1 João 2
H.A. Ironside · Citado em PreceptAustin
1 João 2:7-11
Ironside - This is the natural darkness in which all men are born. “Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart” (Ephesians 4:18+). That is the condition of man by nature. But remember, we are not condemned because of what we are by nature. “This is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil” (John 3:19). You are not responsible because you are a sinner by nature, but you are responsible if you reject the Savior. You are not responsible because you were born in darkness and your understanding is darkened, but you are responsible if you reject the light that comes to you through the Word of God. This light will chase away all the darkness if you walk in it. Don’t turn from its searching rays. But if men persist in rejecting the light, there may come a day when God will withdraw that light. In Jeremiah 13:16 we read, “Give glory to the Lord your God, before he cause darkness, and before your feet stumble upon the dark mountains, and, while ye look for light, he turn it into the shadow of death, and make it gross darkness.” This is the “strong delusion” we read about in 2Thessalonians 2:11. Then there is only one more step-eternal darkness-“Wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever” (Jude 1:13+). “He that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes” (1John 2:11). But Jesus said, “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life” (John 8:12). Have you honestly trusted Him? Is He your light? Is He your life today? (1 John 2 - Ironside's Notes) I Heard The Voice of Jesus say (Play this great hymn) I heard the voice of Jesus say, “I am this dark world’s Light; Look unto Me, thy morn shall rise, And all thy days be bright.” I looked to Jesus, and I found In Him my Star, my Sun, And in that light of life, I’ll walk Till trav’ling days are done. --Horatius Bonar Steven Cole sums up 1Jn 2:11 - The plain meaning of 1Jn 2:11 is that if you live for yourself with no regard for others, no self-sacrifice or willingness to be inconvenienced to meet others’ needs, then you are not saved. John is not talking about occasional lapses into selfishness. We all fail in that at times. Rather, he’s talking about a lifestyle (“walks”). The person who lives for himself and is indifferent towards others (which is what hatred means) “does not know where he is going because the darkness has blinded his eyes” (1Jn 2:11). He is spiritually blind, groping through life without the light of God’s Word to guide him in God’s ways. I have often counseled with people who profess to know Christ, but their relationships are marked by anger, abusive speech, bitterness, and self-centeredness. Invariably, they don’t have a clue as to why they keep experiencing broken relationships. While I do not know their hearts (only God does), their lives do not give evidence that they have experienced the love of God in Jesus Christ. Rather, they seem to be in spiritual darkness, blindly colliding from one broken relationship to the next. They do not practice biblical love, which is an essential mark of every true Christian. Conclusion -Again, none of us loves perfectly. When we fail, we need to repent and ask forgiveness of the one we wronged. It is a lifelong process of being conformed to the image of Jesus Christ. But those who have met Him at the cross will be growing in love for others. Also, note that love for others is a commandment, not a warm, gushy feeling. That should give you hope, because God’s commandments are not burdensome (1John 5:3) and God’s Spirit gives us the grace and power to obey His commands, which are for our good. Biblical love is a self-sacrificing, caring commitment that shows itself in seeking the highest good of the one loved. You can obey the commandment to love others! So if you’re thinking, “But I don’t love my mate any more,” or, “I just don’t like that difficult person,” the Bible is clear: Get to work obeying God’s commandment to love him or her. It’s not optional for the follower of Christ. It’s essential! (The Old New Commandment 1 John 2:7-11) Robert Candlish - The case put must be viewed as that of one who is so far in earnest as to be really aiming heavenward (The one who says he is in the Light - 1Jn 2:9). He may be even a most painstaking seeker of the heavenward way, and a plodding walker in whatever way he takes to be it. Such was many a Pharisee, like Paul in his days of elaborate self-righteousness. Such was many a Gnostic, or knowing one, among those whom John, I doubt not, had in his view when he was writing this verse. Take a devotee of that sort, engrossed in some self-purifying and self-perfecting spiritual discipline. “He hateth his brother.” That means, in John’s phraseology, he is destitute of brotherly love. He has no warm brotherly sympathy with other believers. He may have no positive ill-will to any man; on the contrary, in a sort of vague and general way he may think he wishes all men well. But he has no special affection for godly men as such, for children of the light. He is taken up with the care of his own soul, and his preparation for serving and enjoying God now and afterwards. I purposely state the case in its most favourable aspect. Now how does such a man really walk? One might suppose that, having nothing to do but to mind his own steps, he must walk very wisely and surely. But alas! the dreary, dismal records of ascetic and monastic piety prove that its walk is a terrible groping in the dark. Was ever the path of any of these recluses, even the holiest, “like the shining light that shineth more and more unto the perfect day?” Is it not rather a desperate plunging and floundering through mire and filth, amid stones and pitfalls, in the face of grisly phantoms of sin and hell? The man is bent on righting himself; ridding himself of lust; leaving behind him the world, the devil, and the flesh; working himself up into a state of serene and passionless equanimity, like that transcendental quiescence and repose in which he supposes God to dwell. It is a high though a visionary aim. For the attainment of it what efforts will he not put forth! what sacrifices will he not make! to what self-flagellation, self-laceration, bodily and spiritual, will he not submit! And yet what is it all but wandering as in a starless night? Incessant failure; disappointment after disappointment; new expedients resorted to in vain; now, for a moment, a supernatural trance, an ecstatic rapture, to be followed instantly by a fierce gust of unhallowed passion, or some horrid St. Anthony’s temptation! Truly the man knoweth not whither he goeth. His eyes become so blinded that the very light is to him as darkness. The light of the glorious gospel itself fails to illuminate and enlarge his soul. The absence of sympathy; brotherly sympathy; first with the elder brother, and then with the little ones in him, explains it all. (1 John 2:9-11 Brotherly Love a Test and Means of Being and Abiding) The Truth About Maps He who hates his brother . . . does not know where he is going. — 1 John 2:11 GPS is the latest way for travelers to find the best route to their destination, but my husband and I still navigate the old-fashioned way—with maps. Since Jay is usually the driver, the role of map watcher is mine by default. In general, I am not directionally challenged, but it seems that way when I try to navigate while the car is moving. Even though I know where we want to end up, I can’t figure out the best way to get there if we don’t stop to find out where we are. I need to get my bearings. This can be true in our spiritual life as well. When we try to figure out the way God wants us to go, we need to stop and get our spiritual bearings. If we don’t, we are likely to end up lost in unintended places, situations, or relationships. In helping His disciples navigate life and find their way through the traps and temptations of the world, Jesus often said, “stop.” “Stop grumbling,” “stop judging by mere appearances,” “stop doubting and believe” (John 6:43; 7:24; 20:27 NIV). To follow Jesus, we frequently have to stop something we are doing that’s wrong. As we depend on His guidance, we will learn to go in the way He says is right. By: Julie Ackerman Link Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. —Psalm 139:23-24 God’s way is the right way to go. Hates (detests, despises)(3404)(miseo from misos = hatred) means to dislike strongly or to have a strong aversion to someone, which is an expression of deep hostility of one person toward another (Mt 5:43+, Lk 6:27, et al). MISEO - 40X/36V - hate(13), hated(12), hateful(1), hates(12), hating(2). - Matt. 5:43; Matt. 6:24; Matt. 10:22; Matt. 24:9; Matt. 24:10; Mk. 13:13; Lk. 1:71; Lk. 6:22; Lk. 6:27; Lk. 14:26; Lk. 16:13; Lk. 19:14; Lk. 21:17; Jn. 3:20; Jn. 7:7; Jn. 12:25; Jn. 15:18; Jn. 15:19; Jn. 15:23; Jn. 15:24; Jn. 15:25; Jn. 17:14; Rom. 7:15; Rom. 9:13; Eph. 5:29; Tit. 3:3; Heb. 1:9; 1 Jn. 2:9; 1 Jn. 2:11; 1 Jn. 3:13; 1 Jn. 3:15; 1 Jn. 4:20; Jude 1:23; Rev. 2:6; Rev. 17:16; Rev. 18:2 All of John's uses below are in the present tense and the active voice, this voice indicating that the hatred involves their volition = they are making a choice of their will to hate! 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, and does not know where he is going because the darkness has blinded his eyes. 1 John 3:13 Do not be surprised, brethren, if the world hates you. 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 someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen. Walks (Behaves, Conducts) (4043)(peripateo from peri = about, around + pateo = walk, tread) means literally to walk around, to go here and there in walking, to tread all around. The 39 uses in the Gospels always refer to literal, physical walking. Seven of the 8 uses in Acts are also in the literal sense (except Acts 21:21+). (See Spurgeon's comments on what it means to walk) Peripateo only in the metaphorical sense (32 times in his Epistles - see all the NT uses below) meaning to conduct one's life, to order one's behavior, to behave, to make one's way, to make due use of opportunities, to live or pass one’s life (with a connotation of spending some time in a place), to walk with God in the complete circuit (course) of faith. Conduct refers to our behavior in our daily life, and it is a conduct that the unsaved are watching with critical eyes, so there must be nothing in our daily walk that jeopardizes our witness. See Walk, Walking (Spiritual) PERIPATEO IN WRITINGS OF JOHN - Jn. 1:36; Jn. 5:8; Jn. 5:9; Jn. 5:11; Jn. 5:12; Jn. 6:19; Jn. 6:66; Jn. 7:1; Jn. 8:12; Jn. 10:23; Jn. 11:9; Jn. 11:10; Jn. 11:54; Jn. 12:35; Jn. 21:18; 1 Jn. 1:6; 1 Jn. 1:7; 1 Jn. 2:6; 1 Jn. 2:11; 2 Jn. 1:4; 2 Jn. 1:6; 3 Jn. 1:3; 3 Jn. 1:4; Rev. 2:1; Rev. 3:4; Rev. 9:20; Rev. 16:15; Rev. 21:24 You honor God's name when you call Him your Father and live like His Son.
