December 26: 1 John 1-5

December 26, 1 John 1-5

1 John intro from the ESV Bible: “This apostolic letter speaks authoritatively about the truth of the incarnation—a message John’s doubting readers needed after hearing false teachers deny the full divinity and humanity of Christ. It reaffirms the core of Christianity, saying that either we exhibit the sound doctrine, obedience, and love that characterize all Christians, or else we are not true Christians. When all the basics of faith are in operation, we not only know joy but can live a holy life and be assured of salvation (3:19, 24)—even though we are still far from perfect (1:9). This assurance comes especially as we find ourselves learning to “love one another” as brothers and sisters in Christ (4:7–8). This general letter to congregations across Asia Minor (now Turkey) was probably written by the apostle John in the late first century a.d.” Today’s study is taken from Bakers Commentary.

• “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

1 John 1 “The first four verses of the epistle are introductory. They are a summary that tells the reader about the content of the letter. But the introduction also reminds him of the first verse of Genesis and the first verse of the Gospel of John to show him the continuity of God’s message. The writer informs the reader that the message he and other eyewitnesses proclaim is true to fact. This message concerns the Word of life, namely, Jesus Christ, the Son of God. John invites the reader to have fellowship with God.

John seems to oppose religious teachers who make bold and unfounded statements. But before he alludes to some of their remarks, he states the heart of God’s message to man: “God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.” The statements of these erring teachers simply are unacceptable in view of God’s revelation. Their remarks are contradictory to the message of God and reveal the unrepentant heart of the sinner who claims to have no sin.

John encourages the reader. He says that if we walk in the light, and confess our sins, God will forgive us our sins and purify us through the blood of Jesus, his Son. Therefore, we must walk in God’s light.”

1 John 2 “John mentions God’s promise for remission of sin not as an excuse for sinning but as comfort and assurance for the believer who occasionally falls into sin. He admonishes those who know the Lord to obey his commands; they must walk as Jesus walked. John gives them not a new command but an old one: love your neighbor as yourself.

In summary John exhorts all Christians whom he tenderly addresses as “dear children.” He appeals to fathers and to young men because they have known Christ and they have overcome the devil. He tells them not to love the world but to obey the will of God instead.

John warns against the coming of the antichrist and instructs the believers to recognize those people who deny the Father and the Son. These persons are antichrists. He pleads with the readers to remain in the Son and in the Father and to receive the promise of eternal life.

The apostle informs the Christians about the significance of their anointing. Their anointing is the gift of the Holy Spirit who remains in them. And last, he reminds them of the coming of Christ and encourages the believers to be confident and unashamed. As children of God they are expected to pursue righteousness.”

1 John 3 “John exalts the Christians, who are called children of God. Although we are not recognized as such by the world, we know that at the time of Christ’s return we, as God’s children, will be fully revealed in glory. We will be similar to Jesus Christ and we shall see him. Therefore, the person who belongs to Christ must cleanse himself from sin. John points to Christ, who as the sinless One has come to remove sin.

The children of God are distinguished from the children of the devil. They who live in fellowship with God do not continue to live in sin. Moreover, the child of God not only has God’s seed in him; he also knows that he has been born of God.

The message John leaves with us is that we should love one another. We are not to follow the example of Cain, who belonged to the devil. However, we show our love to the brothers and know that we have passed from spiritual death to life. We will receive the hatred of the world. John observes that the person who hates his brother is a murderer.

John cites the example of Jesus Christ, who laid down his life for us. He encourages us to follow that example. We must show our love not merely by words but with deeds and in truth. By emulating that example, we learn that we are true Christians.

God answers our prayers, for we receive from him whatever we ask as long as we obey his commands and please him. God’s command is that we believe in Jesus and that we love one another. If we do this, we have fellowship with God, and through the Holy Spirit we know that God lives in us.”

1 John 4 “In the opening verses of this chapter John tells the readers to beware of false teachers and to discern the Spirit of God. He encourages the recipients of his letter with the knowledge that they belong to God and he exhorts them to be faithful to the teachings of the apostles.

John admonishes us to cultivate mutual love, for love originates with God. Love is divine, for God is love. God sets the example by sending his Son into the world. And if we show love for one another, God has fellowship with us. Our acknowledgment that Jesus is the Son of God confirms that God lives in us. Thus we have confidence on the judgment day. Love expels fear. The person who fears does not have perfect love.

John concludes with the statement that if we love God and hate our brother, we are liars. We have received the command to love God and our neighbor.”

1 John 5 “The subject of this chapter is the doctrine that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. Throughout the chapter, John expounds this theme. He begins by stressing the unity that exists between God and the believer. Love for God must coincide with love for the child of God. Love for God is expressed when the believer obeys God’s commands. Moreover, the believer who is born of God overcomes the world, for he believes that Jesus is the Son of God.

Jesus came by water and blood; the Spirit testifies to the significant events that the words water and blood represent. We ought to accept God’s testimony more readily than the testimony of man. Anyone who rejects the testimony of God concerning his Son makes God a liar. But the person who accepts this testimony has eternal life through the Son of God.

We have the assurance that God hears our prayers. Provided our requests are in accordance with his will, God grants whatever we ask. The Christian community also prays for the brother who falls into sin. Nonetheless, John advises that we do not need to pray for the person who commits a “sin that leads to death.” Believers, however, do not commit this sin, for God keeps them safe. As believers, we know Jesus Christ. He is the Son of God and eternal life. John concludes this chapter with the admonition to guard against false teachings.”

To sum it all up: 

• We must stand for Christ. 
• Like Jesus showed Himself to John to show others, we are to do the same. 
• You cant pursue both Christ and sin. It is one or the other. 
• Satan is the ‘ruler’ of the world, or he is anti-Jesus living. Don't be fooled. 
• If you abide in Christ, then you are pursuing righteousness. 
• Sit in Christ. 
• We need to put our money where our mouth is. Basically, with Christ - lets see what you got. Are you in? Will you trust Him to work it all out?