BiblicalMastery Buddy's bible blog

Lesson 9

Over and Over Again

1 John 4:7-21

Why repetition? What is it about the need to repeat something over and over again that is so important? It is said that in order for anything to be remembered for an extended period of time it must be said everyday for at least forty days. There is a concept called the half life of learning. I do not remember where I read it but it states that over a period of time a persons loses half of what they have learned about a particular subject. For instance how many of you remember most of what you learned in high school even in your favorite subject.

I always thought that I did not have a good memory. I could read a book and then not be able to tell many of its details. Even when I had studied the material it was soon gone, or at least I thought so, as I moved on to new things to learn. One of my greatest fears after being out of school for the summer was had I might have forgotten everything I studied the year before. That is one reason that students from other countries do so much better in school. They have not had the extended time off during the summer that we have in the U.S. Therefore their retention was much greater. I do not remember but the teachers probably had to review last years material before the class could move on.

When I began to memorize Scripture repetition became an important part of that exercise. Each day I would say what I said yesterday and add one or two verses. That routine went on from day to day. Review what had been learned while adding more to it and then repeating it again. After a while I surprised myself by the amount of the Bible I had memorized. Even though, because I have not said recited those books for a long time I still recognize verses as coming from certain books when I hear them.

Repetition is good. I say repetition is good. Paul even said in Philippians I do not mind telling you again because repetition buries what is being said deep within a person’s mind and heart.

If you look at it from a very practical point the church is at a great disadvantage when it comes to embedding God’s word into the life of its members. At best the exposure to God’s word takes up lest than three hours of every week. Considers this thought, that on average people attend church about half of the Sundays of the year and many of them only attend the worship service where the sermon last between twenty to forty minutes. I would say that we are not exactly being overwhelmed with the word of God.

What I am trying to say is that if we expect to live by the word, we must know it. Based on the information above the kind of repetition it takes to learn even a minute part of the Bible it is impossible to depend totally on the maximum of 156 hours spent in church every year. At best just a few important verses will be learned over a lifetime at the rate of attendance. Most are familiar with John 3:16 because it is heard even at football games. Exodus 20 lists the ten commandments. Psalm 23 is preached at many funerals. Some of you may have other favorites but this in no way constitutes an understanding of what is called the full counsel (All sixty-six books) of God. Much needs to be done outside the four walls of the church. John repeated one idea over and over again to the churches because he knew they needed understand that one idea above all else.

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1 John 4:7-8

After dealing with his desire for them to be discerning of the spirit of man, John was again returned to

the thread that is woven throughout the entire book. They were to understand that the love he has commanded them to have for each other has its source in God. He was well aware that the voice of the antichrist would bombard them every hour of every day. If they could make the love of God and the love of man a part of their spiritual DNA then they could face the challenges ahead of them. They needed to know without a shadow of a doubt the proof of man’s relationship as a child who truly knows his Father is reflected in the love they have for one another. If one does not love his brother he certainly cannot know God. It is impossible to be full of hate and know the God, whose very nature is love.

1. Why does John once again write about man’s love for one another?

2. Why is it extremely important that we understand what John was trying to teach the people? (We face a world that is propagating message 24/7 that is anti-Christ and anti-God.)

3. What are the two characteristics that are evident in those who love one another? (They love God and know Him in an intimate relationship.)

4. How do those two characteristics speak to your heart?

5. How can a person who lacks love in human relationships possibly love God? (He cannot because his life is absorbed in his own emotions.)

1 John 4:9-11

It is sometimes difficult to wrap one’s mind around Godlike love. God solved that problem by sending His Son into the physical world in which man lives. In that one act God revealed how much He truly cares for His creation, man. Because of what Christ did by taking on our sin we are able to have life eternal.

Even then the only way man can have the ability to love is because God loved him first. John said again that God’s love was manifested to man by the sending of His Son into the world who took man’s place before a holy God.

As a result of what God did through Christ John gave one command which summarizes the last six commandments. Man is to love each other because God loved him.

1. Why do we have such a difficult time understanding the kind of love God has for us?

2. Why is man incapable of truly loving without the example God has provided for us?

3. How did He show how much He loves us?

4. What was the greatest display of the love that came through Jesus? (He was willing to suffer the punishment for sin that we deserve.)

5. What is the most important commandment that came through John’s writings?

1 John 4:12-13

It is an accurate statement that no man has ever seen God the Father in person because He is Spirit. What can be observed is the evidence of His working in the hearts of man. Those who travelled with Jesus for the three and one half years of His earthly ministry witnessed firsthand the things God wanted to accomplish. The evidence that God is living in man is that man has a love for others. That love is being matured as the relationship with the Father grows.

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The fact that man can only know he has an intimate relationship, in which he dwells with God and God has taken up residence inside him, through the work of the Holy Spirit. John knew all of those things were true because he and the other disciples had lived with the Son of God and saw and heard Him. They believed beyond a shadow of a doubt that He had been sent by His Father to enter into the world which He had created.

1. If man has not seen God how can he believe in Him? (We see all around us evidences of His work among us.)

2. How do we know that God abides in us? (By the love we have for others because of the work He has done in our hearts.)

3. Who makes the evidence in our lives real? (The Holy Spirit who God has given to us.)

4. What does it mean to have His love perfected in us? (Our love becomes more Christlike as we grow in our experience with Him)

5. Why did John once again share the thought with which he began this book? (He wanted to reemphasize the reality of Christ being the evidence of God in the world.)

