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Commentary On The Book of First John

The Book of First John, chapter 2

THEME: The advocacy of Christ; how the little children may have fellowship with each other; the "dear children" must not love the world. Eph. 5:1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; (KJV)

This chapter continues the thought begun in the previous chapter regarding the manner in which "little children" may have fellowship with God. We have seen that we can have fellowship with God by walking in the light, that is, in God's Presence. The second thing we must do in order to maintain that fellowship is to confess our sins to Him. When we walk in the light, we know that the blood of Jesus Christ keeps on cleansing us from all sin, but we also know that there is imperfection in our lives and that we must go to Him in confession for cleaning those sins.

In chapter 2 we come to the matter of the advocacy of Christ. We will now see the conclusion of that which began with 1 John 1:5, where John said, "This then is the message." What is the message? It is the message of the Gospel of the amazing grace of God that takes the Hell-doomed sinner and by simple faith in Christ brings him/her into the family of God where he becomes an heir and joint-heir with Jesus Christ. It is the relationship with the Father that is all important. (Rom.4:13; 8:17; Gal.3:29; 4:7; Eph.3:6; Tit.3:7; Heb.1:14; 6:17; 11:7; Jam.2:5; 1 Pet.1:4; 3:7; Rev. 21:7).

Fellowship With God Through Christ Our Advocate (2:1-2)

1 John 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: [KJV]

Remember, John is speaking to God’s children (TRUE Christians). We are all God’s “little children” (no matter our age), if we have believed God and accepted His Son to save us (Jn.3:15-18). “Sin not” is what God wants of His children. We should renounce (give up; cease to practice; stop) sin; and stop being lax in our attitude toward sin. But when we do sin, (and we will), we have an “Advocate” with God the Father. Advocate means counselor; one who pleads another’s case; one who speaks up for us, supports us; intercedes for us. This “Advocate” is none other than Jesus. Jesus is at God’s right Hand this very moment (Heb.10:12; 12: Mk.16:19), interceding for us against none other than the devil (Rev.12:10). With Jesus for us, who can be against us? (Ro.8:31).

This is the only place in the KJV Bible that the word advocate is found.

1 John 2:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. [KJV]

“Propitiation” is a big word. It means atonement. Christ Jesus is the atoning Sacrifice for our sins. He took away God’s wrath from us. Why was God so angry? Because of our sins. God cannot tolerate sin of any kind. He is completely holy, pure and righteous. If we do not know Jesus as Saviour and Lord, we are God’s enemy (Ro.5:9-10; Jam.4:4) but once we accept Jesus, and His Work on the Cross, we are God’s friends and His children (John 1:12-13; 3:3-8). Jesus suffered OUR penalty on that Cross. He paid in full, the sin debt we owed, one that we could never have paid! Jesus conciliated, won over, soothed God’s anger toward us, pacified God’s wrath against us when He died that sacrificial death on the Cross. Only Jesus can keep us out of Hell!

1 John 2:3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. [KJV]

This verse does not question our security of salvation, instead it tells us how we can be assured we are in God’s family. Once a person is truly saved, they are saved forever!

Christians do NOT do what they want; they do what Christ wants! And a TRUE Christian wants to obey Christ! What are the commandments? Does this refer to the Ten Commandments? No, I don’t think so. Jesus gave us two commands. Mat. 22:36-40 Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. (KJV) . . . Do you see verse 40? Those TWO commandments cover the whole Old Testament! Love God with your all, and love your neighbor as yourself. So, our commandments are love, love, love! TRUE Christians will have a loving attitude and behavior. John says this is how we know we are His!

1 John 2:4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. [KJV]

There are MANY false professors today. They are hypocrites! They state with their mouth: “I’m a Christian.” They may think in their heart: “I’m on my way to Heaven”. But, IF they do NOT do what Jesus tells them to do, they are liars, deceiving themselves for the Truth in not in them (2 Thes.2:10). You must PROFESS Christ, yes; but you must also POSSESS Christ in your heart to be a TRUE Christian. You must obey Christ also! IF you are not sincere about your professing Christ, one day He will say some words you do not want to hear! Mat. 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. (KJV) . . . . . http://www.hisservants.org/what_must_i_do_to_be_saved_h_s.htm

1 John 2:5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. [KJV]

If we love God we are made complete (perfected) in Him. There are commandments in “His Word”, to be sure, but His Word is more than that! His Word expresses His will for us; it also reveals what God is like. God tells us just how we should live. He also tells us if we live to please Him He will never leave nor forsake us (Heb.13:5), and He will give us strength to live that life (Jn.15:5; Phil.4:13). What more could we ask of Him?