1 João 2:7-11
Ironside - In 1 John 2:9-10 the apostle speaks very seriously and very solemnly concerning something that may well convict some of us. “He that says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness even until now” (1John 2:9). If you hate your brother, no matter what you profess, you are still in darkness. Notice he did not say you may be a real Christian who has fallen into darkness; but he said, if you hate your brother you are “in darkness even until now.” You have never been anywhere else. You have never been in the light at all. You cannot have divine light or the Holy Spirit or the love of God dwelling in you, and still hate your brother. And yet we often see people professing the name of Christ while showing hatred toward others. (1 John 2 - Ironside's Notes) In the Light - It is interesting that the 1995 revision of the NAS capitalizes "Light" (not so in the 1977 version), presumably equating the Light with Christ (Jn 8:12, Jn 9:5), which again shows the bias of even the more literal translations. (Although I do agree with their thought, especially in light of [pun intended!] 1Jn 1:5). Likewise John Wesley interprets light as Christ writing that it conveys the picture of covenant union (See The Oneness of Covenant), commenting that it means "In Christ, united to Him." Westcott comments "is in the light, surrounded, as it were, by an atmosphere of divine glory. Comp. 1Jn 1:7." (Ibid) The structure of this verse is very similar to John's earlier statement that "The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him." (1 John 2:4) John Calvin said that “Fictitious sanctity dazzles the eyes of almost all men, while love is neglected, or at least driven into the farthest corner." David Smith - He (the one) says and perhaps thinks he is in the light, but he has never seen the light; it has never shone on him… There is no contradiction between this passage and Luke 14:26. The best commentary on the latter is John 12:25. (Reference) Alfred Plummer - The convert from heathendom who professes Christianity and hates his brother, says S. Augustine, is in darkness even until now. “There is no need to expound; but to rejoice, if it be not so, to bewail, if it be.” (1 John 2 - Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary) The point is, no matter how pagan or unloving your background, if you continue in a lifestyle of hate rather than a lifestyle of love, your profession of faith is suspect. Steven
1 João 2:7-11
Ironside - We can see as we look on the world around us and in us that the darkness is not past. Even though the gospel of the grace of God has been preached for almost two thousand years, the darkness is not gone. There are still millions in darkness and in the shadow of death. And no matter how well I know my Lord and His Word, I cannot say that the darkness is past even in me. But the darkness is passing, and the true light is shining. Every day I am getting to know my Lord better, and every day I understand His will more perfectly. But until the time comes when I leave this body and see my blessed Savior face to face, there will still be a measure of darkness in me, even though all is light in Him. Schiller, the German poet, said as he was dying, “I see everything clearer and clearer.” It won’t be long until all the darkness will be gone, and we will see everything in all its clearness in His own blessed presence. THE TRUE LIGHT IS SHINING In the meantime, the true (alethinos) Light (phos) is already shining (phaino) - When the Light of the World, the true Light, Jesus Christ "invaded" earth as the God-Man, His light began to expose and expunge spiritual darkness. Zacharias filled with the Holy Spirit, prophesied that his son John the Baptist would "give to His people the knowledge of salvation in the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, with which the Sunrise from on high will visit us, TO SHINE UPON THOSE WHO SIT IN DARKNESS AND THE SHADOW OF DEATH, To guide our feet into the way of peace.” (Lk 1:77-79, cp Isaiah 9:2) Everywhere Jesus went He shone forth as the true Light, spreading the light of true life and true love. Shining in the present tense indicates that this is an ongoing, continuing effect of the true light, the light of Christ in the Gospel and in His saints. Christ was still shining. The Sun of Righteousness (Mal 4:2) still blazes brightly in the sky of human history and He will shine gloriously and victoriously when He appears at His Second Coming at the terminus of human history in this present age (Mt 24:27, 30, Isa 60:2 where Lxx = phaino)! Are you letting Him shine today in and through your life? THOUGHT - Ponder this definition of shine as you think of yourself as lights in the world - To emit rays of light; to give light; to beam with steady radiance; to exhibit brightness or splendor; as, the sun shines by day; the moon shines by night. Shining differs from sparkling, glistening, glittering, as it usually implies a steady radiation or emission of light, whereas the latter words usually imply irregular or interrupted radiation. This distinction is not always observed, and we may say, the fixed stars shine, as well as that they sparkle. But we never say, the sun or the moon sparkles. To emit rays of light; to be bright by reflection of light; to be eminent, conspicuous, or distinguished (shines in math); to have a bright glowing appearance (his face shone). Beloved ambassador of the Most High God, do not these definitions of SHINE speak to our hearts, constraining us to let His glorious light shine into the spiritual darkness of this world? O God, our Great Father, by Thy Great Spirit, enable us, empower us, humble us (if need be), to be Thy "great lights" (great in Thy Son, not in our self!) in the midst of a crooked and perverse and dead generation (Php 2:15+, cp Mt 5:16+), all for the glory of Thy Great Name, through Christ Jesus our Great High Priest. Amen Matthew wrote "THE PEOPLE WHO WERE SITTING IN DARKNESS SAW A GREAT LIGHT (Jesus), AND THOSE WHO WERE SITTING IN THE LAND AND SHADOW OF DEATH, UPON THEM A LIGHT (Jesus) DAWNED." (Mt 4:16) John adds that "The Light (Jesus) shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it… There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man." (John 1:5,9) Paul wrote "For God, who said, "Light shall shine out of darkness," is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ." (2Cor 4:6+) Peter wrote "But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; (1Pet 2:9+) In short, Jesus was the True Light Who came to bring spiritual light into the spiritual darkness of this world, and He continues to shine this life changing light through the hearts of those who have become a new creation in Christ. Isaiah's prophecy while in context referring to Israel in the future Millennium, is surely applicable to all believers in this present age… Arise, shine (both are commands, not suggestions!); (Why?) for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you. (Isa 60:1) A T
1 João 2:12-14
Ironside - If you have made Christ your only ground of confidence, and are now able to say, “On Christ the solid rock I stand, / All other ground is sinking sand,” then you are numbered among the children of verse 12 (1 John 2:12)… He has given us in 1John 1:7 the basis of that forgiveness: “The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” There is no other way that sin can be blotted out. No other way that guilty men can be given a standing in the presence of a holy God. No other way is needed, for on Calvary’s tree our Lord shed His precious atoning blood. Thank God that “Sinners plunged beneath that flood, / Lose all their guilty stains.” These are the children of God. ILLUSTRATION - Forgiveness - A man named John Oglethorpe, in talking to John Wesley, once made the comment, "I never forgive." Mr. Wesley wisely replied, "Then, Sir, I hope that you never sin." ILLUSTRATION - Forgiveness Without an "Asterisk" (or Caveat)! - There is a commonly known story that comes from the life of Martin Luther. It is said that the devil approached Luther one day and tried to use the fact that every person is fallible. He presented the Reformer with a long list of sins of which he was guilty. When he had finished reading, Luther said to Satan, "Think a little harder; you must have forgotten some." This the devil did and added other sins to the list. At the conclusion of this exchange, Martin Luther simply said, "That’s fine. Now write across that list in red ink, "The blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanses us from all sin.." There was nothing the devil could say to that. In sum, John assures this group (which includes new believers) that indeed their sins have been forgiven (1Jn 2:12). He then John assures these new believers of their relationship with the Father (in 1Jn 2:13). Just as it was true in John’s day, it’s still the case that these two areas are frequently the most doubted by those who are new to the faith. So John reminds them of these foundational truths: their sins have been completely forgiven by the blood of Jesus Christ (1Jn 1:7) and they are now children of God, the Father (1Jn 3:1). Today in the Word - Don’t let any of the designations used in the passage make you feel excluded! The term father could be expanded to include anyone who has known the Lord for a long time and who has nurtured others in the faith. The term child includes all who are relatively young in the faith. And young man refers to those who are somewhere in between; this person is progressing in the faith and has experienced God’s victory in some areas. Reflect on your “stage." J C RYLE - FORGIVENESS - excerpt from his sermon - There is a clause near the end of the Apostle's Creed, which, I fear, is often repeated without thought or consideration. I refer to the clause which contains these words, "I believe in the Forgiveness of sins." Thousands, I am afraid, never reflect what those words mean. I propose to examine the subject of them in the following paper, and I invite the attention of all who care for their souls, and want to be saved. Do we believe in the "Resurrection of our bodies"? Then let us see to it that we know something by experience of the "Forgiveness of our sins." C H
