The First Letter of John was written to strengthen believers in their assurance of salvation, protect them from false teaching, and call them to a life that visibly reflects fellowship with God. Traditionally attributed to the apostle John, the letter shares the language, themes, and theology of the Gospel of John, particularly its emphasis on Jesus Christ as the eternal Son of God who truly came in the flesh. The churches receiving the letter had experienced serious division as some people had departed from the Christian community and promoted teachings that distorted the identity of Jesus and separated spiritual claims from obedient and righteous living (1 John 2:18–19; 4:1–3). Against this background, John repeatedly contrasts light and darkness, truth and error, love and hatred, obedience and sin, and the children of God and the children of the devil. He explains that genuine fellowship with God is demonstrated through faith in Jesus Christ, obedience to God’s commands, love for fellow believers, and an increasingly righteous life—not through claims of spiritual knowledge alone. At the same time, John does not teach sinless perfection; he reminds believers that when they sin, they have Jesus Christ as their advocate and atoning sacrifice (1 John 1:8–2:2). Throughout the letter, John provides practical tests by which believers can recognize authentic Christian faith while continually grounding their confidence in what God has accomplished through His Son. His purpose is pastoral as well as doctrinal: “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life” (1 John 5:13, ESV). Thus, 1 John calls Christians to remain firmly rooted in the truth about Christ, walk in God’s light, love one another, resist false teaching, and live with confident assurance that eternal life is found in Jesus Christ.

The book of 1 John was written to strengthen believers in the assurance of their salvation, protect them from false teaching, and show them the marks of genuine fellowship with God. John repeatedly brings together three essential realities of Christian life: right belief about Jesus Christ, obedience to God, and love for one another.

1. Fellowship with God

A central purpose of 1 John is to explain what it means to have genuine fellowship with God. Because God is light, those who fellowship with Him cannot continually embrace darkness as their way of life. Fellowship with God produces a life increasingly characterized by truth, holiness, confession, and obedience (1 John 1:3–7).

2. God Is Light

John declares, “God is light, and in him is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5, ESV). God’s absolute holiness becomes the standard by which believers understand sin and righteousness. Christians are called to “walk in the light,” honestly recognizing their sin and depending upon God’s cleansing through Jesus Christ.

3. Sin, Confession, and Forgiveness

John realistically acknowledges that believers still sin. The Christian response is neither to deny sin nor become hopeless because of it, but to confess it. God faithfully forgives and cleanses those who confess their sins (1 John 1:8–10). Jesus Christ is presented as the believer’s advocate before the Father and the propitiation for sin (1 John 2:1–2).

4. Jesus Christ, the Son of God

Correct belief about Jesus is fundamental throughout the letter. John strongly opposes teachers who deny that Jesus is the Christ or deny the relationship between the Father and the Son. Genuine Christian faith confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh and that He is the Son of God (1 John 2:22–23; 4:2–3, 15; 5:1, 5).

5. Obedience as Evidence of Knowing God

Knowing God involves more than intellectual belief or verbal profession. John teaches that obedience provides visible evidence of a genuine relationship with God: “whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked” (1 John 2:6, ESV). Obedience does not earn salvation; rather, it demonstrates the reality of faith.

6. Love for Fellow Believers

Brotherly love is one of John’s strongest tests of genuine Christian faith. Those who have experienced God’s love are called to love one another sacrificially. John points to Christ as the supreme example: “By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us” (1 John 3:16, ESV). Christian love should therefore be expressed not merely in words but “in deed and in truth” (1 John 3:18).

7. God Is Love

John’s famous declaration, “God is love” (1 John 4:8, ESV), describes love as essential to God’s character. God’s love was supremely revealed by sending His Son so that sinners might have life through Him. Believers love because God first loved them (1 John 4:9–10, 19).

8. The New Birth and the Children of God

Believers have been spiritually born of God and have become His children. John marvels at this privilege: “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God” (1 John 3:1, ESV). This new identity produces a growing desire for righteousness, obedience, and love.

9. The Conflict Between the World and God

John warns believers not to love “the world or the things in the world” (1 John 2:15, ESV). He describes worldly desires as the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and pride of life. The world is temporary and passing away, while the person who does God’s will abides forever (1 John 2:15–17).

10. Truth and False Teaching

False teachers posed a serious threat to John’s readers. John calls believers to distinguish truth from error by testing teaching according to the apostolic testimony about Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit helps God’s people recognize truth, while teachings that deny the biblical identity and incarnation of Christ reveal the spirit of antichrist (1 John 2:18–27; 4:1–6).

11. The Holy Spirit’s Witness

The presence of the Holy Spirit provides assurance that believers truly belong to God. John writes, “By this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us” (1 John 3:24, ESV). The Spirit confirms the truth about Christ and strengthens believers to remain faithful.

12. Victory Over the World

Those who have been born of God are not ultimately overcome by the world. Their victory rests in faith in Jesus Christ: “And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith” (1 John 5:4, ESV). Christian victory is therefore grounded not in human strength but in trusting Christ.

13. Eternal Life in Jesus Christ

Eternal life is one of the great promises of 1 John. This life is inseparably connected with God’s Son: “Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life” (1 John 5:12, ESV). Eternal life is not merely a future hope; it is a present possession of those who belong to Christ.

14. Assurance of Salvation

One of John’s clearest purposes is to give genuine believers confidence that they possess eternal life. He states:

“I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.”
— 1 John 5:13 (ESV)

Throughout the letter, John provides interconnected evidences of genuine faith: belief in Jesus Christ, obedience to God’s commands, love for fellow believers, and perseverance in the truth.

Summary of the Major Themes

The message of 1 John can be summarized around three great tests of genuine Christian faith: truth, obedience, and love. Those who truly know God believe the truth about Jesus Christ, increasingly walk according to God’s commands, and demonstrate God’s love toward others. These qualities do not create salvation but provide evidence of God’s transforming work. John’s ultimate goal is assurance: believers can know that they have eternal life, confidently abiding in Christ while rejecting the darkness, deception, and desires of the world.

1 John 1 introduces the letter by grounding the Christian faith in the historical reality of Jesus Christ, the eternal Word of life whom the apostles personally heard, saw, and touched. John writes as an eyewitness so that believers may share in true fellowship with the apostles and, ultimately, with the Father and His Son Jesus Christ. He then presents one of the chapter’s central truths: “God is light, and in him is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5, ESV). Because God is perfectly holy, those who claim fellowship with Him are called to walk in the light rather than continue in darkness. Yet walking in the light does not mean claiming to be without sin; instead, believers honestly acknowledge their sin and depend upon the cleansing blood of Jesus Christ. The chapter concludes with the assurance that when believers confess their sins, God is faithful and just to forgive and cleanse them from all unrighteousness. Thus, 1 John 1 establishes foundational themes that continue throughout the letter: the reality of Christ, fellowship with God, walking in the light, honesty about sin, forgiveness, and cleansing through Jesus Christ.

With this lesson we begin a verse-by-verse study of the first letter of John. The most likely author was John the son of Zebedee, author of the Gospel of John. Though his name is not mentioned in the Fourth Gospel he is assumed to be “the beloved disciple” who reclined next to Jesus at the Last Supper (John 13:23). We found him at the foot of the cross when Jesus placed his mother, Mary, under his care as her own son. John witnessed the empty tomb and spent time with the resurrected Jesus. Also being with Jesus during his time of ministry provided time to get to know Jesus very well as a close friend.

1 John was probably written sometime between AD 95 and 110, although some set the date between AD 90 and 95.

1 John was written to call readers back to the three basics of the Christian life: (1) true doctrine, (2) obedient living, and (3) passionate devotion.

It has been decided to follow the seven-point outline given in the ESV Study Bible and use the text titles as subpoints under these main outline points.

It is my prayer that you will enjoy this study as much as I look forward to writing the lessons. It is a special book for me as I memorized it over 50 years ago. It was time well spent.

¹ 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— ² 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— (1 John 1:1 – 2 ESV)

“That which was from the beginning” was Jesus, but what does “the beginning” refer to? Was it the time of his birth or the beginning of his earthly ministry? Isaiah spoke of a child being born and a son given (Isaiah 9:6 ESV) who we came to know as Jesus Christ. Jesus is the child born and Christ is the Son of God who was given. Fully man and fully God they became known as the Son of Man.

Viewing Jesus as the incarnate Son of God, we are led to “the beginning” found in John 1:1 ESV: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14 ESV). The Word that existed before creation (John 1:3) was the Son of God that took on flesh and became the Son of Man.

John is pointing to the preexistence of Jesus Christ as the one which they have heard, which they have seen with their eyes, which they looked upon, and have touched with their hands. This person John speaks about is unique in that he existed eternally before birth and is described as the word of life. John is stating that he was an eyewitness to the physical and historical reality of the life of Jesus on earth.

That life that John speaks of existed in eternity past as the “Word” as the “Son of God” and was made manifest in the flesh in the person of Jesus Christ the Son of Man. It is this person that the disciples lived with for several years and now they testify to it and proclaim to us that he can provide us with eternal life. That person, Jesus, which John speaks of was with the Father (John 1:2) and was made manifest to the disciples and others.

What does Jesus mean to you? Was he just a normal historical person of the past or was he the one who was in the beginning in Genesis who spoke the universe into existence? Was ¹⁵ “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. ¹⁶ For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. ¹⁷ And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” (Colossians 1:15 – 17 ESV)? Was he the “I AM” who spoke to Moses from the burning bush (Exodus 3:3 – 4)? These are important questions for us to ponder over and decide if Jesus was who he claimed to be in the Gospels or a fraud.

³ 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. ⁴ And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete. (1 John 1:3 – 4 ESV)

The several years that John and the disciples lived with Jesus, they heard and saw many things which John wrote about in the Gospel of John. These things he proclaims to us as a personal witness so that we may also experience fellowship. As in Acts 4:20, Peter and John said before the council, “for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” John felt compelled to speak of what he had witnessed so that others could also have fellowship. For those alive at the time fellowship with them would be possible, but for us that fellowship will take place with them when we meet in heaven as believers but for now that fellowship will be with fellow believers.

When we think of evangelism, we often think of sharing the gospel message for the purpose of bringing people to salvation and the forgiveness of their sins, but John is saying that fellowship should also be seen as an important thing to seek among believers. ²⁴ “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, ²⁵ not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near” (Hebrews 10:24 – 25 ESV). Salvation is very important but so is fellowship among believers.

In addition to fellowship with other believers, we have the privilege of fellowship with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. Access to the Father for fellowship is only possible through Jesus Christ. For Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6 ESV).

In John 15:11 Jesus explained that the things he spoke of were for the purpose that his joy could be in us and that our joy may be full. In John 16:24, Jesus further explains that our joy is lacking because we have not asked in his name. He said, “Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.” John adds to this by saying that he is writing these things to us so that our joy may be complete.

When comparing various translations, the phrase “our joy may be complete” is often translated as “your joy may be full.” Is it “our” or “your?” Both are found in old manuscripts. Looking back to verse 3 the “our” is used to include other believers and so “our” in verse 4 would include “your” meaning us.

