Heed not past failures, but strive for the prize, Aiming for goals fit for His holy eyes. —Brandt Failure is never final for those who begin again with God. James Smith - Sin I. Its Definition. John gives two of the seven definitions of sin in the Bible, viz: 1. Transgression. Stepping over the Law., i.e., lawlessness. Sin is lawlessness, i.e., the absence of all authority, and the denial of all obligation to God. 2. Unrighteousness. Not coming up to the Law (1 John 3:4; 1 John 5:17). II. Its Universality (1 John 1:8, 1 John 1:10). What plain language. III. Its Destruction. Why the Lord Jesus came? To "take away" sin (1 John 2:2; 1 John 3:5; 1 John 4:10). This means more than to cover sin-it is putting it away, taking it away, blotting it out. IV. Its Confession (1 John 1:9). V. Its Cleansing (1 John 1:7). VI. Its Victory (1 John 2:1; 1 John 3:8-9). "My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye may not sin" (R.V.) "In order that ye may not sin" (Wey). 1 John 3:8-9 have troubled many of the Lord's dear children. But observe the following rendering: "He who is habitually guilty of sin is a child of the Devil" (W.). "Whosoever is born of God doth not practice sin," i.e., doth not continue sinning. It is God's good will that we be daily more than conquerors over sin, over the world, the flesh, and the Devil. VII. Its Secret. The secret of constant victory over sin is abiding in Christ (1 John 3:6), and "being kept" (1 John 5:18, R.V.). (Handfuls On Purpose) AN ADVOCATE If anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.1Jn 2:1. When Abraham Lincoln was President, his son Robert had a close friend who entered the army as a private. Robert sent word to his friend, saying, "Write to me, and I will intercede with Father and get you something better." A few years went by before Robert heard from the soldier again. When they got together, Lincoln's friend said, "I never took advantage of your offer, but you do not know what a comfort it was to me. Often after a weary march I would throw myself on the ground and say, `If it becomes beyond human endurance, I can write to Bob Lincoln and get relief; and I would rather have his intercession than that of the President's cabinet, because he is the President's son.' " THE ONE WHO DIED AS OUR SUBSTITUTE NOW LIVES AS OUR ADVOCATE. Theodore Epp First John 2:1 could be translated: "These things write I unto you that ye do not commit a single act of sin." John was not dealing with habitual sin but with single acts of sin. This is a high standard, and you may wonder if it is possible for a child of God to successfully live this way. We need to realize what Christ has actually done for us. In the light of our experience, however, this may well cause us to despair, for we realize that we do commit acts of sin. The next phrase in 1 John 2:1 says, "And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." When we do commit an act of sin and Satan would accuse us before the Father, there is no way he can reach us because we stand before God in the righteousness of Christ, "even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference" (Rom. 3:22). So Jesus has become our righteousness, and He stands in the presence of God on our behalf. "Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us" (Ro 8:34). (Back to the Bible) 1 John 2:2 and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world. (NASB: Lockman) Greek: kai autos hilasmos estin (3SPAI) peri ton hamartion hemon, ou peri ton hemeteron de monon alla kai peri holou tou kosmou. Amplified: And He [that same Jesus Himself] is the propitiation (the atoning sacrifice) for our sins, and not for ours alone but also for [the sins of] the whole world. (Lockman) KJV: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. ESV: He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. KJV: My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: NIV: He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. NLT: He is the sacrifice for our sins. He takes away not only our sins but the sins of all the world.
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Spurgeon - “The Christian no longer loves sin; it is the object of his sternest horror: he no longer regards it as a mere trifle, plays with it, or talks of it with unconcern . . . Sin is dejected in the Christian’s heart, though it is not ejected. Sin may enter the heart, and fight for dominion, but it cannot sit upon the throne.” (See full sermon The Sinner's Advocate) Van Gorder says: The practical obedience of a genuine believer is contrasted with the statement of the man who claims to know Christ, yet "keepeth not His commandments . . ." (1 John 2:4). To claim the knowledge of God yet disobey Him is an unresolvable contradiction. The evidence and the assurance that one knows God is simple obedience to His Word. Obedience to His Word is the measure of our love for Christ and is also the evidence of our fellowship and union with Him. Mitchell says: If obedience to the Word of God is not the desire of your heart, then, my friend, I would like to ask you a question. Have you really accepted Christ as your personal Saviour? Have you come into right relationship with Him? Obedience to His Word is the measure of our love for Christ and is also the evidence of our fellowship and union with Him. Love (26)(agape) is that selfless, sacrificial, supernatural, Spirit wrought love that characterizes the essence of God (1Jn 4:8), so again "like Father, like sons." From this definition, you should surely realize that you cannot love like this! Only by relying on the Spirit of Christ in you can you exhibit this quality of love (cf Gal 5:22+). Agape may involve emotion, but it must always involve action. Agape is unrestricted, unrestrained, and unconditional. Agape love is the virtue that surpasses all others and in fact is the prerequisite for all the others. Agape does not condone or gloss over sin in the one loved but actively, purposely seeks the welfare of the one loved. To reiterate we have no capacity to generate agape love on our own, but are wholly dependent on the Holy Spirit to manifest this God-like, Christ-like love. AGAPE IN JOHN'S WRITINGS - Jn. 5:42; Jn. 13:35; Jn. 15:9; Jn. 15:10; Jn. 15:13; Jn. 17:26; 1 Jn. 2:5; 1 Jn. 2:15; 1 Jn. 3:1; 1 Jn. 3:16; 1 Jn. 3:17; 1 Jn. 4:7; 1 Jn. 4:8; 1 Jn. 4:9; 1 Jn. 4:10; 1 Jn. 4:12; 1 Jn. 4:16; 1 Jn. 4:17; 1 Jn. 4:18; 1 Jn. 5:3; 2 Jn. 1:3; 2 Jn. 1:6; 3 Jn. 1:6 Perfected (reached maturity) ( 5048 ) (teleioo related to teleios from telos = an end, a purpose, an aim, a goal, consummate soundness, idea of being whole) means to be brought to the intended goal, to accomplish, to carry to consummation, to bring to an end or to the intended goal (telos). It means to be complete, mature, fully developed, full grown, brought to its end, finished, wanting nothing necessary to completeness or in good working order. It does not mean simply to terminate something but to carry it out to the full finish which is picked up in the translation "perfected". Teleioo signifies the attainment of consummate soundness and includes the idea of being made whole. Interestingly the Gnostics used this word group (teleios) of one fully initiated into their mysteries. Kenneth
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Spurgeon - A Bible ought has great weight with a conscientious man. Ought it to be so? Then it shall be so, God helping me. If we say we must do. If we talk, we must walk, or it will, be mere talk. If we make the profession of abiding in Christ, we must prove it by our practice of walking with Christ. If we say that we are in Christ and abide in Him, we must take care that our life and character are conformed to Christ, or else we shall be making an empty boast. This is true of every man who says he is in Christ, for the text is put in the most general and absolute manner: be the man old or young, rich or poor, learned or simple, pastor or hearer, it is incumbent upon him to live like Christ if he professes to live in Christ. (In Him-Like He Is - Sermon on 1Jn 2:6) A Bible "OUGHT" has great weight with a conscientious man. Ought (opheilo) himself to walk (peripateo) - Walk in present tense calls for this to be our lifestyle, not perfection, but definitely direction! It should be "a continuous performance, not a spasmodic spurt." (A T Robertson This is not optional if we say we are believers - a follower of Christ should follow in His steps (1 Peter 2:21+). If we say we are abiding in Christ, our walk should match our profession. John is clearly giving us a parameter by which we can discern whether our profession of faith is genuine. THOUGHT - John's "logic" is simple - If you say you are "in Christ", in union with Him, in oneness with Him, then it follows you are a partaker of the divine nature (2Pe 1:4+), and thus "equipped" to be able to walk the way Jesus walked. How did He walk? What was His source of strength? Jesus was filled with the Spirit (Lk 4:1+) and led by the Spirit (Mt 4:1+) and in dependence on the Spirit (Acts 10:37-38+), with prayerful dependence on and submission to the will of His Father (Jn 5:19, 30+, Jn 8:28, 29+), He walked for 3+ years giving us His example. John is saying that if you are in Him, then you have the power to imitate His walk as a Man. And if there the general tenor of your conduct (your walk) is not similar to Jesus, there is cause for pause to honestly assess whether or not you are genuinely in Him, abiding in Him. HERE'S THE CRUCIAL QUESTION - Are you (am I) Walking Like Jesus Walked? W Hall Harris - The obligation to conduct oneself the way Jesus did is likewise placed upon all true Christians. It is not an option for Christians not to follow the example of Jesus. We may presume, however, that this is a major part of the fault the author finds with his opponents - while claiming to “reside” in God, they are not following the example of Jesus in their conduct. (Ibid) Faith is not only a decision, but an ongoing personal relationship with Jesus that naturally issues in daily Christlike living. Bob Utley on ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked - This is another emphasis on "true faith" as lifestyle faith (cf. James 2:14-26). Faith is not only a decision, but an ongoing personal relationship with Jesus that naturally issues in daily Christlike living. Eternal life has observable characteristics! This is parallel to 1 John 1:7. The goal of Christianity is not just heaven when we die, but Christlikeness now (cf. Rom. 8:29-30; 2 Cor. 3:18; Gal. 4:19; Eph. 1:4; 1 Thess. 3:13; 4:3; 1 Pet. 1:15)! We are saved to serve. We are sent on mission as He was sent on mission. As He laid down His life for others, so we too, must see ourselves as servants (cf. 1 John 3:16). The test of our religious experience is whether it produces a reflection of the life of Jesus in our daily life; if it fails this elementary test, it is false. -- I Howard Marshall Gary Burge - The second test of authenticity, of genuine spiritual vigor and life, has to do with living as Jesus lived (1Jn 2:6-8). If we claim to live in Him, we must also walk as He did. (See The Letters of John - Page 99). Faith and obedience are bound up in the same bundle. He that obeys God, trusts God; and he that trusts God, obeys God. -- C H Spurgeon Steven
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Spurgeon - I believe that many weak ones in our churches are seriously injured, if not entirely broken down, by following the example of their ministers in matters wherein they come short of the Lord’s mind. How grievous it would be if any believers were dwarfed through our conduct! If we were better, our church-members would be better. A minister soon gets round him people like himself: “like priest, like people.” He that cannot be safely imitated ought not to be tolerated in a pulpit. G. Campbell Morgan once received a letter from a man who was converted under his ministry. The man spoke of coming into the church as a boy, neglected and hungry, and as he listened to the great preacher he resolved that he, too, would like to become a preacher of the gospel. Not only did he become a minister, but in the course of time his son also went into the ministry. In the letter the man said: “From that night you became my great human ideal.… I think I have read every book you have written. I placed your picture on the fly-leaf of my Bible, and I have never stood up to preach without first turning to look upon it. It somehow helps me more than anything else.” I’d rather see a sermon than hear one any day. I’d rather one would walk with me than merely show the way. The eye’s a better pupil and much sharper than the ear. Fine counsel can confuse me, but example’s always clear. The lectures you deliver may be very wise and true, But I’d rather get my lesson by observing what you do. —Author unknown We unconsciously imitate what pleases us and approximate to the characters we most admire.—Christian Nestell Bovee (1820–1904), U.S. author and lawyer I talk and talk and talk, and I haven’t taught people in fifty years what my father taught by example in one week.—Mario Cuomo, former governor of New York Like Jesus - He who says he abides in [Jesus] ought himself also to walk just as He walked. —1 John 2:6 During a children’s church service, the teacher talked about the first of the Ten Commandments: “You shall have no other gods before Me” (Ex. 20:3). She suggested some ways for the kids to keep this command. She said, “Nothing should come before God—not candy, not schoolwork, not video games.” She told them that putting God first meant that time with Him reading the Bible and praying should come before anything else. An older child in the group responded with a thought-provoking question. She asked if being a Christian was about keeping rules or if instead God wanted to be involved in all areas of our life. Sometimes we make the mistake of viewing the Bible as a list of rules. Certainly obeying God (John 14:21) and spending time with Him are important, but not because we need to be rule-keepers. Jesus and the Father had a loving relationship. When we have a relationship with God, we desire to spend time with Him and obey Him so we can become more like Jesus. John said, “He who says he abides in [Jesus] ought himself also to walk just as He walked” (1 John 2:6). He’s the example we can follow. Lord, as I look ahead to another day, I give myself to be led by Your Spirit. Give discernment in priorities, but most of all a sensitive heart to live like Jesus did—filled with Your love and power. Amen. Jesus calls us to follow Him. The World Is Watching - He who says he abides in [Jesus] ought himself also to walk just as He walked. —1 John 2:6 If the people in your community were asked about the Christians who live there, what do you think they would say? Would they say they recognize Christians by their love, or because of something else? Consider these two true situations: In one small town a restaurant decided to close on Sunday nights because the staff refused to work for the after-evening-church crowd. The people who came from church were rude, messy, and left small tips. In another town, the manager of a store that sold concert tickets reported that some of the rudest people she had ever met were several who had bought tickets to hear a well-known Christian singing group. Sometimes we don’t realize it, but the non-Christian world is watching us. Our neighbors and acquaintances and others we encounter notice our behavior. They know that if we claim to be followers of Christ we are supposed to be kind and compassionate. They know that our lives should reflect love and Christlikeness (John 13:35; 1 John 2:6). They know that we shouldn’t be so busy with our own interests that we don’t love other people. I want my life to shine for Jesus So that everywhere I go The watching world will see He loves them And His saving grace will know. —Hess Nothing is so attractive as being like Christ. Marks/Tests of a true Christian from 1 John 1 John 5:13 THESE THINGS I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life. THESE THINGS: This phrase has reference to all that John has written in his letter. (The MacArthur Bible Commentary) TRUE CHRISTIAN I. DOCTRINAL TESTS 1. Scriptural views of SIN Confesses sin. 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 2. Scriptural views of JESUS Believes Jesus is man. 1 John 4:2 This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God Believes Jesus is God. 1 John 4:15 If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God. Believes Jesus is the Messiah. 1 John 5:1 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God II. ETHICAL/MORAL TESTS 1. Obeys God Obeys/Keeps God's commands. 1 John 2:3 By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. 1 John 3:24 The one who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. Does God's will. 1 John 2:17 the one who does the will of God lives forever. 2. Lives a righteous life (a life of holiness) Walks in the light. 1 John 1:7 but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. Walks as Jesus did. 1 John 2:6 Whoever claims to live in Him must walk as Jesus did. Practices righteousness. 1 John 2:29 If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone also who practices righteousness is born of Him. 1 John 3:7 Little children, make sure no one deceives you; the one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous Purifies himself. 1 John 3:3 And every one who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. Does not practice sin. 1 John 3:9 No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him 1 John 5:18 We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin 3. Loves the brethren Loves the brethren. 1 John 2:10 The one who loves his brother abides in the Light 1 John 3:14 We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love abides in death. 1 John 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 1 John 4:12 if we love one another, God abides in us Meets his brother's needs. 1 John 3:17 But whoever has the world's goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him? Loves with actions and truth. 1 John 3:18 Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. 4. Does not love the world Does not love the world. 1 John 2:15 Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. Overcomes the world. 1 John 5:4 every one born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 5. Perseveres Remains with us. 1 John 2:19 They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us. Overcomes false teachers/teaching. 1 John 4:4 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. Listens to God's people. 1 John 4:6 We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood. 6. Has the Holy Spirit 1 John 2:20 But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth. 1 John 3:24 And this is how we know that He lives in us: We know it by the Spirit He gave us. 1 John 3:24 And this is how we know that He lives in us: We know it by the Spirit He gave us. FALSE CHRISTIAN/PROFESSOR I. DOCTRINAL TESTS 1. Unscriptural views of SIN Claims to be without sin. 1 John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. 1 John 1:10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us. 2. Unscriptural views of JESUS Denies that Jesus is the Messiah. 1 John 2:22 Who is the liar but the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ? Denies Jesus. 1 John 2:23 Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father; the one who confesses the Son has the Father also. Does not believe testimony about Jesus. 1 John 4:3 every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God 1 John 5:10 Anyone who believes in the Son of God has this testimony in his heart. Anyone who does not believe God has made him out to be a liar, because he has not believed the testimony God has given about his Son. II. ETHICAL/MORAL TESTS 1. Does not obey God Does not do what Jesus commands. 1 John 2:4 The man who says, "I know him," but does not do what He commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 2. Lives a sinful life. Walks in the darkness. 1 John 1:6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth Practices sin. 1 John 3:6 No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen Him or known Him. 1 John 3:8 the one who practices sin is of the devil Does not practice righteousness. 1 John 3:10 By this the children of God and the children of the devil are obvious: anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor the one who does not love his brother. 3. Does not love the brethren Hates the brethren. 1 John 2:9 The one who says he is in the Light and yet hates his brother is in the darkness until now. 1 John 2:11 But the one who hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness 1 John 3:15 Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer; and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. 1 John 4:20 If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. Does not love the brethren. 1 John 3:10 By this the children of God and the children of the devil are obvious: anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor the one who does not love his brother. 1 John 3:14 We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love abides in death. 1 John 4:8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. Shows no mercy to needy brethren. 1 John 3:17 If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? 4. Loves the world Loves the world. 1 John 2:15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. Has worldly values. 1 John 4:5 They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. 5. Does not persevere Abandons the brethren. 1 John 2:19 They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us. Does not listen to God's people. 1 John 4:6 We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. 6. Does not have the Holy Spirit 1 John 2:20 But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth. 1 John 3:24 And this is how we know that He lives in us: We know it by the Spirit He gave us. 1 John 3:24 And this is how we know that He lives in us: We know it by the Spirit He gave us.