1 John 2:6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked. [KJV]

How did Jesus “walk”? How did Jesus live? He lived in love, joy, peace, longsuffering (patience), gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness (humility not pride), temperance (self control). See Gal.5:22-23. “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit” (Gal.5:25). Jesus said: “I do always those things that please Him.” (Jn.8:29). Can you say these words? I cannot say these words because I would be lying! I can say I really do want to make Him smile, not frown, but all too often I know I fail Him terribly. If we love Jesus, we do NOT want to offend Him, we want to please Him. Do you love Jesus?

1 John 2:7 Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning. [KJV]

Again, John is writing to believers (brethren). The command to “love” is both old and new. In the Old Testament, Lev.19:18, we see this “old” command. It is a “new” command because Jesus expounded on it in a whole new way (Jn.13:34-35). We are to love like He loved! What is ‘love’? Christian (agape; God’s love) is giving of self to benefit others. No better example than our Lord, Jesus. Again, we have “beginning”. (See 1 Jn.1:1).

Love is NOT this modern-day sexual revolution! That is LUST! My friend, TRUE love is of God! Lust is of the devil!

1 John 2:8 Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth. [KJV]

Love is always a “new” command. It works in today’s times as well as it did in the time of Jesus and John. If we love God, and love one another, the darkness of sin and Satan disappears; and the Light of Christ shines in us and through us. Love is the ‘key’ to walking in the light. It reaches out to whosoever. It creates a growing relationship with God and with others.

1 John 2:9 He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now. [KJV]

If we ‘profess’ to be Christians, and claim we are ‘walking in the light’ (obeying God in our daily life), and harbor hate toward our brothers and sisters in Christ, we are NOT walking in light but instead darkness (sin). True, some people are hard to love. And true, there are some people we do not like as much as others. Some have manners and habits that we object to, or do not approve of, or understand. But we should not ignore them, or give them the cold shoulder, or despise them. We should not treat them as competitors or enemies; they are brothers and sisters in Christ. Anything other than love is hate. Hate breeds discontent and spiritual disaster. Love should unify the church, not divide it. Love is caring for others, having compassion on them, helping them. It is having an attitude toward them like Jesus would have. LOVE is care, concern, compassion, congeniality (friendly, agreeable). If we choose to love, God will give us the strength to do so! He will show us how to express Christian love to others.

1 John 2:10 He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him. [KJV]

If we love our brother, we ‘abide in the light’. John 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. (KJV) We cannot ‘abide' nor ‘walk’ in the light without Jesus! He is our Light. He is the One who guides us and shows us the correct paths to take, if we allow Him to do so. And if we allow Him to do so, we will not stumble (in the darkness) and fall flat on our face.

1 John 2:11 But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes. [KJV]

We at times will disagree with a brother; he or she may have habits we dislike; some of their expressions may be very distasteful to us; their attitudes may be unpleasant; personalities may even clash; but . . . that does not mean we hate that person! We cannot hate our brothers and sisters in Christ; or we simply do not love God! Sin (darkness) has blinded our eyes and we walk in darkness if we ‘hate’ our brother. If we love, we abide in the ‘Light’ and advance that light; and we ‘sin not’; and we do not cause anyone else to sin. On the other hand, if we hate, we abide in ‘darkness’ and advance that darkness by retarding the ‘Light’. We sin, and we cause others to sin as well.

Do Not Love The World . . . 1 John 2:12-17

1 John 2:12 I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake. (KJV)

Again, let me remind you, John is writing to TRUE Christians; the children of God. In the next three verses we shall see that John separates Christians into three groups.

• #1. “Little children” I believe this refers to all born again believers, but it also refers to those just recently born into the family of God, babes in Christ.
  #2. “Young men” refers to those who are growing in Christ (teenagers, if you will).
  #3. “Fathers” are those who have known Jesus for many years (men and women), who have grown and matured in Christ.