1 John 4:15-17

Again John made it clear that the only way to have the love of God and have Him live within a person was to confess the relationship of God the Father with His Son Jesus Christ. Through the experience they had with Jesus they came to a total belief that God truly loved them. They accepted that by His very nature God is love. Everyone who possessed that agape love dwelt with God and God lived within Him. John could not say these things too many times. That important teaching had to be buried deep in the heart and soul of the church members who were still facing false teachings and soon would experience terrible persecution at the hands of the Romans. By following his teaching that love would be matured in the lives of the people.

Again John brought up the subject of the day of judgment. He wrote about not being ashamed. Now he wanted them to know that if they were filled with the love of God and love for others they could face the day of judgment with confidence that they were indeed the children of God. Man should end his days on earth being like Christ.

1. Why did John again call the people to Confess Jesus as God’s Son? (Without this fact none of his other teaching in this letter could be trusted.)

2. Why were they so sure of that fact? (Look back at chapter one verse one.)

3. What did John want them to understand? (Love is the key that unlocks the relationship.)

4. What did John mean when he spoke of love that had been perfected? (It was a love that was maturing and becoming more like the nature of God.)

5. Why could that person who loved like that have confidence at the day of judgement? (The love was evidence that he belonged to God.)

1 John 4:18

The person who has confidence to stand before God with the love that has been instilled in him has no reason to be afraid of the judgment to come. As John had stated before if one does not love his brother he cannot love God. The one who does not walk in the Light of Jesus is walking in the darkness of the world in which satan reigns. All those apart from God will face the judgment day without hope of eternal life. See John 3:16 for the hope that lies within the followers of Christ.

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The only way that man can understand love is by the fact that God first loved him even when he did not deserve it.

1. Why do followers of Christ not have to fear the judgment that is to come? (They abide in His

   love.)

2. What is the source of fear? (Lack of love for God and brother.)

3. How can we avoid the fear of being judged by God?

4. How does John 3:16 fit into this teaching?

1 John 4:19

God is the source of love. Because He is pure love He is the only One from agape love can come. Paul wrote, “While we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.” Romans 5:6 Two verses later he said, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinner, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

1. In what ways do the two verses in Romans define what John said about God’s love?

2. Why is God the only possible source of agape love? (All of mankind is tainted by a sin nature that is unable to comprehend love in its own power?

3. Why would God even bother to love man kind?

4. What is the state of helplessness to which Paul wrote?

5. What is the hope of mankind? (God’s sacrificial love through Christ.)

1 John 4:20

After all that has been said in the proceeding chapters, John continues to drive home one point. No one can make the claim that he has genuine love for God and at the same time hate his brother whom God has created. He is a liar to even claim to love the Father. John had just shared that no man has ever seen God. He could see the evidence of His presence in the lives of those whom he loved. Since man cannot see the Father except in others then it is imperative that he love those whom God loved. If that was not possible in his life to love those with whom were part of his family or fellowship then it would be impossible to love the invisible God.

1. How do we think the love of God can be active in our lives if we are filled with hate for our brother?

2. Why are we to love our brother? (God loves him and died for him.)

3. What is hatred of one’s brother all about anyway? (Pride)

4. How can we be pleasing to God?

5. What are the major shortcomings in our own life with which we must deal before looking at our brother. See Matthew 7:3-5)

1 John 4:21

Here John rewords the commandment he had spoken about earlier. He is about to move on to another important teaching that must be upmost in man’s walk with Christ. The people needed to hear again the command about love. Here he placed God at the forefront of any and every relationship. Man who says that he loves God should have God’s kind of love for his brother.

1. Why did John issue a commandment here?

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2. What does the commandment tell us? (That love begins with God.)

3. What is man’s part in the relationship?

4. How can man make sure that he is a follower of Christ?

5. How important is this command today?

6. What happens in a church when we do not follow through with the teachings of John?

7. How are we going to make what John has said real in our own lives?

• The lesson that can be learned from this study is that you must continue to meditate on God’s word until you believe its message is for you.

• Understanding God’s word will be your protection against the attacks of satan from every direction, the home, school, workplace and even the church.

• If you only learn one thing from the lesson today let it be how important God’s kind of love is very important to Him.

• You have a responsibility to love in a way that is beneficial to those around you.

• Be prepared for the false teaching of those with a world spirit residing within them.

The church is to be the ambassador, the representative of God in this world. This can only be done if we understand what He expects of us. Two things come to mind very quickly. He expects us to make disciples because He loves the whole world. He told us so in John 3:16. Secondly, we are to show His love by reaching those who are outside of His kingdom. He loves the lost and commands to make them into disciples and then those who are willing to serve Him. It is obvious that the way we love our brothers and others is to do all in our power to steer them towards that special relationship His children have with Him.

To do so means we are to understand what it to be a learner and teacher ourselves. It cannot happen unless we are willing to spend time on our knees and His word on a daily basis. As John felt it was imperative to repeat his message over and over again we must be of the same mindset. Thom Rainer and Ed Stetzer in “Transformational Church” emphasized that the churches that are dynamic and growing believe strongly that every member be part of a community whose main focus is discipleship. Discipleship is having a deep love for whom Christ died. Let us love one another and help each other grow into a truly godly body of believers.

