Believe not every spirit — Whereby any teacher is actuated. But try the spirits — By the rule which follows. We are to try all spirits by the written word: "To the law and to the testimony!" If any man speak not according to these, the spirit which actuates him is not of God.... [ Continue Reading ]
Every spirit — Or teacher. Which confesseth — Both with heart and voice. Jesus Christ, who is come in the flesh, is of God — This his coming presupposes, contains, and draws after it, the whole doctrine of Christ.... [ Continue Reading ]
Ye have heard — From our Lord and us, that it cometh.... [ Continue Reading ]
Ye have overcome these seducers, because greater is the Spirit of Christ that is in you than the spirit of antichrist that is in the world.... [ Continue Reading ]
They — Those false prophets. Are of the world — Of the number of those that know not God. Therefore speak they of the world — From the same principle, wisdom, spirit; and, of consequence, the world heareth them — With approbation.... [ Continue Reading ]
We — Apostles. Are of God — Immediately taught, and sent by him. Hereby we know — From what is said, 1 John 4:2.... [ Continue Reading ]
Let us love one another — From the doctrine he has just been defending he draws this exhortation. It is by the Spirit that the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts. Every one that truly loveth God and his neighbour is born of God.... [ Continue Reading ]
God is love — This little sentence brought St. John more sweetness, even in the time he was writing it, than the whole world can bring. God is often styled holy, righteous, wise; but not holiness, righteousness, or wisdom in the abstract, as he is said to be love; intimating that this is his darling... [ Continue Reading ]
If we love one another, God abideth in us — This is treated of, 1 John 4:13. And his love is perfected — Has its full effect. In us — This is treated of, 1 John 4:17.... [ Continue Reading ]
And in consequence of this we have seen and testify that the Father sent the Son — These are the foundation and the criteria of our abiding in God and God in us, the communion of the Spirit, and the confession of the Son.... [ Continue Reading ]
Whosoever shall, from a principle of loving faith, openly confess in the face of all opposition and danger, that Jesus is the Son of God, God abideth in him.... [ Continue Reading ]
And we know and believe — By the same Spirit, the love that God hath to us.... [ Continue Reading ]
Hereby — That is, by this communion with God. Is our love made perfect; that we may — That is, so that we shall have boldness in the day of judgment — When all the stout — hearted shall tremble. Because as he — Christ. Is — All love. So are we — Who are fathers in Christ, even in this world.... [ Continue Reading ]
There is no fear in love — No slavish fear can be where love reigns. But perfect, adult love casteth out slavish fear: because such fear hath torment — And so is inconsistent with the happiness of love. A natural man has neither fear nor love; one that is awakened, fear without love; a babe in Chris... [ Continue Reading ]
We love him, because he first loved us — This is the sum of all religion, the genuine model of Christianity. None can say more: why should any one say less, or less intelligibly?... [ Continue Reading ]
Whom he hath seen — Who is daily presented to his senses, to raise his esteem, and move his kindness or compassion toward him.... [ Continue Reading ]
And this commandment have we from him — Both God and Christ. That he who loveth God love his brother — Every one, whatever his opinions or mode of worship be, purely because he is the child, and bears the image, of God. Bigotry is properly the want of this pure and universal love. A bigot only loves... [ Continue Reading ]