In my many years of teaching God’s Word, I have encountered many “little children.” They have known Jesus as their Saviour and Lord many years, yet spiritually, they have not grown. Physical age has nothing to do with spiritual age! I have seen many elderly people who are spiritually immature. They simply have not grown in Christ. They are spiritual ‘babies.’ On the other hand, I have seen some much younger people who are spiritually mature. They study the Word of God. They fellowship with other Christians, sharing what they have learned about Jesus.

This verse states that believers of all ages have experienced forgiveness of sins, through the precious Name of Jesus, and for His sake. How I thank God for His Son, who makes eternal life accessible to sinners like me, and you!

1 John 2:13 I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father. (KJV)

John writes to the “fathers” complimenting them on their faith and long standing relationship with Jesus, who is from the “beginning” (who has always been). John writes to the “young men” who have been tempted by Satan, and won! John writes to the “little children” who had just recently learned about Jesus and was about to embark on their spiritual journey. In each and every stage of Christian life, God’s Word is crucial and relevant. The “little ones” grow in their ability to win out over temptation, and learn what kind of life God wants them to live. “Young adults” continue to grow in their relationship with Christ and their brothers and sisters in Christ, while winning spiritual battles as they go. The “fathers” who have known Christ for years develop knowledge and wisdom to guide, teach, encourage and admonish the younger ones in their spiritual life. And I believe that all stages of believers increase in faith.

1 John 2:14 I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one. (KJV)

John reminds us again that Jesus was, and is, and is to come (Rev.1:4,8; 4:8). He has always been, and always will be. Knowing Jesus, and the power of His resurrection, and just how much Jesus suffered for us, and that one day we will be granted entrance to His Presence; this is spiritual maturity!

As John again addresses the “young men,” he gives the secret for their strength: “The Word of God lives in you.” We (you and me), CANNOT overcome the “wicked one” (the devil, Satan) on our own power. NO way! We would fail miserably! Satan is extremely powerful (John 14:30; Ep.2:2). We can be victorious only through Jesus and His Holy Spirit who abides within us (Jn.14:17; Rom.8:9).

1 John 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. (KJV)

We must understand what John means by the “world.” He is not talking about the Creation, the Earth. What he means is the world system that is headed by Satan. Before we go any further, let me assure you that there is a devil! He is alive and well (Job 1:12; 2:7; Mat.4:1; 25:41; John 8:44; 13:2; 1 Peter 5:8). John says if we “love the world” God’s love is NOT in us. WHY? Because loving the world and what is offered by the devil is the complete opposite of what God wants for us. God wants us to love HIM! Characteristics of worldliness are ungodly:

• #1. Lust . . . this is gratifying your physical desires; food, alcohol, drugs, cigarettes, sex, etc.
  #2. Materialism . . . craving and accumulating things: cars, jewelry, real estate, anything that the Jones’ have.
  #3. Pride . . . this is being obsessed with your status and/or importance or power or fame. Eve was tempted in the Garden in these three areas (Gen.3:6), as was Jesus in the wilderness (Mat.4:1-11). We must not be like Eve and give in to temptation, but be like Jesus and resist (with His help).

1 John 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. (KJV)

All worldly things: evil desires, the mad craze for illicit sex, wanting to buy any and all that appeals to you, pride that boosts your ego, that comes from wealth, power and fame; NONE of these are from God. They all are from the devil! Beware!

1 John 2:17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. (KJV)

We as TRUE Christians should not “love the world” nor the things in it . . . NOT lusting after them, nor belonging to it. Our fellowship and attachment should be to God and the good things He offers that are eternal, not this evil world system that will one day be gone. If we do the “will of God,” we shall live forever. So-ooo . . . what is the “will of God”? It is willing obedience to Him. It is loving Him. It is always giving Him honor and glory, in ALL things!

Warning Against Antichrists . . . 1 John 2:18-27

1 John 2:18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. [KJV]

"Last day" is repeatedly used by Jesus (John 6:39-40,44,54; 11:24; 12:48) for the day of resurrection and judgment. There the "last days" and "last time" mean the Messianic age. But it also refers to the time period between Christ’s first and second comings (Acts 2:17; 1 Tim.4:1; 2 Tim.3:1; Jam.5:3; 2 Per.3:3; 1 Jn.2:18; Jude 1:18). We have been living in the ‘last time’ for a long while on man’s time clock. But God’s clock is a whole lot different than ours. “One day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.” (2 Pet.3:8; Ps.90:4). In this particular time period, (the last days) in which we now live, God is calling out a people for His Name; "Christians" (both Jews and Gentiles); or the TRUE CHURCH which is headed by Christ! I do not teach denominational doctrines. I teach the Word of God! I believe denominations came from people who could not tolerate the Truth of the Bible. I believe there is just one TRUE church and that is the body of Christ. I believe that once you accept Jesus as your Saviour and Lord, you are in the TRUE church! I believe that all God’s children belong to the TRUE church.