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Lesson 8

The Truth is Truth

1 John 4:1-6

It may sound strange to a lot of people but I enjoy the notes found at the end of a chapter or book. My usual practice, unless something catches my attention, is to read the end notes or footnotes after I have finished reading the material. It has been a great help in finding different authors and subjects to read and study. When I find a writer that has meant a great deal to me, and I trust that his writings line up with the Bible, I look to see who they have quoted as authorities. One author leads to another who leads me to another and then another. This has opened my eyes to astronomy, psychology, philosophy, theology, church growth and Bible studies of different types. The primary thing that is so important to me is that I can find the truth in what has been written. The thinking of the person presenting the subject must always line up with God’s word.

There is one place to which I can go that needs no bibliography or footnotes. It has never failed to present the truth to me after multiple readings. I am of course referring to the ultimate truth, the Bible.

An example of what I have just said occurred more than twenty-five years ago. A publisher sent a book for review to me when I was working in Purchasing. It turned out to be on Paul written by a Scottish minister named Alexander Whyte. His perspective on the life of the great apostle and theologian intrigued me. Sometime later I was fortunate to find a biography on Whyte in a group of books being sold in the library at the International Mission Board. I felt I developed a true kinship with him. He overcame many adversities and had limitations which I can identify. His early schooling was sketchy at best. He struggled with that shortcoming all of his life. In spite of that handicap he rose to be a leader in the Presbyterian Church in Scotland. In your search for what to study or read you might want to use the model I have found helpful after all of these years. It might work for you as well.

The church must be on guard against false teaching that can permeate the literature and study material that is available to its members. An example of the kinds of things that are thrust upon people would be the “Light Tower” publication from the Jehovah Witnesses. The bookstores, even those who call themselves Christian, are full of books and magazines that promote humanistic concepts such the health and wealth lie. There are even translations of the Bible who have removed all masculine references to God and Jesus. All of it is compromise with the world. They teach that we must be tolerant and respect everyone’s belief no matter how untruthful they may be.

Whole denominations have drifted into falsehood, condoning homosexual lifestyles and even marriage between members of the same sex as well as many more egregious sins society has accepted. Others have become political in nature thinking that through power of the ballot box they can change the world. Sadly this approach has been a failure. They have not learned that God has never acted in that way. One of the greatest dangers to the church is the acceptance of the big lie. That lie is the one taught in the public schools and colleges today. It is the theory of macro evolution. I call it a theory because in fact it has never been proven to be true but has been forced on all of us by self serving anti theist. Rather than the Utopia that they have promised their teaching has brought about chaos and disillusionment into the lives of a vast majority of people in the world. These men and women promote their anti God humanistic lifestyle. This thought has even infiltrated the church with many its members also accepting evolution while trying to say they believe the Bible. It must be understood that one

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cannot have it both ways. To believe the Bible is to refute the the lie of evolution. To believe evolution is to destroy the facts of the Bible.

There is one last point I would like to make that has been as a result of what has been taught so long. Sadly, many in the church no longer believe that Jesus is the Son of God nor is He the only way to heaven. Jesus said that “I am the truth the life and the way and no one can come to the Father but by Me.” John 14:6 It is disturbing that the one place in the world where the truth is to be taught has turned its back on the truth and the giver of truth. We should not be surprised at the fact because of the things mentioned above that churches are be pushed to one side to make room for those with secular ideas. John wanted the churches to whom he wrote to know how critical an issue this was.

1 John 4:1a
To understand what John is trying to say it is important what is meant by the spirit. The summary of the Law given first in Deuteronomy 6:4 and later repeated by Jesus in Matthew 22:37 speaks to how man is to relate to God. At the very beginning the writers said that man is to love God with all of his heart then soul, mind and strength. The heart or spirit is emphasized because it is the core of who man is from which flows everything else he says or does.

Dallas Willard in his book “Renovation of the Heart” defines the heart or spirit as being “that spiritual place within us which outlook, choices and actions come has been formed by a world away from God. Now it must be transformed.” (Pg. 14)

John wrote in John 2:24-25, “But Jesus, on His part, was not entrusting Himself to them, for He knew all men, and because He did not need anyone to testify concerning man, for He Himself knew what was in man.”

John was writing to those for whom he had a deep love and concern. He knew how easy it was for them to be swayed by the latest teaching and fad. Therefore he was issuing a warning that they need to heed if there hearts were to remain right before God. Spiritual transformation comes when man aligns the human spirit with the Spirit of God and begins to live the righteous life before man and the Father.

The first thing he told them was not to believe or trust in everything they heard from mere man. Before one could trust in what he heard did that man have a godly or worldly spirit agenda. As he had said before there were those with the people were very familiar had chosen darkness over the light. He had called the believers to walk in the Light of Christ. In his day as it is today there were those who tried to lead followers of Christ astray with false teachings. New believers are especially vulnerable but no man is exempt from following into that trap. I spoke of some of those with we are familiar in our world in my opening remarks.

He then goes on to say that they are to examine everything that they heard in light of the revelation that God had given them in the Old Testament and the gospel. They were to lay the teaching of the Scripture side by side with what they were hearing from those within the church to determine whether what they were hearing was true.

1. Why did the writers of Scripture under the influence of the Holy Spirit believe it important to list the heart first? (It is from the heart or the spirit of man that every other aspect of man flows.)

