General Letters 1 John

Abiding In Christ

Discover Jesus as: Perfect Love 1 John 2 Read on Bible Gateway (HCSB)

Day 680 of 730
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INTRO

Today, we continue in our study of the General Letters (those not written by the apostle Paul). Our phrase for 1 John is Perfect Love (4:18). Through Christ, we have received perfect love, and we no longer have to function in fear. Really, the word for all the letters of John could be LOVE.

TEACHING

1 John 2:1-6: John wrote this letter to keep his readers from sin, not implying they would never sin again but that when they sinned, Jesus was their advocate with God (v. 1). MacArthur writes, “Although Satan prosecutes believers night and day before the Father due to sin (Revelation 12:10), Christ’s high priestly ministry guarantees not only sympathy, but also acquittal (Hebrews 4:14–16).”1

You can be carrying the weight of sin for a long time, but you don’t have to! Jesus is your advocate, so let go of the guilt. But doesn’t mean we can intentionally sin.

John describes Jesus as the “Righteous One” who is the propitiation for the sins of the whole world (v. 2). The term propitiation means appeasement or satisfaction through what Jesus did on the cross.2Nelson’s Commentary defines propitiation as “the merciful removal of guilt through divine forgiveness.”3 The only way for propitiation in our lives, and for all mankind, is through Jesus’ death on the cross.

We come to know Christ by keeping His commands (v. 3). MacArthur explains, “Obedience is the external, visible proof of salvation.”4 Those who claim to be followers of Christ but do not obey His commands are liars (v. 4).

Most of us know someone who claims to be a Christian, but we’re not sure if he or she really is because there is no spiritual fruit that shows outwardly. Maybe this means they are someone who knows Christ but is walking in sin. An example is a believer who spends his or her private time looking at pornography. That believer is a liar because he or she isn’t in obedience to Christ’s commands. I know that’s a drastic statement, but it’s what the passage says.

MacArthur writes that the word “commits” in 1 John 3:4 is translated from a Greek word that “conveys the idea of habitual practice.”5 We have a sin nature, and we can and do sin. However, when we acknowledge our sin and accept God’s forgiveness, we can break the sin from becoming habitual. MacArthur provides four reasons why Christians cannot habitually sin:

  1. “Genuine Christians cannot practice sin because sin is incompatible with the law of God, which they love.”

“Genuine Christians cannot practice sin because sin is incompatible with the work of Christ.”

“Genuine Christians cannot practice sin because Christ came to destroy the works of the arch-sinner Satan.”

“Genuine Christians cannot practice sin because sin is incompatible with the ministry of the Holy Spirit” who lives within us.6

God’s love is perfected in those who obey Christ’s commands (v. 5). That means remaining in Him and walking as He walked (v. 6) (1 Corinthians 11:1). MacArthur writes, “Those who claim to be Christians ought to live as He did since they possess His Spirit’s presence and power.”7

1 John 2:7–17: Therefore, John wrote about an old command, “not new in the sense of time, but something that is fresh in quality, kind, or form; something that replaces something else that has been worn out”8 (vv. 7–8). John continued the same theme in verses 9–10, stating if a believer cannot love his brother he is in darkness, while the one who loves his brother remains in the light without stumbling in sin (vv. 9–11).

John wrote to remind his readers that their sins have already been forgiven through Jesus. Since they know Christ, they can be victorious over Satan and sin (vv. 12–13). Notice the progression—fathers, young men, and children (v. 13)—of spiritual maturity. The fathers were the most spiritually mature, and they knew God. The young men had strong doctrine but not the years of spiritual experience as the fathers. The children had a basic understanding of God but needed to mature. Regardless of the level of spiritual maturity of each group, none of them were to focus on the world or the things that belong to the world (v. 15).

The love of things should never be elevated above the Father. The things that belong to the world—lust, flesh, pride—do not come from God (v. 16). The things of the world are temporary; only the things of God are eternal (v. 17).

