The Beloved Disciple's First Letter - Pt 18

 

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? (1 John 5:1–5 ESV).

 

The Apostle John is also the author of the book of Revelation. That book remains one of the most studied and controversial books in all of the Bible. Many people spend years looking at the details of this fascinating piece of inspired literature in order that they might understand what seems to be its perplexing message. In good faith, Christians of all kinds put forth all sorts of positions on things such as the dating of the book and the nature of Christ’s millennial reign. Whatever position a person may take on these issues, it is clear that Revelation was written in order to encourage Christians to overcome the world. The letters to the seven churches in chapters 2–3 repeatedly promise rewards to “the one who conquers.” The majestic portrayal of the exalted Jesus throughout the book is clearly given to encourage continued faithfulness on the part of believers.

 

It is no surprise the theme of conquering, or overcoming, the world is also very important in John’s first epistle. We read in today’s passage that everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world and that the one who overcomes the world is the one who believes Jesus is the Son of God (5:4–5). John concludes his summary of the three tests of assurance by bringing us back to the essential confession of the identity of Jesus he gave us in the first verses of his letter:

 

“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life—the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us—that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.” (1 John 1:1–3 ESV).

 

This confession involves believing Jesus is the Christ and the Son of God. In other words, it is believing the divine Son of God became incarnate. This is the only confession that can enable us to have victory over the forces of darkness, for only the God-man Jesus Christ is worthy of our ultimate allegiance, and His intercession alone can guarantee His victory over sin will become real in our own lives (cf. Hebrews 9:13–14).

 

Our reading today reminds us primarily that the three tests of assurance are inseparable. True confession of the God-man Christ Jesus reveals us as born of God and leads to true love of God. This love leads us to obey commandments we do not consider burdensome because we overcome the world by our faith in God incarnate whose work makes us children of the Father (cf. John 1:12–13).

 

The Beloved Disciple's First Letter - Pt 17

 

By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother. (1 John 4:13–21 ESV).

 

There is much we could focus on in this reading; however, I want to center our attention on what John writes about fear. He says, “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.” (v. 18). The word “punishment” is κόλασιν (kolasis) in the original language. It is translated as punishment in most English versions, but it can also be more strongly translated as torment. The context of this verse is the final judgment. The sentence immediately preceding tells us “that we may have confidence for the day of judgment.” So it seems obvious that the fear that John refers to here is the fear of punishment on the day of judgment.

 

The only other place in the New Testament where this word occurs is in the parable of the sheep and goats (cf. Mathew 25:31-46). At the very end of the parable Jesus sends the goats to “eternal punishment” (κόλασιν αἰώνιον). But in the same parable Jesus also refers to the “eternal fire” (τὸ πῦρ τὸ αἰώνιον) that awaits the devil and his angels. Because Jesus in the parable sends the goats to the eternal fire and torment, the word eventually came to mean “hell”, and that is still its meaning in modern Greek.

 

But the man or woman who lives in the love of God does not live in fear. And not only fear of punishment or hell, but fear of life! Have you noticed how fearful we have become as a society? We are afraid of terrorism, afraid of hackers, afraid of immigrants, afraid of viruses – but also afraid of vaccines to prevent viruses (figure that one out!) – afraid of the food and water we consume, afraid of going out at night or walking alone, afraid of being stopped by the police. We live in fear, which has often been used as motivation to force us to do what we would not typically do. There is a culture of fear that has grown disproportionately far beyond the real dangers of our woprld. And fear separates us from our fellow humans. And ultimately fear separates us from God.

 

But isn’t it strange that the parable of the sheep and goats hardly scares anyone, while we lock our doors and our hearts to the countless fears that preoccupy us? We’re not scared of God because we’ve turned God into a meaningless “higher power” or “the man upstairs” – and these are the wrong reasons for not being afraid of God. We are missing the real reason for not being afraid of God: namely, that God is love and perfect love casts out fear. And perhaps it is love that is missing in our lives, real love – love not rooted in fear or self-interest, but love as God showed love in his Son, Jesus Christ. “For God so loved the world….” Think about how love can transform your fears into rational caution rather than irrational fear of everything that moves!

The Beloved Disciple's First Letter - Pt 16

 

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us. (1 John 4:7–12 ESV).

 

True love… what is it… what does it look like… how does it feel? Since I have been married for over half a century, nearly fifty-seven years, actually; and, I have worked with hundreds of people at every stage of their relationship, I think I have come to understand a few things about the thing we call “love.” There are elements of our relational experience that we all know as love, however, the apostle John gives us a different perspective than most of us have never really examined. In our reading today he teaches that true love originates from God's own nature, was proven through sending Jesus Christ as a sacrifice for human sin, and must flow out of believers into practical love for one another. Almost sounds like the three points of a sermon… perhaps I need to write that too!