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2. Why was John so concerned about what the people heard? (Because of his deep and abiding

   love for them.)

3. Why did Jesus not entrust Himself to any man? (He knew the evil that was in the heart of man apart from God.)

4. What does that say to us? (We are to be careful whom we trust with our spiritual life.)

5. What did John call the churches to do?

6. What did he mean by telling them not to believe every spirit? (There are those who would have harmed them with their teaching.)

7. What is the responsibility to which John called those early Christians, and which we must heed, in our day concerning what is put forth as truth today? (It is imperative that everything that is said or written be examined and tested against God’s word, for it is the only source of truth upon which man can rely.)

1 John 4:1b

Many of the teachers or members had proven themselves unreliable and had left the church to spread their false teachings in other places. John said they were not from God. They had been proven to be speaking the words of man and thus from the devil. The false teachers will always find a people willing to believe their lies especially if they are predisposed to that kind of thinking.

1. Why did John especially state that some men were not from God? (Their teachings were false.)

2. Why did some teachers who were not of God feel it necessary to leave the churches to whom God was writing? (They had been exposed as speaking things of darkness and not of God.)

3. What examples are there of these kind of men in the church world of today?

4. How do we expose them for what they are?

5. Why is so important to do so? (So their influence cannot lead people astray.)

1 John 4:2

There is a test John used to determine whether the person speaking or writing had the inner qualities of life in order to be believed. It would become very clear by what they were willing to state about their own lives whether they could trusted. John said the criteria for any man was his stand on Jesus Christ. If he or she was willing to confess that Jesus had truly come as man then that person was from God.

1. What was the litmus test for anyone sharing within the church? (Jesus had come in the flesh.)

2. Why was this so important? (Remember that there were those who were teaching that Jesus was only spirit and not truly man.)

3. How does this same test apply to your life?

4. Why must this issue being once and for all settled in your life? (Without believing that Jesus was the God/man who died for us one cannot be saved)

1 John 4:3

John emphasized that there were those of an opposite viewpoint. They did not accept either the humanity of Jesus or in some cases His divinity. In no way were they to be considered from God. He went on to use even stronger language by declaring that they were men how had the spirit of the antichrist. Once again he warned them that the antichrist was coming in the future. Although, the final embodiment of the antichrist was still far off in the future his spirit was alive in the hearts of men who

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were attempting to mislead the body of Christ. All one has to do is look at the chaotic condition of the world from John’s day until now to see the devil hard at work.

1. Why did John present the opposite viewpoint? (To reinforce the importance have making the distinction between those with a godly spirit and that of the antichrist.)

2. Why did John use the term antichrist? (Those who do not see Christ as He truly is are doing the work of the devil.)

3. Why did John speak of the antichrist who is to come at the end of the age? (To assure them that indeed the end was going to come and the events that were to be a part of it.)

4. Who are some today who are doing the work of the antichrist?

5. How did we recognize them?

6. How do we guard ourselves against the influence of them?

1 John 4:4

His next words to the people would be an encouragement to continue living as they were. He was emphatic that they were children of God. They had not heeded the false teachings and thus had victory over them. The greatest assurance that he could give them was that God was more powerful than any force that would come against them from the world system under the control of satan. Paul put it so well when he said, “But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.” (Romans 8:37) He went on to say that there is nothing or no one who, “will be able to separate us from the , which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:39) Both men seem to be saying that the faith of man cannot be destroyed by anything that satan might try.

1. How were those words an encouragement to the churches? (He made sure they understood that they were God’s children.)

2. What was the result of being children of God? (They had overcome the attempts of the devil to enslave them.)

3. What did John mean by his statement about God being in them? (God is more powerful than anything that satan’s workers of evil can throw at you.)

4. In what ways do you show that you believe this fact?

5. What are some indications in your life that you have trouble accepting this fact that God is greater than the devil and the devil cannot touch you in a way to destroy your faith?

6. How does the teachings of Paul in Roman’s 8 line up with what John has to say here?

7. What other verses assure you that God has been victorious in your life?

1 John 4:5

Those who are not of God do have influence in the lives of like minded people. The antichrists are of the world and anyone who has a spirit opposed to God is willing to listen to them and follow their teaching of lies.

1. What did John want to make clear? (Not everyone is of God or is willing to listen to the good news that He has for them.)

2. Why are people willing to listen to the antichrists? (It suits their lifestyle and agenda.)

3. Why is it so difficult to reach people like that for Christ? (They are under the influence of the satan and his world system which appears to be so attractive.)

4. How can we refute their lies? (By showing how the true child lives.)

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1 John 4:6

Once again John reinforced the fact that they were of God because they are not like those who are of the world in their actions and willingness to listen to those promoting the world’s values. One of the evidences that a person was of God is that he or she listened to the teaching of men like John who had been with and heard all that Jesus had taught. Those who were opposed to God did not heed the words of men like John and Paul. It was evident that they were not part of God’s family.

John began speaking about testing the spirit of man. He concluded with the final verdict. The trial had taken place the exam given and those who listened to the truth were given the passing grade of belonging to God’s kingdom. Those who failed the test were condemned to live a life in a world system under the control of satan.