The Word of life that was with the Father has come in the form of flesh as Jesus so that we might become believers and find true fellowship with other believers and with the Father and his Son, and that we would have joy and that such joy would be complete. Let us not forget: ⁸ “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, ⁹ not a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8 – 9 ESV). Jesus is the source of life, true fellowship, and joy.

⁵ This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. ⁶ If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. ⁷ But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. (1 John 1:5 – 7 ESV)

What was one of the most important thing John heard from Jesus during the time he was with him? He learned that “God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.” This reference to light, darkness and life draws on Genesis motifs. For example, when ³ “God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. ⁴ And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness.” (Genesis 1:3 – 4 ESV) Then God created life in the form of various living creatures including man (Genesis 1:20 – 31; 2:7; 3:20). In Isaiah 9:2 this light and darkness take on spiritual meaning in relationship to life and death. In Isaiah 42:6 – 7 is the contrast between righteousness and sin; light and darkness. In Isaiah 49:6, light is associated with salvation. In Malachi 4:2, that salvation is connected to One of righteousness who will come with healing. In Luke 1:78 – 79, God will send One who will visit us from on high who will give light to those who sit in darkness to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Against this Old Testament background, the One spoken of is Jesus, who is the light who brings to this dark world true knowledge, moral purity, and the light that shows the very presence of God. In John 8:12 (ESV), Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” There is clearly a contrast here between the spiritual perfection and moral excellence (light) of God and the sinful depravity (darkness) of man.

If we say we have fellowship with God but still walk in the darkness of sin, then we lie and do not practice the truth. If we have the light of salvation, we will be slaves of righteousness and will practice the truth, but if we are not saved we will still be in spiritual darkness and will continue to practice sin. If we have salvation and walk in the light with God then we can have fellowship with one another. Since the darkness of sin is abrasive to one walking in the light with God it does not allow fellowship to develop.

The abrasive element of sin is overcome by the blood of Jesus Christ at our salvation. This cleansing prepares us for entering into fellowship with other believers. We can still have friends among the unsaved, but not deep divine fellowship that is possible with one who is saved and walking in the light with God.

Are we taking time to learn the message from God and finding the source of light and the cleansing from sin by his blood and then practicing truth by walking in the light with God? Each person is born into this world in spiritual darkness. Without entering into the light that Jesus has, we will continue on into an eternity of darkness without God, but if his light enters our soul and removes the spiritual darkness, we will be able to enjoy walking with God in the light for an eternity.

⁸ If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. ⁹ If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. ¹⁰ If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” (1 John 1:8 – 10 ESV)

In the previous lesson we learned that “if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7 ESV). That blood which represents the life of Jesus was the ransom price required to redeem us from our bondage to sin and death. The wage of sin is death and to cover our sin required a sinless sacrifice to die in our place. The only one who could become that sacrifice would be the Son of God living in the flesh of a man, the Son of Man.

God the Father sent his Son to take on a body of flesh through a virgin birth. This person we know as Jesus Christ. As a result of living a sinless life and finishing his work on the cross and dying in our place and then rising from the dead, we by grace through faith can receive the gift of eternal life.

We unlike Jesus are unable to live a sinless life no matter how hard we try, and if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. Job says, “What is man, that he can be pure? Or he who is born of a woman, that he can be righteous?” (Job 15:14 ESV). James tells us that “we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body” (James 3:2), but who is able to control his tongue?

Recognizing by our guilt that we sin, we can come to God and “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (verse 9). When Jesus died in our place, his death covered our sins committed in the past, present and future. Thus, when we sin forgiveness is available if we confess that sin. I am to come before God and with David, “I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin” (Psalm 32:5 ESV).

We can’t know every sin we commit but those we are aware of we are to confess and when we do he will forgive us our sins and will consider those we weren’t aware of and will cleanse us from all unrighteousness. “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace” (Ephesians 1:7 ESV). Let us stay close to the Lord and remain cleansed from all unrighteousness.

1. What is John emphasizing when he says that he and the other apostles had heard, seen, and touched the Word of life?

Answer: John emphasizes that the Christian faith is grounded in historical reality. Jesus Christ was not merely an idea, spiritual vision, or philosophical concept. The apostles personally heard Him, saw Him, observed Him closely, and touched Him. John writes as an eyewitness to the incarnate Son of God. This testimony is especially important because it establishes the reality of Christ’s humanity while affirming that He is the eternal “Word of life.” Christianity rests upon the real person and work of Jesus Christ.

2. What does John mean by “the life was made manifest” in 1 John 1:2?

Answer: John is referring to Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, entering human history and becoming visible to humanity. The life that eternally existed with the Father was revealed in the person of Christ. The apostles saw Him and could therefore testify about Him. Eternal life is not merely something God gives; it is inseparably connected with Jesus Himself. Through Christ, God has revealed both Himself and the eternal life He offers to those who believe.

3. Why does John proclaim what he has seen and heard?

Answer: John proclaims the truth about Christ so that others may enter into fellowship with the apostles and, more importantly, fellowship with the Father and His Son Jesus Christ. Christian fellowship is therefore based upon a shared relationship with God through Christ and a shared commitment to apostolic truth. John is not simply communicating information; he is inviting his readers into a living relationship with God and His people.

4. What does John mean when he declares, “God is light, and in him is no darkness at all”?

Answer: Light represents God’s absolute holiness, truth, purity, and righteousness. Darkness represents sin, falsehood, and moral rebellion. By declaring that there is no darkness in God, John teaches that God’s character is completely pure and without any trace of evil. Everything God does is consistent with His holy nature. Those who claim fellowship with Him must therefore recognize that genuine fellowship with God cannot be separated from a life increasingly shaped by His holiness and truth.

5. What does it mean to “walk in darkness”?

Answer: To walk in darkness means to live habitually in sin while rejecting or ignoring God’s truth. John is not describing the occasional failure of a believer, because he soon acknowledges that Christians still sin. Rather, he confronts the contradiction of claiming fellowship with God while deliberately embracing a lifestyle opposed to God’s character. A person’s profession of faith must be accompanied by a life that demonstrates the transforming influence of God’s truth.

6. What does it mean to “walk in the light” according to 1 John 1:7?

Answer: Walking in the light means living openly before God according to the truth He has revealed. It does not mean achieving sinless perfection. Instead, it describes a life characterized by faith, obedience, honesty about sin, and dependence upon Christ. Those who walk in the light do not hide their sin or justify it; they bring it before God. Such believers enjoy fellowship with one another, while “the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.”

7. Why is the blood of Jesus essential to the believer’s relationship with God?

Answer: Sin creates guilt that human effort cannot remove. Jesus gave His life as the atoning sacrifice for sin, and His shed blood represents the price paid for the believer’s redemption and cleansing. John therefore directs believers away from confidence in their own righteousness and toward Christ’s completed work. Even as Christians walk in the light, their fellowship with God depends upon the cleansing provided through Jesus Christ.

8. What is wrong with claiming that we have no sin?

Answer: John says that such a claim is self-deception and demonstrates that “the truth is not in us.” God’s light exposes the reality of human sinfulness. Spiritual maturity does not cause believers to become less aware of their need for grace; rather, walking closely with God often produces a deeper awareness of sin and a greater appreciation for Christ’s cleansing work. Denying sin prevents genuine confession and repentance.

9. What promise does God give to those who confess their sins?

Answer: First John 1:9 gives one of Scripture’s clearest assurances of forgiveness: when believers confess their sins, God is “faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Confession means agreeing with God about our sin rather than hiding, excusing, or minimizing it. God’s forgiveness rests upon His faithfulness and justice because Christ has already provided the sufficient sacrifice for sin. Believers can therefore approach God honestly and confidently when they fail.

10. Why does John say that God is both “faithful” and “just” to forgive?

Answer: God is faithful because He keeps His promises, and He is just because forgiveness is grounded in the saving work of Jesus Christ. God does not simply overlook sin as though it were unimportant. Sin has been dealt with through Christ’s sacrifice. Therefore, forgiveness demonstrates both God’s mercy toward sinners and His righteousness in dealing with sin.

11. What is the difference between confessing sin and denying sin?

Answer: Confession brings a person into agreement with God’s truth, while denial places a person in opposition to it. The person who confesses sin acknowledges the need for God’s grace and cleansing. The person who denies sin deceives himself and, according to John, effectively makes God a liar because God has declared humanity’s sinful condition. Spiritual health therefore requires honesty before God rather than an attempt to maintain an appearance of personal righteousness.

12. What does 1 John 1 teach about the relationship between fellowship and holiness?

Answer: Fellowship with God cannot be separated from God’s holy character. Because God is light, those who fellowship with Him are called to walk in the light. This does not mean believers never sin; rather, their relationship with God produces a new direction in life. They desire God’s truth, acknowledge their failures, confess their sins, and depend upon Christ’s cleansing. Holiness is therefore not the basis by which believers earn fellowship with God, but it is an important evidence of genuine fellowship with Him.

13. How does 1 John 1 balance the seriousness of sin with the assurance of grace?

Answer: John refuses to minimize either reality. Sin is serious enough that claiming fellowship with God while walking in darkness is a lie. At the same time, believers who recognize and confess their sins are not left without hope. The blood of Jesus cleanses from sin, and God faithfully forgives those who confess. The chapter therefore calls Christians neither to deny their sin nor to despair because of it, but to live honestly before God while trusting fully in Christ.

14. What central message should believers take from 1 John 1?

Answer: First John 1 teaches that genuine fellowship with God is founded upon Jesus Christ and expressed by walking in God’s light. Because God is perfectly holy, believers cannot comfortably embrace darkness while claiming fellowship with Him. Yet walking in the light does not require pretending to be sinless. Instead, believers openly acknowledge their sin, confess it to God, trust in the cleansing blood of Christ, and continue pursuing lives of truth and holiness. The Christian life is therefore characterized by fellowship, truth, confession, cleansing, and joyful dependence upon Jesus Christ.

1 John 2 continues John’s emphasis on genuine fellowship with God by explaining how a believer’s life should reflect the character and truth of Christ. John assures believers that when they sin, Jesus Christ is their righteous Advocate and the atoning sacrifice for sin, while also teaching that true knowledge of God is demonstrated through obedience to His commandments. He places particular emphasis on the command to love fellow believers, contrasting the light of love with the darkness of hatred. John then warns against loving the world and its passing desires, calling believers instead to remain devoted to the will of God. As the chapter progresses, he addresses the threat of false teachers and “antichrists” who deny the truth about Jesus, reminding Christians that they have received the anointing of the Holy Spirit and must abide in the truth they heard from the beginning. The chapter concludes with a call to abide in Christ so that believers may live confidently and faithfully as they await His return.