Now we come to another term, used only by John: “Antichrist”. Anti has two meanings: #1. Against. #2. Instead of or an imitation of. The ‘Antichrist’ is referred to many times in Scriptures: Beast (Rev.13:1), Little Horn (Dan.7:8), King of Fierce Countenance (Dan.8:23), Prince (Dan.9:26), Vile Person (Dan.11:21), Willful King (Dan.11:36), Man of sin (2 Thes.2:3), Son of perdition (2 Thes.2:3), that Wicked (2 Thes.2:8,11), Another (Jn.5:43). This man will be the future world leader, (controlled by Satan) in the Great Tribulation. Many think this monster is already in the world.

John also mentions “antichrists” (plural). He states that even then there were many! They have not diminished, they are still very much a part of Christendom today. So, who are these ‘antichrists’? They are false teachers who say they are Christians; and lure weak Christian ‘babies’ away from Jesus! These ministers of Satan disguise themselves as servants of God (2 Cor.11:13-15), bringing just enough truth so as to confuse ‘little children,’ but they bring falsehoods, damnable heresies (2 Pet.2:1). Beware, cults are dangerous! http://www.worldlychaos.org/w_c_cults.1.htm . . . BEWARE, false teachers will take you to the Lake of Fire (Rev.20:15) ! . . . http://www.worldlychaos.org/w_c_1_false_teachers.1.htm

1 John 2:19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us. [KJV]

These ‘antichrists’ John is talking about were probably members of the churches. John does not say why they left but only that they did leave; and when they left it proved they were never TRUE Christians to begin with. OSAS! Once saved, always saved!

Many people today ‘go to church’ for the wrong reasons. You may belong to the church; have your name on the church roll; but unless you POSSESS Christ in your heart, unless your reason for going to church is Christ-centered, you really do NOT belong to the TRUE church! You can profess to be a Christian all the way to your grave; but God knows the Truth. He knows your heart!

1 John 2:20 But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things. [KJV]

“Unction” is anointing. ALL God’s children (Jn.1:12-13; 3:3-8, 15-18,36; 5:24; 12:36; 14:6; Ro.8:9,14) have been anointed with the Holy Spirit of God; and this “anointing” abides (lives) in us (1 Jn.2:27). The wonderful part of this is that once we have the Spirit of God, we have Him ‘forever’ (Jn.14:16; 2 Jn.2). God does not give Him to us, then take Him away. OSAS! Once God's child, God's child forever!

“Ye know all things” does NOT mean we have a ‘right now’ college degree in spiritual things, but instead, it means all the ‘things of God’ are potentially ours to know, IF we want to know them. That is one of the many jobs of the Holy Spirit, to teach us; but, we must be teachable! We must want to know! The Holy Spirit is our Teacher, if we listen to Him (Mat.10:20; 16:17; Luke 12:12; John 14:26; 16:13; 1 Cor.2:10,13; 12:3; Eph.3:5; 1 Tim.4:1; 1 John 2:20,27; Rev.2:7,11, 17, 29; 3:6, 13, 22).

The “Holy One” I believe is our Lord Jesus. When we trust Him as Saviour, He then sends the Holy Spirit to us (John 14:16-28).

1 John 2:21 I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth. [KJV]

Those receiving John’s letter knew the Truth. They had the Truth; the Gospel. John was writing to encourage them; but also to warn them of false teachers. “No lie is of the truth.” Lies do NOT come from the Truth. We must be very careful and discern truth from error!

1 John 2:22 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. [KJV]

Who is the liar? ALL lies come from the devil! He is the father of all lies (Jn.8:44). A liar is anyone who does not tell the truth. John tells us here that if you deny that Jesus is the Christ (Messiah), you are a liar!