1 João 2:7-11
Spurgeon - Love is the true test of light, that light which leads us to love God, to love Christ, to love the truth, to love God’s people, ay, and to love the whole world of men for their good, this is the love that attests the light we have to be the very light of God.The true Light (phos) is already shining is applied by Robert Candlish - "This which is true in Him and in you, in you as in Christ; in you because you are in Christ (in union by the New Covenant). And it is to be apprehended and felt as true now. The true light is already shining. It is not said that this true light is to shine hereafter. This is not represented as a benefit to be got, or as a reward to be reached, after the darkness shall have passed. It is a present privilege or possession,—a thing which is true in Christ and in you,—that all the time the darkness is passing the true light is shining. “Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.” (Isaiah 60:1) That is the Gospel call to the Church and to every member of it. It is true, as a great fact, in you as in Christ, that the true light now shineth. Its present shining is in you, as truly as in him, a blessed reality. For this true light is already shining, which is a true thing in you as in Christ, is simply what Christ found it to be; God’s loving eye upon you, and your single eye towards God. That is the true light now shining. And the fact of its now shining while the darkness is passing, is the thing which is to be recognized as true, in you as in Christ. (Ibid) Robert S. Candlish has a wonderful application of “which is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true Light is already shining to our lives: Thus it is “which is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true Light is already shining.” And it is ever a new oracle of divine grace. It will always be so to the pilgrim on his way through the dark wilderness to divinely lit (Heavenly Home). It will always be so, at every step, to you who, abiding in God, walk even as Christ also walked (1Jn 2:6). When faint and weary because of the way, tempted almost to give up, and to give in, as if your striving against sin were all in vain (Heb 12:3-4), and your endurance of the contradiction of sinners against yourself more than flesh and blood can stand, call to mind this word—“which is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true Light is already shining” It is a new word to you then, a new assurance, a new appeal. It dissipates the gloom that is enshrouding all things to your view. “Lo! they are all new in the true light that is shining. Whenever the old shadows are flinging themselves again across your path, the old misgivings and questionings, the old doubts and fears, the old partial dealings with God’s promises in the word of his gospel, the old hesitancies about the freeness of his grace, and the sufficiency of his great salvation, and your title to believe in the forgiveness of your sins; call to mind this word: “which is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true Light is already shining.” It rings as a new Jubilee trumpet. It breathes new life into you. For “on that day, "I will give thanks to Thee, O LORD; For although Thou wast angry with me, Thine anger is turned away, And Thou dost comfort me. Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; For the LORD GOD is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation." (Isa 12:1-2) Are old frames coming back upon me: old ways of thinking and feeling about the service of God, and the troubles of life, and the terrors of death; the old ideas as to God being an hard master, and His commandments being grievous; the old spirit of bondage, the old servile grudging, the old rebelliousness, that makes duty irksome, and self-denial hard, and labour thankless, and the whole doing of God’s will a dull routine or dreary task? Let me call to mind this word: “which is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true Light is already shining.” Is it not a new and spirit-stirring summons to me? Is it not a new Gospel to me? Is it not a new quickening, a new awakening? Is it not a new prayer that it prompts?—“Create in me a clean heart, O Lord; and renew a right spirit within me.” (Ps 51:10) (Ibid) BELIEVERS AS LIGHTS And the true Light (phos) is already shining (phaino) - Christ is the true Light (phos) and now He shines through us, who are like the "moon" reflecting the glory of the Son in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation. Spurgeon: I would not give much for your religion unless it can be seen. Lamps do not talk, but they do shine. Alistair Begg: If you can't shine, at least twinkle! NLT Study Bible: The light of the Good News expels darkness. Darkness cannot overcome it, especially where believers are living out the love that is in Christ. Oswald J. Smith: The light that shines the farthest will shine the brightest at home. D. L. Moody: A Christian is the world's Bible — and some of them need revising. It is a great deal better to live a holy life than to talk about it. We are told to let our light shine, and if it does we won't need to tell anybody it does. The light will be its own witness. Lighthouses don't ring bells and fire cannons to call attention to their shining--they just shine. (Ed: A great word picture for Lighthouses do keep vessels from crashing into the rocks and being completely destroyed!) Spurgeon: The sermons most needed today are sermons in shoes. G. Campbell Morgan said that the church did the most for the world when the church was the least like the world. Today, many churches have the idea they must imitate the world in order to reach the world. Beloved, our great nation ("One Nation Under God") will not decay and collapse because of the evil peddlers of pornography or life destroying drugs, but because of Christians who are no longer as salt (Mt 5:13) and light. Sinners will always act like sinners because that is all they can do! But when saints begin acting like sinners, their compromise hurts not only themselves and their families and churches, and ultimately contributes to the decay of the entire nation. Are you as convicted as I am? LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE OUT Fanny Crosby O let your light, tho’ little, shine out, Our Lord’s command fulfilling, To live for Him wherever we go, And seek His will to do. Refrain Shine on, little light, shine on, Shine on so bright and clear; Shine on, little light, and bring A smile for ev’ry tear. True (227)(alethes from a = negates + letho [from lanthano] = to escape notice, be hid) is an adjective which literally describes that which will not escape notice. Alethes describes that which conforms to reality, that which is unconcealed, that which is manifest, that which is in accordance with facts, that which is characterized by reality (and thus is genuine), that which is real (authentic, not imaginary). Alethes is used to describe Jesus several times in the Gospels (Mt 22:16; Mk 12:14; Jn 7:18.. Jesus' testimony is true (Jn 8:14) and that of His disciples should also be true. It will be if we abide in Him Who is Truth (Jn 14:6) and rely on His Spirit to live and speak truth (cp Jn 10:41), for His Spirit is the Spirit of Truth (Jn 14:17, 15:26, 16:13). John used alethes to describe his testimony (his light [so to speak] on THE Light, Christ Jesus)… John 19:35 And he (John the Apostle) who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you also may believe. John 21:24 This is the disciple (John speaking of himself) who is testifying to these things and wrote these things, and we know that his testimony is true. Darkness (4653)(skotia from skotos = darkness) means literal darkness in some NT uses (Jn 6:17, 20:1), but more often (14/16x) as here in 1 John 2:8, skotia is used figuratively to refer to spiritual darkness. In every figurative use, darkness is contrasted with light in all but one passage (1Jn 2:11). In the spiritual sense darkness describes both the state and works of a person. It symbolizes evil and sin, everything that life should not be and everything that a person should not do! Skotia - 17X/13v - dark(3), darkness(14). Matt. 4:16; Matt. 10:27; Lk. 12:3; Jn. 1:5; Jn. 6:17; Jn. 8:12; Jn. 12:35; Jn. 12:46; Jn. 20:1; 1 Jn. 1:5; 1 Jn. 2:8; 1 Jn. 2:9; 1 Jn. 2:11 The Dictionary of Biblical Imagery has a helpful summary of darkness in Scripture "Darkness has no existence by itself, being definable simply as an absence of light. It is a physical and spiritual reality as well as an apt symbol for some of the profoundest human experiences. With approximately two hundred references, darkness is a major actor in the biblical drama… Darkness stands out from virtually all other literary images, which are finally ambivalent (having both good and bad manifestations), because it is uniformly negative in its import… Throughout the Bible, darkness is an implied contrast to light, regardless of whether the darkness is physical or symbolic. In fact, sixty verses present light and darkness as a contrasting pair, and being brought out of darkness into light is a major biblical image of redemption… If light symbolizes understanding, darkness represents ignorance (Ps 82:5), folly (Eccl 2:13–14), a silencing of prophetic revelation (Mic 3:6), the state of the human mind unilluminated by God’s revelation (2Pet 1:19), falsehood (1 Jn 1:6) and the loss of walking in God’s truth “because the darkness has brought on blindness” (1 Jn 2:11NRSV). If light symbolizes good, darkness is the corresponding image for evil people “who forsake the paths of uprightness to walk in the ways of darkness” (Pr 2:13NRSV; cf. Pr 4:19). (See Dictionary of Biblical Imagery - excellent resource) International Standard Bible Encyclopedia Dark; Darkness Torrey Topical Textbook Darkness American Tract Society Darkness Bridgeway Bible Dictionary Darkness Baker Evangelical Dictionary Darkness Easton's Bible Dictionary Darkness Fausset Bible Dictionary Darkness Holman Bible Dictionary Darkness Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible Darkness Hastings' Dictionary of the NT Light and Darkness Darkness (2) Darkness Smith Bible Dictionary Darkness Wilson's Bible Types Dark (darkness) Watson's Theological Dictionary Darkness Kitto Biblical Cyclopedia Darkness McClintock and Strong's Bible Encyclopedia Darkness The Jewish Encyclopedia Darkness Passing away (3855)(parago from para = from beside, by the side of, by, beside + ago = lead) means literally to pass alongside or to pass by. Thayer writes that parago has two senses in the NT (1) transitive, (cf. para = beside); a. to lead past, lead by. b. to lead aside, mislead; to lead away. c. to lead to; to lead forth, bring forward. (2) intransitive, a. to pass by, go past (Mt 20:30, Mk 2:14, 15:21, Mk 1:16) b. to depart, go away: (Jn 8:59. Metaphorically, to pass away, disappear: (1Co 7:31, Ps 144:5, in the passive voice with this same sense 1Jn 2:8, 17) PARAGO - 10V - going along(1), passed(2), passer-by(1), passing(1), passing away(3), went(2). Matt. 9:9; Matt. 9:27; Matt. 20:30; Mk. 1:16; Mk. 2:14; Mk. 15:21; Jn. 9:1; 1 Co. 7:31; 1 Jn. 2:8; 1 Jn. 2:17 Light (5457)(phos from pháo = to shine) is defined by many lexicons as that which contrasts with darkness. Light is the medium of illumination that makes sight possible or makes things visible. In Scripture phos can refer to literal, physical light (Ge 1:3), but often is used metaphorically, the greatest metaphorical use being used to symbolize Jesus as the Light, a truth repeatedly stressed by the apostle John… Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.” (Jn 8:12) “While I am in the world, I am the Light of the world.” (John 9:5) Jesus said “This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God.” (Jn 3:19-21) “I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness. (John 12:46) PHOS - 72X/60V - fire(1), firelight(1), light(68), lights(2). Matt. 4:16; Matt. 5:14; Matt. 5:16; Matt. 6:23; Matt. 10:27; Matt. 17:2; Mk. 14:54; Lk. 2:32; Lk. 8:16; Lk. 11:35; Lk. 12:3; Lk. 16:8; Lk. 22:56; Jn. 1:4; Jn. 1:5; Jn. 1:7; Jn. 1:8; Jn. 1:9; Jn. 3:19; Jn. 3:20; Jn. 3:21; Jn. 5:35; Jn. 8:12; Jn. 9:5; Jn. 11:9; Jn. 11:10; Jn. 12:35; Jn. 12:36; Jn. 12:46; Acts 9:3; Acts 12:7; Acts 13:47; Acts 16:29; Acts 22:6; Acts 22:9; Acts 22:11; Acts 26:13; Acts 26:18; Acts 26:23; Rom. 2:19; Rom. 13:12; 2 Co. 4:6; 2 Co. 6:14; 2 Co. 11:14; Eph. 5:8; Eph. 5:9; Eph. 5:13; Col. 1:12; 1 Thess. 5:5; 1 Tim. 6:16; Jas. 1:17; 1 Pet. 2:9; 1 Jn. 1:5; 1 Jn. 1:7; 1 Jn. 2:8; 1 Jn. 2:9; 1 Jn. 2:10; Rev. 18:23; Rev. 21:24; Rev. 22:5 Light in Baker's Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology Light in The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia LIGHT - Excerpt from Dictionary of Biblical Imagery (click for full 12 page discussion on the imagery of light) The Bible is enveloped by the imagery of light, both literally and figuratively. At the beginning of the biblical narrative, physical light springs forth as the first created thing (Gen 1:3–4). At the end of the story the light of God obliterates all traces of darkness: “And night shall be no more; they need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light” (Rev 22:5 RSV). Between these two beacons the imagery of light makes nearly two hundred appearances, with light emerging as one of the Bible’s major and most complex symbols..... The Conflict Between Light and Darkness. Primitive thinking begins by dividing reality into a dichotomy between light and darkness, viewed as combatants in a perpetual battle for dominance. When light dawns, chaos is again averted. We catch the strains of this primitive outlook in the Bible’s creation story, where “God separated the light from the darkness” (Gen 1:4). It is impossible to understand the biblical imagery of light without seeing it as the great antithesis and conqueror of darkness. With the conflict between light and darkness as a context, light has the properties of rulership over the universe, with an accompanying sense of awe such as a subject might feel toward a benevolent king. We find this motif of rulership in the creation account when on the fourth day of creation God “made the two great lights, the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night” (Gen 1:16 RSV). As an image of order, light is the ally of people and their civilized enterprises, protecting them as they battle the forces of chaos and danger. To the primitive mind, moreover, light is shrouded in mystery, and it retains this quality in the Bible. The voice from the whirlwind in the book of Job includes in its catalog of questions about the mystery of the origin of natural forces the query, “Where is the way to the dwelling of light?” (Job 38:19 RSV). And again, “What is the way to the place where the light is distributed?” (Job 38:24 RSV). Along with reverence before the mystery of light, biblical writers express a terror about its absence. We catch this strain, for example, in Job’s picture of deposed rulers who “grope in the dark without light” (Job 12:25 RSV) or in Isaiah’s apocalyptic vision of light “darkened by its clouds” (Is 5:30) or in Jesus’ metaphoric vision of good eyesight’s producing a “whole body” full of light and its opposite producing a “whole body” full of darkness (Mt 6:22–23). Related are Jesus’ memorable pictures of the futility of lighting a lamp and putting it under a basket (Mt 5:15) and of the need to work “while it is day; night comes, when no one can work” (Jn 9:4 RSV)..... Light as Symbol of Goodness and Blessing. At its most general level of symbolism, light represents goodness and holiness as opposed to evil. Evildoers are people “who rebel against the light … and do not stay in its paths” (Job 24:13 RSV). “Every one who does evil,” Jesus explained, “hates the light, and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed” (Jn 3:20 RSV). When applied politically light becomes a symbol for the goodness that flows from a ruler who rules justly over his people: “He dawns on them like the morning light, like the sun shining forth upon a cloudless morning” (2 Sam 23:4 RSV). In the NT the sanctified life is repeatedly associated with light. In the famous passage on holy living that concludes the epistle to the Romans, believers are commanded to “cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light” (Rom 13:12 RSV). Equally evocative is the picture in Ephesians 5:8–9: “Once you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and true)” (RSV). The calling of Christians is to “shine as lights in the world” (Phil 2:15 RSV). Light is also a symbol of God’s favor and the joy this favor brings. When the Jews were rescued from Haman’s planned genocide, they “had light and gladness and joy and honor” (Esther 8:16 RSV). The psalmist does not hesitate to limit the gift of this light to those who live in fellowship with God: “Light dawns for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart” (Ps 97:11 RSV; 112:4). Similarly, the book of Proverbs asserts that “the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day” (Prov 4:18 RSV). When Job pictures his former prosperity, God’s favor assumes the qualities of light: “His lamp shone upon my head, and by his light I walked through darkness” (Job 29:3 RSV). In other contexts light is associated with life, and darkness with death. In the book of Job, to be redeemed from going down to the grave is parallel to one’s life seeing the light (Job 33:28), and to be brought back from the Pit is to “see the light of life” (Job 33:30 RSV). When the psalmist imagines the rich person’s going “to the generation of his fathers,” it calls to mind the picture that he “will never more see the light” (Ps 49:19 RSV). Light as Symbol of Truth. A further cluster of images links light with truth and understanding as opposed to error and ignorance, and to the illumination that comes from embracing the truth. For example, “The unfolding of thy words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple” (Ps 119:130 RSV). An OT pilgrim equates truth and light when praying that God will “send out thy light and thy truth” to “bring me to thy holy hill” (Ps 43:3 RSV). Daniel