1 John 2:18–27: Focus on the things of God because the “Antichrist is coming” (v. 18). The tribulation is coming, and until that happens, multiple people have modeled the antichrist to us already. In verse 19, these antichrists (false teachers) in the past led believers away from the truth of God. However, the church/believers don’t have to worry about it because they’ve been anointed by the Holy One and have knowledge of His truth (v. 20).

These antichrists will deny God and will deny that Jesus is the Messiah (v. 22). Verses 23–24 warn how this will happen. But we have the promise of eternal life through Jesus (v. 25). John warned his readers not to be deceived (v. 26). We have received an anointing from Christ through the Holy Spirit (v. 27).

CLOSING

When you have a relationship with Christ, the Spirit of God will show you what is of God and what is not. Walk in His anointing like He walked.

  1. John MacArthur, The MacArthur Bible Commentary (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2005), pp. 1951.

  2. MacArthur, p. 1951.

  3. Earl Radmacher, Ronald B. Allen, and H. Wayne House, eds., Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Commentary (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1999), p. 1707.

  4. MacArthur, p. 1952.

  5. MacArthur, p. 1951.

  6. MacArthur, p. 1951.

  7. MacArthur, p. 1952.

  8. MacArthur, p. 1953.

Questions

  1. In 1 John 2:1–2, what do the words advocate and propitiation mean? How is Jesus our advocate to the Father and the propitiation for our sins?
  2. How did John say that we really know Jesus? What do we need to do? What is the “old command” he is referring to (1 John 2:3–7)
  3. As Christians, what three things are we not to love because they entice us away from God ( Proverbs 27:20; Romans 13:14; 1 John 2:15-16)
  4. How does denying the Son also make you deny the Father (John 8:19; 10:30; 17:1–5; 1 John 2:22–23; 4:15)?
  5. What do you think 1 John 2:28–29 is about? Read Ephesians 2:8–9 and James 2:18, 26. Do these verses contradict each other? Why or why not?
  6. What did the Holy Spirit highlight to you in 1 John 2 through the reading or the teaching?

Next: the Daily Word →

Daily Word

Laura Martin 1 John 2:10–11

“The one who loves his brother remains in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. But the one who hates his brother is in the darkness, walks in the darkness,and doesn’t know where he’s going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.”

The Apostle John got back to the basics of abiding in Christ by saying: “This is how we are sure that we have come to know Him: by keeping His commands.” Yes, that’s the bottom line! If you say you know Christ, then keep His commands. Don’t say, “I know Christ!” but go on hating your brother. John would call you a liar walking in darkness. You don’t know where you are going because the darkness blinds you.

Can you honestly say, “I love my brothers and sisters”? Or do you have hatred, envy, or unforgiveness toward someone? Answer honestly. If these questions make your stomach hurt or put angst in your heart, it may be time to seek the Lord and pursue loving your brother or sister. Listen to His Spirit guide you, humble yourself to repent and forgive. If you want to live honestly, loving and walking with God, then be open about the dark, hidden, or tucked away areas in your life. Let all the darkness come into the light so the Lord can bring freedom and healing to your life. Then you will follow His commands and know the depth of God’s forgiving love. Today, put on compassion, humility, and forgiveness as you walk in the light.

“The one who loves his brother remains in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. But the one who hates his brother is in the darkness, walks in the darkness, and doesn’t know where he’s going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.”

— 1 John 2:10-11

FURTHER SCRIPTURE

  • Ephesians 4:31–32 – “All bitterness, anger and wrath, shouting and slander must be removed from you, along with all malice. And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.”
  • Colossians 3:12–13 — “Therefore, God’s chosen ones, holy and loved, put on heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, accepting one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a complaint against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must also forgive.”
  • 1 John 2:3–6 – “This is how we are sure that we have come to know Him: by keeping His commands. The one who says, ‘I have come to know Him,’ yet doesn’t keep His commands, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly in him the love of God is perfected. This is how we know we are in Him: The one who says he remains in Him should walk just as He walked.”