1. How does man who is not of the world compare to the one who has bought in its system?

2. How do we know if a man is of God? (He listens and makes His word a part of his life)

3. What do those of the world believe? (The lies and false promises of the devil that leads to death.)

4. What was John’s final verdict concerning the spirit of man?

5. What is the verdict for your own life?

6. In what ways do you continually tests the spirits?

7. What are the consequences of failure to past the test?

• Continue to seek discernment from God for the ability to test the words of man.

• Stay in God’s word and compare all that swirls around against it.

• Live a life that is an example of a person who is walking with God.

• Be careful that the seemingly attractiveness and pleasures of this world do not lure you away from God.

• Pray that your words and deeds will influence others to want to know Christ.

• Always, even in the face of great adversity, remember that greater is the God and Son who is in you than the antichrists who are trying to turn the world against God. The victory is ours because we are on the winning side.

We must be ever vigilant against the subtle ways that the devil attempts to worm his way into the church. Our teaching and preaching must be based solidly on the word of God. When we are not in the building it must be imperative that we understand that the church is wherever its people are dispersed into the world. The gathering place must always be where each person is strengthened in a way that he or she can be victorious in the world. This cannot happen where there is strife or division. It can only occur where the truth is taught bringing about the unity that Paul wrote about in Ephesians 4:4-6 where he said, “There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.”

We dare not fail the test of examining the teaching of man to make sure that they are speaking the true. To be led astray has consequences that are eternal. Our part is to make sure that we follow the example given to Timothy by Paul in 2 Timothy 2:2. He wrote, “The things that you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses , entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” Let us be those who are faithful disciples who are able to disciple others in the truth.

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Lesson 7

True Love on Display

1 John 3:11-24

The one thing that seems to be lacking in our world today is true agape love. Thankfully, there are some major exceptions where you would expect to find it. For example I love my family with all my heart and would do almost anything for them. That love would exclude doing what would be illegal or unethical. In other words I would never condone or do for them what I consider open rebellion to God. The other place that I find genuine agape and brotherly love is in the church. I truly believe that sometimes one becomes closer to those in the body of Christ than his or her own blood relatives.

My brother who is four years younger than I now lives in Arkansas. Growing up, the age difference meant we were pretty much went our separate ways. He had his friends and I was involved in activities with young people my age and he was not included because I considered him too young. We therefore, much to my sorrow and for which much of the blame falls on me, we never became really close. Both of us as Proverbs tells us have found that “there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24) and “Better is a neighbor who is near than a brother who is far away.” (Proverbs 27:10) I know there are those to whom I can go when something goes wrong and they will be there for me. Of course this does not mean that I do not love my brother. I would never want to have the attitude of the men about which John spoke. I always want the very best for him even though I do not find myself a part of what is happening in his life.

Sadly churches today have not heeded the admonition found in John’s letter. We hear of church splits and strife all the time. Leaders are being asked to leave because influential individuals in the church are at odds with what they believe should be happening. It sometime erupts into open warfare that has the possibility totally destroying the body. This is not what Christ intended for His church to be. If those who are called the children can not get along how do we expect the rest of the world to act in kindness towards others. The seeded hatred that has been instilled into the very fabric of many cultures over hundreds and thousands of years is not easily changed. This same kind of hatred has sometimes been built up between members of churches for years. They not only have distain for each other but seeks allies to their way of thinking to the detriment to the expansion of God’s kingdom in the world. John was not going to have anything to do with men who had that kind of attitude toward others. He understood that those people did not have the proper relationship with each other or God. He wrote to bring attention to their failures.

1 John 3:11-12

At the end of verse 10 John wrote to the churches that the person who hates his brother had no relationship with the Father. He then goes on to point out that what he was saying was not a new message but one they had heard from all who had taught them over and over again. They were called to love one another. The perfect example of one who did not follow the command was Cain who killed his brother Abel out hatred brought on by jealousy. God had accepted the sacrifice of Abel but had rejected the one Cain presented. His response showed the kind of behavior of one controlled by satan. As John had said previously Cain took his cue from the devil who had been a murderer from the beginning of his existence. John could have not been clearer in his description of the action of two brothers. Abel was a righteous man and lived accordingly and Cain acted out of a evil mindset and lived a godless life.

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1. What was the important lesson John was trying to convey to the churches? (There is no place for hatred in the life of a believer?

2. What did Cain’s actions say about him?

3. Why did God accept Abel’s sacrifice and not Cain’s? (Because Abel was a righteous man while Cain was a man of evil thoughts and intent.)

4. What are some of the ways that you find you are like both men?

5. How can we make sure that we have the character of Abel?

1 John 3:13-14

Using the picture of Abel and Cain. Cain would represent the world and therefore could never understand someone like Abel. In the same way the world in which the believer of John’s lived hated them because the followers of Christ lived in the light and not the darkness of evil. The one who truly loved his brother was the person who exemplified the one who had like Colossians 1:13 says, “For He rescued us from the domain of darkness and transfer us to the kingdom of His beloved Son.” Man was once dead but had been made alive because he loved the one who he could see. Again mentioned that to hate was to abide in death.

1. In what way does verse 13 paint a picture of the world in which every believer lives?

2. Why is there such a contrast between the followers of Christ and the world? (One is in the light the other lives in darkness?

3. What has God done for us? (See Colossians 1:13)

4. What is one of the reasons that man is called to love his brother? (We have to get along with those with whom we are in constant contact. If we cannot love them how can we expect to love the One we cannot see?)