is commended as a person in whom are found “light and understanding and excellent wisdom” (Dan 5:14 RSV). Because truth is represented in the Bible as being a revelation from God, that revelation itself is pictured as light: “Thy word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Ps 119:105 RSV). God’s law can be characterized as “enlightening the eyes” (Ps 19:8 RSV). As with the law, so with the prophets: Peter describes “the prophetic word” as “a lamp shining in a dark place” (2 Pet 1:19 RSV). A related cluster of images associates light with revelation of something that had been secret or hidden. In the hymn to wisdom in Job 28, one of the powers attributed to human ingenuity is the ability to bring to light the “thing that is hid” (Job 28:11 RSV). In the NT this bringing to light is applied to God’s judgment of the individual heart. The Lord “will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then every man will receive his commendation from God” (1 Cor 4:5 RSV). The same motif appears in the OT: “He will bring forth your vindication as the light, and your right as the noonday” (Ps 37:6 RSV). God as Light. Light also symbolizes God. In the OT we find the evocative image of “the light of [God’s] countenance” (Ps 4:6; cf. Num 25–26). Isaiah’s vision of the final triumph of goodness includes the assertion that “the LORD will be your everlasting light” (Is 60:19, 20). The most succinct statement is found in 1 John 1:5: “God is light and in him is no darkness at all” (RSV). James speaks of God as “the Father of lights” (Jas 1:17). Elsewhere God is simply associated with light as an image of divine glory: he covers himself “with light as with a garment” (Ps 104:2); “his brightness was like the light” (Hab 3:4); “the light dwells with him” (Dan 2:22). Ezekiel’s vision of the divine chariot (Ezek 1) is a riot of brightness, flashing fire, shining jewels and gleaming metals. By extension, God who is light inhabits a heaven bathed in light. Here light becomes the preeminent symbol for transcendence, dear to the mystics’ and poets’ expressions through the ages. The classic passage is 1 Timothy 6:16, which speaks of God as the one “who alone has immortality and dwells in unapproachable light” (RSV). Colossians 1:12 speaks of the believer’s being qualified “to share in the inheritance of the saints in light” (RSV). As a symbol for God, light takes the more specific form of representing the Messiah. Isaiah’s prophecy predicted, “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined” (Is 9:2 RSV). Jesus applied this prophecy to himself (Mt 4:15–16). The song of Simeon calls Christ “a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to thy people Israel” (Lk 2:32 RSV). John’s great prologue in praise of the incarnate Word repeatedly applies the mystical language of light to Christ (Jn 1:4, 5, 7, 8, 9). Christ declared himself to be “the light of the world” (Jn 8:12). Elsewhere he claimed, “I have come as light into the world, that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness” (Jn 12:46 RSV)...... Summary. In all of the Bible’s references to light, light is not self-generated. It comes (usually unbidden) from outside the earthly and human sphere and transforms that sphere with a transcendent splendor. As a symbol light thus pictures the simultaneous transcendence and immanence of God: it is from above, but it permeates everyday life. A survey of light imagery in the Bible illustrates the implied thesis of this dictionary—that the main outline of biblical belief and the feelings it generates can be traced by following the Bible’s master images. Light in its varied meanings is at the heart of such central biblical themes as creation, providence, judgment, redemption and sanctification. It embodies much of the theological teaching of the Bible about God, which explains why light has been prominent in the history of theology (Pelikan). In its literal, physical manifestations, moreover, light contributes significantly to the elemental quality of the biblical world, keeping spiritual reality rooted in the lives that people actually live. The text within the Bible itself that comes closest to summarizing the range of meanings of light is 2 Corinthians 4:6: “For it is the God who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ” (RSV). Here is the link between creation and the new creation, between OT and NT, between the physical reality and the spiritual symbol. (Excerpt from Dictionary of Biblical Imagery -- click for full 12 page discussion on the imagery of light) Shining (appear) (5316) (phaino) means to bring to light, to cause to appear. To shed light upon (Rev 8:12). To seem to be (Lk 24:11). Figuratively of sin being shown to be sin (Ro 7:13). "The sinfulness of sin is revealed in its violations of God’s law." (ATR). Figuratively of the Word of God as that which shines in a dark place (2Pe 1:19). Describes the glorified Jesus' face (Rev 1:16). Appear ("are seen") in Php 2:15 could be translated "shine." In Mt 24:30 phaino refers to the Second Coming of Christ (cp Mt 24:27). Phaino in the active voice means “to shine” = literal: of the sun (Rev 8:12); of the moon (Rev 21:23); of a candle or lamp (Rev 18:23). Other times figurative: of the incarnation of the Word of God (Jn 1:5); of the witness of John the Baptist (Jn 5:35); of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and its effect in the world (1Jn 2:8). Occasionally a passive can mean “to shine” as used literally of the sun (Rev 8:12); of lightning (Mt 24:27); of a candle or lamp (Rev 18:23); or figuratively of the testimony of believers who appear (shine) as lights (Php 2:15). Phaino refers to “something which is visible, something which appears.” Most other New Testament uses revolve around this idea of appearing. In some uses the verb means “to seem or to appear externally” as in Jesus' description of hypocrites (Mt 23:27,28). Phaino can refer to the opinion or judgment of men, what they think about a situation (Mk 14:64 = "how does it seem to you [what is your decision]?", Lk 24:11 ="words appeared [seemed]"). Phaino refers literally to the appearance of people or things: an angel (Mt 1:20); a star (Mt 2:7); a dream or someone or something in a dream (Mt 2:13,19). It is also used of Elijah (Luke 9:8); of sin (Ro7:13); of vapor (James 4:14); of tares (Mt 13:26); of a sign (Mt 24:30); of a miracle (Mt 9:23); and of the resurrected Jesus (Mk 16:9). Our English word Phenomenon (general sense = an appearance; any thing visible; whatever is presented to the eye by observation or experiment, or whatever is discovered to exist; as the phenomena of the natural world; the phenomena of heavenly bodies, or of terrestrial substances; the phenomena of heat or of color. It sometimes denotes a remarkable or unusual appearance) is a transliteration of the middle voice of phaino. Phaino is also the source of our English word epiphany which describes an appearance or manifestation especially of a divine being or a usually sudden manifestation or perception of the essential nature or meaning of something. Interesting! Lord give us an "epiphany" today of Your greatness and goodness in Jesus. Amen In Classical Greek phaino appears from Homer (Eighth Century B.C.) on in the active voice meaning “to bring to light” or “to cause to appear.” When used in the passive voice it means “to come to light” or “to appear.” Thus phaino can mean “reflect” or “reveal.” Other figurative meanings are “set forth, expound, denounce, ordain,” and “proclaim” (Liddell-Scott). Appear (Webster's definition) - to be or come in sight, to be in view, to be visible, to show up, to have an outward aspect (to seem - e.g., appears happy enough), to become evident or manifest; to come into public view or present oneself publicly or formally; to come into existence. To become visible to the eye, as a spirit, or to the apprehension of the mind; a sense frequent in scripture. To seem or look: the evidence appears to support you. To be plain or clear, as after further evidence, etc.: it appears you were correct after all . Seem (Webster's definition) - to give the impression of being; to appear; to make or have a show or semblance. To have the appearance of truth or fact; to be understood as true. Friberg - (1) active intransitively in the NT; (a) literally shine, give light (2Pe 1.19); (b) metaphorically, of a person who makes it possible to know something or someone (Jn 5.35); of a source of spiritual truth and knowledge (Jn 1.5; 1Jn 2.8); (2) passive; (a) literally, of light and its sources shine, flash (Mt 24.27); (b) of someone or something one becomes aware of = appear, become visible, be revealed (Mt 1.20; 2.7); (c) of what becomes known, either in its true character (Ro 7.13) or only in its superficial character (Mt 23.28) = appear, seem to be, look as though; (d) idiomatically = literally where will it appear? i.e. what will happen to? what will become of? (1Pe 4.18)(BORROW Analytical Lexicon of the Greek New Testament ) Phaino - 31x in 31v - NAS Usage: appear(5), appeared(7), appears(1), became evident(1), become(1), flashes(1), noticed(2), seem(1), seen(2), shine(3), shines(1), shining(4), shown(1), visible(1). Matthew 1:20 But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. Matthew 2:7 Then Herod secretly called the magi and determined from them the exact time the star appeared. 13 Now when they had gone, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Get up! Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is going to search for the Child to destroy Him." 19 But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, and said, Matthew 6:5 "When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. 16 "Whenever you fast, do not put on a gloomy face as the hypocrites do, for they neglect their appearance so that they will be noticed by men when they are fasting. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. 18 so that your fasting will not be noticed by men, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. Matthew 9:33 After the demon was cast out, the mute man spoke; and the crowds were amazed, and were saying, "Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel." Matthew 13:26 "But when the wheat sprouted and bore grain, then the tares became evident also. Matthew 23:27 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside they are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness. 28 "So you, too, outwardly appear righteous to men, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness. Comment: Pharisees were compared in appearance with whitewashed tombs because their appearances and actuality do not agree. Matthew 24:27 "For just as the lightning comes from the east and flashes even to the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man be. Matthew 24:30 "And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the SON OF MAN COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF THE SKY with power and great glory. Mark 14:64 "You have heard the blasphemy; how does it seem to you?" And they all condemned Him to be deserving of death. Mark 16:9 Now after He had risen early on the first day of the week, He first appeared to Mary Magdalene, from whom He had cast out seven demons. Luke 9:8 and by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the prophets of old had risen again. Luke 24:11 But these words appeared to them as nonsense, and they would not believe them. John 1:5 The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
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Spurgeon - The child of God who was born but yesterday is not as completely sanctified as he will be. He is not as completely instructed as he will be. He is not as completely conformed to the image of Christ as he will be. But he is as completely pardoned as the full-grown saint! He that just now passed the Gate of Pearl—did you not hear the shout as he entered, like a shock of corn fully ripe that comes in his season?—he, I say, was not more truly pardoned than you who but an hour ago believed in Christ unto the salvation of your soul! The dying thief had not many minutes found mercy and yet the Lord Jesus said to him, “Today shall you be with Me in Paradise!” It is plain, therefore, that he had been perfectly cleansed in a moment! (Sermon to the Lord's Little Children) For believers knowing that their sins are forgiven and that they have a heavenly Father are similar to the truth the writer of Hebrews called 'the elementary teachings about Christ' (Heb. 6:1). God’s forgiveness includes the putting away of our sins, their guilt, defilement, and penalty, at the Cross. -- Kenneth Wuest Have been forgiven (863)(aphiemi from apo = prefix implies separation + hiemi = put in motion, send, used in Lxx of scapegoat Lev 16:10+; noun aphesis) conveys the basic idea of an action which causes separation and means to send from one's self, to hurl away, to put away, to disregard, to put off. Sadly it was used for sending away a spouse (divorce - 1Co 7:11+). Aphiemi depicts an action which causes total separation from a previous condition, in 1Jn 2:12 describes total separation from the penalty and power of Sin in our life! Amazing grace indeed! The penalty has been borne away by the Lamb of God (Jn 1:29+)! In one secular writing aphiemi is used to declare "let the pot drop" (aphiemi). From this early literal use the word came to mean leave or let go. Beloved, that is what has happened to our sins, but that's not all. It gets even better when you understand John's use of the verb tense. Aphiemi is in the perfect tense which indicates that the sins were forgiven at a point in time in the past (the moment of belief and reception of Christ and His fully atoning substitutionary, sacrificial work on Calvary's Cross). But that is not all the truth conveyed by the perfect tense for it means that our sins will remain forgiven forever! THOUGHT- Perhaps you have never understood the great truth of the extent of God's forgiveness. Perhaps you don't "feel" like God has forgiven you of all your sins. Frankly, it is not about how you feel but about what God's Word of Truth clearly declares - "Little children… your sins have been forgiven." Compare Mt 9:2, 9:5 and Mk 2:5, 2:9, and Lk 5:20, 5:23. If you struggle with guilt and/or regrets from past sins (something I am sure most of us do), set your mind on the truth of the fullness of God's forgiveness (Read Ps 103:12, Isa 38:17, Isa 43:25, Micah 7:18-19 and like Corrie Ten Boom said put up a "No fishing" sign for Mic 7:19!), and applying the principle of Jesus' promise in John 8:32+, allow the Spirit of Jesus to use that truth to make you free in this area of your spiritual life. Let me encourage you to take a few minutes and read the wonderful sermon from J C RYLE entitled FORGIVENESS. Hiebert - The perfect tense denotes the past experience of sins forgiven, leading to the present state of being forgiven (Ed: And the eternal state of forgiveness!). Without this assurance there can be no effective Christian life and service. (1 John 2:7-17 Exposition) Kenneth
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Spurgeon on Assurance -Spurgeon is quoted as saying that he was so sure of his salvation that he could grab on to a cornstalk and swing out over the fires of hell, look into the face of the devil, and sing, "Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!" When the storms of life, the winds of trouble, and the sea of discomfort and emotional agony seem to overwhelm, we have to say with the songwriter, "Our hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness… We dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus’ name." Too many believers try to punish themselves for past sins, instead of standing on God's assurance of sins forgiven and even better hiding in the "Promise Keeper" Himself. The flames can’t get to us. We are standing where the fire has already been. ILLUSTRATION - HE'S ENDURED THE FIRE OF GOD'S WRATH - The story is told of a time, many years ago, when a father and his daughter were walking through the grass on the Canadian prairie. In the distance they saw a prairie fire, which would soon engulf them. The father knew there was only one way of escape: they must quickly build a fire right where they were and burn a large patch of grass. When the huge prairie fire drew near, they could stand on the section that had already burned. When the flames did approach them, the girl was terrified, but her father assured her, "The flames can’t get to us. We are standing where the fire has already been." So it is with the forgiven when they see the judgment of God approaching. They are where the flames have already been and therefore are safe. We as Christians can rejoice that the work of salvation did not go to the "lowest bidder" ILLUSTRATION - SECURITY IS BASED ON TAKING REFUGE IN HIS GREAT NAME - Several years ago one of the astronauts who walked on the moon was interviewed and asked, "What do you think about as you stood on the moon and looked back at the earth?" The astronaut replied, "I remembered how the spacecraft was built by the lowest bidder." We as Christians can rejoice that the work of salvation did not go to the "lowest bidder" but was performed by an infinite God. There will never be a deficiency in his work. Our salvation is as sure as the architect of that salvation, Almighty God. What we have done as sinners, is forgiven for the sake of what He has done, as Saviour. Guy King - Oh, the bliss of it, that what we have done as sinners, is forgiven for the sake of what He has done, as Saviour. We repeat, this is true of all Christians, however long or short a time we have been such. The Name, as in the Lord’s Prayer (“Hallowed be Thy Name”), is the expression of the sum total of the Divine Being. Vincent on His Name (onoma) - Name expresses the sum of the qualities which mark the nature or character of a person. To believe in the Name of Jesus Christ the Son of God, is to accept as true the revelation contained in that title. Compare Jn 20:31+. The Name, as in the Lord’s Prayer (“Hallowed be thy name”), is the expression of the sum total of the divine Being."