1 João 2:12-14
Ironside - In the book of Revelation we read, “They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony” (Rev 12:11). When John said, “I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one,” we can be sure that it is through their faith in the atoning blood of Christ that they have been able to turn away from the world that crucified Him. They have said farewell to anything that has no place for their Lord. My old companions, fare you well, I cannot go with you to hell; I mean with Jesus Christ to dwell, I will go. Do you remember an experience like that? Have you turned from the world that rejected your Savior, and clinging to Him, taken His place of rejection? If so, then even when Satan seeks to terrify you by bringing before you your past sins, you are able to plead the infinite value of Christ’s atoning blood. That is the way to overcome.(1 John 2 - Ironside's Notes) Guy King writes - Many a contest with the Satanic myrmidons had these "young men" waged, and many a victory they had gained. You see, there is a secret of victory which these had learned - and we shall learn it in a later Study of this very Epistle. It is, alas, sadly true that many third-rate, poor-grade, Christians are living defeated lives: such an unsatisfactory thing for themselves, such a bad example to others, such a poor advertisement for the faith. How different are those spoken of by Paul, in Ro 5:17-note, that "they which receive abundance of grace … shall reign in life". Reign, not over people nor kingdoms, but over feelings, and fears, and circumstances, and habits, and sins. You see, these "young men" are triumphant overcomers, because "Ye are strong" (1Jn 2:14) - a weak Christian is a contradiction in terms, for the purposes of GOD never contemplate such a thing. Unfortunately, there are not a few delicate, invalid Christians; and all such should attend at once the Great Physician's clinic, to discover what is wrong, and to get things put right. Among the common symptoms of this spiritual debility are (a) A lack of good food - seen in the fact of no appetite for the Word; (b) A lack of good, fresh air - the mountain breezes that blow about the footstool of prayer; (c) A lack of good exercise - in the service of GOD. Nowhere is it more certain that idleness is the precursor of illness. How frequently, in both Testaments, do the Scriptures exhort us to "Be strong" - whether in Joshua 1:9, 18, Hag 2:4; or in Eph 6:10-note. Wherefore, let us heed the injunction, not only for our sake, but for others, since "we then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak", Ro 15:1-note. (1 John 2:12-14 The Progress of the Fellowship) Robert Candlish on young men- As good soldiers of Christ (2Ti 2:3-4), I would remind you of your high vocation; of what is committed to you; of what is expected of you. Your sphere is the field of battle. The quiet of contemplative study may best suit aged saints, advanced disciples, “fathers;” who may best serve the cause by enlarging, under the Spirit’s teaching, their own and the Church’s knowledge of the Eternal Word; elevating their own and the Church’s views of the Son in the bosom of the Father. But the vigor of spiritual youth points to the never-ending conflict between the seed of the woman and the seed of the serpent (Genesis 3:15), as your special department. For you are called to wage war with the wicked one. And you have every encouragement to do so. You have overcome him already in Christ, for He has overcome him. You have but to follow up and follow out the conquest. (John 2 Commentary 1 John 2:12-14 The Guileless Spirit Abiding in the Light) The evil one (poneros) - Some versions capitalize this name because they interpret it as a proper name for our Adversary (1Pe 5:8+), "the great dragon… , the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives (planao in the present tense = this is continually his seductive, stealth attack even as it was at the beginning in perfect setting in paradise = Ge 3:1-6 = He questions and distorts the Word of Truth!) the whole world." (Rev 12:9-note)
1 João 2:12-14
Ironside - There are not many fathers in the faith. People may be very old in Christ and yet not be fathers in a spiritual sense. Sadly, many who have been Christians for years are still very worldly minded and know little of true fellowship with Christ. Paul earnestly prayed, “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death” (Philippians 3:10). It is this personal knowledge of God that constitutes one a father in Christ. This is the height of Christian maturity, and comes through a life of intimate fellowship with Christ. Does your soul long to know Him? Do you seek to know Him better through the years? There is only one way that you will ever become a father in Christ-it is to know Him. Many people are quite clear regarding certain great doctrines, or convinced as to where they stand on the fundamental and liberal controversy. They have rigid ideas as to how the people of God should meet together, and yet there is one thing very evident-they do not know Christ in this intimate relationship that is indicated here. How do you get to know a person? By living with them day after day. How do you get to know Christ? By living in intimate fellowship with Him day after day throughout the years. You know Him when He ministers to you in your sorrow. You know Him when you put Christ first and find your chief joy and gladness in Him. To know Him! This is to be a father in Christ. John does not add a word of exhortation. Why? Because when Christ becomes the sole object of the heart, nothing more can be added to that. The heart completely devoted to Christ is delivered from the power of sin, saved from worldliness, and kept from jealousy, envy, and everything that is of the flesh. These things will not be present in the heart where Christ is all in all. (1 John 2 - Ironside's Notes) The great apostle Paul's deepest desire was for deeper knowing and intimacy with His Lord writing "that I may know (ginosko) Him, and the power (dunamis) of His resurrection (cp his prayer that the "surpassing greatness of His power" be the personal possession the saints at Ephesus - Eph 1:18-20-note) and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead." (Php 3:10-11-note) Indeed, this is a Pauline inspiration that is a worthy personal aspiration, one that should be the warp and woof of every believer's heart! THOUGHT - Dear reader, does this describe your heart's desire, your life's goal, your summum bonum? We see this same principle even in the Old Testament prophetic book of Daniel where we can apply the principle that "The people that know their God shall be strong (display strength), and do exploits (take action)." (Da11:32+) Such knowledge (of Jesus) moves the heart, steels the will, nerves the arm, to adventure for GOD! As Guy King says "such (intimate, experiential) knowledge (of Jesus) moves the heart, steels the will, nerves the arm, to adventure for GOD! Ned Weeks, a man uneducated and ungifted, but with a heart aflame with love for GOD and for men, did such a remarkable work in the town of Northampton that they gave him a public funeral, when crowds lined the streets with every evidence of real sorrow as the cortege passed. A stranger standing by, on asking who this was, and why all this demonstration, was given, in the rough vernacular, the explanation, "You see, he was wonderfully thick with the Almighty." Ah yes, he knew Him. To be educated - grand; to be gifted - grand; to be enthusiastic - grand; but grandest of all is to "know Him", for this will over-rule any disability, caused through no fault of our own, and enable us to dare and do for Him." (The Progress of the Fellowship) Amen or O my! H A Ironside - It is quite possible to have been a Christian for many years, and yet not be a father (speaking of spiritual maturity). There are many who have been saved a great many years but are spiritually dwarfed because they give so little attention to spiritual things. They give so little time to the Word of God, are so seldom exercised in holy things, and know so little of the blessedness of prayer and communion with the Lord, that they do not grow. But when the apostle