If anyone denies Jesus is the Christ, the Jewish Messiah of the Old Testament; they are also denying God the Father! For Jesus and God the Father are ONE (Jn.10:30; 14:6,9; 2 Jn.9). And to be sure, anyone who denies Jesus does NOT possess the Father, nor are they His child! To acknowledge Jesus is to possess God the Father and have fellowship with Him, and be assured of eternal life (Jn.3:15-18,36; 5:24; 8:24; 20:31; 1 John 5:11-13).

1 John 2:23 Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also. [KJV]

Apparently the ‘antichrists’ were saying they were loyal to God the Father, yet firmly denying and opposing Jesus, God’s Son. This is going on today also! This is a dangerous doctrine; which will lead followers straight to Hell. We must go through Jesus to get to the Father (Jn.14:6). Many cultists today call themselves ‘Christians’ but they absolutely deny the deity of Jesus. Jesus is God! To deny this Truth is absurd! Take CHRIST out of Christian; what do you have left? Nothing!

Some people just do not believe that Jesus IS God! A pastor emailed me saying: "I believe that Jesus was the spitting image of God, he was God with us, He was the only begotten Son of God, but He was not God." See our booklet: http://www.worldlychaos.org/w_c_is_jesus_god.1.htm . . . Jesus IS God!

1 John 2:24 Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father. [KJV]

“That which ye have heard from the beginning” concerns the incarnation of Christ, His life, His teachings, His death and His resurrection. That is what the apostles taught; that is what we should teach. It is essential that we have a living faith, in a living Saviour! It is essential that we always remember what our Saviour did for us. If this Truth remains, or abides in us, we will always have fellowship with God the Father, and with His precious Son, our Saviour and Lord.

1 John 2:25 And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life. [KJV]

The fellowship we have with the Father, and with His Son, will always be. It will continue, on into eternity, for God has promised to us ‘eternal life’ (Jn.3:15; 6:40; 10:28; 11:25-26; 14:2-3; 17:2-3). You can count on this, for God CANNOT lie. Titus 1:2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; (KJV) . . . Eph.1:4-6 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. (KJV) . . . (Eph.1:11; Rom.8:29).

Predestination scares people. To me, it is simple. We are predestinated to be adopted as God's children, IF and WHEN we believe God (1 John 5:11-13) and accept His one and only Plan of salvation, Christ Jesus as our Saviour and Lord! (John 1:12-13; 3:3-8; 14:6; Acts 4:12). John 6:28-29 Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? 29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. (KJV)

I really do think that God loves everyone and wants everyone to be His child and go to Heaven . . . BUT . . . he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: . . . we CANNOT be holy and blameless before God on our own! NO way! God knows that! He has always known that! SO . . . before the foundation of the world . . . God made a Plan to make us "adoptable" to Him. "A" Plan! ONE Plan! JESUS!
Millions think that Plan is far too restrictive. My friend, you either do it God's way, OR you go to Hell! Plain as that! Eternal life IS ours IF we do it God's way, Jesus! Eternal life is a Promise from God, but only through God's only begotten Son, Jesus! (John 3:15-18; 1 John 4:9).

God is said to have chosen us in Christ, BUT, we must fulfill our part and choose Christ! We are adopted as God's children when we choose Christ Jesus!

1 John 2:26 These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you. [KJV]

John is really concerned about those in the church being led astray, or seduced, by false teachers. This has been my main concern for many years. John is warning them to turn away from false doctrines and heresies, and stick with what they have been taught and learned; the Truth! We need to be SO careful in the times we live in also. There are a multitude of false teachers, some of which are very well known and widely accepted, teaching some of the most absurd damnable heresies. I simply cannot understand how supposedly smart people can fall for such things as the ridiculous "Word-faith" garbage, plus many more. Please consider eternity. http://www.worldlychaos.org/w_c_word_faith_is_it_biblical.1.htm . . . Beware of false teachers! . . . http://www.worldlychaos.org/w_c_1_false_teachers.1.htm

One of my greatest fears is that I might teach something wrong. James 3:1 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. [KJV] . . . I have been asked, why then do you continue? I have a greater fear still, and that is the fact that if I don’t teach the Word of God, as He has commanded, He will be greatly displeased with me; and I do not want that. So, I will continue as long as I am able. Another thing; the more I study and teach God’s Word, the more I realize just how little I know.