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Spurgeon comments on David's prayer - "This sentence of prayer would seem out of place were it not that prayer is always in its place, whether in season or out of season. Meditation having refreshed the Psalmist, he falls to his weighty work again, and wrestles with God for the remission of his sin. For thy name's sake, O Lord. Here is a blessed, never failing plea. Not for our sakes or our merit's sake, but to glorify thy mercy, and to show forth the glory of thy divine attributes. Pardon mine iniquity. It is confessed, it is abhorred, it is consuming my heart with grief; Lord forgive it; let thine own lips pronounce my absolution. For it is great. It weighs so heavily upon me that I pray thee remove it. Its greatness is no difficulty with thee, for thou art a great God, but the misery which it causes to me is my argument with thee for speedy pardon. Lord, the patient is sore sick, therefore heal him. To pardon a great sinner will bring thee great glory, therefore for thy name's sake pardon me. Observe how this verse illustrates the logic of faith, which is clean contrary to that of a legal spirit; faith looks not for merit in the creature, but hath regard to the goodness of the Creator; and instead of being staggered by the demerits of sin it looks to the precious blood, and pleads all the more vigorously because of the urgency of the case." (Treasury of David—Psalm 25) (Ps 31:3) For Thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name's sake lead me, and guide me.." Spurgeon comments - The psalmist argues like a logician with his fors and therefores. Since I do sincerely trust thee, saith he, O my God, be my director. To lead and to guide are two things very like each other, but patient thought will detect different shades of meaning, especially as the last may mean provide for me. The double word indicates an urgent need—we require double direction, for we are fools, and the way is rough. Lead me as a soldier, guide me as a traveler! lead me as a babe, guide me as a man; lead me when thou art with me, but guide me even if thou be absent; lead me by thy hand, guide me by thy word. The argument used is one which is fetched from the armory of free grace: not for my own sake, but for thy name's sake guide me. Our appeal is not to any fancied virtue in our own names, but to the glorious goodness and graciousness which shines resplendent in the character of Israel's God. It is not possible that the Lord should suffer his own honour to be tarnished, but this would certainly be the case if those who trusted him should perish. This was Moses' plea, "What wilt thou do unto thy great name?" (Treasury of David—Psalm 31) The psalmist writes "Nevertheless He saved them for the sake of His name, That He might make His power known." (Ps 106:8) Spurgeon writes - "When he could find no other reason for his mercy he found it in his own glory, and seized the opportunity to display his power. If Israel does not deserve to be saved, yet Pharaoh's pride needs to be crushed, and therefore Israel shall be delivered. The Lord very jealously guards his own name and honour. It shall never be said of him that he cannot or will not save his people, or that he cannot abate the haughtiness of his defiant foes. This respect unto his own honour ever leads him to deeds of mercy, and hence we may well rejoice that he is a jealous God." (Treasury of David—Psalm 106) Other occurrences of for His Name's sake - Ps 23:3; 31:3; 79:9; 109:21; 143:11; Jer 14:7. Phillips on His Name- Remember the story of Ali Baba and the forty thieves? Ali Baba was a poor peasant who happened to discover the cave where a gang of thieves kept their plunder. It was a magic cave, the door to which would open only if the proper password was spoken. The robbers would say, "Open sesame," and the door would open, then close behind them when they had passed the portal. Ali Baba used the password once the thieves were gone and gained entrance to the treasure. The door closed behind him, and the peasant forgot everything in his rapture at finding this vast fortune. He ran the gold and the jewels through his fingers, gloated over the rosy future he foresaw for himself, and filled his pocket with choice samples. He forgot all about time and the peril he would be in if the thieves came back. At last he decided it was time to leave but, to his horror, he could no longer remember the magic word. He wracked his brains, remembering that it was some kind of cereal. He called, "Open wheat!" He called again, "Open barley!" "Open corn!" It was no use. He had forgotten the word. One thing only a babe in Christ has to remember—the name of Jesus! That name fills the hosts of hell with fear. That name opens the gates of glory, unlocks the vaults of heaven, and is the key to the Father's heart. John impresses upon the "little children" the importance of that name. "I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake."
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Spurgeon - A sermon to the Lord’s little children - 1 John 2:12 (See full sermon A Sermon to the Lord's Little Children) Observe that our text is addressed to the ‘little children’. It is thought by many wise interpreters that under this term John includes the whole church of God, and that afterwards he divides that church into two companies, the fathers and the young men: those who under one aspect are all ‘little children’, are under another regarded as young men or fathers. There is very much to support this view in several instances in this epistle. John is evidently addressing all the saints when he speaks of them as ‘My little children,’ as, for instance, in 1 John 3:18 and also in the closing verse, ‘Little children, keep yourselves from idols.’ Surely, all the saints are included in these exhortations. There is a sense in which every Christian is still a little child, a sense in which he ought to be so, ever dependent upon the great Father, ever ready to receive the word of the Father without questioning, ever teachable, ever restful in the Father’s care, and full of love to him who is his all in all. Of necessity we must ever be ‘children before God’ for our finite capacity is so limited that we are mere babes in knowledge in the presence of Infinite wisdom, and babes in understanding when contrasted with the great Father of spirits. We know enough to make us know that we know very little. The most advanced intellects in the church are infants compared with the Ancient of Days; ‘we are but of yesterday, and know nothing’: with all our experience, with all our study, with all our meditation, with all our illumination, we remain ‘little children’ when measured by the boundless knowledge of the Lord. John Bennett - SINS FORGIVEN (Day by Day - Bible Promises) The artless simplicity of this verse may hide the depth of meaning that lies beneath the surface: ‘I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name’s sake’, 1 John 2:12. The apostle first shows a causal relationship between revelation—‘I write unto you, little children’, and redemption—‘because your sins are forgiven’. Without reading too much into this statement, our relationship as children to the Father is a direct result of entering into forgiveness of sins through our Lord Jesus Christ. And further, the scriptures have been written to us, and opened to our hearts, because of this relationship. ‘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’, 1 Cor. 2:14. What does it mean to be forgiven? It certainly does not mean that God ignores or overlooks sin. Forgiveness involves five steps when an offence is committed. First, the damage is assessed according to a righteous standard. Second, someone must pay for those damages in full. Third, the offended party must be satisfied with that payment. Fourth, the offender must take responsibility for the damage done, and, in sincerity, confess the wrong, forsaking any future course of action that would perpetuate it. Finally, the offended must accept the offender’s confession in good faith. These five steps in scripture are called condemnation, redemption, propitiation, repentance, and reconciliation. Very often in human relations the process breaks down in one of the last two steps—either the offender is not repentant or the offended does not accept the confession. To all such the solemn warning is given, ‘But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses’, Mark 11:26. There is a second causal relationship mentioned at the end of the verse. The ‘little children’ are forgiven ‘for his name’s sake’. John feels no obligation to explain to whom he is referring. Of course, the children know the One with that name. They owe everything to Him. Who are the "Little Children?" James Smith 1. 1 John 2:12, 13, 14 decides. 2. Observe three stages of growth: a. Spiritual babyhood, or infancy. b. Spiritual youth. c. Spiritual maturity. 3. Little children are in particular need of a word about forgiveness (2:12), victory over sin (2:1), power of overcoming (4:4), etc. A Letter From C. S. Lewis Bible in a Year : 2 Chronicles 34-36 I write to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for His name’s sake. — 1 John 2:12 Today's Scripture : 1 John 2:9-17 In September 1961, Harvey Karlsen, a high school student in Brooklyn, New York, wrote to C. S. Lewis in England. Harvey had read Lewis’ book The Screwtape Letters and asked the author, “When you wrote this book, did Satan give you any trouble, and if he did, what did you do about it?” Three weeks later, Lewis penned a reply in which he affirmed that he still had plenty of temptations. He said that in facing them, “Perhaps . . . the most important thing is to keep on; not to be discouraged however often one yields to the temptation, but always to pick yourself up again and ask forgiveness.” The New Testament letters of John are filled with encouragement to persevere in the face of temptation. “I write to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for His name’s sake. I write to you, fathers, because you have known Him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you have overcome the wicked one” (1 John 2:12-13). Whatever our age or experience, we are in a spiritual battle together. “The world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever” (v.17). Lord, I get discouraged when I’ve given in again to one of Satan’s schemes. I’m thankful, though, that Christ paid for that sin on the cross. Help me to confess it and then to keep on relying on You for my spiritual growth. To master temptation, let Christ master you. Legacy Of Forgiveness - David C. McCasland -Five years after World War II ended, Marvin Maris met Taizo Fujishiro at a theological seminary in Chicago. Even though the men had served on opposite sides during the bitter conflict, Maris befriended Fujishiro, typed class notes for him, taught him to drive, and invited him to his home for Christmas. After Taizo returned to Japan, they stayed in touch. Four decades later, Maris’ granddaughter, Connie Wieck, went to Japan to teach English. She phoned Fujishiro and introduced herself. The next day they met for lunch, and Taizo told her all about her grandfather—his first American friend. Connie later wrote: “Growing up in a town whose veterans were still bitter…, I had come to believe that forgiveness was beyond any first hand witnesses to that history. The lasting friendship between my grandfather and Taizo proved otherwise.” The apostle Paul described the marvel of salvation by writing, “When we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son” (Romans 5:10). And John said that those who are forgiven are to love others (1 John 2:9-12). Jesus came our debt to pay, Saved our soul in grace one day, So in love we all should live, Ready always to forgive. —Bosch Forgiven sinners know love and show love. 1 John 2:13 I am writing to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I have written to you, children, because you know the Father. (NASB: Lockman) EXPLANATORY NOTE FROM THE NET Note: The versification of 1Jn 2:13 and 1Jn 2:14 (so also NAB, NRSV, NLT) follows that of the NA27 and UBS4 editions of the Greek text. Some English translations, however, break the verses between the sentence addressed to children and the sentence addressed to fathers (KJV, NKJV, NASB, NIV). The same material has been translated in each case; the only difference is the versification of that material. Greek: γραφω υμιν πατερες οτι εγνωκατε τον απ αρχης γραφω υμιν νεανισκοι οτι νενικηκατε τον πονηρον εγραψα υμιν παιδια οτι εγνωκατε τον πατερα Amplified: I am writing to you, fathers, because you have come to know (recognize, be aware of, and understand) Him Who [has existed] from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have been victorious over the wicked [one]. I write to you, boys (lads), because you have come to know (recognize and be aware) of the Father. (Lockman) Berkley (Modern Language): I am writing you, fathers, because you know Him who is from the beginning. I am writing you, young men, because you have conquered the evil one. I have written you, children, because you have come to know the Father. ESV: I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I write to you, children, because you know the Father. HCSB: I am writing to you, fathers, because you have come to know the One who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have had victory over the evil one. (Address to the children who know the Father is placed at beginning of 1Jn 2:14 in this translation). NET: I am writing to you, fathers, that you have known him who has been from the beginning. I am writing to you, young people, that you have conquered the evil one. (Address to the children who know the Father is placed at beginning of 1Jn 2:14 in this translation). NIV: I write to you, fathers, because you have known him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I write to you, dear children, because you have known the Father. NLT: I am writing to you who are mature in the faith because you know Christ, who existed from the beginning. I am writing to you who are young in the faith because you have won your battle with the evil one. (Address to the children who know the Father is placed at beginning of 1Jn 2:14 in this translation).