5. Why did John continue to emphasize the fact that to hate excludes a person from going to heaven? (It may seem a strange answer, but the one who hates will never be happy in a place where love rules.)

1 John 3:15

John used pretty strong language when describing someone who hates his brother. That was the feelings that Jesus expressed over in Matthew 5:21-22 when he spoke of murder in terms of attitudes toward another person. Jesus said that to destroy someone in one’s mind is just as evil as committing a physical act against the other person. No one who hates someone enough to take their life has no room for God in himself. That person cannot possibility of eternal life with God in his future.

1. Why did John state that to hate was equal with murder?

2. Who is one who would be called a murderer? (See Matthew 5:21-22)

3. What does the future hold for such a person?

4. Why is there no room for God in the life of a person who hates his brother? (To hate is to focus on one’s self and is an attitude of pride. One who hates thinks himself better and the other person as not deserving to live)

1 John 3:16

The answer for what love looks like is wrapped up in what God wrote next to the people. He said to know what love looks like is to look at Jesus. First of all He was willing to lay down His life for us. Then he made the point that if man truly loves the way Jesus did that he should be willing to lay down his life for his brothers in Christ.

1. What does love look like?

2. Who is the source of genuine love?

3. What did Jesus do for us that we should be willing to do for others?

4. In what ways can this be done without actually giving up the physical life?

5. Who might be a person for whom you would sacrifice your life?

6. Why do you feel that way?

7. How do you translate that willingness to others?

1 John 3:17-18

Selflessness is a practical way that one is willing to give of himself to others. Selfishness is an indication that the only one a person cares about is himself. He has no concern for the needs of those around him. This mindset shows clearly that God’s love is not present in them.

The old saying that man is not only suppose to talk the talk but walk the walk reflects what John wrote here. The way that man truly shows his love is by the way he acts toward another. James spoke about the same thing when he wrote about turning away the hungry and those without clothing. (James 2:15-16) In Matthew 25:41-45 Jesus said that the way to show love for Him is to take care of those who were hungry, thirsty, naked, a stranger, sick and in prison. He covered many of the conditions of man for which we have the responsibility to provide in His name.

1. In what ways do we show that we are selfless?

2. What is the attitude of the selfish?

3. What does the saying above say to you?

4. How did John express the same idea?

5. How do the passages in James and Matthew speak to your heart?

6. How do they address the relationship that we have with the Father and Son?

7. What other conditions would you think could be added to the list about of which we need to be aware?

1 John 3:19-21

John continued on with the idea of loving in the way a man acts and according to the teachings found in the gospel of Christ. Man can assured if he practices God’s love that he is living according to the One who is all truth even when he believes that he has failed miserably and disappointed God. God knows the intent and commitment of a man’s heart and therefore sees the genuine love and truth that has taken up residence in his heart. God’s forgiveness and understanding of man is much greater than a person can even comprehend. It is a fact that His love and salvation is not dependent on feelings but the fact of who He is and what He has done for man. It is a guaranteed that cannot be undone.

1. As Pilate asked we must also try to understand, what is truth?

2. How does the realization that we can live in that truth give us assurance before God? (His promise is to all who love Him.)

3. When and in what ways do you sometimes feel that what you are doing or have done brings condemnation to you?

4. What does John tell us about God’s view of those feelings? (He looks beyond the surface to the depth of man’s heart.)

5. What is the difference between the way we view ourselves and God’s viewpoint? (Many times

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we see life through the prism of feelings God deals in facts.)

5. What is our guarantee?

6. How do we know that the guarantee is real?

1 John 3:22

With the relationship with God well established man can now come before God with the request of his heart. John said since that is true that whatever man ask of God he will receive. The man who keeps God’s commandments and lives righteously before God has aligned his heart and mind with the Father and therefore will request those things that are within His purpose for his children.

1. What does it mean to you to know that God answers your prayers?

2. What have been an occasion when you did not receive what you were seeking?

3. What was your response? What did you learn from the experience?

4. Why do we have the privilege to bring our petitions to God?

5. What does it mean to align one’s heart with God’s purposes for man?

6. What are those things that are pleasing in God’s sight?

1 John 3:23-24

Two commands are given here even though sees them as one. In his mind there were linked together in a way that man cannot separate them. If one looks at the summary of the Law which we call the great commandment given in Matthew 22:37-38 it is clear that Jesus saw the two working together in the life of His followers. John wrote first of all “that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ” and then that we are to love one another.”

Everyone who keeps these commandments has that intimate relationship that man truly needs. The way that man knows that he is in God and God is in him is the revealing work of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit convicts man of his sin and then draws him to the Father to receive His forgiveness.

1. In what ways are the two commandments really just one?

2. In what ways is this also true in the summary found in Matthew 22:37-38.)

3. How do these two verses summarize what John has said in the first three chapters of this letter?

4. What has been one important lesson that you have learned from what has been studied so far?

5. How do you expect it to change the way you view yourself and others?

6. What gives you the greatest assurance that God is at work in your life?

• Look at the life of Abel and Cain to see what hatred can do to a person.

• Seek to understand the kind of love that John is talking about in his letter.

• Realize that to be a true follower of Christ will often put you at odds with those around you.

• Learn to be generous with others in need.

• Work at not just loving in word but in deed and truth

• Knowing that when you have doubts about your faith know that God sees you through the work that Jesus has done for us.

