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Have We Had The Scripture Test? Series
Contributed by Chris Swanson on Nov 3, 2022 (message contributor)
Summary: Believers are urged not to sin, but if they do, they have an advocate with God the Father. Believers are told to have love for one another, thereby showing that they are followers of Christ.
In verses 1-2:
John is at this point an extremely elderly person. He has spent practically each of his years in the service of the Lord, and a considerable amount of his readers were for sure his spiritual youngsters. John utilizes the phrase “little children” in a warm, paternal way. He is not speaking condescendingly, however, he is showing friendship for them.
To any individuals who are feeling regretful and denounced, John offers affirmation. They realize they have trespassed, and Satan, “the accuser of our brethren” (Revelation 12:10), is requesting capital punishment. If we have this impression at any time, we ought not give up. The best safeguard lawyer known to man is arguing our case. Jesus Christ, who is our advocate with the Father, is the Judge's Son. He has effectively endured our punishment in our place. We cannot be put on trial again for a case that is as of now off the books. Joined with Jesus, we are as protected as he is. We ought not be hesitant to request that he argue our case since he already won the case on the cross (Romans 8:33-34; Hebrews 7:24-25).
Jesus is the “propitiation” or the sacrificial atonement for our wrongdoings (4:10). He can remain before God as our arbiter since his death fulfilled God’s wrath against transgression and he suffered the consequence of death for our wrongdoing. Therefore, he fulfilled God's condition and eliminates our transgression. Through Christ, we have been cleansed and forgiven.
At times we may struggle pardoning somebody who has done wrong to us. Envision how hard it is to pardon everybody regardless of what they had done. God has done this through Jesus. Nobody, regardless of what they have done, is past absolution. We should simply abandon our transgression, accept his absolution, and submit our hearts to him.
In verses 3-6:
How might we be certain that we have a place with Christ? This passage of Scripture gives us two methods for knowing. A Christian ought to do everything Christ says for to him to do and to live as Christ needs him to live. And what does Jesus tell us to do? John answers “believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another” (1 John 3:23). Genuine Christian faith brings about a loving conduct, to that end John says that our conduct can assure us that we are the beneficiaries of Christ.
“But whoso keepeth his word”, implies that we should incorporate our lives on God’s Word and incorporate God’s Word into our lives. It lets us know how we are to live and how we are to serve him. (2 Timothy 2:15)
The instruction to walk “as he walked” or living as Christ did does not mean picking twelve supporters, performing miracles, or for us to be executed. We cannot only duplicate the existence of Christ. He was God's Son, and he played a unique part in dying for the transgressions of mankind. For us to live today as Christ did, we should follow his lessons and his illustration of complete dutifulness to God the Father, and in cherishing service to other people. 1 John 3:23; John 14:23; 1 John 4:12
In verses 7-8:
The commandment to love is old and new. It is old since it comes from the Old Testament (Leviticus 19:18), yet it is also new on the grounds that Jesus deciphered it in a profoundly new manner (John 13:34-35). In the Christian church, love goes past servanthood and self-sacrifice (John 15:13). It tends to be characterized as benevolent giving. It passes from our companions on to our enemies (Matthew 5:43-48). Love ought to be the bringing together power and the distinguishing sign of a community of Christians. It is the way walking in the light since we cannot spiritually grow while we have disdain and hatred toward others. Our developing relationship with God will bring about a developing relationship with others.
In verses 9-11:
Does this imply that if we dislike anybody then we are not a Christian? These verses are not looking at despising an obnoxious Christian brother or sister. There will be individuals that we will not like as much as others or that we disagree with. John's words center around the disposition (our attitudes) that makes us negatively disregard or loathe others, to regard them as aggravations, contenders, or foes. Christian love is not an inclination or feeling, yet it is a decision. We can decide to show concern for, to be worried about, an individuals' prosperity and approach them with esteem and respect, whether or not we feel friendship toward them. On the off chance that we decide to love others, God will assist us with communicating our adoration toward them. Individuals who walk in disdain and ill will toward other believers, do so in a darkened state. If spiritual darkness is in our hearts, our conscience will be obscured.