1 João 2:12-14
Spurgeon writes - Young man, the Bible must be your chart (a map to aid navigation), and you must exercise great watchfulness that your way may be according to its directions. You must take heed to your daily life as well as study your Bible (Mt 4:4), and you must study your Bible that you may take heed to your daily life (2Ti 2:15). With the greatest care a man will go astray if his map misleads him; but with the most accurate map he will still lose his road if he does not take heed to it. The narrow way was never hit upon by chance, neither did any heedless man ever lead a holy life (Mt 7:13-14). We can sin without thought, we have only to neglect the great salvation and ruin our souls; but to obey the Lord and walk uprightly will need all our heart and soul and mind (Mk 12:29-31). Let the careless remember this. Yet the "Word" is absolutely necessary; for, otherwise, care will darken into morbid anxiety, and conscientiousness may become superstition. A captain may watch from his deck all night; but if he knows nothing of the coast, and has no pilot on board, he may be carefully hastening on to shipwreck. It is not enough to desire to be right; for ignorance may make us think that we are doing God service when we are provoking Him (cp Mt 7:21-28), and the fact of our ignorance will not reverse the character of our action, however much it may mitigate its criminality. Should a man carefully measure out what he believes to be a dose of useful medicine, he will die if it should turn out that he has taken up the wrong vial, and has poured out a deadly poison: the fact that he did it ignorantly will not alter the result. Even so, a young man may surround himself with ten thousand ills, by carefully using an unenlightened judgment, and refusing to receive instruction from the word of God. Wilful ignorance is in itself wilful sin, and the evil which comes of it is without excuse. Let each man, whether young or old, who desires to be holy have a holy watchfulness in his heart, and keep his Holy Bible before his open eye. There he will find every turn of the road marked down, every slough and miry place pointed out, with the way to go through unsoiled; and there, too, he will find light for his darkness, comfort for his weariness, and company for his loneliness, so that by its help he shall reach the benediction of the first verse of the Psalm, which suggested the Psalmist's enquiry, and awakened his desires… Thy word have I hid in mine heart. His heart would be kept by the Word because he kept the Word in his heart. All that he had of the Word written, and all that had been revealed to him by the voice of God, -- all, without exception, he had stored away in his affections, as a treasure to be preserved in a casket, or as a choice seed to be buried in a fruitful soil: what soil more fruitful than a renewed heart, wholly seeking the Lord? The Word was God's own, and therefore precious to God's servant. He did not wear a text on his heart as a charm, but he hid it in his heart as a rule. He laid it up in the place of love and life, and it filled the chamber with sweetness and light. We must in this imitate David, copying his heart work as well as his outward character. First, we must mind that what we believe is truly God's Word; that being done, we must hide or treasure it each man for himself; and we must see that this is done, not as a mere feat of the memory, but as the joyful act of the affections. That I might not sin against thee. Here was the object aimed at. As one has well said, -- Here is the best thing -- "thy Word"; hidden in the best place, -- "in my heart;" for the best of purposes, -- "that I might not sin against thee." This was done by the Psalmist with personal care, as a man carefully hides away his money when he fears thieves, -- in this case the thief dreaded was sin. Sinning "against God" is the believer's view of moral evil; other men care only when they offend against men. God's word is the best preventive against offending God, for it tells us his mind and will, and tends to bring our spirit into conformity with the divine Spirit. No cure for sin in the life is equal to the Word in the seat of life, which is the heart. There is no hiding from sin unless we hide the truth in our souls. (Psalm 119 Commentary - The Treasury of David) (See related topics - Meditate or Primer on Biblical Meditation; Memorizing His Word OR Memory Verses by Topic) The Word of God abides (resides, is at home) in you - The Word of God dwells in the young men as one would dwell in a home. THOUGHT - Dear reader, does this describe your heart? Is there a "Welcome Mat", so to speak, at the door of your heart for Christ's Word of Life. Moses “Take to your heart all the words with which I am warning you today, which you shall command your sons to observe carefully, even all the words of this law. 47 “For it is not an idle word for you; indeed it is your life. And by this word you will prolong your days in the land, which you are about to cross the Jordan to possess.” Dt 32:46-47+). Kenneth
1 João 2:15
Spurgeon comments on Ps 37:4: There is an ascent in this third precept. He who was first bidden not to fret, was then commanded actively to trust, and now is told with holy desire to delight in God. Delight thyself also in the Lord. Make Jehovah the joy and rejoicing of thy spirit. Bad men delight in carnal objects; do not envy them if they are allowed to take their fill in such vain idols; look thou to thy better delight, and fill thyself to the full with thy more sublime portion. In a certain sense imitate the wicked; they delight in their portion -- take care to delight in yours, and so far from envying you will pity them. There is no room for fretting if we remember that God is ours, but there is every incentive to sacred enjoyment of the most elevated and ecstatic kind. Every name, attribute, word, or deed of Jehovah, should be delightful to us, and in meditating thereon our soul should be as glad as is the epicure who feeds delicately with a profound relish for his dainties. And he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. A pleasant duty is here rewarded with another pleasure. Men who delight in God desire or ask for nothing but what will please God; hence it is safe to give them carte blanche. Their will is subdued to God's will, and now they may have what they will. Our innermost desires are here meant, not our casual wishes; there are many things which nature might desire which grace would never permit us to ask for; these deep, prayerful, asking desires are those to which the promise is made. You can be poor in things but still love them while one who is rich in things can use them as a good steward of God. You can be poor in things but still love them while one who is rich in things can use them as a good steward of God. So things are not the problem. John does not say possessing these things is in itself wrong. The problem as someone has well said is when the possessions begin to "possess" us, and specifically begin to "possess" our (heart) affections in such a way that it results in a "cooling" of our affection from God or even an outright attitude of alienation from God. Any affection of a thing which leads to love of the thing rather than the love of God is what John is prohibiting. Note that John is not saying we are not to love the natural beauty of this world (kosmos), God's creation (cf Ps 19:1-2), nor are we not to love the world's people with the love God loved them with on Calvary (Jn 3:16). He is speaking more of material things and/or ideas, etc, that are at their core anti-God and anti-Christ. It is not true like the bumper sticker says that "He who dies with the most toys (things) wins!" In fact it is exactly the reverse, for as John says in 1Jn 2:17 this world is passing away (and that would include its "things"). Do not be lured, snared, trapped or deceived by the shiny "bobbles" or subtle seductions of the "serpentine" world system. Though “things” are not evil in and of themselves, loving them does make one worldly Eaton adds that "The things of the world are the ways in which the world’s magnetism operates. To refuse to love the world means a decisive rejection of the ‘world’s’ aspirations and outlooks. It is not going out of earthly society altogether, but it is a refusal to be dragged into its grumbling, its bitterness, its covetousness, its obsession with ‘cares and riches and pleasures’ (Lk 8:14, 16:13, Lk 17:26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 18:24, 25), its preoccupation with receiving praise from fellow human beings. (Ibid) Jesus warned His disciples to "Be on guard (present imperative = Jesus commands us to continually be on "high [spiritual] alert", lest we fall prey to the lures of this evil world -- Disciples are to continually keep a guard posted at the door of their heart [Pr 4:23+]! No downtime in wartime! If you become too absorbed with everyday worldly life [cp 2Ti 2:3,4+], you will stop guarding your heart and will be at grave risk for committing spiritual adultery against your Bridegroom Christ Jesus [Jas 4:4+]), that your hearts may not be weighted down with dissipation (carousing and the [spiritual] dizziness and staggering that results from such empty behavior) and drunkenness and the worries of life (worries = merimna = from merizo = to divide or draw in different directions and here referring to one's heart and mind! See the deadening effect of the worries of the world on the Word of God [Mk 4:19]), and that day come on you suddenly ( = The Second Coming of Christ - It will come unexpectedly. How?) like a trap (a vivid simile! Greek = pagis = a trick or stratagem [temptation] picturing that which springs suddenly even as a snare entices the bird who is suddenly trapped. Pagis further describes that which fastens and holds one fast! Look out!) for it will come upon all those who dwell on the face of all the earth (and who live a lifestyle of loving the world rather than loving God!) (Lk 21:34, 35+) The apostle James also warned his readers of the danger of loving the world, which for a believer amounts to unfaithfulness and spiritual harlotry writing… You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. (Jas 4:4+) Perhaps after reading John's words and these notes, your spirit is convicted of that tendency of your heart (like mine) to wander from the God you love. Let me encourage you to take a moment and sing the following stanza from Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing) as a prayer to your Father in heaven… O to grace how great a debtor Daily I’m constrained to be! Let Thy goodness, like a fetter, Bind my wandering heart to Thee. Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, Prone to leave the God I love; Here’s my heart, O take and seal it, Seal it for Thy courts above. O that day when freed from sinning, I shall see Thy lovely face; Clothed then in blood washed linen How I’ll sing Thy sovereign grace; Come, my Lord, no longer tarry, Take my ransomed soul away; Send thine angels now to carry Me to realms of endless day. Life Application Study Bible (borrow) - Some people think that worldliness is limited to external behavior-the people we associate with, the places we go, the activities we enjoy. Worldliness is also internal because it begins in the heart and is characterized by three attitudes: (1) craving for physical pleasure-preoccupation with gratifying physical desires; (2) craving for everything we see-coveting and accumulating things, bowing to the god of materialism; and (3)pride in our achievements and possessions-obsession with one's status or importance. Quotes on Worldliness (From Complete Gathered Gold by John Blanchard which I highly recommend for your personal library) There is no surer evidence of an unconverted state than to have the things of the world uppermost in our aim, love and estimation. - Joseph Alleine If we loved the world the way God loves it, we wouldn't love it the way we shouldn't love it. -Anon. If you have a distorted view of the Christian life you have let the world develop the negative. - Anon. The Christian must live in the world, but he must not let the world live in him. - Anon. If you are wise, let the world pass, lest you pass away with the world. - Augustine A man caught up with this world is not ready for the next one. - John Blanchard Jesus did not pray that his Father would take Christians out of the world, but that he would take the world out of Christians. - John Blanchard I looked for the church and I found it in the world; I looked for the world and I found it in the church. - Horatius Bonar The stars which have least circuit are nearest the pole; and men whose earths are least entangled with the world are always nearest to God and to the assurance of his favour. - Thomas Brooks The two poles could sooner meet, than the love of Christ and the love of the world. - Thomas Brooks It is infinitely better to have the whole world for our enemies and God for our friend, than to have the whole world for our friends and God for our enemy. - John Brown The mind of a Christian ought not to be filled with thoughts of earthly things, or find satisfaction in them, for we ought to be living as if we might have to leave this world at any moment. - John Calvin We are of the world, and until Christ rescues us from it, the world reigns in us and we live unto it. - John Calvin There are Christians living on spiritual stale bread and mouldy cheese when they might be enjoying roast turkey from heaven! - A. Lindsay Glegg Nothing is more contrary to a heavenly hope than an earthly heart. - William Gurnall The bee will not sit on a flower where no honey can be sucked, neither should the Christian. - William Gurnall If you find yourself loving any pleasure better than your prayers, any book better than the Bible, any house better than the house of God, any table better than the Lord's table, any person better than Christ, any indulgence better than the hope of heaven—take alarm! - Thomas Guthrie If you stand on the Word you do not stand in with the world. - Vance Havner Many Christians are still in the wilderness, longing for garlic instead of grace, melons instead of manna! - Vance Havner The path of the Word and the path of the world do not run parallel. - Vance Harmer We cannot have a heavenly fellowship if we allow a hindering fellowship. - Vance Havner We must deal with the carnalities if we desire the spiritualities. - Vance Havner When the nightclub invades the sanctuary it ought not to be difficult for any Bible Christian to discern the time of day. - Vance Havner Worldliness is rampant in the church. The devil is not fighting churches, he is joining them! He isn't persecuting Christianity, he is professing it. - Vance Havner Worldlings make gold their god; saints make God their gold. - Matthew Henry Whoever marries the spirit of this age will find himself a widower in the next. - William Ralph Inge To forsake Christ for the world is to leave a treasure for a trifle… eternity for a moment, reality for a shadow. - William Jenkyn Worldliness is a spirit, a temperament, an attitude of soul. It is life without high callings, life devoid of lofty ideals. It is a gaze horizontal, never vertical. Its motto is 'Forward', never 'Upward'. - John Henry Jowett It is better to trust in the Lord than in men or princes; whereas whoever will live on worldly principles must carry the same strain and care as does the man of the world. - G. H. Lang God lays down one programme of life for his children; the world proposes another and totally incompatible programme for its servants. So love for the one excludes love for the other. - Robert Law The health of our bodies, the passions of our minds, the noise and hurry and pleasures and business of the world, lead us on with eyes that see not and ears that hear not. - William Law The carnal mind sees God in nothing, not even in spiritual things. The spiritual mind sees him in everything, even in natural things. - Robert Leighton The legitimate courtesies of life become positively sinful when they take priority over the interests of the Lord Jesus. - William MacDonald A carnal Christian is the carcase of a true Christian. - Thomas Manton The world and grace are incompatible. - Thomas Manton The world is a dirty, defiling thing. A man can hardly walk here but he shall defile his garments. The men of the world are dirty, sooty creatures. We cannot converse with them but they leave their filthiness upon us. - Thomas Manton Depend upon it, as long as the church is living so much like the world, we cannot expect our children to be brought into the fold. - D. L. Moody If I walk with the world, I can't walk with God. - D. L. Moody The only ultimate disaster that can befall us is to feel ourselves at home on this earth. - Malcolm Muggeridge Conformity to the world can be overcome by nothing but conformity to Jesus. - Andrew Murray The spirit of this world is devotion to the visible. - Andrew Murray There is nothing the Christian life suffers more from than the subtle and indescribable worldliness that comes from the cares or the possessions of this life. - Andrew Murray Being of the world means being controlled by what preoccupies the world, the quest for pleasure, profit and position. - J. I. Packer Those who love the world serve and worship themselves every moment: it is their full-time job. - J. I. Packer Worldliness means yielding to the spirit that animates fallen mankind, the spirit of self-seeking and self-indulgence without regard for God. - J. I. Packer Worldliness and Christianity are two such ends as never meet. - Nehemiah Rogers It is dangerous dressing for another world by the looking-glass of this world. - William Secker To accommodate to the world spirit about us in our age is nothing less than the most gross form of worldliness in the proper definition of that word. - Francis Schaeffer It strikes me that some people want only as much of God's salvation as will keep them out of hell, and they measure out with unconscious precision how much worldliness and sin they can still hang on to without jeopardizing their chances. - David Shepherd He that loves the world is a worldling. - Richard Sibbes All earthly things are as salt water, that increases the appetite, but satisfies not. - Richard Sibbes The world's fashion is the worst fashion of all. - Richard Sibbes You might as well talk about a heavenly devil as talk about a worldly Christian. - Billy Sunday A worldly Christian is spiritually diseased. - C. H. Spurgeon He who has the smile of the ungodly must look for the frown of God. - C. H. Spurgeon Take care if the world does hate you that it hates you without cause. - C. H. Spurgeon Worldly policy is a poor short-sighted thing, and when men choose it as their road it leads them over dark mountains. - C. H. Spurgeon Worldliness is a spirit, an atmosphere, an influence permeating the whole of life and human society, and it needs to be guarded against constantly and strenuously. - W. H. Griffith Thomas If I find anyone who is settled down too snugly into this world, I am made to doubt whether he's ever truly been born again. - A. W. Tozer It is scarcely possible in most places to get anyone to attend a meeting where the only attraction is God. - A. W. Tozer Of all the calamities that have been visited upon the world, the surrender of the human spirit to this present world and its ways is the worst, without any doubt. - A. W. Tozer Pleasure, profit, preferment are the worldling's trinity. - John Trapp There is not a minute to waste in getting the world out of the church and the church into the world. - Foy Valentine If men do not put the love of the world to death, the love of the world will put them to death. - Ralph Venning He that is in love with the world will be out of love with the cross. - Thomas Watson Make no mistake about it, the world with its unbelief is a spiritual ice-house, and too much contact with it will quickly cool the spirit. - Malcolm Watts Identification with the world and its needs is one thing; imitation of the world and its foolishness is quite another. SPIRITUAL ADAPTATION (See Article on Physical Adaptation of the Human Eye) - The ungodly world-system stands as an enemy of the soul. David Wells defines worldliness as "what any particular culture does to make sin look normal and righteousness look strange." As Christians, we are in the world, but we must be on guard against its influence. We make our living in the world of business. We gain learning in the world of education. We are amused by the world of entertainment. We cheer for teams in the world of sports. We participate in discussions of religion. Like the air we breathe, the world is everywhere. On a bright sunny day when you first walk into a dark auditorium, you are blinded by the darkness. After a few moments the darkness seems to lighten and you can see again. Before long, you can see normally. Normally, that is, until the lights are turned up or you stroll out into the sunlight again and the brightness forces you to shield your eyes. Followers of Jesus live in a dimly lighted world where sin looks attractive and righteousness looks drab. Yet we are people of the light. We must be on guard that we do not become so accustomed to the darkness of our society that we think it is normal. Instead, we need to keep our eyes on what God declares is bright and right. --H W Robinson I would live for Thee, Lord Jesus, Keep my eyes so turned toward Thee That the world and all its system May attract no part of me. --Graves Worldliness conceals the light of Christ in your life ILLUSTRATION - When the Spanish explorer Hernando Cortez landed at Vera Cruz, Mexico in 1519 he was intent on conquest. To assure the devotion of his men, Cortez set fire to his fleet of eleven ships! With no means of retreat Cortez’s army had only one direction to move, into the Mexican interior. Cortez understood the price of commitment—and he paid it. He did not want his soldiers to possess a divided loyalty (cp a double minded ["two souled"] man!, cp Lk 16:13, Mt 6:24-note). John is not quite as radical as Cortez! In fact John records that believers are to be in the world but not of the world (see Jesus' prayer in Jn 17:11, 16). Unlike Cortez's ships the world cannot be destroyed (at least not yet - cp 2Pe 3:7-note, 2Pe 3:10-note, 2Pe 3:11-note) and so believers are to be like a ship in water. A ship in the water (think "saints in the world") is by design (e.g., Mt 5:16-note) but a ship full of water is disaster! WHY? (Horatius Bonar) "Do not love the world or anything in the world." 1 John 2:15 WHY? 1. Because the gain of it, is the loss of the soul — Matthew 16:25-26. 2. Because its friendship is enmity to God — James 4:4. 3. Because it did not know Christ — John 1:10; 17:25. 4. Because it hates Christ — John 7:7; 15:18. 5. Because the Holy Spirit has forbidden us — 1 John 2:15. 6. Because Christ did not pray for it — John 17:9. 7. Because Christ's people do not belong to it — John 17:16. 8. Because its Prince is Satan — John 13:31; 16:11. 9. Because Christ's kingdom is not of it — John 18:36. 10. Because its wisdom is foolishness — 1 Corinthians 1:20. 11. Because Christ does not belong to it — John 8:23. 12. Because it is condemned — 1 Corinthians 11:32. 13. Because it is passing away — 1 Corinthians 7:31. 14. Because it slew Christ — James 5:6; Matthew 21:39. 15. Because it is crucified to us — Galatians 6:14. 16. Because we are crucified to it — Galatians 6:14. 17. Because it is the seat of wickedness — 2 Peter 1:4; 1 John 5:19. 18. Because its god is the evil one — 2 Corinthians 4:4. LOT, AN OT ILLUSTRATION OF LOVING THE WORLD - If we had only the OT account of Lot, we might not think Lot was a true believer. In Genesis he almost appears as a status-seeking opportunist, willing to put up with sin and corruption in order to make a place and name for himself in the world (cp "the world" of that day = Ge 18:20, 31, 32+, Ge 19:24, 25, 29+). But Peter under the inspiration of the Spirit declares three times that Lot was a righteous man (cp 2Pe 2:6, 7, 8+). Yes, Lot was a righteous man but he had a spiritual heart problem, for he loved the world (And what world did he love? Sodom [hold mouse over link] and Gomorrah!) Tragically, there is a lot of Lot in a lot of believers today, yours truly included!
