JESUS, THE LAWYER FOR THE CHRISTIAN'S DEFENSE Having now proven sin to be a part of everyone's life, John hastened to show that it should not be counted as normal and therefore a thing in which one should indulge. John wrote as an aged man in the faith to those much younger. He used endearing words... [ Continue Reading ]
FEELINGS ARE NOT A VALID TEST There are those who answer the question, "Do you know God?", by saying, "Yes, I can feel His presence in my heart." While it may help one to feel he has God's presence with him, it is important to realize feelings are not a good test for religious security. John says a... [ Continue Reading ]
THOSE IN THE LIGHT LOVE THE BRETHREN The claim to be in the light, therefore in fellowship with God (1 John 1:5-7), is easily tested by our attitude toward our brethren. God displayed such love for the lost world that He gave His Son that those who believed Him might have everlasting life (John 3:1... [ Continue Reading ]
"DO NOT LOVE THE WORLD" The "world," which John instructed Christians not to love, is defined by Turner as "the sphere of rebellion, including sensuous desires and interests, false pride and vanity, unholy ambitions, avarice, selfishness and the like" (Ephesians 2:1-3; 1 Peter 3:18-19). One cannot l... [ Continue Reading ]
A TROUBLING HOUR John told his readers he was writing during a last hour, the definite article not appearing in the original (1 John 2:18). The word hour, or Greek _horae_, refers to a fixed period of time (John 5:35 "for a season"; 16:2,4; 2 Corinthians 7:8; Philemon 1:15). Jesus spoke of those who... [ Continue Reading ]
CHRISTIANS ARE ANOINTED Those who were to be kings were anointed, thus showing God had elevated them to a higher position (1 Samuel 10:10). The Christians to whom John wrote had been similarly elevated by Jesus Christ. The symbol of the sonship relationship to the Father is the Holy Spirit (Romans... [ Continue Reading ]
POSSESSING ETERNAL LIFE The beginning of the Christian life comes because of the hearing of the gospel. We must give a permanent home to the first principles and build on them if we want to abide in the Son and the Father (Hebrews 5:12-14; Hebrews 6:1-3; John 1:11-13; Galatians 3:26-27). Notice the... [ Continue Reading ]
ABIDING IN CHRIST When one obeys the gospel, he is anointed and sealed with the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 1:15-22). John reassured his readers by telling them that sealing was something truly promised to those who obey God and does not change from day to day or time to time. As long as we seek to... [ Continue Reading ]