¹ My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. ² He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. (1 John 2:1 – 2 ESV)

John addresses those who have come to see Jesus as the Word of Life and through faith in him we are walking in the light as born-again believers as “little children”. The use of “little children” is an expression of love and is his way of introducing an important concept. The expression is used seven time in 1 John. In verse 2:1 is presented the concept of an advocate; in 2:12 it is in relationship to forgiven sins; in 2:28 it is in relationship to the return of Jesus; in 3:7 is the warning about being deceived; in 3:18 it is about love; in 4:4 it is in relationship to our ability to overcome evil forces; and in 5:21 it is in regard to idols.

Here in our text, John states that an objective of his writing to them is to encourage them to be careful and not sin. In verse 1:10 he told us that we have sinned and that we will continue to sin, but he wants us to be careful and sin as little as possible. When we do sin, we have someone to come along side us and provide help. That person is “Jesus Christ the righteous” who is our “advocate with the Father.”

An advocate is a person who represents another person’s interest. In our case, we have sinned and under the law are judged guilty and sentenced to death. Our interest is staying alive and not dying. Jesus as our advocate steps before our Father and points out that we are believers and that he has died for our sin and thus we are free of guilt.

John further describes Jesus as the propitiation for our sins and the sins of others. Propitiation is a big word that basically means to satisfy. Sin is a big deal with God and causes his anger and justices to burn against it and has sworn that sin would be punished. God wants fellowship with man and if he punishes man for his sin, man will then die and go to hell leaving no one for fellowship. If the Son of God were to become a substitute for us and die in our place to satisfy justice, then man would be free to live and have fellowship with God. By Jesus becoming our perfect sacrifice he would satisfy God and would thus be our propitiation.

Two big words for our lesson today were advocate and propitiation. Both are very important in connection to our sin. An advocate represents us before God and points out that we belong to Jesus Christ and as a result our sins are covered. Propitiation is the process of someone doing something to satisfy God concerning our sin. Jesus was set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood.

A good way to close this lesson is to read Romans 3:23 – 25 ESV: ²³ “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, ²⁴ and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, ²⁵ whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins.”

³ And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. ⁴ Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, ⁵ but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: ⁶ whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked. (1 John 2:3 – 6 ESV)

By the statement, “we know that we have come to know him” we have assurance that salvation is possible. What evidence do we have that can provide that assurance? Our walk in the light with the Lord (1 John 1:7); keeping his commandments (1 John 2:3); keeping his word (1 John 2:5); loving other believers (1 John 3:14); having his Spirit (1 John 4:13); and loving the children of God (1 John 5:2) are ways that we can know that we have come to know him.

In particular, in this section, that assurance is found in our keeping his commandments. We may say we keep his commandments or even think we do, but if we don’t then we are seen by God as a liar, and the truth is not in us. Keeping his commandments does not justify us before God as that comes by faith alone but obeying his commandments as a pattern of life does give evidence that we have been born spiritually. Knowing him is evidenced by a personal relationship with him that transforms our practical behavior.

If we are going to keep his word as evidence that we know him, then we are going to have to know what we are to obey. To accomplish that we will need to follow 2 Timothy 2:15 ESV: “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.” We are going to have to spend time with the Scriptures to learn the culture of heaven, to know how to live here on earth.

As we learn his word and keep it God’s love is perfected in us. That love dwells within us in the Spirit and as we release control to him his love becomes more evident in our lives and as it does we know that we are in him. Evidence of that love can be seen in a practical way as the characteristics of that love are “joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, [and] self-control” (Galatians 5:22 – 23 ESV).

If we say that we abide in him then we ought to walk in the same way in which he walked. That walk implies that we deny our self and take up our cross and follow him (Matthew 16:24). On the cross Jesus died to purchase our salvation. It is possible that carrying our cross may mean dying for our faith under persecution, but along the way our good works bear fruit to the growth of God’s kingdom.

As we close this lesson, my question for you to think about is, “What evidence do you have that you know him?” and have you asked the Lord what cross he wants you to carry and how is life going as you carry that cross and what fruit is being produced along the way?

⁷ Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment that you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word that you have heard. ⁸ At the same time, it is a new commandment that I am writing to you, which is true in him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining. (1 John 2:7 – 8 ESV)

The old commandment is reference back to Leviticus 19:18 and Deuteronomy 6:5. In Leviticus we are told to “love your neighbor as yourself” and in Deuteronomy we are taught that “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” Jesus brought these two expressions of love together in Mark 12:30 – 31 ESV: ³⁰ “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ ³¹ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

In John 13:34 (ESV), Jesus said, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” We are to love others, even our enemies (Matthew 5:43 – 48), the way Jesus loved us before our salvation. He was willing to be nailed to the cross to die in our place to purchase our salvation. He was willing to suffer to meet a need we had. Are we willing to suffer for the benefit of someone else? That sacrifice makes the commandment new.

Another aspect of the new command is in relationship to light. In John 8:12 (ESV), Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” His sacrifice on the cross provided our salvation and when born spiritually, light enters our darken soul. Does our love for others compel us to reach people with the gospel that they might also walk in the light?

Have you come to experience this spiritual light that Jesus provides through faith in being born again? The world is filled with spiritual darkness as a result of sin but through the work Jesus finished on the cross we have the opportunity to come and walk with him in the light. Don’t remain in darkness while you still have time to receive the gift of eternal life.

⁹ Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness. ¹⁰ Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling. ¹¹ But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes. (1 John 2:9 – 11 ESV)

As a result of the death and resurrection of Jesus, spiritual darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining. Those who through faith in Jesus Christ and the work he finished on the cross and have been born spiritually are now able to walk in that light with the Lord and other believers. However, anyone who says he is in that light and yet hates his brother is deceived and is still in spiritual darkness.

That deceived person, who hates his brother, is still in darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know that he is still on the path that leads to an eternity in hell. His deception is the result of the darkness blinding his eyes. These people are described in Matthew 7:21 – 23 ESV: ²¹ “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. ²² On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ ²³ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’” These unsaved ones were counting on their works to save them, not by grace through faith.

However, the one who loves his brother, no matter how much he irritates you, abides in the light and as a result can see where he is going and has no cause for stumbling. If one is truly born spiritually and is abiding by the truth then the “word is a lamp to [his] feet and a light to [his] path” (Psalm 119:105 ESV).

Verses to think about in this context of light and darkness are 2 Corinthians 4:3 – 4, 6 ESV: ³ “And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. ⁴ In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. ⁶ For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”

The gospel is veiled to those who are perishing by the god of this world who has blinded their minds. Through this blindness he keeps them from seeing the light of the gospel and thus from seeing the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. Those bound by the god of this world have no hope apart from being rescued by God because not one of them understands or has a desire to seek for God (Romans 3:11). Those chosen by God are rescued and caused to be born spiritually and thus enter into the light of God’s glory. Those not chosen are left to remain in a state of spiritual darkness under a just sentence of death for their sin.

I am eternally thankful that God chose me and caused me to be born spiritually and has allowed me to dwell in the light of his glory forever. Have you chosen to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and bathe in his glorious light? If not now is the time!

¹² I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven for his name’s sake. ¹³ I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I write to you, children, because you know the Father. ¹⁴ I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one. (1 John 2:12 – 14 ESV)

As one reads these three verses it is noticed that John speaks to children, fathers and young men in that order and he does it twice. The progression of children, young men, and fathers might suggest spiritual growth or maybe length of time in the faith. I am inclined to accept stages of spiritual growth as more meaningful.

The “little children”, are those who are new in the faith, who have just recently been born spiritually, whose diet is primarily milk and not solid food (1 Corinthians 3:2, Hebrews 5:12). It is possible that some who are older in the faith, maybe many in the western church, are still on a diet of milk because of their lack of study time in the Bible. To these children, John explains that they are children because their sins were forgiven, and they were born again and as a result of being God’s children they know the Father.

As these children grow they are described as “young men” who are growing in spiritual maturity. John describes them as knowing how to overcome the evil one through the power of the Holy Spirit, for “he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” These young people of the faith have learned about Satan their enemy and are learning about his ways and how to overcome him. These young people are described as being strong because the word of God abides in them.

Through further growth these young people have become “fathers” who know and love the Lord Jesus who is from the beginning. ¹ “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² He was in the beginning with God. ¹⁴ And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:1 – 2, 14 ESV).

A person is known as a father or as a mother if they have children who they are nurturing into becoming young people and then adults who can continue the cycle. Spiritually, have you matured to where you have the desire and the maturity to function as a spiritual mother or father with spiritual offspring as a result of sharing the gospel. Are you spending time growing children in the process of discipleship.

“Do your best (“Be diligent” NASB; “Work hard” NLT; “Make every effort” NET; “Study” KJV) to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15 ESV). We are to know the Scripture because ¹⁶ “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, ¹⁷ that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16 – 17 ESV).

Where are you in the growth cycle and how important is it to you to grow in your love and obedience in relation the Lord? Is Jesus Christ and his word the greatest love of your life?

¹⁵ Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. ¹⁶ For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. ¹⁷ And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. (1 John 2:15 – 17 ESV)

We begin this lesson with a problem. Our text begins with “Do not love the world” but in John 3:16 (ESV) we read, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” Why does God love the world, but we can’t? The answer lies in the context. God loved the people of the world and saw their need of salvation and sent Jesus to the world to provide salvation by living a perfect life and then dying on a cross in our place.

In verse 15, “world” is connected to things in the world which suggest the world we are not to love is not the people of the world, but what the world has to offer. We are not to love the world system that opposes God because if we do then that love is evidence that the love of the Father is not in us. James tells us in James 4:4 ESV: “You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore, whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” We must make a choice as to who or what we love.

John now describes what it is about the world that we are not to love. The first thing is “the desires of the flesh.” Not all desires are evil as God created us with human desire, but these desires can get misdirected into evil if not directed by and toward God. There will always be tension between desires for self and desire to serve God and others.

The second thing John mentions is “the desires of the eyes.” We see things in the world that are attractive that we would like to have, or we think we would be more satisfied if we had it. Fixing our eyes on it starts a dangerous process that James describes in James 1:14 – 15 ESV: ¹⁴ “But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. ¹⁵ Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.” Love for the Father leads to life but love for the world leads to death.

The third thing John mentions is the “pride of life.” NET Bible describes “pride of life” as “the arrogance produced by material possessions.” The person who thinks he has enough wealth and property to protect himself and ensure his security has no need for God (or anything outside himself). We might see this expressed as boasting about one’s wealth, showing off one’s possessions, boasting of one’s social status or lifestyle.

People with this kind of focus are those who operate purely on a human level and have no spiritual dimension to their existence. This is the person who loves the world, whose affections are all centered on the world, who has no love for God or spiritual things. These people do not have the love of the Father in them.

This world that we are not to love is passing away with its desires. It may appear to be permanent with history being an endless cycle, but it is not as God is guiding history to a conclusion which is according to his will. Those who love the world and not the Father are those whose lives are temporary as they are spiritually dead. Jesus came to live a temporary life on earth so that we through faith in him can obtain eternal life. The world at times may appear attractive, but its draw is deadly. Don’t live by sight for in the end you will die, but instead live by faith that provides eternal life.