1 João 2:15
Spurgeon - If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. = These two things are such deadly opposites that they cannot live together where the love of the Father is, there cannot be the love of the world. There is no room in us for two loves. The love of the world is essentially idolatry, and God will not be worshipped side by side with idols. “If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” Does not that text draw a very sharp distinction between those who love the Lord, and those who love him not? Remember children of God, that this is the language of John, the apostle of love; but true love is honest, outspoken, heart-searching, heart-trying. Do not imagine that there is any love to your souls in the heart of the preacher who preaches smooth things, and who flatters you with his “Peace, peace,” when there is no peace. No, the highest, deepest, most heaven-inspired love is that which searches and tries the heart felt there should be any deception there. (Woe!) (Spurgeon on 1 John) if they say they are Christians but live only to possess things, they may not be true Christians at all and have never experienced the Father’s love in salvation Jack Arnold - “If anyone loves (habitually) the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” -- The word “loves” is the Greek present tense, which means “continually” or “habitually.” Here is a warning to Christians, for, if they say they are Christians but live only to possess things, they may not be true Christians at all and have never experienced the Father’s love in salvation. Materialistic America needs to examine this warning with earnest prayer, for Jesus said, [“No man can serve two masters for he cannot serve God and mammon.”] or riches....You, who are living only for self and to get what you can out of this life materialistically, have adopted the philosophy of the world and are steeped in the Satanic world system, which has separated you from God and will lead ultimately to eternal judgment. Do you want to know what a believer is? He cannot in any way habitually, consistently, be in love with this world. Wayne
1 João 2:17
Spurgeon - This world is fading away! Hate the world, value its treasure at a cheap price, estimate its gems as nothing but fakes, and its strength as nothing but dreams. Do not think that you will lose any pleasure, but rather remember the saying of that early Church leader Chrysostom … "Despise riches, and you will be rich; despise glory, and you will be glorious; despise injuries, and you will be a conqueror; despise rest, and you will gain rest; despise the earth, and you will gain heaven!" (Spurgeon Collection) J C
1 João 2:17
Spurgeon comments: He is nothing, he pretends to be something, he is soon gone, he ends in nothing as to this life; yet there is a light somewhere. Adam is like to Abel (Hebrew means a breath, vanity, vapor, transitoriness, fading away, withering). He is like that which is nothing at all. He is actually vain, and he resembles that unsubstantial empty thing which is nothing but a blown up nothing, -- a puff, a bubble. Yet he is not vanity, but only like it. He is not so substantial as that unreal thing; he is only the likeness of it. Lord, what is a man? (Ps 8:4-Spurgeon's note) It is wonderful that God should think of such a pretentious insignificance. He is so short lived that he scarcely attains to years, but exists by the day, like the ephemera (Spurgeon undoubtedly is referring to the Day-fly, a fly that lives one day only, but the word is applied also to insects that are very short-lived, whether they live several days or an hour only. The ultimate picture is something of no lasting significance), whose birth and death are both seen by the self same sun. His life is only like to a shadow, which is in itself a vague resemblance, an absence of something rather than in itself an existence. Observe that human life is not only as a shade, but as a shade which is about to depart. It is a mere mirage, the image of a thing which is not, a phantasm which melts back into nothing. How is it that the Eternal should make so much of mortal man, who begins to die as soon as he begins to live? The connection of the two verses before us with the rest of the psalm is not far to seek: David trusts in God and finds him everything; he looks to man and sees him to be nothing; and then he wonders how it is that the great Lord can condescend to take notice of such a piece of folly and deceit as man. Bellarmine -- The shadows of the mountains are constantly shifting their position during the day, and ultimately disappear altogether on the approach of night: so is it with man who is every day advancing to the moment of his final departure from this world. George Swinnock -- As he that goes to a fair, with a purse full of money, is devising and debating with himself how to lay it out -- possibly thinking that such and such commodities will be most profitable, and bring him in the greatest gain -- when on a sudden a cut purse comes and eases him both of his money and care how to dispose of it. Surely you might have taken notice how some of thy neighbors or countrymen, when they have been busy in their contrivances, and big with many plots and projects how to raise their estate and names and families, were arrested by death in a moment, returned to their earth, and in that day all their gaiety, their great thoughts perished, and came to nothing. The heathen historian could not but observe how Alexander the Great, when he had to carry on his great designs, summoned a parliament before him of the whole world, he was himself summoned by death to appear in the other world. The Dutch, therefore, very wittily to express the world's vanity, picture at Amsterdam a man with a full blown bladder on his shoulders, and another standing by pricking the bladder with a pin, with this motto, quam subito, How soon is all blown down! Joseph Caryl -- When Cain was born, there was much ado about his birth; "I have gotten a man child from God", saith his mother: she looked upon him as a great possession, and therefore called his name Cain, which signifies "a possession." But the second man that was born unto the world bare the title of the world, "vanity"; his name was Abel, that is, "vanity." A premonition was given in the name of the second man what would or should be the condition of all men. In Psalms 144:4 there is an allusion unto those two names. We translate it, "Man is like to vanity"; the Hebrew is, "Adam is as Abel"; Adam, you know, was the name of the first man, the name of Abel's father; but as Adam was the proper name of the first, so it is an appellative, or common to all men: now Adam, that is, man of all men, are Abel, vain, and walking in a vain show. Thomas Raffles (1788-1863) -- With what idle dreams, what foolish plans, what vain pursuits, are men for the most part occupied! They undertake dangerous expeditions and difficult enterprises in foreign countries, and they acquire fame; but what is it? -- Vanity! They pursue deep and abstruse speculations, and give themselves to that "much study which is a weariness to the flesh", and they attain to literary renown, and survive in their writings; but what is it? -- Vanity! They rise up early, and sit up late, and eat the bread of anxiety and care, and thus they amass wealth; but what is it? -- Vanity! They frame and execute plans and schemes of ambition -- they are loaded with honours and adorned with titles -- they afford employment for the herald, and form a subject for the historian; but what is it? -- Vanity! In fact, all occupations and pursuits are worthy of no other epithet, if they are not preceded by, and connected with, a deep and paramount regard to the salvation of the soul, the honour of God, and the interests of eternity … Oh, then, what phantoms, what airy nothings are those things that wholly absorb the powers and occupy the days of the great mass of mankind around us! Their most substantial good perishes in the using, and their most enduring realities are but "the fashion of this world that passeth away." Warren
1 João 2:17
Spurgeon - In the age succeeding the flood, they piled old Babel’s tower, and said, “This shall last forever.” But God confounded their language: they finished it not. Old Pharaoh and the Egyptian monarchs heaped up their Pyramids, and they said, “They shall stand forever”: and so, indeed, they do stand; but the time is approaching when age shall devour even these. The most stable things have been evanescent as shadows and the bubbles of an hour, speedily destroyed at God’s bidding. Where is Nineveh? and where is Babylon? Where the cities of Persia? Where are the high places of Edom? Where are Moab and the princes of Ammon? Where are the temples of the heroes of Greece? Where the millions that passed from the gates of Thebes? Where are the hosts of Xerxes? or where the vast armies of the Roman emperors? Have they not passed away? And though in their pride they said, “This monarchy is an everlasting one, this queen of the seven hills shall be called the eternal city,” its pride is dimmed; and she who sat alone, and said, “I shall be no widow, but a queen forever,”—she hath fallen, hath fallen; and in a little while she shall sink like a millstone in the flood, her name being a curse and a byword, and her site the habitation of dragons and of owls. Man calls his works eternal; God calls them fleeting; man conceives that they are built of rock; God says, “Nay, sand; or, worse than that, they are air.” Man says he erects them for eternity; God blows but for a moment, and where are they? Like baseless fabrics of a vision, they are passed and gone forever. ILLUSTRATION - In an address to the Wisconsin State Agriculture Society in 1859, Abraham Lincoln illustrated the profound and tempering effect that change can have on us. He told of an Eastern monarch who gave his counselors an assignment to come up with a truth that would apply to all times and situations. After careful consideration, they returned with this sentence: “And this too shall pass away.” Said Lincoln, “How chastening in the hour of pride! How consoling in the hour of affliction.” Centuries before, John made the same point—that the world passes away, but he who does the will of God abides forever (1 John 2:17).1580 Paulding - I saw a temple reared by the hands of man, standing with its high pinnacle in the distant plain. The streams beat about it, the God of Nature hurled His thunder-bolts against it; yet it stood as firm as adamant. Revelry was in the hall; the gay, the happy, the young, the beautiful, were there. I returned, and, lo! the temple was no more. Its high walls lay in scattered ruin; moss and grass grew rankly there; and, at the midnight hour, the owl’s long cry added to the solitude. The young and gay who had revelled there had passed away. I saw a child rejoicing in his youth, the idol of his mother, and the pride of his father. I returned, and that child had become old. Trembling with the weight of years, he stood, the last of his generation, a stranger amidst all the desolation around him. I saw an old oak standing in all its pride upon the mountain: the birds were carolling in its boughs. I returned, and saw the oak was leafless and sapless: the winds were playing at their pastime through the branches. “Who is the destroyer?” said I to my guardian angel. “It is Time,” said he. “When the morning-stars sang together for joy over the new-made world, he commenced his course, and when he has destroyed all that is beautiful on the earth, plucked the sun in his sphere, veiled the moon in blood; yea, when he shall have rolled the heavens and the earth away as a scroll, then shall an angel from the throne of God come forth, and, with one foot upon the land, lift up his hand toward heaven, and swear by heaven’s Eternal, time was, but time shall be no more.” Illustration of 1Jn 2:15-17 - Today in the Word - When rescuers were finally able to pull a middle-aged man from the wreckage of a horrible car accident, he was taken to a nearby hospital. But it soon became apparent that he would die. As the chaplain comforted him, the man, who was a Christian, exclaimed, “As I look squarely at eternity, I realize now just how much I wasted my life on things that don’t matter.” What a sad revelation! Today’s passage offers a strong challenge to those who “waste their lives on things that don’t matter.” John opens this passage with uncompromising words: “Do not love the world or anything in the world.” At first glance, verse 15 may seem at odds with John 3:16+: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son.” Most likely, John is using the word world differently in these two texts. In John 3:16+, world refers to the lost people of the world, whereas in 1 John 2:15, world refers to an entire system of beliefs and values–what we might call a “worldview.” This worldview is completely opposed to God and His ways. To clarify what he means, John lists three elements of this worldview in verse 16. First, he warns against “cravings.” These are misplaced appetites for some of our most powerful drives such as for food, for intimacy, and for recognition. Next, John talks about the “lust of the eyes.” This includes both what we can see and what we can imagine. This can best be summarized as our tendency to look at the external qualities without really inquiring about what’s inside. For example, many people are tempted by the pursuit of wealth because of all they imagine it will enable them to possess. Finally, John addresses pride, or that self-sufficiency that attempts to manufacture what God has promised–or what He has forbidden–rather than humbly allowing Him to give what we need. TODAY ALONG THE WAY- Today’s passage doesn’t condemn everything material as evil. Instead, it focuses on the affection that we have for the “stuff” around us. In others words, it’s not so much about what kind of car we drive, but rather the reasons we might have for wanting it or the intensity of our desire for it. What John is saying, however, is that we can’t ever let these things distract us from the eternal: God Himself. All these things will eventually be gone, but God is everlasting. That’s a reminder we all need to hear again. This is not mine to keep! Charles Spurgeon "This world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God, will live forever!" 1 John 2:17 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:19-21 Christian! If you have anything that you prize very highly, hold it very loosely-for you may easily lose it. Hold everything earthly with a loose hand, but grasp eternal things with a deathlike grip. Of everything on earth, it is wise for us to say, "This is not mine to keep!" It is essential to realize that this it is true, for everything here is temporary. Mind what you are doing-you prosperous people, you who have nice homes, you who are hoarding up money. There is nothing permanent for you here on earth. Your home is in Heaven-your home is not here. If you find your treasure here-your heart will be here also. You must keep all earthly treasures out of your heart. Let Christ be your treasure, and let Him have your heart! Jonathan Edwards - 1 John 2:17 - These things, the best and most durable of them, are like bubbles on the face of the water; they vanish in a moment, Hos 10:7. But the foundation of the Christian’s peace is everlasting; it is what no time, no change, can destroy. It will remain when the body dies; it will remain when the mountains depart and the hills shall be removed and when the heavens shall be rolled together as a scroll. The fountain of his comfort shall never be diminished, and the stream shall never be dried. His comfort and joy is a living spring in the soul, a well of water springing up to everlasting life." John Angell James - The Christian's hope is good COMPARATIVELY. "And this world is fading away, along with everything it craves. But if you do the will of God, you will live forever." 1 John 2:17. How insignificant, trivial, and paltry, are the objects of worldly desire and expectation! What are wealth, rank, fame, pleasure—compared with the glory, honor, immortality, and eternal life, which the believer looks for beyond the grave? They are all of the earth earthly—this is heavenly; they are human—this divine; they are transient—this everlasting; they are unsatisfying, leaving the soul a void unfilled—this replenishing its vast capacity; they are fleeting, shadowy, and precarious—this absolutely certain; they are the toys of children, compared with the occupations of a Newton, when handling his telescope, surveying the heavens, ascertaining and contemplating the stars, with his bosom swelling with the hope of discoveries that will instruct the world and immortalize himself; they leave the poor, craving soul, exclaiming, "Who will show us any good?"