 

At any rate, today I want us to look briefly at each of these core principles. First, God is the source of true love. John states that "love is from God" and "God is love". Love is not merely something God does, but an expression of His core identity. Anyone who truly knows God will reflect this kind of active, sacrificial love. I know that there are those times of difficulty and trial when that becomes challenging to believe. It is easy when our journey takes us through those dark, foreboding places that we doubt the validity of that truth. And John recognizes this as well. After all, he is writing this letter when he is suffering the deprivation of exile on a remote island, separated from friends and family, likely to be killed at any time.

 

So, John goes on to say that the ultimate proof of God’s love is in His demonstration of sending His Son, Jesus, into the world to be the "propitiation" (the atoning sacrifice that turns away wrath and brings reconciliation) for human sins. This love was initiated by God before humans ever loved Him. As I wrote yesterday, this is the ultimate proof of a love for someone – that a person would sacrifice their life on behalf of another. God has done that.

 

John goes on to say that because God loved humanity so deeply, believers have a moral and spiritual duty to love each other. This love is an intentional choice of action and self-sacrifice, mirroring Christ's example. This is what makes an invisible God visible: No one has ever physically seen God. However, when Christians love one another selflessly, God's invisible presence becomes visible through them, and His love is brought to completion or maturity within the community of faith.

 

You may not have found that kind of love in another person yet. I encourage you to look toward Jesus as you continue your search. However, if you have found it, please show it to others, especially those you are close to. How can we do less than that!

 

The Beloved Disciple's First Letter - Pt 15

 

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already. Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error. (1 John 4:1–6 ESV).

 

It cannot be denied that there are many false teachers in our culture. Many “churches” exist that are led by deceptive but convincing individuals whose knowledge of sound doctrine and biblical truth is at best dubious and often even dangerous. Add to that our tendency toward extreme emphasis on tolerance and pluralism that anyone who takes a stand against false teaching is labeled “bigoted” and “judgmental” and you may see the crisis as dangerous as I believe it to be. This shouldn’t be a great surprise, because the Adversary fuels its fire. Paul clearly warned that “even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light” (2 Corinthians 11:14). Therefore, it’s easy to see how up-to-date John’s command is today: “… test the spirits” (v. 1).

 

Our reading today addresses the vital necessity of spiritual discernment, instructing believers to evaluate the source behind any spiritual teaching. During the late first century, proto-Gnostic false prophets were spreading the heresy that Jesus did not actually possess a physical, human body. While few would adhere to that heresy today, the principles John details in this passage is very important. There are three core components that will help us distinguish between the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood.

 

The first is the mandate to discern. The apostle says, "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits..." (v. 1). Believers are commanded not to be spiritually gullible or easily swayed by supernatural displays or charismatic speakers. He goes on: "...because many false prophets have gone out into the world." The presence of deceptive teachers is not a rare exception but a widespread, ongoing reality that requires constant vigilance. In our world we tend to believe success is the test of truth. The bigger the church, the larger the membership, the more compelling the message must be a sign that this is of God. Nothing could be further from the truth!

 

Second, he gives us the Christological test, which is the Mark of God: "Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God" (vv. 2-3).  A true, Holy Spirit-led teacher acknowledges both the full deity and the full, physical humanity of Jesus Christ. This is the mark of the antichrist: "Every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; this is the spirit of the antichrist..." Any doctrine that denies, alters, or diminishes the true nature, incarnation, and sufficient work of Jesus Christ stems from demonic deception, an opposing force already active in the world. Often this denial of the nature of Christ is subtle. We should look at who is the one being glorified. If it is the individual speaking, then it is not of God.

 

Third, John points to sovereign assurance: "You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world" (vv. 4-6). Believers do not need to fear deception or spiritual warfare. The indwelling Holy Spirit provides the power and clarity to withstand and conquer worldly lies. We should take care to recognize two different audiences. There are those driven by worldly values who speak from a worldly perspective, and the secular culture embraces them ("therefore they speak as from the world, and the world listens to them"); and, conversely, genuine believers align themselves with the foundational, apostolic teaching of Scripture ("he who knows God listens to us").

 

Take care in this world of ours that you discern the spirits! Measure everything by the truth of the Scripture!

 

The Beloved Disciple's First Epistle - Pt 4

By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him; for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; and whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him. And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God, and God in him. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us. (1 John 3:19–24 ESV).

 

I have worked with so many people over the years who expressed doubt about their relationship to God because of shame and guilt. I have often used a quick illustration to introduce the immense grace God shows through the death of Jesus. When someone begins to tell me their story of sin and failure I typically listen intently without interruption and when they are finished, I set my hands on the table between us palms up and ask, “What do you see?” Almost always I am met with a blank look and some response like, “Your hands.” Occasionally, I will be met with and adjective of “old” before they say “hands,” though that response is nearly universal. I then say, “Perhaps I wasn’t exactly clear. Let me ask the question another way. What do you not see?” They still stutter and stammer a bit and usually surrender with an “I don’t know what you’re asking.” It is then that I am able to say, “Well, there are no nail-prints.” From there I am able to refocus their thoughts on the grace and wisdom of our heavenly Father who is the only One qualified to judge; and, He has already placed all of His judgement and wrath on His only begotten Son which is conveyed to us in forgiveness and restoration.  