¹⁸ Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore, we know that it is the last hour. ¹⁹ They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us. (1 John 2:18 – 19 ESV)

In this section John points out two of our enemies: (1) the antichrist (verse 18) and (2) those trying to deceive us (verse 26). We need to be aware of this and be on guard, but in verses 28 and 29, John assures us that we can find the resources we need in Jesus Christ to stand against these enemies.

John defines the time to be the last hour. In Hebrews 1:2 this last hour is spoken of as the last days in which God spoke to us by his Son. The last hour is defined to have begun at the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and extends to his second coming, which could occur an any time. Acts 2:17 connects the last days with the pouring out of the Spirit at Pentecost. It is the time when the Spirit is building the church under the direction of Jesus Christ. Paul points out in 2 Timothy 3:1 that it will be a time of difficulty because of how people live. He details that lifestyle in verses 2 – 9.

John points out that there is a specific antichrist as well as many antichrists. The specific antichrist is also known as the man of lawlessness. He is Satan, the devil, the first beast of Revelation 13. The many antichrists that already exist are those who deny that Jesus is the Christ. In verse 22 John says, “Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son.” Such a person is a human representative of the “evil one” spoken of by Jesus in John 17:15. These human representatives are all around us doing their best to deceive us and draw us away from the truth of the gospel.

These human representatives, these antichrists, may actually have visited our churches and been with us for a while but decided against the truth and left. Even though they were part of the church, for a while, and maybe some still are, their departure reveals that they were not with us as believers but were opposed to the message of the gospel. If their faith had been genuine and they were true believers they would not have left, but since they did leave it revealed that they were not truly saved and were not kept by God’s grace. We are told in Jude that those who are born spiritually, God “is able to keep [us] from stumbling and to present [us] blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy” (Jude 24 ESV).

We are to “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8 ESV). We don’t think of this verse much in the western church because we have become so much like the world that we don’t bother him much, but if we stood out from the world, the devil would be hot on our trail and we would have a better understanding of the threat of these antichrists through persecution.

²⁰ But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge. ²¹ I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and because no lie is of the truth. ²² Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son. ²³ No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also. (1 John 2:20 – 23 ESV)

In the previous lesson we were warned about the influence of antichrists; those who deny that Jesus is the Christ. These antichrists “went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us” (verse 19). Those who are believers and have been born again, have been anointed, or regenerated, by the Holy Spirit. This is spoken of in 2 Corinthians 1:21 ESV: “It is God who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us.” This anointing that we received from him abides in us as the Holy Spirit, and as a result we have no need that anyone should teach us as he will teach us about everything we need to know (verse 27). However, being taught by the Spirit assumes that we are active, sincere students of the Scriptures.

In verse 21, John indicates that we know the truth because we are believers and are born again. The truth is that Jesus is the Christ and anyone who says he is not is a liar and an antichrist. If we do not know Jesus as the Christ then we will not know the Father either because in John 14:7 (ESV), Jesus said, “If you had known me, you would have known my Father also.”

“Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also” is an important statement. Jesus said to Thomas, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6 ESV). “There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12 ESV). “Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God” (John 3:18 ESV). The world’s religions do not constitute “many paths” to the Father as there is only one path and that is through the Lord Jesus Christ.

The only path to the Father is by grace through faith and is not our own doing; it is the gift of God and involves absolutely no work on our part (Ephesians 2:8 – 9). We were by nature children of wrath, but God, being rich in mercy, because of his great love for us, even while we were dead in our sin, he caused us to be born again (Ephesians 2:3 – 5). ⁹ “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰ For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved” (Romans 10:9 – 10 ESV).

If you have not been born again now is the time to accept his gift of salvation and humbly through faith call upon his name, the only name by which we can be saved.

²⁴ Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father. ²⁵ And this is the promise that he made to us—eternal life. (1 John 2:24 – 25 ESV)

In the previous lesson we learned that if we are to know the Father we must first know the Son because Jesus explained that he was the only way to the Father. In this lesson we will consider the promise of eternal life.

In the context of verse 24, the beginning was when we heard the original and authentic saving message of Christ’s death for sin and his victory over death. The Greek word that abide was translated from has two meanings that require two English words to properly express. Those words are “remain and reside.” Remain suggest the idea of staying put, to persist, to continue while reside suggest the concept of belonging to, to live in, to inhabit.

If that message we heard, that led us to experience being born spiritually, remains and resides (abides) in us, then we will also remain and reside (abide) in the Son and in the Father. That does not imply that our security depends upon us. It doesn’t because the life Jesus gave to us at the time of our salvation was eternal and nothing can make it otherwise.

Verse 25 begins with “And this” or “Now this” in the NET Bible which raises a question. Does it refer to the preceding or to the following material, or to both? The same expression occurred in verse 1:5, where it served as a transitional link between the prologue and the first major section of the letter. With that usage in 1:5, we should probably see “And this” used as a transition here as well. In that case “Now this” would be a better translation than “And this”.

“The promise that he made” leaves us wondering who the “he” refers to. “He” could refer to God or to Jesus Christ, but it is more likely a reference to Jesus Christ. That promise made was about eternal life, but what does that mean?

Eternal life means life that never ends, but there is also a related concept of “remaining” as indicated in verse 24: “If what you heard from the beginning abides (remains and resides) in you, then you too will abide (remain and reside) in the Son and in the Father. The person who “abides in the Son and in the Father” thus has this promise of eternal life from Jesus himself. “Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life” (1 John 5:12 ESV). This implies that as a believer, you have eternal life now as well as in the future. This agrees with John 5:24 ESV: “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment but has passed from death to life.”

Be sure you have come to the point in your life where you know that you abide in the Lord Jesus Christ and thus have eternal life and access to the Father.

²⁶ I write these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you. ²⁷ But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him.

In the previous lesson we considered the requirements for abiding in the Father and what eternal life was. In this lesson we will finish up section 6 and specifically look at those who are trying to deceive us and the importance of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

One of the reasons John is writing this letter is to inform us about those who are trying to deceive us and draw us away from following Jesus Christ. Those deceivers were introduced in verse 18 and 19 as antichrists. In verse 20, the Holy Spirit comes to believers and provides them with knowledge about the truth so that we will not be deceived.

Here in verse 27, John picks up this idea of being anointed by the Holy Spirit, which refers to the indwelling of the Holy Spirit that is given at the time of being born again. When Jesus spoke to his disciples about the Holy Spirit, he said he would ask the Father to give him. So, is the Holy Spirit from the Father or from Jesus? The footnote in NET Bible for verse 27 believes the reference to Jesus Christ is more likely here.

The Holy Spirit is given to believers and he abides (remains and resides as indicated in the previous lesson) with us forever and teaches us about the truth. In fact, he teaches us about everything we need to know, and that which he teaches is truth. This does not imply that we don’t need to sit under good Bible teachers. We do. As we work through this letter, we are learning from John and I am relying on the Holy Spirit to keep me on the correct path to truth as I write what I am seeing and learning.

I believe an important take-a-way from this lesson is the idea that we need to “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that [need] not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15 KJV), and as we do we are to call upon the Holy Spirit to guide us in that study to remain true to the context of what is being studies. Unfortunately, there are some who violate the context and attempt to apply verses in a way that supports what they want them to say to support their view. If we are earnestly seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we would draw much truer application to our lives.

As believers, we have this tremendous resource within us, but we ignore him as we ignore the Bible, and as a result we have churches filled with people who do not understand the Bible and don’t know how to live as God would have us live. In the Lord’s prayer, Jesus included “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10 ESV). If we actually pray this prayer with meaning, we then are asking that God’s will be done within us. To know his will we need to grow in Christian knowledge and understanding through study with the Holy Spirit as our teacher.

²⁸ And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming. ²⁹ If you know that he is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of him.” (1 John 2:28 – 29 ESV)

With the Previous lesson we finished the section about being warned about antichrists. With this lesson we begin a section about the children of God. It opens with a verse similar to 2:24 in which we find the statement “Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you” or “remain in” (NET). Here in 2:27, we find the statement “little children, abide (or remain) in him.

In the beginning, at the time of being born again, the gospel was heard and believed, but there are antichrists who are preaching another message attempting to discredit Jesus Christ and draw believers away from the faith. We are to let the gospel remain in us and then as believers we are to remain faithful to the faith and remain in Jesus Christ and not be drawn away by those who oppose the teachings of Jesus Christ.

The reason to remain faithful to the gospel is “so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming.” Those who do not remain faithful will, as a result, not have confidence to come boldly before him when he returns for us as we will feel shame and fear the consequences of not walking with him as we should have. His coming is known as the second advent and is certain but when will he come is uncertain, but when it does occur will we be ready and with confidence? Anyone who does not abide or remain demonstrates, just as the opponents demonstrated by their departure from the community of believers in 2:19, that whatever profession was made in the beginning was false and as a result that person was not truly a believer.

If we know that a person is righteous you also know by their practice of righteousness that spiritual birth has taken place; that the Father has caused spiritual birth. Peter speaks of this when he said, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Peter 1:3 ESV).

Have you been born again and if so, are you walking in a way that is pleasing to him? If Jesus were to come and visit you today how would you feel? Would you have confidence in meeting with him or would you experience shame for not being faithful in following him and being true to the gospel?

1. Why does John say he is writing so that believers may not sin?

Answer: John wants believers to understand that the Christian life is incompatible with a casual acceptance of sin. Although he has already acknowledged that believers still struggle with sin, the grace of God should never become an excuse for continuing in it. Christians are called to pursue holiness and obedience. When they do sin, however, they are not without hope because Jesus Christ serves as their advocate before the Father. John therefore holds together two important truths: believers must take sin seriously, and they can depend completely upon Christ when they fail.

2. What does it mean that Jesus Christ is our advocate with the Father?

Answer: In 1 John 2:1, John describes Jesus as the believer’s advocate before God. Christ stands on behalf of those who belong to Him, not because they are innocent or deserving, but because His own righteousness and sacrificial death provide the basis for their forgiveness. The believer’s confidence before God therefore rests not in personal perfection but in the finished work of Jesus Christ. His continuing advocacy assures Christians that their failures do not overturn the salvation He has accomplished.

3. What does John mean when he says Christ is the “propitiation for our sins”?

Answer: In 1 John 2:2, John emphasizes the sufficiency of Christ’s sacrifice. Propitiation refers to Christ’s sacrificial work dealing fully with the guilt of sin and satisfying God’s righteous judgment against it. Jesus did not merely provide an example of love; He gave Himself as the sacrifice through which sinners may be reconciled to God. John’s statement that Christ is the propitiation “for the sins of the whole world” emphasizes that His saving work is not confined to one nation or group but is proclaimed to people throughout the world.

4. How can a person know that he or she truly knows Christ?

Answer: According to 1 John 2:3–6, obedience provides important evidence of a genuine relationship with Christ. John does not teach that obedience earns salvation or that Christians become sinlessly perfect. Instead, knowing Christ produces a changed direction of life. A person who claims to know God while deliberately rejecting His commandments contradicts that profession. Those who genuinely belong to Christ increasingly desire to obey Him and to “walk in the same way in which he walked” (1 John 2:6).