spoke to the fathers, he was speaking to those who through long years have availed themselves of their Christian privileges, learned to love the Word of God, sought to walk with Christ, labored for the blessing of others, and learned experientially to know the blessed Lord in all His fullness. When John said, “Ye have known him [that is] from the beginning,” he did not mean, “Ye have known concerning him,” or “known about him,” but “ye have known him.” Spiritual fathers have lived in fellowship with Him, walked with Him, and talked with Him. He has become dearer and nearer and more real to them than any earthly friend. He draws very near to His own, and, if I may coin an expression, He presences Himself with them. He shows them His hands and feet, and says, “It is I myself: handle me, and see” (Luke 24:39). He asks us to remember that it was for us He bore the wounds and endured the agony of the cross, in order that we might become His own. So the fathers are those who have learned to know Him throughout the years. They have learned to appreciate His love. The world has lost its power over their souls because Christ has filled the eyes of their hearts. (1 John 2 - Ironside's Notes) THE CIRCLE OF THE WISE - David Roper - I used to serve on the elder board of a church in California. One elder, Bob Smith, who was older than most of us, frequently called us back to the Word of God for guidance. On one occasion we were discussing a leadership shortage in the church and had spent an hour or more working through various solutions. Bob was silent throughout the discussion. Finally, he said quietly, “Gentlemen, we’ve forgotten Jesus’ solution to our leadership issue. Before we do anything, we must first ‘ask the Lord of the harvest … to send out workers’” (Luke 10:2 niv). We were humbled, and spent the rest of our time praying that God would raise up workers and send them into the field. C. S. Lewis said, “The next best thing to being wise oneself is to live in a circle of those who are.” Proverbs 1:5 says, “A man of understanding will attain wise counsel.” Bob’s comment is just one example of the value of wise men and women who “have known Him who is from the beginning” (1 John 2:13-14) and whose minds are saturated with the Word of God. The older saints who trust God’s Word Have trod the paths that we now walk; They’ve fought the battles we now fight— Their wisdom teaches truth and right. —Branon That one is truly wise who gains wisdom from the experience of others. (Ed: Let us live in the "circle of the wise" fathers John describes!) YOUNG MEN OVERCAME THE EVIL ONE I am writing (grapho) to you - See above. Luther once said, "The devil hates goose quills," and, doubtless, he has good reason, for ready writers, by the Holy Spirit’s blessing, have done his kingdom much damage. Young men (neaniskos) generally describes men in the prime of their life between 20-40 years of age. Most commentators favor that this group is composed of believers younger in the faith as well as younger physically. Almost everything that is great has been done by youth.—Benjamin Disraeli At age 27, Spurgeon built the great Metropolitan Tabernacle in London. Billy Graham was 31 at the time of his now-famous Los Angeles Crusade. Billy Sunday left home plate for the pulpit at 33. John Wesley began his real life’s work at 35. Jesus Christ began the greatest work of all time at about age 30 culminating the greatest event of all time at about age 33. A recommended read - Thoughts for Young Men - J C Ryle (a classic!) (or here) John
1 João 2:15
Ironside explains that the "world" is that "system that man has built up in this scene, in which he is trying to make himself happy without God. You get it away back in Genesis, where Cain went out from the presence of the Lord and built a city, and there what we call the world really began (Ge 4:16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24). It was a wonderful world; they were exercised in all kinds of arts, sciences, business, and pleasure, anything and everything to make them happy without God; but it ended in corruption and violence, and God had to sweep the whole thing away with a flood. (cp Ge 6:5) The principles of the world that caused the corruption and violence before the flood were carried into the ark in the hearts of some of Noah's children. They brought the world into the ark, and when the new world was started after the judgment of the flood, they brought the world out of the ark with them, and again set it up. (Epistles of John) The world will try to pressure us To fit into its mold, But with God's help we can resist If to His truth we hold. —Sper Michael Eaton wisely observes that we need to understand what world or worldly does not mean "It is not ‘worldly’ to follow a career in politics, to get married, to have children, to be involved in earning a living. None of these are what John has in mind by ‘the world’. Nor is John concerned about a list of ‘taboos’. Every group of Christians has a list of activities or practices that are frowned upon. Christians tended to think, in days gone by, that ‘worldliness’ was a matter of whether one went to dances or to the cinema (Ed: Although I would add today one has to be very discerning in what movie or television show one chooses to watch, for there is a strong anti-god bias in the media. (cp 1Th 5:21, 22+). Such ‘taboos’ vary from age to age. What was forbidden ten years ago is allowed today. Such banned activities also vary from culture to culture. In one part of the world Christians might frown upon bearing arms, or wearing upon earrings, or upon allowing the soles of the feet to become visible … or whatever! But none of this is what John has in mind. (On the other hand world or worldly) … is the anti–God mentality of the human race, the worldwide fondness for sin and self which causes men and women to stumble into wickedness. ‘Woe to the world because of occasions of stumbling,’ said Jesus (Mt 18:7). It is rebelliousness, spiritual ignorance (1Jn 3:1+; Jn 1:10+), combined with hostility towards God (see Jas 4:4+). Behind it is the grip of Satan (1Jn 5:19, Jn 12:31, Lk 4:6). ‘Worldliness’ is the inclination to be drawn into the ways of the people around us who do not know God. (Eaton, M. Focus on the Bible: 1, 2, 3 John) The world is whatever cools our affection for Christ! See Puritan Thomas Watson's words on the world (click) and Pastor Steven Cole's definition of the world or worldliness (click) Christians must live in the world but not let the world live in them. John uses kosmos primarily with the moral/ethical sense (although there are some exceptions as noted) in this same epistle… and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world (kosmos here means the the inhabitants of the earth). (1 Jn 2:2) See how great a love the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called children of God; and such we are. For this reason the world (the evil world system) does not know us, because it did not know Him. (1Jn 3:1) Do not be surprised, brethren, if the world (the evil world system) hates you. (1 Jn 3:13). But whoever has the world's (kosmos here is not the evil world system per se but is used in a more neutral sense) goods, and beholds his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him? (1Jn 3:17) Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world (Here the meaning of the word kosmos is somewhat unclear - it could mean the world filled with people but could also refer to the evil world system or both). (1Jn 4:1) and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; and this is the spirit of the antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming, and now it is already in the world (evil world system). (1Jn 4:3) You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world (evil world system). They are from the world (evil world system); therefore they speak as from the world (evil world system), and the world (evil world system)listens to them. (1 Jn 4:4, 5) By this, love is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because as He is, so also are we in this world. (1 Jn 4:17). They are from the world (the evil world system); therefore they speak as from the world (evil world system), and the world (which is opposed to God) listens to them. (1Jn 4:5) For whatever is born of God overcomes the world (the evil world system and its influence even on believers); and this is the victory that has overcome the world-- our faith. And who is the one who overcomes the world (the evil world system and its influence even on believers), but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? (1 John 5:4, 5) We know that we are of God, and that the whole world (evil world system) lies in the power of the evil one. (1 John 5:19) In John 15 Jesus warned His disciples… If the world (kosmos - evil world system opposed to God and composed of God's enemies) hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. If you were OF the world, the world would love its own; but because you are (ABSOLUTELY) not OF (ek = from, out of) the world, but I chose you OUT OF the world, therefore the world (present tense - continually) hates you. (John 15:18, 19+) In His prayer to His Father Jesus prayed… I have