We are here on this earth to first of all to love and worship God. Out of that love for Him comes the second reason. It is to love those He has created in the same manner as He does. This means that we have to put aside our self-serving approach to life. The world does not revolve around us but the

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Father. He gave us His commands so we can live in relationship to Him and others. Unless we understand this we will lose our credibility with those outside the church. This love must reach across the lines that separate us into denominations. The important commandment for the church today is to believe in Jesus and then as an extension of that love to care for and love one another.

Lesson 5

To Sin or Not to Sin that is the Question.

1 John 3:1-10

Recently during one of the lesson on 1 John a young lady stopped me midstream of a thought be presented. What she said reinforced a truth that I sometimes forget. Having read the Bible as much as I have there is a tendency to take some words for granted. Her point was that we should all stop and approach each thought seriously and not gloss over them just because they have become so familiar. Every word, phrase and even punctuation marks have made their way into the Bible I read for a reason. Each of them are important and loaded with meaning. To take them lightly could possibly indicate that they have longer have an impact on my life. I am thankful that she brought that fact to my attention. For a while I will be conscious of what I am studying and reading, but will need a reminder ever so often that I am falling back into the same trap.

Their are a couple of approaches that I have used that have been helpful to insure that all of Scripture continues to bring God’s light into my life. One way is to view the book or text as if it is the first time I have seen it. Over the years I have found to write notes on a particular passage has forced me to see what God is trying to say to me. These note taking sessions have often expanded into a major study of a theme that in evident from Genesis to Revelation. Whatever technique one uses I believe that great effort should be made in our understanding of the Bible. If I don’t understand the instruction manual how can I live by what it says.

This is especially important some of the primary teachings of God’s Word. God, Jesus, love eternal life, compassion, sin, personal sacrifice and forgiveness are just a few that should hold our attention.

As in one’s personal life, if the church does not take seriously the teachings of the Bible and especially those of Jesus and the writer’s of the New Testament it will become weak from the lack of spiritual nourishment. There is an epidemic that is occurring today. It is the illness of biblical illiteracy. Most church leaders and those who study what is taking place in the church believe that we living in the time of which Amos spoke over twenty-seven hundred years ago. In Amos 8:11-12 he wrote of a coming famine in the land of Israel. He told us that it was not to be a natural famine of one of “hearing the words of the Lord.” It will be sad day if the church no longer sees God’s word as the reason we are an unique people in this world, but are no longer able to share the meaning to be found in Scripture.

If we reach that point we will not longer be like the early church who took sin seriously. If we lose the message that through the love of God someone does not have to remain in that condition then we are no longer carrying out the mission of God. John deals with God’s perspective on man’s sin nature in today’s lesson. Jesus said in a number of places, “He who has ears, let him hear.” (Matthew 9:15)

1 John 3:1

After all that John had said about what God had done for the people there was one more important attribute they needed to understand. They needed to come to grip with how much love God had poured out on them. Once again the word used for love is agapao which is the highest form of the word. It is that unconditional love which wants nothing but best for the recipient of it. God had looked on his people and given them His grace which brought them into the relationship of Father and children. John pointed out that in fact the followers of Christ were God’s children.

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Jesus had told the disciples in earlier days because they were different than those who lived according to the world standards, they would find themselves misunderstood and ostracized by those who had rebelled against God. (John 17) Now sixty years later John wanted to help his children see that they would find themselves rejected because of their beliefs. The world will never understand what makes a Christian live as he does because they have no idea who God is.

1. What is the greatest gift God has given man? (His agapao, godly love.)

2. What is the result of that love? (we have become His children.)

3. What does grace mean for us?

4. Why do true followers of Christ not fit into this world? (The world will never understand God because He is opposite of everything they believe.)

5. In what ways do you feel different than the world in which we live?

1 John 3:2

One thing John did not know even though he was sure that all of them were children of God, he did not know what his eternal body and nature would be like. There was no way that he could fully comprehend the total perfection man would experience upon the return of Christ. He had seen the resurrected Christ but was looking forward to being like Him.

1. What was the one thing of which John was sure?

2. Why could John not comprehend what the heavenly body of Jesus would be like upon His return? (He could only remember the physical, though resurrected body of Jesus.)

3. What can we not know? (What our resurrected bodies will be like.)

4. When we discover upon the return of Christ?

5. How can we be sure we will be like Jesus?

1 John 3:3

Every person who had given his life completely to God would have the desire to wants to make himself

pure without evil because He wants to be like the Father.

1. What is the meaning of hope? (See Hebrews 11:1 It is the assurance that what God has promised is true.)

2. What is to be the desire of a true follower of Christ?

3. How do we go about cleansing ourselves? (To live like Christ.)

4. On what basis are we cleaned? (God’s forgiveness and grace.)

1 John 3:4-6

Although it is absolutely true that we have the assurance of salvation because of God’s grace the law is still in effect as man’s standard of living out his faith each and every day. Every man sins, breaks the laws of God. John is not talking about man’s failure because he is human. Jesus dealt with those who lived in sinful life calling them to sin no more. The woman caught in adultery was a prime example. (John 8:11) as well as the man who was paralyzed (Matthew 9:2)

He was writing of the man who consistently and with without regard to God’s law violates it as a practice. It is the man who camps out in the position of rebellion without the thought of repentance. Christ came to take away the penalty of sin for those who have accepted Him as their Savior. He was

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able to accomplish it because He lived a life without sin. John once again pointed out that a true believers do not make it a habit of sinning in the manner of one rebels against the Father. The one who makes it his practice to transgress the law of God knows Him.