5. Why is love for other believers such an important test of genuine faith?

Answer: John teaches that love is one of the clearest evidences that God’s light is operating within a person’s life. A believer cannot consistently claim fellowship with God while harboring hatred toward a brother or sister. Hatred blinds and leads people into spiritual darkness, while Christlike love demonstrates that a person is walking in God’s light. Christian love is therefore not merely an emotion; it is a practical expression of the transformed life produced by knowing Christ.

6. Why does John address “little children,” “fathers,” and “young men”?

Answer: In 1 John 2:12–14, John encourages believers at different stages of spiritual maturity. The repeated descriptions emphasize foundational realities shared by God’s people: their sins are forgiven, they know God, God’s Word abides in them, and through Him they overcome the evil one. John reminds his readers of what God has already accomplished in their lives before warning them about the spiritual dangers surrounding them. Christian growth rests upon remembering and living from the truth believers have received.

7. What does John mean by “Do not love the world”?

Answer: In 1 John 2:15, “the world” does not mean God’s creation or the people whom Christians are commanded to love. It refers to the sinful system of values, desires, priorities, and attitudes that operates in rebellion against God. Christians must resist allowing their hearts to become attached to what the fallen world celebrates. Love for God and devotion to a God-opposing world cannot govern the heart at the same time.

8. What are “the desires of the flesh,” “the desires of the eyes,” and “pride of life”?

Answer: These expressions in 1 John 2:16 summarize major ways worldly temptation appeals to human beings. “The desires of the flesh” involve sinful cravings arising from fallen human desires. “The desires of the eyes” describe covetous attraction toward what we see and desire to possess. “Pride of life” involves boasting in possessions, accomplishments, position, or self-sufficiency. Together they describe a life centered upon personal gratification and glory rather than upon God.

9. Why is loving the world ultimately foolish?

Answer: John explains that “the world is passing away along with its desires” (1 John 2:17). Everything the world offers is temporary. Wealth, status, possessions, pleasures, and earthly achievements cannot provide lasting security or eternal life. In contrast, “whoever does the will of God abides forever.” John therefore calls believers to invest their lives in what has eternal significance rather than building their identity around things destined to disappear.

10. What does John mean when he says that “many antichrists have come”?

Answer: In 1 John 2:18, John uses “antichrists” to describe people who oppose the truth about Jesus Christ and seek to deceive God’s people. His immediate concern appears to be false teachers who had separated from the Christian community and denied essential truths about Christ. Their appearance demonstrated that believers were living in “the last hour,” the period between Christ’s first coming and His promised return. Christians therefore must remain spiritually discerning and firmly grounded in apostolic truth.

11. What does John mean when he says, “They went out from us, but they were not of us”?

Answer: In 1 John 2:19, John explains that the departure of the false teachers revealed something about their true spiritual condition. Although they had outwardly associated with the Christian community, their rejection of apostolic teaching eventually demonstrated that they did not truly share the faith of the church. John uses their departure to reassure faithful believers: the presence of false teachers does not invalidate the truth but exposes the distinction between genuine faith and false profession.

12. What is the “anointing from the Holy One” that believers have received?

Answer: In the context of 1 John 2:20–27, the anointing refers to God’s provision that enables believers to recognize and remain in the truth. John emphasizes that Christians have received the truth about Christ and are not helpless before false teachers. The Holy Spirit works through God’s revealed truth to strengthen believers in discernment. This does not mean Christians have no need for biblical teaching; John himself is teaching them. Rather, believers possess God’s Spirit and therefore have divine help in recognizing and resisting deception.

13. Why is denying Jesus as the Christ such a serious matter?

Answer: John teaches that a person’s relationship with God cannot be separated from that person’s response to Jesus Christ. To deny the Son is to deny the Father who sent Him. Conversely, “Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also” (1 John 2:23). Christianity is therefore fundamentally centered upon the identity and saving work of Jesus. A teaching that rejects the biblical Christ cannot provide genuine fellowship with God, regardless of how spiritual or religious it may appear.

14. What does John mean when he repeatedly tells believers to “abide” in Christ?

Answer: To abide means to remain, continue, or dwell in an ongoing relationship with Christ and His truth. John urges believers to remain faithful to “what you heard from the beginning” (1 John 2:24). They are not to abandon the apostolic gospel for supposedly newer or more sophisticated teachings. Abiding involves continuing in faith, obedience, love, and dependence upon Christ. The Christian life is not merely beginning with Christ but continuing faithfully with Him.

15. What promise is connected with abiding in the truth?

Answer: John states plainly in 1 John 2:25, “And this is the promise that he made to us—eternal life.” Eternal life is God’s gift through His Son and represents far more than endless existence. It is life in fellowship with God that begins through faith in Christ and reaches its fullness in eternity. This promise gives believers a powerful reason to reject deceptive teaching and remain faithful to Christ.

16. How should believers prepare for the return of Christ?

Answer: First John 2:28 calls believers to “abide in him” so that when Christ appears they may have confidence rather than shrink from Him in shame. Preparation for Christ’s return is therefore not primarily speculation about dates or events; it is faithful Christian living. Believers prepare by remaining close to Christ, obeying His Word, resisting sin and false teaching, loving one another, and faithfully continuing in the gospel.

17. What does practicing righteousness reveal about a person?

Answer: John concludes the chapter by connecting God’s righteous character with the transformed lives of His children. “Everyone who practices righteousness has been born of him” (1 John 2:29). Righteous behavior does not cause the new birth; rather, it provides evidence of it. Because God is righteous, those who have been born of God increasingly reflect His character. Their lives will never be perfectly righteous in this age, but they will demonstrate a growing pattern of obedience and holiness.

18. What are the primary tests of genuine Christian faith presented in 1 John 2?

Answer: The chapter develops several closely related evidences of genuine faith: obedience to God’s commands, love for fellow believers, rejection of worldly values, faithfulness to the truth about Jesus Christ, perseverance in the gospel, and the practice of righteousness. None of these earns salvation. Instead, together they demonstrate the transforming effect of knowing Christ. John wants believers to possess assurance while also examining whether their lives correspond with the faith they profess.

Summary Understanding

1 John 2 teaches that genuine fellowship with God becomes visible in the believer’s life. Jesus Christ is the believer’s advocate and the sufficient sacrifice for sin. Those who know Him increasingly obey His commands, love other believers, reject the values of the passing world, resist false teaching, remain faithful to the truth about Christ, and practice righteousness. The central call of the chapter is to abide in Christ, living faithfully in Him while confidently awaiting His return.

In 1 John 3, John explains how the transforming love of God should be evident in the lives of those who are His children. He begins with the remarkable privilege believers have received: through the Father’s love, they are called children of God, with the future hope of becoming like Christ when He appears. This hope calls Christians to pursue purity and righteousness rather than continue in a pattern of sin. John then contrasts the children of God with the children of the devil, emphasizing that genuine faith produces a life increasingly characterized by righteousness and love. Using Cain as a warning, he teaches that hatred belongs to the way of death, while love for fellow believers provides evidence of spiritual life. The supreme example of love is Jesus Christ, who laid down His life for us, and believers are therefore called to love not merely “in word or talk but in deed and in truth” (1 John 3:18, ESV). The chapter concludes by encouraging believers that obedience, faith in Christ, and love for one another bring assurance before God and demonstrate the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit.

¹ 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. ² 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. ³ And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.

In the previous lesson, John pointed out the importance of continuing to practice righteousness so that when Jesus returns we may have confidence and not shrink away from him in shame. In this lesson we will take a look at the kind of love the Father has given to us.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16 ESV).

Those who respond to this love by faith, who by grace through faith are born again, become his children by adoption. “[God] predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will” (Ephesians 1:5). Through this work of God, we become his children according to his will and purpose.

When Jesus was on earth, he claimed he was the Son of God and performed signs and wonders to validate that claim, but those of the world refused to accept that and come to know him by faith. As a result, they took offence to his claim and had him crucified. The world, not knowing Jesus for who he was, do not know those who are God’s children. As those of the world persecuted Jesus, they now persecute us who claim to be children of God known by them as Christians (John 15:18).

Even now in our sinful flesh, we are God’s children, but one day “this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality” (1 Corinthians 15:53 ESV). That change will take place when he appears because then we will become like him. For now, our opponents have been revealed as antichrists, but now we know we are children of God, and what we shall be has not been revealed. When Jesus appears, then our true character will be revealed, and we will then know. It will be a time when we become more like Jesus than we are now.

Anyone who has this hope of becoming more like God when Jesus appears will be motivated to live in purity by living a righteous life so that we will have confidence and not shrink away in shame at his coming. We are to learn about how Jesus lived and follow that as closely as we can. Since Jesus was born without sin, he would have to choose to sin. We who were born in sin have to choose not to sin and as a result of our sinful nature, we will sin, but our effort is to sin less and less. Then one day we will be like him and will never again experience sin. What a day that will be!

⁴ Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. ⁵ You know that he appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. ⁶ No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him. ⁷ Little children let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous. ⁸ Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. (1 John 3:4 – 8 ESV)

In the previous lesson we concluded that when we rise from the dead we will be more like Jesus that we currently are. It will be a time when we will no longer experience sin and our desires will be in perfect harmony with God’s will for our lives. In this lesson we will consider the topic of sin and its relationship to the children of God.

We are all born spiritually dead and in bondage to sin and as a result we practice sinning. When God convicts us of our sin and provides us with the faith to believe and causes us to be born again, we are set free from that bondage sin held over us. Being set free from that bondage, we are to no longer to practice sinning.

Anyone who does practice sinning, also practices lawlessness which is an activity deprived of God’s guidance and is in violation of the law. Through disobedience to God’s command to not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2:15 – 17; 3:4 – 6), sin entered the human race causing immediate spiritual death with physical death to follow in a few years. God saw our problem and he so loved the world that he sent his Son (John 3:16) to the cross so that we by grace through faith could obtain salvation (Ephesians 2:8 – 9).

The Son of God took on a body of flesh through a virgin birth and lived a sinless life and became our perfect sacrifice, our Passover lamb. If through faith, we abide in him, we will not continue to practice sinning because if we do that will be evidence that we do not know him and do not have salvation. As God’s children we are not to practice sinning but are instead to practice righteousness for that will be evidence of our righteous.

Remember the antichrists of chapter 2 who desire to deceive us and draw us away from the Lord to enjoy the pleasures of this world, the pleasures of sin. The one who practices righteousness, as opposed to our opponents who practice sinning, is declared righteous, just as Jesus is righteous. The one who continues to practice sin is declared to be of the devil and behaves like the devil as they continue to sin.