given them (His disciples) Thy word; and the world has hated them, because they are not OF (ek = from, out of) the world (cp similar sentiment expressed in 1Jn 3:1+), even as I am not OF (ek = from, out of) the world. (John 17:14+) The basic meaning of kosmos is order which leads to the two main uses… (1) Adornment, decoration, eternal adorning (used this way in NT only in 1Pe 3:3+, where kosmos speaks of the woman wearing that which is fitting with her character as a believer and not incongruous or "out of order". In the context of Jas 4:4+ she should not be a believer who seeks external adornment that mimics that of the world [cp "friendship with the world"]! Beloved, a believing woman's attire should always be so "ordered" as to draw attention to her face, not her form! Compare God's desired "adornment" in 1Pe 3:4+) (2) The world, which as alluded to above has a variety of nuances which must be determined by examining the context. For example John used kosmos to refer to the people of the world in general in 1Jn 2:2 (much like Jn 3:16) Kosmos/kosmeo give us our English words cosmos (the ordered universe), cosmopolitan (literally a citizen of the world!) and cosmetics (those things we put on in order to bring order out of "chaos"!) English terms. A matter of "cosmic" significance, is something which is important for the whole world. When one speaks of a "cosmopolitan" city, it means a city which has citizens from many parts of the world. Kosmos is the absolute antithesis of chaos (a Greek word meaning a rude, unformed mass), chaos being the fantasized condition with which the theory of evolution begins! The Bible on the other hand uses kosmos to describe the original condition of the universe (cp kosmos in 2Pe 3:6+) as one of perfection ("it was very good" Ge 1:31+, not very chaotic! Kosmos is used the first time in LXX of Ge 2:1+ all their hosts = "and the whole world". The sons of God (the angels) did not shout for joy over chaos, but kosmos when they saw this universe come into existence by the creative fiat of God (Job 38:4, 5, 6, 7)! David
1 João 2:16
Ironside has an interesting interpretation of this section writing that "I remember when I was a young Christian, my world against which I had to guard most was the world of polite literature. I used to love it, its poetry, its essays, its wonderful books, and I appreciate them yet in a certain sense, but I had to remember this, that if ever these things came in between my soul and my love for this blessed Book, I had to turn away from them and give my time and attention to this Book, and so it is with many things. There was a young lady with great musical ability preparing to go on the concert stage when the Lord saved her. She said one day, "You know I have made a wonderful discovery; my very love for music is coming in between my soul and Christ," and that young woman for eight years would not touch a musical instrument, for she was afraid she would become so absorbed that she would not enjoy the things of God. The time came when she said, "I cannot enjoy music for its own sake, but I, can use it as a vehicle to bless the souls of men," and she gave her talent to Christ, and He used it in attracting people to hear the gospel. No matter what it is, if you lay it down at Jesus' feet and use it for Him, you do not need to be afraid of it. But do not put your work before Jesus Christ. Sometimes a fine house is "the world." Here is a Christian, and while he is little in his own eyes and has not much means, he lives in a quiet little home, but the Lord trusts him with a good deal of money, and he immediately says, "I must have a better house now; I must have some style about me; I must have magnificent furniture and draperies." What for? Is he any more comfortable? He can eat just three meals a day, he can sleep in just one bed at a time, and sit in just one chair at a time, but he feels he must impress people. Beauty, too, can get in between you and Christ, and it will prove to be "the world" if one is not careful. (1 John 2 Commentary) And the boastful pride of life: kai e alazoneia tou biou: Amplified: the pride of life [assurance in one’s own resources or in the stability of earthly things]
1 João 2:16
Ironside - It is not that the flesh (referring to the moral/ethical meaning) is, or ever will be, in any sense improved. The flesh in the oldest and godliest Christian is as incorrigibly evil as the flesh in the vilest sinner… All efforts to reform or purify it are in vain. The law only demonstrates its incurable wickedness. And this explains why the natural man is so completely unprofitable… To say so would be to declare that man is not a responsible creature but is simply the victim of a hard, cruel fatalism. But although he knows the evil and approves the good, the natural man inclines toward the wrong and fails to do the right. Because he is dominated by the flesh, to which he yields his members as instruments of unrighteousness (Ro 6:13+), he is powerless to change his nature. The natural man therefore cannot really please God." (Romans 8 Commentary) (Bolding added) Larry Richards summarizes flesh (specifically the moral/ethical aspect) writing that ""flesh" is a complex word with many meanings… The NT emphasizes humanity's moral inadequacy. When they are isolated from God, human beings are energized by evil desires and guided by perceptions that distort God's will and His nature. The word "flesh" reminds us that we are caught in the grip of sin. Even a desire for righteousness cannot enable us to actually become righteous. God deals with our flesh in a surprising way. He does not free us now from the fleshly nature. Instead, he provides a source of power that will release us from the domination of the flesh. Jesus has paid for sins generated by our flesh, whether sins of our past or those yet in our future. But Jesus has also provided us with his Holy Spirit. The Spirit lives within us, and He is the source of new desires and a new perspective. Even more, the spiritual power unleashed in the resurrection is made available to us in the Spirit… If we choose to rely on the Spirit and if we commit ourselves to His control, we will experience a resurrection kind of life--now. The limits imposed by our fleshly human nature will no longer contain us, and we will be freed from the mastery of the flesh." (BORROW Expository Dictionary of Bible Words) (Bolding added) Lewis Sperry Chafer wrote that flesh (the moral/ethical definition) is "Any aspect of life or conduct which is undertaken in dependence upon the energy and ability of the flesh is, to that extent, purely legal in character, whether it be the whole revealed will of God, the actual written commandments contained in the Law, the exhortations of grace, or any activity whatsoever in which the believer may engage. Middletown Bible Church has an instructive note on explaining that… There are five things that will never happen to the flesh (referring to the moral/ethical aspect): 1) The flesh cannot be changed. The rebellious, non-submissive flesh will never be transformed into submissive, obedient flesh. God’s method of dealing with the flesh is not to change it but to CONDEMN IT (Ro 8:3-note) and crucify it (Gal 5:24-note; Gal 2:20-note and compare Ro 6:6-note). 2) The flesh cannot be reformed. It cannot be corrected or restored to purity. That which is corrupt remains corrupt. That which is desperately wicked remains desperately wicked (Jer 17:9). The Church was reformed (we speak of the Protestant "Reformation") and restored to some degree of purity but the flesh will never have a reformation. Two thousand years ago it did not have a reformation but it had a crucifixion! 3) The flesh can never be trained. The flesh is stubborn. It refuses to change its ways. It’s immutable. You can never teach the flesh how to please God. The flesh is incorrigible--incapable of being corrected or amended. The flesh refuses to change its ways. The works of the flesh always remain the same (Gal 5:19, 20, 21-see notes Gal 5:19; 20; 21). 4) The flesh cannot be improved. It always remains as it is: depraved, corrupt, wicked, sinful, evil, anti-God, rebellious, stubborn, proud, etc. 5) The flesh cannot be reconciled to God. It is always and ever opposed to God (Gal 5:17-note). It will never be at peace with God; instead there is constant war. God can never be brought into harmony with that which is out of harmony with His holy and righteous character. Finally Wuest emphasizes that in using the word flesh, the apostle John "has no reference to the physical body except as that body is controlled or energized by the evil nature. The physical body and its members in themselves have no evil desires except as controlled by the totally depraved nature. To say that the physical body of itself has evil desires is Gnosticism, the heresy that matter is inherently evil. (Eerdmans Publishing - used by permission) And the lust of the eyes: kai e epithumia ton ophthalmon: Genesis 3:6; 6:2; Joshua 7:21; Job 31:1; Ps 119:36,37; Ecclesiastes 5:10,11; Matthew 4:8; Luke 4:5 1 John 2 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: Genesis 6:2+ that the sons of God saw that the daughters of men were beautiful; and they took wives for themselves, whomever they chose. Psalm 101:3+ (DAVID) I will set (THIS IS THE KEY - ONCE IT IS BEFORE YOUR EYES, YOU ARE DOOMED!) no worthless thing before my eyes; I hate the work of those who fall away; It shall not fasten its grip on me. THE PROBLEM WITH OUR EYES Our eyes, when gazing on sinful objects, are out of their calling and God's keeping. -- Thomas Fuller And the lust (epithumia) of the eyes (opthalmos) ("eyes hungry for all they see") - Our eyes, like our natural desires, are not evil. Pr 20:12 says "The hearing ear and the seeing eye, The LORD has made both of them." But because the eyes are the "windows" of the mind, they provide the avenue by which sinful desires enter into our thoughts and thoughts when incubated often become acts and actions. The eyes of fallen man say, “play now and pay later (or never!)