 

This is what the Apostle John is writing in our reading today. He provides all believers with profound reassurance of their salvation and relationship with God when they struggle with self-doubt and guilt. He notes that if our hearts condemn us, "God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything." (v. 20). When personal failures or heavy emotions make people feel unworthy, God's objective grace and omniscience offer a higher, forgiving truth.

 

John goes further and explains that a clear conscience allows us to approach God boldly and receive answers to their prayers. It teaches that spiritual security rests on God's unchanging character rather than fluctuating human feelings or lingering guilt. Of course there may be consequences of our sin that remain, but guilt and shame are not a part of that. The task of forgiving ourselves and moving forward in our journey, growing ever stronger in His presence, which allows us to walk as overcomers, resisting sin and glorifying the work of our Savior!

 

Perhaps it is time for you to lay the burden of guilt and shame at the Cross and reestablish your walk in Him! 

The Beloved Disciple's First Letter - Pt 13

 

For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. We should not be like Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own deeds were evil and his brother’s righteous. Do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you. We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death. Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. (1 John 3:11–15 ESV).

 

As I have mentioned before, one of my most vivid memories my first year at Texas A&M was entering the Memorial Student Center for the first time and seeing a bronze plaque just inside the door quoting John 15:12-13: “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” As the building has been expanded with the growth of the university and its student population that plaque has been fixed to a granite memorial just outside the entrance (pictured here). You may glimpse the list of names beneath the plaque of the many who have served in the military and were students of Texas A&M with the dates of their death in defense of our freedom. It was a powerful reminder of the sacrifice that love often calls for.

 

The Apostle John is calling the believers in Ephesus to make such a sacrifice in the face of severe opposition and prejudice, He reminds us that is a choice, and yes, even a command, to express the love that we receive from our Lord. It is a choice to show others that we love in all circumstances. It is the choice to let our Lord live in and through us. This choice is empathy, seeking the best for all of the “one-anothers”. This choice to love is perhaps one of the main reasons that we have difficulty with the priorities that we have seen earlier in the epistle.

 

Of course, we mustn’t confuse loving one another with pleasing one another. This ‘loving one another’ is actually doing and being God’s will for one another. Since God lives in us, He expresses through us what is needed for others. We express to others the will and love of God for them. This would clearly include ‘tough love’ and would include saying ‘no’ as well as correction and expressing priorities.

 

This love also needs to start close to home and extend outward. It needs to start with the people we see daily. Our family, our neighbors, the barista, the grocer. We can express this far away, in generosity toward the various agencies and organizations that are serving God around the world. But the Lord was clear when he said to love our neighbor, it starts close to home.

 

How is your “love-life”?

 

The Beloved Disciple's First Letter - Pt 12

 

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure. (1 John 3:1–3 ESV).

 

The Apostle John transitions a bit as he comes to the subject of our reading today. Here he focuses on the profound depth of God's love, the present and future reality of being children of God, and the transformational hope that leads to personal purity. Understanding the original language is particularly revealing here as it adds vivid layers of meaning to what has often been call “lavished love and divine adoption.”

 

The apostle begins by instructing his readers to see “what kind” of love God has given. The Greek word translated here is ποταπός (potapos). It carries the sense of a startled question or exclamation: “What sort?”, “What manner?”, “How great?” Its use highlights something so extraordinary that the observer is driven to pause, ponder, and respond. He is prompting his readers to go from mere familiarity to reverent wonder. He is directing them to see the otherworldly, extraordinary love of God toward them.

 

This is the same love He has shown to all believers of whatever generation or nationality. Look how he emphatically affirms, "And that is what we are!" Believers do not have to wait until heaven to be adopted; they are full status family members right now. And there is more. John writes of the final glorification and beatific vision: Beloved, “… we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared” (v. 2). The "not yet" is significant. While believers are truly God's children today, their ultimate, fully realized state is still hidden and unmanifested.

 

This beatific vision is the catalyst for our ultimate spiritual transformation to be found in sight. Looking upon Christ perfectly ("we shall see him as he is") acts as a mirror that instantly and permanently conforms believers into His exact moral likeness. This brings us to a hope that is never passive complacency. This is the hope that strengthens us to stand firm in every circumstance merely smiling at the storm surrounding us because those circumstances are nothing compared to what God has already given us! Jake Remington first said: "Fate whispers to the warrior, 'You cannot withstand the storm.' The warrior whispers back, 'I am the storm.' " And so we are!