—this compels him, with rapture, to exclaim, "I have found it! I have found it!" (From a Christian's Hope) What trash does it appear! Mary Winslow "The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever!" 1 John 2:17 What a brittle thing is all the glory, wealth, and honor of this vain world! How empty, and what trash does it appear! And yet men sell their souls to grasp it, and at last pass away from it and find it all a phantom. How unceasing is Satan in forever bringing it before our eyes, in some form or other! What is all the pomp and wealth and rank of this poor fleeting world, in contrast with the glory that shall soon be revealed in all those who love His appearing? "The spirit of the world is eating out the very heart and life of true godliness!" George Everard "Refined worldliness is the present snare of the Church of God!" Horatius Bonar "You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God!" James 4:4 The World is Passing Away! Horatius Bonar "This world in its present form is passing away!" 1 Corinthians 7:31 "The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever!" 1 John 2:17 The things that are seen are temporal. Ours is a dying world, and here we have no continuing city. But a few years — it may be less — and all things here are changed. But a few years — it may be less — and the Lord shall have come, and the last trumpet shall have sounded, and the great sentence shall have been pronounced upon each of the sons of men. There is a world that which does not pass away. It is fair and glorious. It is called "the inheritance in light." It is bright with the love of God, and with the joy of Heaven. "The Lamb is the light thereof." Its gates are of pearl — they are always open. And as we tell men of this wondrous city, we invite them to enter in. The Book of Revelation tells us the story of earth's vanity: "Then a mighty angel picked up a boulder the size of a large millstone and threw it into the sea, and said: "With such violence the great city of Babylon will be thrown down, never to be found again. The music of harpists and musicians, flute players and trumpeters, will never be heard in you again. No workman of any trade will ever be found in you again. The sound of a millstone will never be heard in you again." (18:21-22). Such is the day that is coming on the world, and such is the doom overhanging earth — a doom dimly foreshadowed by the sad commercial disasters that have often sent sorrow into so many hearts, and desolation into so many homes. An old minister — now two hundred years ago — lay dying. His fourscore years were well-near completed. He had been tossed on many a wave, from England to America, from America to England, again from England to America. At Boston he lay dying, full of faith and love. The evening before his death, as he lay all but speechless, his daughter asked him how it was with him. He lifted up his dying hands, and with his dying lips simply said, "Vanishing things, vanishing things!" We repeat his solemn words, and, pointing to the world, with all the vanities on which vain man sets his heart, say, "Vanishing things!" "The world is passing away!" This is our message. The world is passing away — like a dream of the night. We lie down to rest; we fall asleep; we dream; we awake at morn — and lo, all is fled, which in our dream seemed so stable and so pleasant! So hastens the world away. O child of mortality, have you no brighter world beyond? The world is passing away — like the mist of the morning. The night brings down the mists upon the hills — the vapor covers the valleys; the sun rises, all has passed away — hill and valley are clear. So the world passes away, and is seen no more. O man, will you embrace a world like this? Will you lie down upon a mist, and say: This is my home? The world is passing away — like a shadow. There is nothing more unreal than a shadow. It has no substance, no being. It is dark, it is a figure, it has motion, that is all! Such is the world. O man will you chase a shadow? What will a shadow do for you? The world is passing away — like a wave of the sea. It rises, falls, and is seen no more. Such is the history of a wave. Such is the story of the world. O man will you make a wave your portion? Have you no better pillow on which to lay your wearied head than this? A poor world this for human heart to love, for an immortal soul to be filled with! The world is passing away — like a rainbow. The sun throws its colors on a cloud, and for a few minutes all is brilliant. But the cloud shifts, and the brilliance is all gone. Such is the world. With all its beauty and brightness; with all its honors and pleasures; with all its mirth and madness; with all its pomp and luxury; with all its revelry and riot; with all its hopes and flatteries; with all its love and laughter; with all its songs and splendor; with all its gems and gold — it vanishes away! And the cloud that knew the rainbow knows it no more. O man, is a passing world like this, all that you have for an inheritance? The world is passing away — like a flower. Beautiful, very beautiful; fragrant, very fragrant, are the summer flowers. But they wither away. So fades the world from before our eyes. While we are looking at it, and admiring it — behold, it is gone! No trace is left of all its loveliness but a little dust! O man, can you feed on flowers? Can you dote on that which is but for an hour? You were made for eternity — and only that which is eternal can be your portion or your resting place. The things that perish with the using only mock your longings. They cannot fill you — and even if they filled, they cannot abide. Mortality is written on all things here — immortality belongs only to the world to come — to that new heavens and new earth wherein dwells righteousness. The world is passing away — like a ship at sea. With all its sails set, and a fresh breeze blowing, the vessel comes into sight, passes before our eye in the distance, and then disappears. So comes, so goes, so vanishes away this present world, with all that it contains. A few hours within sight, then gone! The wide sea o'er which it sailed, is as calm or as stormy as before; no trace anywhere of all the life or motion or beauty which was passing over it! O man, is that vanishing world your only dwelling-place? Are all your treasures, your hopes, your joys laid up there? Where will all these be when you go down to the tomb? Or where will you be when these things leave you, and you are stripped of all the inheritance which you are ever to have for eternity? It is a poor heritage at the best, and its short duration makes it poorer still. Oh, choose the better part, which shall not be taken from you! The world is passing away — like a tent in the desert. Those who have traveled over the Arabian sands know what this means. At sunset a little speck of white seems to rise out of the barren waste. It is a traveler's tent. At sunrise it disappears. Both it and its inhabitant are gone. The wilderness is as lonely as before. Such is the world. Today it shows itself — tomorrow it disappears. O man, is that your stay and your home? Will you say of it, "This is my rest!" There is an everlasting rest, remaining for the people of God. The world is passing away — this is the message from Heaven. "All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field. The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the LORD blows on them. Surely the people are grass!" Isaiah 40:6-7 The world is passing away — but God ever lives. He is from everlasting to everlasting; the King eternal and immortal. The world is passing away — but man is immortal. Eternity lies before each son of Adam as the duration of his lifetime. In light — or in darkness, forever! In joy — or in sorrow, forever! The world is passing away — what then? This is the question that so deeply concerns man. If the world is to vanish away, and man is to live forever — then of what importance is it to know where and what we are to be forever! A celebrated physician, trying to cheer a desponding patient, said to him, "Treat life as a plaything." It was wretched counsel. For life is no plaything, and time is no child's toy, to be flung away. Life here is the beginning of the life which has no end; and time is but the gateway of eternity. What then? You must, O man, make sure of a home in that world into which you are so soon to pass. You must not pass out of this earthly tent without making sure of the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God. When you have done this, you can lie down upon your deathbed in peace. One who had lived a worldly life at last lay down to die; and when about to pass away he uttered these terrible words, "I am dying, and I don't know where I am going!" Another in similar circumstances cried out, "I am within an hour of eternity, and all is dark!" O man of earth, it is time to awake! "How can I make sure?" you ask. God has long since answered that question, and His answer is recorded for all ages: "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved." "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ! I have never done anything else," you say. If that is really true, then, as the Lord lives, you are a saved man. But is it really so? Has your life been the life of a saved man? No, truly. It has been a life wholly given to vanity. Then as the Lord God of Israel lives, and as your soul lives — you have not truly believed, and you are not yet saved. "Have I then no work to work in this great matter of my pardon?" None! What work can you work? What work of your can buy forgiveness, or make you fit for the Divine favor? What work has God bidden you work in order to obtain salvation? None! His Word is very plain, and easy to be understood: "To him who does not work, but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness" (Rom 4:5) There is but one work by which a man can be saved. That work is not yours, but the work of the Son of God. That work is finished — neither to be taken from nor added to — perfect through all ages — and presented by Himself to you, that you may avail yourself of it and be saved. "And is that work available for me just as I am?" It is! God has brought it to your door; and your only way of honoring it is by accepting it for yourself, and taking it as the one basis of your eternal hope. We honor the Father when we consent to be saved entirely by the finished work of His Son. We honor the Son when we consent to take His one finished work in the room of all our works. We honor the Holy Spirit, whose office is to glorify Christ, when we hear what He says to us concerning that work finished "once for all" upon the cross. Forgiveness is through Christ Jesus, who is Son of God as well as Son of man! This is our message. Forgiveness through the one work of sin-bearing which He accomplished for sinners upon earth. Forgiveness to the worst and wickedest, to the farthest off from God whom this earth contains. Forgiveness of the largest, fullest, completest kind; without stint, or exception, or condition, or the possibility of revocation! Forgiveness free and undeserved — as free as the love of God, as free as the gift of His beloved Son. Forgiveness ungrudged and unrestrained — whole-hearted and joyful — as the forgiveness of the father falling on the neck of the prodigal! Forgiveness simply in believing; for, "by Him, all who believe are justified from all things." Could salvation be made more free? Could forgiveness be brought nearer? Could God in any way more fully show His earnest desire that you should not be lost, but saved — that you should not die, but live? In the cross there is salvation — nowhere else. No failure of this world's hopes can quench the hope which it reveals. It shines brightest in the evil day. In the day of darkening prospects, of thickening sorrows, of heavy burdens, of pressing cares — when friends depart, when riches fly away, when disease oppresses us, when poverty knocks at our door — then the cross shines out, and tells us of a light beyond this world's darkness, the Light of Him who is the light of the world. Marks/Tests of a true Christian from 1 John 1 John 5:13 THESE THINGS I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life. THESE THINGS: This phrase has reference to all that John has written in his letter. (The MacArthur Bible Commentary) TRUE CHRISTIAN I. DOCTRINAL TESTS 1. Scriptural views of SIN Confesses sin. 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 2. Scriptural views of JESUS Believes Jesus is man. 1 John 4:2 This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God Believes Jesus is God. 1 John 4:15 If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God. Believes Jesus is the Messiah. 1 John 5:1 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God II. ETHICAL/MORAL TESTS 1. Obeys God Obeys/Keeps God's commands. 1 John 2:3 By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. 1 John 3:24 The one who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. Does God's will. 1 John 2:17 the one who does the will of God lives forever. 2. Lives a righteous life (a life of holiness) Walks in the light. 1 John 1:7 but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. Walks as Jesus did. 1 John 2:6 Whoever claims to live in Him must walk as Jesus did. Practices righteousness. 1 John 2:29 If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone also who practices righteousness is born of Him. 1 John 3:7 Little children, make sure no one deceives you; the one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous Purifies himself. 1 John 3:3 And every one who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. Does not practice sin. 1 John 3:9 No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him 1 John 5:18 We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin 3. Loves the brethren Loves the brethren. 1 John 2:10 The one who loves his brother abides in the Light 1 John 3:14 We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love abides in death. 1 John 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 1 John 4:12 if we love one another, God abides in us Meets his brother's needs. 1 John 3:17 But whoever has the world's goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him? Loves with actions and truth. 1 John 3:18 Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. 4. Does not love the world Does not love the world. 1 John 2:15 Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. Overcomes the world. 1 John 5:4 every one born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 5. Perseveres Remains with us. 1 John 2:19 They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us. Overcomes false teachers/teaching. 1 John 4:4 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. Listens to God's people. 1 John 4:6 We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood. 6. Has the Holy Spirit 1 John 2:20 But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth. 1 John 3:24 And this is how we know that He lives in us: We know it by the Spirit He gave us. 1 John 3:24 And this is how we know that He lives in us: We know it by the Spirit He gave us. FALSE CHRISTIAN/PROFESSOR I. DOCTRINAL TESTS 1. Unscriptural views of SIN Claims to be without sin. 1 John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. 1 John 1:10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us. 2. Unscriptural views of JESUS Denies that Jesus is the Messiah. 1 John 2:22 Who is the liar but the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ? Denies Jesus. 1 John 2:23 Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father; the one who confesses the Son has the Father also. Does not believe testimony about Jesus. 1 John 4:3 every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God 1 John 5:10 Anyone who believes in the Son of God has this testimony in his heart. Anyone who does not believe God has made him out to be a liar, because he has not believed the testimony God has given about his Son. II. ETHICAL/MORAL TESTS 1. Does not obey God Does not do what Jesus commands. 1 John 2:4 The man who says, "I know him," but does not do what He commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 2. Lives a sinful life. Walks in the darkness. 1 John 1:6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth Practices sin. 1 John 3:6 No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen Him or known Him. 1 John 3:8 the one who practices sin is of the devil Does not practice righteousness. 1 John 3:10 By this the children of God and the children of the devil are obvious: anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor the one who does not love his brother. 3. Does not love the brethren Hates the brethren. 1 John 2:9 The one who says he is in the Light and yet hates his brother is in the darkness until now. 1 John 2:11 But the one who hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness 1 John 3:15 Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer; and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. 1 John 4:20 If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. Does not love the brethren. 1 John 3:10 By this the children of God and the children of the devil are obvious: anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor the one who does not love his brother. 1 John 3:14 We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love abides in death. 1 John 4:8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. Shows no mercy to needy brethren. 1 John 3:17 If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? 4. Loves the world Loves the world. 1 John 2:15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. Has worldly values. 1 John 4:5 They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. 5. Does not persevere Abandons the brethren. 1 John 2:19 They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us. Does not listen to God's people. 1 John 4:6 We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. 6. Does not have the Holy Spirit 1 John 2:20 But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth. 1 John 3:24 And this is how we know that He lives in us: We know it by the Spirit He gave us. 1 John 3:24 And this is how we know that He lives in us: We know it by the Spirit He gave us. A W
1 João 2:24
Spurgeon - As it was the truth that was revealed to them at the first, there was no need of a later revelation to correct the mistakes of the first, as some foolishly and falsely teach nowadays. John
1 João 2:28-29