." Men being creatures of sight, must be especially on guard. "I see it. I want it. I take it!" Have you ever done that? I call this the "Achan syndrome" (read the instructive, frightening account in Joshua 7:1-26, esp Josh 7:1, 11, 12, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26+). (Achan answering Joshua) when I SAW among the spoil a beautiful mantle from Shinar and two hundred shekels of silver and a bar of gold fifty shekels in weight, then I COVETED (Lxx = enthumeomai = Achan thought carefully about, pondered on, reflected inwardly regarding) them and TOOK them; and behold, they are CONCEALED (Heb = taman = they were hidden by covering over so that they could not be found; Lxx = egkrupto = to put something into something so as to hide out of sight) in the earth inside my tent with the silver underneath it. (Joshua 7:21+) Comment: Note the principle of progression of the passion to possess - "I saw… I coveted… took." Note also what we do with our sin! We hide our sin from others [cp Ge 3:10] and we think (foolishly) even from God Himself (cp Achan "concealed", see Nu 32:23+, Ps 90:8+, Isa 3:11+) Daniel Akin has an interesting quote - Dodd notes that the desire of the eyes can be understood as “the tendency to be captivated by the outward show of things, without enquiring into their real values.”250 This insight cuts to the heart of the issue in that all of these temptations of the world focus on enjoyment in the present without an analysis or understanding of the future ramifications. How an action, or its value, compares with the worth of the eternal things that come from God must always be factored into the equations of life.
1 João 2:16
Ironside says that the boastful pride of life is the The ostentation of living, trying to make an appearance before others, the vainglory (excessive or ostentatious pride especially in one’s achievements) of the world. I think sometimes if some Christians took two-thirds of the money that they put into a mansion down here, and invested it in sending the gospel to a lost world, they would have a much finer mansion up there. "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world… The world passeth away, and the lust thereof." I was passing along the street the other day with a friend, and he said, as he pointed out one house after another, "There is an awful lot of tragedy connected with that house. A man built this great home for his beautiful wife, and suddenly she died. Here is a house that had much money put into it, but there was a suicide in the family, and now no one cares to live in it." There is no real joy in these things. As Christians, ours are the only joys that last forever; ours are the things that will never pass away, and yet to think that we can be so foolish and invest so much in that which is simply fleeting and will leave us dissatisfied and unhappy at last. (1 John 2 Commentary) Steven
1 João 2:17
Ironside writes the following comment regarding the one who does the will of God… In obedience to His will there is lasting joy, there is endless gladness. In the light of that, who would not say, Take the world, but give me Jesus, All earth's joys are but in name, But His love abideth ever, Through eternal years the same. Have you made your choice? You made your choice once when you turned from sin to Christ. Have you made the other choice? Have you turned from the world to Christ? There is many a one who has trusted Jesus as his Saviour from judgment, who has never learned to know Him as the rejected One with whom he is called to walk in hallowed fellowship. No one can ever put this world beneath his feet until he has found a better world above. When your heart is taken up with that world, it is an easy thing to heed the exhortation, "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world." (1 John 2 Commentary) (Bolding and color added) George Sweeting - A few years ago when I was in Northfield, Massachusetts, to conduct evangelistic services, I visited "Roundtop" where D. L. Moody is buried. As I knelt in prayer, I recalled vividly Mr. Moody's eloquent words: "Someday you will read in the papers that D. L. Moody is dead. Don't you believe a word of it. At that moment I shall have gone up higher; that is all; out of this old clay tenement, into a house that is immortal—a body that death cannot touch, that sin cannot taint; a body fashioned like unto His glorious body. I was born of the flesh in 1837. I was born of the Spirit in 1856. That which is born of the flesh may die. That which is born of the Spirit will live forever." Mr. Moody was right. And I expect to meet him one day in a glorified body that will never die. Gary Derickson applies John's command "Do not love the world" - Some Christians have mistakenly thought that discarding their material possessions is the answer. For example, Francis of Assisi, upon hearing the reading of Matt 10:7–19, believed he was being personally called to a life of poverty. He discarded his material possessions and began an evangelistic ministry that drew a following of other monks and eventually developed into an order in the Catholic Church.600 Giving all to the poor and living in poverty is not what John had in mind. Poor people can be possessed by their possessions. Wealthy people can have great possessions but not overvalue them because their hearts were in heaven, not bound to earth. They loved God more than anything they possessed. How do we gain a proper perspective on the passing world? Begin by reading and heeding Ecclesiastes. In it we are reminded about the transitoriness of life and the meaninglessness of things and accomplishments. We are also reminded that God intends that we enjoy this life, while remembering we will give an account to Him in the end. Only with an eternal perspective will the temporal find its proper place in our values. So how do you love God more than the world? First, pause regularly to remind yourself that God does not play second fiddle to anyone or anything. Second, take time regularly to think about the transitoriness of the world and its possessions. Everything on this earth wears out. It is a reminder to us that the world is indeed passing away. Ask yourself whether you are being a steward of God’s resources or a consumer of the earth. Only with an eternal perspective will the temporal find its proper place in our values. (1, 2 & 3 John: Evangelical Exegetical Commentary) Pastor Steven
1 João 2:18-23
Ironside - John is the only writer who uses that particular term; other terms are used in other parts of Scripture;—the Idol Shepherd, the Lawless One, the Willful King, the Son of Perdition, the Man of Sin, the False Prophet, and the one who shall come in his own name. These different terms describe the same person, the one who shall arise in the days of the great tribulation and lead guilty apostate Christendom and Judaism farther away from God than they are at the present time. (1 John 2 Commentary) Marvin
1 João 2:18-23
Ironside - The spirit of antichrist is the putting of man in the place of God and His Christ—self-worship, humanism—and the babes need to be warned against this. The worst of it is that many of the advocates of these unholy systems were once numbered among the Christian company. They took their places at the communion-table, had fellowship outwardly with the people of God, went through Christian baptism, but now have turned away from the Christianity of this blessed Book, from the simplicity that is in Christ, and deny the precious blood that once they confessed. In the light of Scripture testimony which says, "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me: and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand" (Jn 10:27-28+), how are we to account for people who have for years walked in the Christian company and seemed to be just as real as any other professed believers, but now count "the blood of the covenant, wherewith they were sanctified, an unholy thing, and have done despite unto the Spirit of grace" (Heb 10:29+), and spurned the love of our Lord Jesus Christ? The answer is, "They were not altogether of us, or they would have continued with us." (1 John 2 Commentary) Steven
1 João 2:24
