UPON US; who have received Christ through faith. John 1:12; KNEW HIM NOT; did not understand his true character. In making guilty, polluted rebels and heirs of endless perdition holy-not merely servants but children, heirs of God, and partakers of endless life and glory-the grace of God surpasses al... [ Continue Reading ]
NOT YET APPEAR; the fulness of their future excellence and bliss could not here be known. APPEAR; in glory.... [ Continue Reading ]
THIS HOPE; the hope of being like Christ and seeing him as he is. PURIFETH HIMSELF, EVEN AS HE IS PURE; he strives now to be pure as Christ is pure. The apostle here gives the distinguishing mark of a true hope, as contrasted with every false hope. Every man who has the hope of the gospel, by the h... [ Continue Reading ]
TRANSGRESSETH ALSO THE LAW; the essence of all sin is the transgression of God's law; in other words, sin is contrariety to the revealed will of God, which must for ever be the rule of our action.... [ Continue Reading ]
WAS MANIFESTED TO TAKE AWAY OUR SINS-IN HIM IS NO SIN; two reasons why God's children cannot allow themselves in sin. It is contrary to both the work of Christ, and his character. Christ takes away our sin by expiating it, and cleansing our hearts from its pollution.... [ Continue Reading ]
In these verses the apostle is combating the error of those who sought to separate fellowship with God from a life of holiness; or who at least did not consider the inseparable connection of the two, and boasted that they had fellowship with God, while their lives were devoted to sinful lusts. Chapt... [ Continue Reading ]
DOETH RIGHTEOUSNESS; in his life. IS RIGHTEOUS; in his character. The tree-a righteous character-is known by its fruit-doing righteousness.... [ Continue Reading ]
IS OF THE DEVIL; is a child of the devil and like him in character. MIGHT DESTROY THE WORKS OF THE DEVIL; it follows that Christ's disciples cannot do these works.... [ Continue Reading ]
HIS SEED; God's seed; that is, the new moral nature which he has received from God, and which is maintained in his heart by the indwelling of the Holy Ghost. HE CANNOT SIN; not for want of power, but disposition; he does not desire or consent to live in sin. The reason is, he loves those things whi... [ Continue Reading ]
ARE MANIFEST; by the different courses which they pursue. One class work righteousness and love Christians, the other do not. Those who live in sin take an active part against Christ and his cause, and in favor of the cause of the devil; and if they continue this course, they will be treated as the... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT WICKED ONE; the devil, the father of all murderers.... [ Continue Reading ]
MARVEL NOT-IF THE WORLD HATE YOU; because you are not of the world, and the world knows you not. Verse 1 John 3:1; JOHN 15:17-21.... [ Continue Reading ]
FROM DEATH UNTO LIFE; spiritually. BECAUSE WE LOVE THE BRETHREN; for true love towards them is inseparable from love towards God, and love is the essence of the new divine life. To dwell in love, is to have in our souls the beginning of eternal life. Chap 1 John 4:7. IN DEATH; spiritual death; in... [ Continue Reading ]
IS A MURDERER; in heart; he cherishes the feelings from which the outward act of murder proceeds. Love to real Christians on account of their religion, is evidence of love to Christ and acceptance with him; while hatred of them is Satan-like, and tends to envy, slander, persecution, and murder.... [ Continue Reading ]
HEREBY PERCEIVE WE THE LOVE OF GOD; the words "of God" are not in the original. The literal rendering is, "Herein"-by the example that follows-"we know love," we see and understand its true nature. HE; Christ. TO LAY DOWN OUR LIVES; to have that love which makes us ready to die for our brethren, a... [ Continue Reading ]
The possession of property involves high responsibilities, increases obligation, and multiplies duties. By the manner in which men use it they show their character.... [ Continue Reading ]
HEREBY; by loving the brethren in reality, and being disposed, as we have opportunity, to do them good. ARE OF THE TRUTH; belong to the side of the truth, believe and love it. ASSURE OUR HEARTS; quiet their fears by the assurance of his gracious acceptance.... [ Continue Reading ]
OUR HEART CONDEMN US; as wanting in love, and for this reason withholding aid from the destitute when we ought to bestow it. GOD IS GREATER; more perfectly acquainted with our sins, and will more certainly condemn us. The approbation of an enlightened, healthy conscience is needful to a well-ground... [ Continue Reading ]
WHATSOEVER WE ASK; in this state of filial confidence, which comes from the consciousness of keeping God's commandments; that is, as the context shows, of being led by love to obey God. WE RECEIVE OF HIM; we always receive of God an answer to our sincere and believing petitions, though not always i... [ Continue Reading ]
HEREBY; namely, by what follows. BY THE SPIRIT WHICH HE HATH GIVEN US; the Holy Spirit bears witness with our spirits that we are the children of God, and that, as such, we dwell in God and God in us. The possession of the spirit of Christ, and its manifestation in the fruits of the Spirit, prove t... [ Continue Reading ]