Spurgeon adds this caveat on abide in Him - Abiding in Jesus is not a passive thing; it is an active thing. We must give ourselves, mentally and spiritually, to living in Jesus. “We abide in him, not by a physical law, as a mass of iron abides on the earth; but by a mental and spiritual law, by which the greatness of divine love and goodness holds us fast to the Lord Jesus.” Yet, not only are we called to abide in Him; but we also know that He abides in us. It is a two-way relationship. “You are to take care that you abide in Christ as much as if all depended upon yourself; and yet you can look to the promise of the covenant, and see that the real reason for your abiding in Christ lies in the operation of his unchanging love and grace.” (Sermon Preparation for the Coming of the Lord) John Phillips on abide in Him - John remembered the Lord's own teaching about these things. In the Olivet discourse, He portrayed a wise and a wicked servant (Mt. 24:45-51), and in His parable of the talents He contrasted the diligent servants and the dilatory one (Mt. 25:1-30). The sure way to guarantee being unashamed before the Lord at His return is to "abide in Him." That is the way to win His approval when the time comes for us to eternally abide with Him. (See Exploring the Epistles of John: An Expository Commentary - Page 84) Stephen Smalley observes that Abide in Him signifies "a deep and permanent relationship between the believer and God (or God’s word) in Christ and by the Spirit....Malatesta (Interiority, 226) notes that, of all the exhortations in 1 John, this is the only one which “encourages an attitude directed immediately to Christ” (cf. 2:1, 6, 15, 24). However, the appeal in 2:6 (“living as Jesus lived”) is closely related....the basic setting implied is that of a reciprocal (covenant) relationship between the Christ of God and his people (“abide in him, as he does in you”). On this foundation alone spiritual growth is possible for believers." (Borrow 1, 2, 3 John) It is not a call to maintain a static relationship but rather to enjoy and deepen a vital personal fellowship with Christ. -- D Edmond Hiebert Vance Havner discusses what it means to "abide in Him" (from his message on John 15:1-8) - Our relationship is fixed, but our fellowship with Him depends upon whether we abide in Him as we ought. This abiding is not a tense and strained affair, but an utter dependence upon Him for every need—feeding upon Him, drawing from Him, as the branch from the vine, all our strength and security. This abiding means obedience: "He that saith he abides in Him ought himself also so to walk even as He walked" (1 John 2:6). But our greatest obedience is to abide in Him. Abiding is revealed in holy living: "Whosoever abides in Him sins not" (1John 3:6). This is not "sinless perfection," but living above willful and habitual sin. This abiding is witnessed by the Spirit: "And hereby we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit which He hath given us" (1 John 3:24). Abiding in Him is also the condition of answered prayer: "If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will and it shall be done unto you" (John 15:7). This reminds us of the discourse on the Bread of Life in John 6. When the disciples complained that He was declaring a hard saying, He simplified it by saying: "The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life." So here He makes His abiding in us clearer by saying "if My words abide in you." We are to feed upon His truth, and if we do, our prayers shall be answered. This abiding is manifested in fruitfulness: "He that abides in Me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit" (John 15:5). Notice that the fruit-bearing is just the natural consequence of abiding. We fret and worry about results, our good deeds, our behavior (and churches bother about by-products) when our interest should be concentrated upon this focal point: to abide in Him. That is our business; all else is a natural result. (Reflections on the Gospels) Vance Havner - A traveler in the jungle said to his guide, "But there is no path, no road, no way." The guide replied, "There is no road, I am the Way!" Our Lord is not the way-shower, He is The Way. When we abide in Him, we need no chart or compass. (Van Havner Notebook) Spurgeon discusses what John means to "abide in Him" - "He meant fidelity (faithfulness) to the truth taught by our Lord. We are sure he meant this, because, a previously, in 1Jn 2:24, he had said, “As for you, let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father.” Beloved, you have believed in the Lord Jesus Christ unto the salvation of your souls. You have trusted in Him as the Son of God, the appointed Mediator, and the effectual Sacrifice for your sin. Your hope has come from a belief in Christ as God has borne witness to Him. Abide in the truth which you received from the beginning; for in your earliest days it wrought salvation in you. The foundation of your faith is not a changeable doctrine: you rest on a sure word of testimony. Truth is in its very nature fixed and unalterable. You know more about it than you did; but the thing itself is still the same, and must be the same. Take care that you abide in it. You will find it difficult to do so, for there is an element of changeableness about yourself: this you must overcome by grace. You will find many elements of seduction in the outside world. There are men whose business it is to shake the faith of others, and thereby to gain a reputation for cleverness and depth of thought. Some seem to think it an ambition worthy of a Christian to be always questioning, or, as the apostle puts it, to be “ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (2Ti 3:7) To throw doubt into minds which, by a gracious certainty, have been made blessed, is their chosen life-work. Therefore, you will be often led to try (test) your foundation (the truth which you received from the beginning), and at times you will tremble as you cling to it. Hearken, then, to this word from the mouth of your Lord: “Abide in Him.” Keep yourself where you were as to the truth which you believe. That which has justified you, will sanctify you. That which has, in a measure, sanctified you, will yet perfect you. Make no change as to the eternal verities upon which you ground your hope. As a stone, you are built on the foundation; abide there. As a branch, you have been grafted into the stem; abide there. As a member, you are in the body; abide there; it is all over with you if you do not. Abide in that holy mold of doctrine into which you were at first delivered. Let no man deceive you with vain words, though there are many abroad in these days who “would deceive, if it were possible, the very elect.” Abide in Jesus, by letting His words abide in you. Believe what you have found to be the means of your quickening. Believe it with a greater intensity and a greater practicalness; but “cast not away your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward.” (Heb 10:35)...“Abide in Him,” in the sense of being at home in Him. Do not go to Jesus one day, and to the world another day; do not be a lodger with Him, but abide in Him. What a comfort to have our Lord Himself to be our chosen dwelling place in time and in eternity! Why does the apostle urge us to abide in Christ? Is there any likelihood of our going away? Yes, for in this very chapter he mentions apostates, who from disciples had degenerated into antichrists, of whom he says, “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.” “Abide in Him,” then, and do not turn aside unto crooked ways, as many professors have done. (Read full sermon for Spurgeon's additional explanations of what it means to abide in Him) QUESTION - What does it mean to abide in Christ? | GotQuestions.org ANSWER - To “abide” is to live, continue, or remain; so, to abide in Christ is to live in Him or remain in Him. When a person is saved, he or she is described as being “in Christ” (Romans 8:1; 2 Corinthians 5:17), held secure in a permanent relationship (John 10:28–29). Therefore, abiding in Christ is not a special level of Christian experience, rather, it is the position of all true believers. The difference between those abiding in Christ and those not abiding in Christ is the difference between the saved and the unsaved. Abiding in Christ is taught in 1 John 2:5–6, where it is synonymous with “knowing” Christ (verses 2 and 3). Later in the same chapter, John equates “remaining” in the Father and the Son with having the promise of eternal life (verses 24 and 25). Biblically, “abiding in,” “remaining in,” and “knowing” Christ are references to the same thing: salvation. The phrase abiding in Christ pictures an intimate, close relationship, and not just a superficial acquaintance. In John 15:4–7, Jesus tells His disciples that drawing life from Him is essential, using the picture of branches united to a vine: “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” Without that vital union with Christ that salvation provides, there can be no life and no productivity. Elsewhere, the Bible likens our relationship with Christ to that of a body with a head (Colossians 1:18)—another essential union. Some people take the warning of John 15:6 (branches that do not abide in the vine are thrown away and burned) to mean that Christians are always in danger of losing their salvation. In other words, they say it’s possible to be saved but not “abide,” in which case we would be cast away. But this could only be true if “abiding” were separate from salvation, referring to a state of intimacy with Christ we must strive to attain post-salvation. The Bible is clear that salvation comes by grace and is maintained by grace (Galatians 3:2–3). Also, if a branch could somehow fall away from the vine, resulting in the loss of salvation, then other, very clear passages of Scripture would be contradicted (see John 10:27–30). It is best to interpret the True Vine metaphor this way: Jesus is the True Vine, obviously. The branches who “abide” in Him are the truly saved—they have a real and vital connection to the Savior. The withered branches who do not “abide” in Him are the unsaved pretenders who feigned an attachment to the Vine but drew no life from Him. In the end, the pretenders will be seen for what they were: hangers-on who had no authentic attachment to Jesus. For a while, both Peter and Judas seemed identical in their walk with Christ. But Peter was attached to the Vine; Judas was not. John restates the withered-branch principle this way: “They [people now opposed to Christ] went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us” (1 John 2:19). One of the proofs of salvation is perseverance, or sustained abiding in Christ. The saved will continue in their walk with Christ (see Revelation 2:26). That is, they will “abide” or remain in Him. God will complete His work in them (Philippians 1:6), and they will bring forth much fruit to the glory of God (John 15:5). Those who fall away, turn their backs on Christ, or fail to abide simply show their lack of saving faith. Abiding is not what saves us, but it is one of the signs of salvation. Proofs of abiding in Christ (i.e., proofs that one is truly saved and not just pretending) include obedience to Christ’s commands (John 15:10; 1 John 3:24); following Jesus’ example (1 John 2:6); living free from habitual sin (1 John 3:6); and the awareness of a divine presence within one’s life (1 John 4:13). Related Resources: James Smith What It Means to Abide in Him J C Philpot - Abiding in Christ LET US CULTIVATE A "MARANATHA MINDSET!" So that (hina) when He appears, (phaneroo) we may have confidence (parrhesia) and not shrink away from Him in shame (aischuno) at His coming (parousia).So that (hina) is a term of purpose and here states the purpose of John's exhortation for his readers to abide in Jesus. The purpose is in order that at the Second Coming when Christ is revealed, the readers may have confidence and not shrink back from him in shame but have Derickson - Following the command to abide, John employs a purpose-result hina clause to say that what follows is both the reason to abide as well as the result of abiding. (1, 2 & 3 John: Evangelical Exegetical Commentary) When He appears (phaneroo) - Note it is not "IF" but "WHEN" He returns. Mark it down! Jesus is coming again. And He will not return in anonymity, but in great glory for all to see (Da 7:13+, Rev 1:7+, Mt 24:30, Zech 12:10). As explained below, when (ean) could be translated if, reflecting not any doubt about the fact of His return, but uncertainty about the time of His return. In a word, Christ's return is always imminent, an adjective which has an interesting derivation from the Latin word imminere which means to hang or project over. Literally one could say that imminent describes an event which is “hanging over one’s head, ready to befall.” Reginald Showers explains "an imminent event is one that is always hanging overhead, is constantly ready to befall or overtake a person, is always close at hand in the sense that it could happen at any moment. Other things may happen before the imminent event, but nothing else must take place before it happens. If something else must take place before an event can happen, that event is not imminent. The necessity of something else taking place first destroys the concept of imminency." Stephen Smalley - The motivation for keeping the Christian faith, by abiding in Jesus, is now introduced; and it is eschatological in character: “so that we may have confidence when he appears.” The “timeless” character of “remaining in the light” (1Jn 2:10) and “knowing the truth” (1Jn 2:21) is replaced (as in 1Jn 2:18, to which the present verse obviously looks back) by a sense of urgency. A response of faith is necessary because the end is near; it is the “final hour” (1Jn 2:18), and the “arrival” of Jesus is expected imminently (1Jn 2:28). (Cf. Houlden, 85.) In this setting the reiterated command, “abide in him,” acquires particular force. (Borrow 1, 2, 3 John) A. E. Brooke - The nearness of the day affords a new motive for the effort to which they are urged. The nearer the Parousia of their Lord the greater the need of constancy.…If that happens which, as circumstances have shown, may befall them now at any moment, they must be in a position not to be ashamed, when the object of their longing expectation is there. (1John 2:18-21 Commentary - International Critical Commentary) B F Westcott on "when" writes that John’s point was that Christ’s coming “might be while they all still lived.” A continual consciousness of Christ's imminent return will motivate a desire and enable the power to supernaturally abide in Him continually. See related resource - Thoughts on a Maranatha Mindset. The famous hymn writer Fanny Crosby although physically blind had a vibrant “Maranatha Mindset” which gave her “vision” and passion to pen words like “Take the world but give me Jesus–In His cross my trust shall be; Till, with clearer, brighter VISION, Face to face my Lord I SEE!” (1Cor 13:12-note) Now that's a person who is abiding in Jesus! Maranatha! In light of the certainty and imminency of our Lord's return, it behooves us as His children to abide in Him, by redeeming the precious moments He has loaned us! As John Wesley said "Catch the golden moments as they fly!" (See Redeem the Time) J
1 João 2:28-29
Spurgeon says "The beloved John needed to have confidence at the appearing of the Lord, and confidence fetched from the same source as that to which he directed his little children. How wisely, and yet how sweetly, he puts himself upon our level in this matter!" Plummer says that, in 1John and in Hebrews, parrhesia "means especially the fearless trust with which the faithful soul meets God.” James Montgomery Boice on confidence (parrhesia) - Dodd calls attention to the fact that in ancient times the word rendered confidence stood for the most valued right of a citizen in a free state to speak his mind. He adds that “although the meaning of the word became wider and more vague in course of time, yet there always hangs about it this special association with the thought of freedom of speech, unhampered by fear or shame.” (Borrow The Epistles of John : [an expositional commentary) Marvin Vincent on confidence (parrhesia) - It is opposed, as here, to aischunomai to be ashamed, in Pr 13:5, where the Septuagint reads “a wicked man is ashamed (aischunomai) and shall not have boldness (parrhesia). Also in Phil 1:20+ (Ed: Where Paul uses this same combination of words = "put to shame" and "boldness.") Compare 2 Cor. 3:12. The idea of free, open speech lies at the bottom of the word: coming before God’s bar with nothing to conceal. The thought is embodied in the general confession of the Book of Common Prayer: “That we should not dissemble nor cloke them before the face of Almighty God our Heavenly Father, but confess them.” (1 John 2) Wuest on confidence (parrhesia) - The word speaks of the heart attitude of a saint who lives so close to the Lord Jesus that there is nothing between him and his Lord when He comes, nothing of known sin in his life when the Rapture occurs. This is the kind of saint that keeps a daily check-up on himself as to sin in his life. He maintains a constant yieldedness to and dependence upon the Holy Spirit to show him sin in his life and give him the grace to judge it and put it out. (Eerdmans Publishing - used by permission) May I live so that I will be ready With joy my Savior to meet, And feel no alarm at His coming But hasten His heralds to greet. —Anon. Dear reader, I pray for each of that we will be walking worthy of our holy calling, so that when He returns, we can joyfully sing out Charles Wesley's words from And Can It be... Bold I approach the eternal throne, And claim the crown, through Christ my own. In one sense, we shrink back from the idea of being bold in the presence of the Holy One, but "It is not an improper boldness, but one which the Father Himself, in His nature, makes possible through the Son." (Smalley) Jesus, Thy Blood and Righteousness Jesus, Thy blood and righteousness My beauty are, my glorious dress; ’Midst flaming worlds, in these arrayed, With joy shall I lift up my head. Bold shall I stand in Thy great day; For who aught to my charge shall lay? Fully absolved through these I am From sin and fear, from guilt and shame. W A Criswell - Christ's return will inevitably cause one of two reactions. For the believer, the response is confidence. The term "confidence" is a translation of a Greek word which literally means "all speech" or "free speech." Confidence is indicated in the believer's ability to verbalize, in contrast to the silent terror and shame of those who must quake before Him at His return. (The Believer's Study Bible) Henry