Ironside: “Abide in me, and I in you” (v. 4a). Abiding speaks of “communion.” “As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me” (Jn 15:4 b). How forgetful we are of that! The preacher goes out to face his audience to whom he has preached so frequently through the years, perhaps often from the very same passage of Scripture. He goes out with self-confidence, forgetting the need of prayer, of being before God for a time of heart-searching lest anything, any root of bitterness, might have come up which might hinder the work of the Spirit of God. He rushes to the platform and delivers his sermon-but nothing happens. Nothing happens because he was not consciously abiding in the living Vine. You have possibly heard the story of a young minister who had been called to be pastor of his first church. He was just out of seminary and had much confidence in his own ability. He had graduated with honors, and everybody felt sure that he was going to be a second Henry Ward Beecher. The people were watching him as he entered the pulpit with an air of self-importance. He read his text, and then his whole sermon went from him. The whole thing was gone. He read the text again, and still he could not recall the sermon he intended to preach. He tried the third time and said, “I want to read my text again,” hoping the sermon would come back to mind. But all was a blank so far as the sermon was concerned, and looking at his audience he said, “I am sorry, but I can’t speak to you this morning.” Down the stairs he went with bowed head and broken step. At the close an old church officer came to him and said, “Laddie, if you had gone up the way you came down, you might have come down the way you went up!” You see, it is so easy to be self-confident and to believe that because we have done it before, of course we can do it again. So we forget the need of constantly abiding, of ever being before Him in communion. And it is the same in every detail of Christian life. We have had a great blessing and a wonderful day of victory, and in the power of that we try to live the next day, forgetting in the rush of things the necessity of being before God, of having a quiet time before Him. Then comes a crash and a failure, and we are heartbroken and wonder what is the matter. Jesus gives the answer, “As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: he that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit” (Jn 15:4-5). (John 15 - Ironside's Notes on Selected Books) Matthew
1 João 2:25-27
Ironside - They were not to be dependent on human wisdom, for they had the Word of God opened to them by the Holy Spirit. This then is the comfort, stay, and protection of God’s little children. They may not know very much, but they know Christ. They have the Holy Spirit dwelling in them, and they have the Word of God to instruct them. May we all learn to value what God has graciously committed to us. (1 John 2) John Piper provides an excellent summary of this section - In this long text there are only two imperatives. One is in 1Jn 2:24: “Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you.” And the other is in 1Jn 2:27 at the end: “As his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie, just as it has taught you, abide in Him.” Let the Word abide in you! Abide in the Spirit! I can’t help but recall a similar pair of admonitions in Paul’s letters: Colossians 3:16+, “Let the word of Christ dwell (present imperative) in you richly, as you…sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” Ephesians 5:18-19+, “Be filled (present imperative) with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with all your heart, always and for everything giving thanks.” “Let the word dwell in you!” is like John’s “Let the word abide in you!” “Be filled with the Spirit!” is like John’s “Abide in the Spirit!” (Ed: See my analysis of the striking parallels in these two sections of Paul's writings = FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT -- RICHLY INDWELT BY THE WORD - preceptaustin) This will be my prayer for all of you as Noël and I minister in Liberia and Cameroon for the next six weeks—that the Word abide in you and that you abide in the Spirit. That you love the Word, and continue to come Sunday after to worship in the truth. That you be filled with the anointing of God and continue to come Sunday after Sunday to worship in the Spirit. For the Lord seeks those who will worship him in Spirit and in truth (Jn 4:24). Guard yourselves from the deceiver and the antichrist. Love the Word, live in the Word, pray the Word, Memorize the Word. And before every sentence lay yourself wide open to whatever the Spirit wants to do with you by the Word. “If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you will abide in the Son and in the Father. And this is what he has promised us, eternal life.” AMEN. (1 John 2:18-27 Let What You Heard Abide in You) (Bolding added) B F Westcott - Impatience drives men to look without for the guidance which in due time will be recognized within (Ed: Referring to the anointing, the Holy Spirit). Such impatience is the opposite to the steadfastness of the Christian. (1 John 2 Commentary) I Howard Marshall sums this up - The antidote to falling into false ideas of the Christian faith is to be found in holding fast to the initial statement of Christian truth given in the apostolic witness, as this is confirmed in our hearts by the anointing given by the Spirit. It cannot be otherwise with a religion based on a historical, once-for-all revelation. Granted that the Lord has yet more light to break forth from his Word, it is nevertheless from the Word that new understanding issues, and any new doctrine which is not in harmony with the Word is self-condemned. (Borrow The Epistles of John) ILLUSTRATION OF LISTENING TO THE SPIRIT - Years ago Dr. H. A. Ironside related that one day while on the streets of Los Angeles he came across a street preacher vigorously preaching to a considerable audience around him. As he listened he soon recognized that the speaker was expounding the heretical views of a well-known cult. As he surveyed the audience he noticed a black man on the other side of the crowd attentively following the preaching. Occasionally the trace of a smile appeared on his face. Dr. Ironside felt sorry for the man being misled by the cult-preacher. When the preacher was finished Dr. Ironside made his way to the man he had watched, and, striking up a conversation, asked him, "And what did you think of what the preacher said?" His reply was, "Well, he sure did tell us, didn't he?" "Yes, he surely did," Dr. Ironside agreed, "but what did you think of what he preached?" With a smile the man looked at him and replied, "I sure couldn't answer him, but all the while he was preaching there was something inside me saying, 'It's a lie, it's a lie, it's a lie.' " The Holy Spirit was teaching that Christian brother that he did not need a cult teacher to lead him into the truth of God. So John assures his readers that they do not need the Gnostic teachers to teach them "new and deeper spiritual insights." As long as we listen to the voice of the Spirit, we will continue (abide) in Him. The many voices coming at us from without need to be tested by the voice of the Spirit within us. QUESTION - What is the biblical doctrine of illumination? | GotQuestions.org ANSWER - Simply put, illumination in the spiritual sense is “turning on the light” of understanding in some area. Throughout the ages, people in every culture and religion have claimed some kind of revelation or enlightenment from God (whether true or not). When that enlightenment deals with new knowledge or future things, we call it prophecy. When that enlightenment deals with understanding and applying knowledge already given, we call it illumination. Regarding illumination of the latter type, the question arises, “How does God do it?” The most basic level of enlightenment is the knowledge of sin, and without that knowledge, everything else is pointless. Psalm 18:28 says, “You, O LORD, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light.” Psalm 119, which is the longest chapter in the Bible, is a song about God’s Word. In verse 130, it says “The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.” This verse establishes the basic method of God’s illumination. When God’s Word enters the heart of a person, it gives light and understanding to them. For this reason, we are repeatedly told to study the Word of God. Psalm 119:11 says “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” Verses 98 and 99 say “Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are ever with me. I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes.” Regular study of the Word of God will give direction and understanding in the issues of life. This is the first method of God’s illumination and the starting point for us all. In Psalm 119 we also find another type of God’s illumination. Verse 18 says, “Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.” These are not new revelations, but things which have been written and revealed long before, and just now understood by the reader (one of those “aha!” moments). Similarly, verse 73 says, “Your hands made me and formed me; give me understanding to learn your commands.” The plea is for personal understanding and application of God’s laws as they are studied by the individual. Fifteen times in this psalm, God is asked to teach or give