1. What does it mean to practice sin? (It is the habitual and deliberate rebellion against God’s word.)

2. What are some to the ways that man practices sin?

3. What does it say about a person who continually practices sin?

4. Why can God not abide in that person?

5. What some examples of people in the New Testament who were called out of a sinful lifestyle and given a new opportunity in life? (See Matthew 9:1-7; John 5:1-14; 8:1-11)

6. What are some of the things you may have to give up to have God’s forgiveness?

1 John 3:7

The churches faced a real challenge to their faith from those who were promoting the false teachings of those leaning toward gnosticism. The fact they denied the deity of Christ opened the door for those professing their belief in Jesus to slip back into the worldly lifestyle that John had just condemned. He wanted to make sure that they stayed on the right path. He called them to practice righteousness as opposed to habitually sinning. Righteousness is the relationship that brings man and God together. Righteousness is to live according to God’s commandments. God in another place said that man is to be holy like He is holy. John called man to walked in perfection, maturity in Christ. To do so leaves no room to practice sin.

1. Why did the members of the churches have to be on guard?

2. What was the deception of those who were in reality antichrists?

3. What does it mean to walk in righteousness?

4. Why does God have a right to demand that we live that kind of lifestyle? (He is holy, pure, perfect and righteous.)

5. Why was John able to say those who walk in righteousness do not practice sin? (There is no time for or room in one’s life for practicing sin.)

1 John 3:8

Once again John was very clear on the condition of the man who continually practiced sin. In his words they belonged to the devil. He controlled and dominated his or her life and there was no room for God. One who is committed to Christ knows the devil is the author of rebellion towards God. From the very beginning the devil has sinned and he wants to enslave every man under his control. John in his gospel gave a clearer picture of the very nature of the devil. (John 8:44) There was only One who could stop the works of the devil. With His death and resurrection Jesus destroyed the control that the devil had over the lives of people.

1. How do we know that a person is controlled by the devil? (He continually practices sin?

2. What is the nature and character of the devil?

3. Why is it impossible to defeat him in our own power? (He is the great deceiver.)

4. How long has the devil been operative?

5. What were some of his first acts? (Genesis 3)

6. Who is the one who has destroyed the works of the devil?

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1 John 3:9

Repetition is the one of the greatest teachers. John felt it necessary to say what he wanted to get across to the people a number of times. His writing is a good example of the importance of everyone who calls themselves Christian to read, study and meditate on God’s word every single day. John ends of this section of the letter by stating one more time that God’s children do not practice sin because His seed Jesus Christ is living in them. No one who is truly born again will practice what is alien to a believer because of that kinship of Father and child.

1. Why is repetition so important in learning?

2. What was the one thing that John wanted imprinted on the hearts of believers?

3. How important is that lesson for us?

4. What are some examples in your life of this kind of learning?

5. Why it so important to spend a great deal of time in God’s word?

6. Who is the one who helps us not to sin?

7. What is the evidence to you and others that you have been born of God?

1 John 3:10

Although in today’s world it is sometimes hard to tell the difference between those who call themselves Christians and those who do not claim to know Christ. John said it should be obvious by the way one lives to tell the difference. The lifestyle should as light compared to darkness. Again he pointed out to live unrighteously indicates that he is not part of God’s family. A righteous man is to love his brother. One who does not does not love the Father.

1. Why is it sometimes hard to tell whether a person is a Christian?

2. In what ways should it be obvious that we belong to Christ?

3. Why does John once again repeat the idea that a man who lives an unrighteous life cannot have a relationship with the Father?

4. Why did John reference that lack of love for one’s brother as a breach in the relationship with God?

5. What have been times when you have been guilty of not loving your brother or sister in your family or in the Church?

• Strive to show the world that you are indeed a child of God.

• Always be prepared to meet Christ upon His return.

• Purify your life by confessing and repenting of any sin in your life.

• Do not habitually live a life of sin. To do so would indicate that you do not belong to Jesus.

• Study and meditate on God’s word so the devil cannot deceive into living a sinful life.

• Know that you are victorious because Christ came to destroy the works of the devil.

The church must take heed to the responsibility it has to win as many as it can before God’s clock ticks its last second. Paul was passionate about winning the lost. (See 1 Corinthians 9:19-23) One of the ways that we can do so is by living righteousness lives before those within the sphere of our influence. If the world sees the church acting the same way it does, except when behind closed doors, it will be difficult if not impossible to bring people to the point of salvation. We must know who we believe then do everything in our power to behave in a righteous way. To be righteous is to have a special relationship with the Father because we carry out His teaching in the world He has given us.

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What does a church look like that takes sin seriously? There can be no compromise with what the Bible calls sin. In any form it is a violation of God’s commands and a rebellion against God Himself. Each person must take responsibility for that rebellion in his own life and to make sure that it does not undermine and destroy the work of the church.

It is one that loves the Word of God and uses every means at its disposal is a body that disciples all the people from the youngest to the oldest that they may grow in the knowledge in order to serve the Father in a godly manner. Let us show the world that we want to be that kind of church which is the light in our community and the sharer of the good news that we have in Jesus Christ.