It is this work of the devil to draw us into sin with him that the Son of God came into this world. On the cross Jesus took our sin and he died in our place. He redeemed us and justified us before God, and we received the Holy Spirit who provides us with power to stand against the draw of the devil and to continue to walk in newness of spiritual life. God has provided us victory over sin and death and provided us with the resources to walk in victory and in fellowship with him. We need to do our part and work out our salvation in fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12). This is not work we do to obtain salvation but our work of faith that verifies that we are indeed saved (James 2:17 – 18). It is our spiritual Growth.

⁹ No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God. ¹⁰ By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother. (1 John 3:9 – 10 ESV)

In the previous lesson John instructed believers of the importance of practicing righteousness and not sinning. In this lesson we will learn why we as a believer cannot go on sinning.

Anyone who is born of God does not make a practice of sinning. However, as long as we remain in the flesh we will sin as John told us in 1 John 1:8 – 10, but we are not under its control and we will not willfully continue to sin. The reason given why we will not practice sinning is because of God’s seed that abides within us.

This seed is seen in different ways by various commentators. Some believe the seed refers to the Word of God that brings about the new birth. These refer to texts like James 1:18; 1 Peter 1:23: “Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first fruits of his creatures.” (James 1:18 ESV); since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God” (1 Peter 1:23 ESV).  Others believe the seed refers to the Holy Spirit in his regenerating and transforming presence within the believer, but since the Holy Spirit works through the Word in regeneration, it is likely that both views are intended here.

Since the Word is present in the believer’s heart through the work of the Spirit, the believer cannot keep on practicing sinning. The new birth experience and the presence of the indwelling Holy Spirit has so transformed the hearts of God’s children that they are unable to keep on sinning. Before the new birth experience there was no opposition to sin but now that a person is spiritually alive there is opposition, especially from the power of the Holy Spirit.

The presence of this opposing force and the ensuing struggle that is experienced, gives evidence that one is a child of God and not a child of the devil. Further evidence is the practice of righteousness not just the absence of the practice of sinning. Further evidence that one is a child of God is their love for their brother or sister.

The last phrase of verse 10 seems out of place here but is used by John to introduce or to transition to the next theme, the theme of love. Just as God is righteous, so must be the believer, and as God is love and loves us, so we must love one another.

¹¹ For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. ¹² 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. (1 John 3:11 – 12 ESV)

In the previous section we were warned about the deception of the antichrists and their agenda to draw believers away from following Jesus. We saw the importance of not practicing sinning but instead to practice righteousness. With this section we will see that God is love and loves us and therefore as his children, we are to love one another.

This message we heard and believed was the gospel. The “beginning” would be the time when we heard the gospel message for the first time that eventually brought us to the point of salvation. The heart of that gospel is love and began with the Father so loving the world that he sent his Son to die on the cross to purchase our salvation.

The gospel teaches that we should love one another and if we don’t then John gives an example of what can happen. We could become like Cain and commit some form of sin, like murder, because we hate in place of love. Why did Cain murder his brother Abel? Abel made an offering that God accepted, but the offering made by Cain was not, and as a result there was evil feelings on the part of Cain and his thoughts became evil and were finally lived out in murder.

The two offerings from two people represent evil on the part of Cain and righteousness on the part of Abel. Cain was focused on himself while Abel was focused on God. Out of love Able served God and for his righteousness, Cain took offense and being of the evil one, he murdered his brother.

As God’s children, the Holy Spirit indwells us and being God, he is love. The characteristics of love are “joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, [and] self-control” (Galatians 5:22 – 23 ESV). The child of God should demonstrate his love by a display of these characteristics. On the other hand, one who does not have the Spirit does not have love and is a child of the devil and has a life that is described in some horrible ways in the Scriptures. One example is found just before the above verses at Galatians 5:19 – 21. Another is found at Ephesians 2:1 – 3.

Because of God’s love for us he sacrificed greatly to meet our desperate need. We as his children have an obligation to love others and be willing to sacrifice to meet a need they have.

¹³ Do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you. ¹⁴ We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death. ¹⁵ Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. (1 John 3:13 – 15 ESV)

In the previous lesson we learned the expectation and importance of loving one another. In this lesson we learn that this love is to include sacrifice in meeting the needs of another.

Right up front, John warns us that the world hates us and to not be surprised when persecution comes against us. In John 15:18 (ESV), Jesus said, “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.” In 2 Timothy 3:12 (ESV), Paul said to Timothy, “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” That desire for righteousness establishes a tone for your life that people feel or sense when around you and those who are evil very quickly pick up on that and it ignites their hatred toward anyone who might oppose their desire to practice sinning. Thinking back to the example of Cane and Abel, Abel did nothing wrong and was bitterly opposed to the loss of his life.

Having warned his readers of this danger, John then indicates why desiring to live a godly life attracts persecution. He begins by saying that we have passed out of death into life through being born spiritually. We all enter this life spiritually dead and then by grace through faith we obtain the gift of salvation (Ephesians 2:8 – 9) and enter into eternal life through being born again. We know this has happened because of our love for our brothers, who we may in the past had some friction with.

John makes it clear that if we don’t love our brother (and sister) in the faith then we still abide in death and we were deceived about our assumed salvation. In the eyes of God this hate toward fellow believers is equivalent to murder and we know that one who is a murderer does not have eternal life abiding in him. Exodus 20:13 (ESV) simply says, “You shall not murder.” However, the anger in one’s heart that leads to murder, will receive the same judgment as murder (Matthew 5:21 – 22) according to Jesus.

How strong is your desire to live a godly life and how willing are you to suffer as a result? Jesus suffered and died on the cross for our sake to provide for us our salvation. How willing are we to suffer afflictions along with Christ for the sake of his body, the church, to help build it up (Colossians 1:24)? Maybe the comforts and pleasures of the gospel of prosperity has forced the desire to live godly lives into the background, thus resulting in a western church that has little influence on today’s evil culture. Maybe we need to consider what is important in life and make some necessary adjustments, and if these adjustments then result in pressure against an evil culture it will respond with persecution.

¹⁶ By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. (1 John 3:16 ESV)

In the previous lesson we learned that abiding in love is validated by our love for our brother or sister. In this lesson we will be confronted with the idea of laying down our lives for our brothers and sisters, a sacrifice that is connected to love.

John begins verse 16 by saying, “By this we know.” In this case “this” looks ahead to a description of how we know if we have love. Jesus is used as an example of one who demonstrated what this love looked like. From the beginning of his ministry, his focus was the cross and what he was to accomplish there for our benefit. His path to the cross demonstrated a selfless, self-giving lifestyle that was focused on benefiting or providing for the needs of others. It was a lifestyle that we are called to follow, for Jesus said, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23 ESV).

Jesus continued on to the cross where “he laid down his life for us” and if we are to follow him we are to take up our cross and continue on living out a selfless, self-giving lifestyle, and if we are called to suffer and even lay down our lives for other believers then we must be obedient. In Colossians 1:24 – 29 (ESV), Paul said, ²⁴ “Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, ²⁵ of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, ²⁶ the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. ²⁷ To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. ²⁸ Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. ²⁹ For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.”

Jesus Christ was afflicted and out of that affliction came our salvation and the formation of the body of believers, the body of Christ, the church. Paul said that he had surrendered his life to be an extension of Christ’s afflictions in presenting the gospel through suffering in the face of persecution. Paul is making it clear that if we have God’s love we will also become an extension of Christ’s afflictions and will present the gospel to those in the domain of darkness and be willing to suffer and even die in our search for lost sheep and in discipling them. This lifestyle is clearly not the prosperity gospel of the western church which embraces comfort, security and safety. Without our willingness to suffer, we will not advance the gospel in the kingdom of darkness and as a result the western church has decrease in its effectiveness and looks more and more like the world.

When was the last time you prayed asking God what cross he wanted you to carry through life? God called me to go to China and for a period of six years I spent six months of each year teaching Bible and working with people. The many trips were hard, but the blessing was great. What began in 2004 continues to involve me to this day. Had I not been willing to endure affliction I would not have experienced the most meaningful time of my life. Now his cross requires that I spend my retirement years writing Bible studies and posting them on various social media outlets. During this past year 625 lessons have been written as we work our way through the New Testament. The blessing of doing this is way beyond anything the world has to offer me.

It is time for us to lay aside our perceived need for comfort, safety and security and start rejoicing in our suffering for his sake and extend Christ’s afflictions with our own afflictions and meet the needs of others as an expression of his love.

¹⁷ But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? ¹⁸ Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth. (1 John 3:17 – 18 ESV)

In the previous lesson we looked at an expression of our love in extending the afflictions of Jesus Christ through our willingness to suffer for the sake of the gospel. Jesus met our most urgent need of salvation through his death on the cross and we are to follow his example and be willing to lay aside our perceived need for comfort, safety and security and with a selfless, self-giving lifestyle meet the needs of others.

One way we can meet the needs of others is next expressed by John. If God has blessed us with the world’s goods, then . . . let us stop here for a moment. For us in the west, would you agree that compared to a majority of the world, God has blessed us with much? Maybe having many things is not a blessing. I know that I enjoyed having much less when I served in China. We really can live with much less and with smaller sizes and less luxury. Some have so much stuff that they rent storage space to contain it.

So, “if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need.” There is no question that we have the world’s goods, but do we see our brother in need? The odds are that we don’t because our focus is on the next thing we think we need. Those that have need may not be living next door, but maybe on the street someplace or in a distant land that we could care less about. Stop and become informed about the needs of believers living under persecution for example. There are so may needs that we can’t begin to meet them all but working together we can have a great impact. It is just that if we give to help them then we have less for ourselves. Yes, but Jesus who created the universe was willing to leave his glory in heaven and come and take a body of flesh and die a shameful death on a cross to meet our need.

God could have closed his heart against us and let the human race perish but he didn’t. He sacrificed so much for us that we might have salvation and a loving, joyous, eternal relationship with him. If we honestly slow down and see the needs among those in the body of believers and close our heart against them, what does that say about the love of God abiding in us? Does it not indicate that we don’t have his love and thus we don’t have the Holy Spirit living within us, and thus we are not saved?

Based on these things, John admonishes us to “not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.” Love is associated with two pairs of words here: “word or talk” and “deed and in truth.” “Words are produced by the tongue and the (righteous) deeds with which believers are to love one another are produced by the truth.” (Footnote 64 for verse 3:18 NET Bible https://netbible.org/bible/1+John+3)

If we who have the world’s goods and honestly see our brother or sister in need and we open our heart and meet that need, then “we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him.” This will be our starting point for the next lesson.

¹⁹ By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him; ²⁰ for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything. ²¹ Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; ²² and whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him. (1 John 3:19 – 22 ESV)

In the previous lesson, John pointed out a practical evidence of God’s love abiding in us. That evidence related to meeting the needs of other believers. In this lesson we will see that by doing so, we will assure our hearts that we are of the truth or are living by the truth.

“By this” points back to the righteous deeds mentioned at the end of 3:18, which are to demonstrate that we do not love in word or talk but in deeds and in truth. By doing these deeds we as believers are able to assure ourselves that we belong to the truth, because our outward actions reflect the inward reality of our relationship with God.