understanding regarding His laws. One passage that sometimes stirs controversy regarding illumination is John 14:26, “But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” Jesus was speaking to His disciples in the upper room, giving them last instructions before His death. This special group of men was to be responsible for spreading the good news of Jesus Christ to the whole world. They had spent three and a half years with Him, watching His miracles and hearing His teachings. They would relay those things to the rest of the world, and would need God’s special help remembering those things accurately. Jesus said that the Holy Spirit would teach them and remind them of what had been said, so they could give it to others (including the writing of the Gospels). This verse does not teach that the Spirit will do so with all believers (though there are other verses that speak of the Spirit’s illuminating work). What is the Holy Spirit’s illuminating work in believers? Ephesians 1:17-18 tells us that the Spirit gives wisdom and revelation concerning Jesus Christ, and opens the eyes of understanding so we can know God’s purposes in our lives. In 1 Corinthians 2:10-13, God has revealed His plans for us by His Spirit, who teaches us spiritual things. The context here points to the Word of God as that which has been revealed. The Spirit of God will always point us to the Word of God for our instruction. As Jesus told His disciples in John 16:12-15, the Spirit simply repeats what the Father and the Son have already said. This repetition helps us remember and fully hear what God has already told us. Sometimes we have to hear things several times before we actually hear them. That’s where the Spirit comes in. One thing that is sometimes overlooked in the discussion of illumination is the purpose of it. To hear some arguments, it would seem that the whole purpose of illumination is an accurate and academic understanding of God’s Word. There is no question that God desires us to accurately understand what He has given us. Words have meaning, and we must pay attention to the details in those words. If, however, we stop there, we simply have an academic understanding of facts or philosophies, which do no one any good. Going back to Psalm 119, we find purpose statements connected with the illumination verses. “I will meditate on your wonders” (v. 27), “I will keep your law and obey it with all my heart” (v. 34), “that I may understand your statutes” (v. 125), “that I may live” (v. 144). The illumination always points to action. Why does God help us understand His Word? So we are able to live in its light. First John 1:6 challenges us, “If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth.” We could paraphrase it to say, “If we say we’ve been enlightened, but still walk in the dark, we lie about understanding God’s Word.” The Spirit of God, who enlightens us to hear and understand God’s Word, then takes that knowledge and guides us in living it. Romans 8:14 says “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” The illuminating and leading work of the Holy Spirit in our lives is a confirmation that we are indeed children of God. Related Resource: What is the anointing? What does it mean to be anointed? Guided by the Spirit TODAY’S READING: 1 John 2:18-27 The Spirit teaches you everything you need to know, and what he teaches is true—it is not a lie. -1 John 2:27 As the world’s fastest blind runner, David Brown of the US Paralympic Team credits his wins to God, his mother’s early advice (“no sitting around”), and his running guide—veteran sprinter Jerome Avery. Tethered to Brown by a string tied to their fingers, Avery guides Brown’s winning races with words and touches. “It’s all about listening to his cues,” says Brown, who says he could “swing out wide” on 200-meter races where the track curves. “Day in and day out, we’re going over race strategies,” Brown says, “communicating with each other—not only verbal cues, but physical cues.” In our own life’s race, we’re blessed with a divine Guide. Our Helper, the Holy Spirit, leads our steps when we follow Him. “I am writing these things to warn you about those who want to lead you astray,” wrote John (1 John 2:26). “But you have received the Holy Spirit, and he lives within you, so you don’t need anyone to teach you what is true. For the Spirit teaches you everything you need to know” (v. 27). How attuned are you to the Holy Spirit’s guidance? How can you listen better when He guides, warns, and directs? Dear God, help me yield to Your Spirit’s guidance so I’ll run to Your truth and not to lies. How to Stay on Track The Spirit teaches you everything you need to know, and what he teaches is true—it is not a lie. 1 John 2:27 nlt Today's Scripture & Insight : 1 John 2:18–27 As the world’s fastest blind runner, David Brown of the U.S. Paralympic Team credits his wins to God, his mother’s early advice (“no sitting around”), and his running guide—veteran sprinter Jerome Avery. Tethered to Brown by a string tied to their fingers, Avery guides Brown’s winning races with words and touches. “It’s all about listening to his cues,” says Brown, who says he could “swing out wide” on 200-meter races where the track curves. “Day in and day out, we’re going over race strategies,” Brown says, “communicating with each other—not only verbal cues, but physical cues.” In our own life’s race, we’re blessed with a Divine Guide. Our Helper, the Holy Spirit, leads our steps when we follow Him. “I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray,” wrote John (1 John 2:26). “But you have received the Holy Spirit, and he lives within you, so you don’t need anyone to teach you what is true. For the Spirit teaches you everything you need to know” (v. 27 nlt). How attuned are you to the Holy Spirit’s guidance? How can you listen better when He guides, warns, and directs? Dear God, attune our hearts to Your Holy Spirit’s guidance so we’ll run to Your truth and not to lies. Read about the filling of the Spirit at discoveryseries.org/q0301. Vance Havner - By His Spirit We cannot of ourselves produce any of the experiences of the Christian life. We cannot regenerate ourselves, for we are born again not of the will of the flesh but of God (John 1:13). We cannot confess Jesus as Lord but by the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 12:3). We cannot understand the Bible but by the Holy Spirit (John 14:26; 1 John 2:27). We cannot live the Christian life—Christ lives in us (Phil 1:21; Gal. 2:20). The natural man cannot receive the things of the Spirit of God (1 Cor. 2:14). We can consent and cooperate, but this is a supernatural work of God from start to finish. Our Source of Power by Warren Wiersbe “If God were to take the Holy Spirit out of this world, much of what the church is doing would go right on; and nobody would know the difference.” Anointing oil speaks of the presence and the working of the Holy Spirit in our lives. All believers have received the anointing of the Spirit (1 John 2:20, 27), and therefore we ought to be “a fragrance of Christ” to the Heavenly Father (2 Cor. 2:15). The more we are like Jesus Christ in character and conduct, the more we please our Father; and the more we please Him, the more He can bless and use us for His glory. I once heard Dr. A. W. Tozer say, “If God were to take the Holy Spirit out of this world, much of what the church is doing would go right on; and nobody would know the difference.” We have so much in human resources available to the church today that we manage to “serve the Lord” without the unction of the Holy Spirit working in our lives. But is that what God wants? While here on earth, Jesus lived His life and did His work through the anointing of the Holy Spirit (Luke 4:16–19). If the spotless Son of God needed the Spirit’s power, how much more do we! Do we dare pray in the energy of the flesh when the Spirit is present to assist us (Rom. 8:26; Eph. 2:18)? Do we try to witness for Christ without asking the Spirit to help us (Acts 1:8)? Can we fellowship with our Lord in His Word apart from the ministry of the Spirit of God (Eph. 1:15–23;3:14–21)? - Warren
1 João 2:28-29
Ironside - In 1 John 2:29 John reminded us of what should characterize those who have been born of God. “If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.” Don’t be content to say, “I have trusted Christ and have been made the righteousness of God in Him.” When God justifies a man by faith, He proceeds to make that man just by the working of His Holy Spirit. He does not justify people by faith and leave them in an unjust condition. Everyone that is born of God does righteousness, loves righteousness, and seeks to walk in righteousness. Let us test ourselves by some of these things, and see whether or not we are professing to be Christians when we have never known righteousness. (H A Ironside Notes) Simon Kistemaker - To be righteous is the equivalent of being holy. It implies doing the will of God, obeying his commands, and loving him and one’s neighbor. In short, “righteous” is a term that stands for being free from sin....Their conduct is right because believers are children of God. (New Testament Commentary - James, Epistles of John, Peter, and Jude)