1 John 2:27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. [KJV]

In 1 Jn.2:20 John told us we “have an unction from the Holy One”. ‘Unction’ is the act of anointing, anything that soothes or comforts, a quality or manner of utterance that is fervent and earnest, or meant to arouse deep spiritual feelings. When we are ‘anointed’ or endowed with the Holy Spirit of God, by God the Father and His Son, we ARE soothed, and comforted; we DO receive a power of speaking that we did not have before, and most certainly He does arouse deep spiritual feelings within us. We receive the Holy Spirit only when we accept Jesus and what He accomplished on the Cross. We receive Him at the very moment of our conversion. John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. [KJV] John 15:26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: [KJV] . . . Again I say, the Holy Spirit is our Teacher, IF we listen to Him (Mat.10:20; 16:17; Luke 12:12; John 14:26; 16:13; 1 Cor.2:10,13; 12:3; Eph.3:5; 1 Tim.4:1; 1 John 2:20,27; Rev.2:7,11, 17, 29; 3:6, 13, 22).

When we receive the Holy Spirit, He then abides with us, forever (Jn.14:16; 2 John 2). He ‘anoints’ us to divinely understand the Truths of God’s Word. He will discern right from wrong when we hear or read what someone says. Most important to note here is, John is NOT saying we do not need teachers of God’s Word. This would be in direct disagreement with what Paul writes in Ephesians; that we are given certain ‘gifts’ (Ep.4:11-12) when we become Christians, to edify (build) the church. We all can learn more about God when we listen to a good teacher of God’s Word, because they are empowered by the Spirit of God. The ministry of the Spirit is quite unique. He teaches us all things, that is, all that we are capable of holding! He guides us into all Truth. The Holy Spirit is God! Remember, God cannot lie (Tit.1:2). He is all Truth, He can never be a lie! We are anointed with the Spirit of God to enable us to understand the Truth!

1 Cor. 2:9-13 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. 10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. [KJV]

This is the anointing of the Holy Spirit of God that comes on all TRUE believers! The Holy Spirit will NOT be given to a person if they are not sincere.

Don’t ever think that you know enough about God’s Word, because you do NOT! Instead read and study it, by yourself, and with others in a class if possible. Too many people miss the tremendous blessings of Bible study in Sunday school. Church is good, yes, but Sunday school is good also! You cannot ask questions in the midst of sermons, but you can in Sunday school and Bible classes!

Children of God . . . 1 John 2:28-3:10

1 John 2:28 And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming. [KJV]

The proof of a TRUE Christian is ‘right’ behavior. There are many people that do good things yet do not have faith in Jesus. Then there are those who claim to be Christians and live a life laden with seeable and unstoppable sin.

TRUE Christians must do both the following:

• #1. Trust Jesus as Saviour and Lord.
• #2. Perform good works.

We are NOT saved by any good work except that in John 6:28-29. John 6:28-29 Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? 29Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. [KJV]

This is the only requirement for salvation! The only work necessary to become one of God’s children. But, once you become God’s child, THEN you want to do good things for the Lord. Any good works you do for the cause of Christ will stand at the judgment seat of Christ; all others will be burned! 1 Cor. 3:13-15 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. [14] If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. [15] If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. (KJV)

We must ‘abide in Him.’ We must ‘remain in Him’. We must ‘continue in Him’. We must ‘obey Him’.

We must do good things for Him, so when He does come, we will not be ashamed, and shrink back. When He comes we want to have confidence and boldness to stand before Him (Ep.3:12; 1 Jn.4:17). Rev. 22:12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. (KJV)

We do NOT know when Jesus will come in the clouds to call the church Home (1 Thes.4:14-18); but we DO know that He is coming (for He cannot lie), and by the signs of these days, it could be any minute. We must live accordingly! Be expecting Him; be looking for Him, and you will not be ashamed when He does come! 1 Cor. 11:31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. (KJV) . . . We all know when we are doing something we should not do. If it's wrong, STOP it! Then you will not be ashamed when He comes.

1 John 2:29 If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him. [KJV]

God is right, and pure and just. His Word will put you to the final test. God’s children should imitate Jesus. If someone professes to be a Christian, yet lives like the devil, they are NOT God’s child but the devil’s child (1 Jn.3:10). Again I tell you; good works do NOT, nor can NOT produce salvation (eternal life in Heaven), but they are necessary proof that TRUE conversion has taken place in one’s life (Jam.2:14-18).

First John

Ch.1 . . Ch.2 . . Ch.3 . . Ch.4 . . Ch.5

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