The text says, “reassure our heart” but what is meant by heart? That is a question I was asked by a Chinese student when I taught in China. That student insisted that heart meant the organ that pumped blood in our body and that a different word should be chosen. NET Bible chose to replace “heart” with the word “conscience.” NET footnote 67 for 3:19 contains a long discussion about why “conscience was chosen. Is it our “heart” (ESV) or our “conscience” (NET) that is reassured? https://netbible.org/bible/1+John+3

If we have not been doing as we should and helping those in need, and our heart condemns us of sin then we need to respond with a living faith and realize that God has assured us that we have forgiveness of our sin through the atoning work of Christ. God knows everything about us and can help us be restored to obeying the truth.

If our heart does not condemn us, if we have a clear conscience before God, we will then have confidence when coming before God in relationship to the need he wants us to meet. With our conscience clear and with confidence, we are to ask God to supply what is needed so that we can help the one with the need, and when we do ask he has promised us that he will provide what is needed, a promise that we will find in the next lesson to be connected to our obedience to his commandments.

²² and whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him. ²³ 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. ²⁴ 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 3:22 – 24 ESV)

When we see a need that God wants us to help meet, we learned in the previous lesson that God wants us to come to him and ask for his help. What we need in order to meet the need of another, God will answer our request and provide if we have been obedient to him by keeping his commandments and doing what pleases him.

Sometimes when we pray we may ask with the wrong motive, or maybe there is sin in our life we haven’t taken care of yet, or maybe we haven’t been obedient to the Lord. Maybe these are reasons why we sometimes pray, and God does not answer our request. Here, John tells us that we will receive from God what is needed to help someone because we have kept his commandments and do what pleases him.

John has a specific commandment in mind in accordance with the theme of this section and that commandment is “that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another.” By believing we obtain salvation and receive the Holy Spirit and thus the ability to love one another.

Evidence that we are saved is found in our obedience because if we are saved, his love remains in us and that love provides us with the desire to live and obey him. If we are saved, God is in us and we are in God. Think of yourself as a mass of many particles and God as a spirit that fills all the space around those particles. As many particles, we are in God and God being around all our particles would be in us. Go one step farther and allow God to be absorbed into those particles. If those particles and thus the whole are totally saturated with God, he would be in us and we would be in him. This would be a condition that we would know like we know that we are sick. God cannot be within every part of us without our being aware of it.

As I think about keeping his commandments and doing what pleases him, I find myself growing in desire to think his thoughts, live by his ways, do his will, and have his desires to name a few. I am reminded of this when I pray “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” I am part of his kingdom and I want his will to be done in my life. I think that is what John is talking about here.

1. What great privilege does John describe in 1 John 3:1?

Answer:
John marvels at the extraordinary love of God shown in calling believers His children. This is more than a title; it describes a new relationship established by God’s grace. Those who belong to Christ have been brought into God’s family and may know Him as their Father. John also explains that the world often does not recognize or understand believers because it did not recognize Christ. Christian identity, therefore, is rooted not in the world’s approval but in God’s love and acceptance.

2. What future hope does John give believers in 1 John 3:2–3?

Answer:
John acknowledges that believers do not yet fully know what they will be like when Christ appears, but he gives them a remarkable certainty: “we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:2, ESV). The Christian life therefore looks forward to complete transformation into Christlikeness. This hope is not merely something to anticipate in the future; it affects how believers live now. Everyone who hopes in Christ seeks purity because Christ Himself is pure.

3. How does John define sin in 1 John 3:4?

Answer:
John describes sin as lawlessness. Sin is not merely making mistakes, experiencing weakness, or failing to reach personal goals. At its heart, sin is rebellion against God’s righteous authority. God’s commands reveal His holy character and His will for humanity. To practice sin is therefore to live contrary to the will and character of God.

4. Why did Jesus appear according to 1 John 3:5?

Answer:
John states that Christ appeared “in order to take away sins” and emphasizes that “in him there is no sin” (ESV). Jesus is uniquely qualified to deal with humanity’s sin because He Himself is completely sinless. His saving work does not merely forgive the guilt of sin; it ultimately aims at freeing His people from sin’s dominion. Therefore, a life increasingly characterized by holiness is consistent with the purpose for which Christ came.

5. Does 1 John 3:6 teach that Christians never commit a sin?

Answer:
No. Earlier John explicitly teaches that believers still sin and need confession and forgiveness (1 John 1:8–2:2). In chapter 3, John’s concern is the settled practice or pattern of a person’s life. Someone who abides in Christ cannot comfortably embrace sin as a continuing way of life. Christians may stumble, but genuine faith produces repentance and an increasing desire to obey God rather than a deliberate commitment to sin.

6. What contrast does John make between righteousness and sin in 1 John 3:7–10?

Answer:
John presents righteousness and habitual sin as evidence of two fundamentally different spiritual allegiances. The person who practices righteousness demonstrates the transforming work of God, while persistent, unrepentant sin reflects the works of the devil. John is not teaching salvation by good works. Rather, he teaches that spiritual birth produces visible consequences. God’s children increasingly reflect their Father’s character through righteousness and love.

7. What did Christ come to accomplish regarding the works of the devil?

Answer:
John declares, “The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil” (1 John 3:8, ESV). Christ came to defeat Satan’s work of sin, deception, rebellion, and death. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus decisively defeated the power of evil. Believers therefore should not willingly live under the very power from which Christ came to deliver them.

8. What does John mean when he says that God’s seed abides in the believer?

Answer:
The language of God’s “seed” points to the new life God gives through spiritual birth. A Christian has not simply adopted a different philosophy or moral code; God has brought about an inward transformation. Because God’s life and transforming work remain within the believer, continuing in sin without repentance becomes inconsistent with the believer’s new identity. Spiritual rebirth begins a lifelong transformation toward righteousness.

9. What two characteristics distinguish the children of God in 1 John 3:10?

Answer:
John identifies righteousness and love as important evidence of belonging to God. Genuine faith affects both a person’s relationship with God and relationships with other people. Righteousness expresses obedience toward God, while love expresses God’s character toward others. Christianity therefore cannot be reduced either to moral conduct without love or loving sentiment without obedience.

10. Why does John use Cain as an example in 1 John 3:11–12?

Answer:
Cain illustrates the opposite of brotherly love. His hatred toward Abel eventually resulted in murder. John explains that Cain hated Abel because Cain’s deeds were evil while Abel’s were righteous. The example demonstrates how unchecked jealousy, resentment, and hatred can reveal a heart opposed to God. John uses this Old Testament event to reinforce the seriousness of his command that believers love one another.

11. Why should Christians not be surprised when the world hates them?

Answer:
Christians should recognize that a life shaped by God’s righteousness may expose or challenge values opposed to God. Just as Cain hated righteous Abel, the world may respond negatively toward those whose lives belong to Christ. Opposition does not necessarily mean believers have done something wrong. However, John does not encourage Christians to provoke hostility; rather, they are to remain faithful to Christ while continuing to love others.

12. How does love provide evidence of spiritual life?

Answer:
John writes, “We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers” (1 John 3:14, ESV). Love does not earn salvation, but it provides evidence that God’s saving work has occurred. Spiritual life produces a new concern for God’s people. Conversely, persistent hatred is inconsistent with the life God gives. Love becomes one of John’s practical tests of genuine Christian faith.

13. Why does John compare hatred with murder in 1 John 3:15?

Answer:
John focuses upon the condition of the heart from which murder arises. Hatred may never result in physical violence, but it shares the same underlying spirit of hostility toward another person. Jesus taught a similar principle when He addressed anger in the Sermon on the Mount. John therefore calls believers to examine not merely outward behavior but inward attitudes toward others.

14. What is the supreme example of love according to 1 John 3:16?

Answer:
Jesus Christ provides the ultimate definition and demonstration of love: “By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us” (ESV). Biblical love is therefore sacrificial rather than merely emotional. Christ willingly gave Himself for others, and His followers are called to demonstrate that same self-giving spirit. Christian love asks not simply, “What do I feel?” but, “What am I willing to give for another person’s good?”

15. How should Christian love be demonstrated practically?

Answer:
John gives a very concrete example. If a believer possesses material resources and sees another Christian in genuine need but refuses compassion, there is reason to question whether God’s love is truly governing that person’s heart. John concludes, “let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth” (1 John 3:18, ESV). Genuine Christian love moves beyond expressions of concern to practical acts of generosity, service, sacrifice, and compassion.

16. How can believers receive assurance when their hearts condemn them?

Answer:
Believers sometimes experience guilt, uncertainty, or self-condemnation. John directs them beyond their fluctuating feelings to the greater knowledge and character of God: “God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything” (1 John 3:20, ESV). Assurance ultimately rests upon God rather than human emotions. A believer should honestly examine his life, confess known sin, trust God’s promises, and remember that God’s judgment is more reliable than an anxious or accusing conscience.

17. What connection does John make between obedience and prayer?

Answer:
John describes a life of fellowship with God in which believers seek to obey His commandments and do what pleases Him. Such obedience produces confidence before God and shapes prayer according to His purposes. This does not mean obedience forces God to grant every request. Rather, a heart increasingly aligned with God learns to desire and request things consistent with His will.

18. What is God’s commandment summarized in 1 John 3:23?

Answer:
John brings faith and love together: “that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another” (ESV). These two elements summarize much of the message of 1 John. Genuine Christianity involves trusting Jesus Christ and allowing that faith to produce love toward others. Faith without love contradicts Christ’s transforming work, while love separated from faith in Christ misses the foundation of Christian life.

19. What does it mean to abide in God according to 1 John 3:24?

Answer:
To abide in God means to live in an ongoing relationship of fellowship, dependence, faith, and obedience toward Him. John describes this relationship as mutual: the believer abides in God, and God abides in the believer. Obedience does not create this relationship but demonstrates its reality. The Christian life is therefore not merely believing certain truths about God but continually living in communion with Him.

20. What role does the Holy Spirit have in the believer’s assurance?

Answer:
John concludes the chapter by saying that believers know God abides in them “by the Spirit whom he has given us” (1 John 3:24, ESV). The Holy Spirit is God’s presence within His people and provides confirmation that they belong to Him. The Spirit works within believers to produce faith, obedience, love, conviction of sin, and increasing Christlikeness. His presence is part of God’s gracious assurance that believers truly belong to His family.

Central Understanding of 1 John 3

1 John 3 teaches that being a child of God produces a transformed life characterized by hope, righteousness, obedience, and sacrificial love. God’s children still struggle with sin, but sin can no longer rightly define their lives. Christ came both to take away sins and to destroy the works of the devil. The clearest evidence of God’s transforming presence is seen in believing in Jesus Christ, pursuing righteousness, and loving others not merely with words but “in deed and in truth.”

1 John 4 centers on two essential marks of genuine Christian faith: truth about Jesus Christ and love for one another. John begins by warning believers not to accept every spiritual claim without examination, but to “test the spirits” to determine whether they are from God, emphasizing that the true Spirit acknowledges Jesus Christ as having come in the flesh. He then turns to one of the letter’s greatest themes—the nature and expression of God’s love. Because “God is love” (1 John 4:8), those who belong to Him are called to love one another, reflecting the love God demonstrated by sending His Son as the propitiation for our sins. John explains that Christian love originates with God, is revealed supremely through Christ, and is made visible through the lives of believers. As God’s love matures within them, it produces confidence rather than fear and enables them to love others because “we love because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19). The chapter therefore presents doctrinal truth and practical love as inseparable evidence of a life transformed by God.

¹ 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. ² By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, ³ 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. (1 John 4:1 – 3 ESV)

With this lesson we begin a new section in which John instructs us to test those who teach us to see whether they are from God or not. The importance of this can be easily see by viewing various religious TV programs. Which speakers are from God and are speaking truth from the Bible? John tells us to test what they are saying to see if they are from God and speaking the truth or if they are false prophets, those antichrists that are trying to deceive you.

In today’s age of “tolerance,” discriminating discernment can be viewed as being judgmental and will point to Matthew 7:1 in which Jesus said that we are not to judge others. However, we should not forget that Jesus also said, “Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgments” (John 7:24 ESV).

A standard has been established that we can use to test these spirits and that standard relates to Jesus Christ. If the speaker confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh and validates it by how he lives then that spirit or person is from God. If on the other hand, the spirit or person denies that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh then that spirit or person is not of God and is of the antichrist.

Some believe that since flesh is sinful the Christ, the Son of God, could not take a body of flesh and thus Jesus could be only human and not also God. He could not possibly be the Son of Man. But they fail to consider that Jesus was virgin born without an earthly father and thus he was not born in sin as we were. Those who believe that Jesus was not God in flesh do not have access to salvation through the finished work on the cross by Jesus because they lack faith.

As one listen to speakers who are from God and do confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh, one may hear different messages. Usually these differences do not relate to salvation concerns but to views of various topics like the rapture or our free will in salvation. Anything that is said needs to be evaluated against the Scriptures and not blindly believed and accepted.

Since the time Lucifer sinned and became Satan, there has been the spirit of antichrist. This spirit will continue to exist on earth until the return of Jesus Christ and thus we need to be on guard that we are not deceived by what we hear or read and be led astray from following Jesus Christ.

⁴ 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. ⁵ They are from the world; therefore, they speak from the world, and the world listens to them. ⁶ 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 4:4 – 6 ESV)

Again, with an expression of tenderness, John explains that since they have been saved and have the Holy Spirit dwelling within them, they have overcome or conquered those who have been defined as antichrists.

In verse 4, two powers are mentioned: (1) a greater power, the Holy Spirit, and (2) a lesser power, Satan the devil. There are also two groups of people implied: (1) those who have the Holy Spirit and are saved, and (2) those in the world who are unsaved and under the influence of the powers of darkness. From those in the world are found the antichrists that we are to take notice of and overcome their desire to deceive us and draw us away from following Jesus Christ.

These antichrists are from the world and as a result they think and speak like the world and the world listens to them and embraces their philosophy. All we need do is turn on the evening news and we learn about how the world thinks and lives.

We who are saved are from God and are part of a different culture, which we can learn about from a study of the Scriptures. Being from God, we know God and others who know God listen to us. Like the world has fellowship and listens to each other, so we as believers have fellowship and listen to each other. Those who are not from God who are from the world will not listen to us because what we have to say in foolishness to them.

By how people listen we can determine who has the Spirit of truth and who has the spirit of error. “The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Corinthians 2:14 ESV). I admit that there is a grey area here because in Revelation 3:16 (ESV) Jesus said, “So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.” Those who are lukewarm are harder to determine where they stand by how they are listening.

Unfortunately, today members of the church are doing too much listening to the world and as a result the church looks more and more like the world. We need to spend more time with God and his word and less time walking in the counsel of the wicked, or standing in the way of sinners, or sitting in the seats of scoffers. We need to spend more time delighting in the Lord and mediating on his word (Psalm 1:1 – 2).

⁷ Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. ⁸ Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. (1 John 4:7 – 8 ESV)

With this lesson we begin the next major section and will learn about the assurance of God through the love of God. Twice in this section it will be stated that God is love (verses 8 and 16).

John begins the section by addressing believers as being very special to him and instructs them to love one another with a love that is from God. As believers, we receive the Holy Spirit whose fruit is love (Galatians 5:22), and it is with that love that we are to love others as God loves us. As believers we are to have a faithful witness of Jesus Christ to others and we are to live in ethical integrity before them, but to complete the picture of life in fellowship with God is our love for others.

Throughout this study of 1 John, we have been taught by John the importance of loving others. It is seen as the proof or the validation of being born again. It is something we need to evaluate from time to time. I have experienced in my life that beyond love for others being a validation of my spiritual birth it is also a measure of my love for God. I find that as my love for him grows so does my love for others. This love is not a precondition for being born again but is a result of being born again since we receive it as we receive the Holy Spirit. This is not to say that unbelievers do not love one another, they do, but not in the same way that God’s indwelling presence enables believers to love.

The love of unbelievers is primarily a love of feeling or of affection. It contains a large element of what I receive or how I feel not what I give for the benefit of the one I love. The love of God is a love that sees a need in another and is willing to sacrifice to meet that need. Jesus saw a need in those who hated him and eventually nailed him to a cross. In dying for their need of salvation, Jesus demonstrated to us God’s love. That is the kind of love God gives to us when we are born again, and that is the kind of love that we have in which to love others that the unbeliever does not have. One is a selfish love and the other is a selfless love. One wishes to receive and the other desires to give. That difference is determined by God and his presence in our lives.

Do you have that love and if so, how is it being expressed by you? What needs in others are you meeting as evidence of that love?

⁹ 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. ¹⁰ 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. ¹¹ Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. ¹² No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us. (1 John 4:9 – 12 ESV)

In the previous lesson we saw that our love of others was evidence of being born again. In this lesson we look further into what that love is like.

When we studied the gospel of John, we spent considerable time with John 3:16 (ESV) in which we learned about God’s love: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” God gave his Son as a perfect sacrifice for our sin. God sent his Son into the world to explain to us the gospel and then he went to the cross to die, to shed his blood as the ransom price to purchase us back to God. By his death, he redeemed us from sin and death and justified us (made us right) before God. By doing this he provided for us eternal life in that we might live through him.

4 “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved” (Ephesians 2:4 – 5 ESV). As a result, “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20 ESV). As we surrender ourselves to him, we allow him to live through us.

When we are born again, the Holy Spirit comes to permanently live in us and since he is God he is love and by that love we are to love others. That love is a love that is willing to sacrifice to meet the needs of others. That love is expressed in such terms as “joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, [and] self-control” (Galatians 5:22 – 23 ESV).

The love in which God loved us set a standard for us to live up to. He saw us with a desperate need for salvation and he was willing to sacrifice his Son to meet our need. He sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Jesus Christ is the propitiation, because by his becoming our substitute and assuming our obligations he took away our guilt, covered it, by the horrific punishment which he endured. By his suffering and death Jesus appeased God. Since Jesus provided for our need of salvation, then if we, who have the world’s goods sees a brother or sister in need and closes our heart against that one, then how does God’s love abide in us? (1 John 3:17).

If God so loved us then we ought to love one another and if we do then God must abide in us because it is impossible to love as he does without the Holy Spirit living in us providing us with that love. As God abides in us he is at work in our lives perfecting his love within us. This is the process of sanctification, the process of transforming us into the image of his Son.

We skipped over the statement, “No one has ever seen God” because it doesn’t seem to fit there in the text. It is true that in a full and complete way no one has seen God, but some people have seen partial revelations of God in the Old Testament. However, we have an even better way of seeing God in Jesus Christ. Jesus said, “whoever has seen me has seen the Father” (John 14:9 ESV), and in Colossians 1:15 ESV: “[Jesus] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.” As we study the Scriptures we gain a better image of God.  

¹³ By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. ¹⁴ And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. ¹⁵ Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. ¹⁶ 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. (1 John 4:13 – 16 ESV)

In the previous lesson we saw that the love of God was manifested through the sacrifice of Jesus. In this lesson we will consider the condition necessary for God to abide is us.

“By this we know” is also found in 1 John 3:24 and also indicates that we know that we abide in him because of the presence of the Holy Spirit within us. We know when bacteria or a virus enters our bodies by their side effects on us and in like manner if God enters us we know by changes that take place within us. One of those side effects is we will abide in his word (John 8:31). Another is we will bear fruit to his glory (John 15:4).

From our study of the Gospels, we know that John has seen and can uniquely testify, having lived with Jesus, that the Father had sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. Twelve men were handpicked by Jesus to be his disciples and live with him for more than three years and these, especially Peter, James and John, are able to testify to the uniqueness of Jesus Christ. As believers who have experienced spiritual birth and have the Holy Spirit bearing witness and have God’s word bearing witness to us, we are also in a position to testify about Jesus being our savior. In fact, the last words of Jesus were a command to go and testify and make disciples.

If we go and confess to others who Jesus is and what he can do for them, this is evidence that God abides is us and we in God. What we are to understand and confess is not simply that all Christians as God’s children are adopted “sons” and heirs but in a unique sense a witness of the true meaning of the Son of Man in which Jesus is fully human and fully God. It is essential that we understand and embrace the fact that “Jesus Christ has come in the flesh” (1 John 4:2).

1 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:1 – 2, 14 ESV). Have you really thought through how God who spoke the universe into existence was able through a virgin birth take on a body of flesh. As you think about that think about Jesus standing up in a boat and telling the storm to stop raging, or when he took five fish and two loaves of bread and fed a great multitude, or when he healed a man born blind. This is the one who died on the cross to provide us with salvation.

Just as my wife knew when it was time to give birth to each of our children, I knew when it was time for me to be born again. Just as my wife could not resist giving birth when it was time, neither could I resist spiritual birth. It happened nearly seventy years ago as a teen and is still as clear in my mind as though it just happened. No one tried to convince me to pray to receive Jesus. God simply told me it was time and I felt compelled to confess my sin and need of salvation and I received the Spirit into my life and was given the gift of salvation.

The Spirit is God and God is love and as I abide in that love I see evidence of that love in my life in terms of its characteristic of “joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, [and] self-control” (Galatians 5:22 – 23 ESV) and a love for others. What an adventure life has been walking with God. He has been so good! What is your relationship with the living God?

¹⁷ 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. ¹⁸ 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. (1 John 4:17 – 18 ESV)

In the previous lesson we looked at the condition necessary for God to abide is us. In this lesson we will consider the meaning of perfected love.

“By this” refers back to verse 16 in which we find the statement that “God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.” As we grow as believers and are conformed into the image of Jesus Christ (Romans 8:29), love is perfected with us. This growing love is an indication of our spiritual growth and provides us with confidence for the day of judgment that we will enter heaven and not eternal punishment in hell.

One of two possibilities looms before all humanity according to John 3:36 ESV: “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.” God’s love being perfected within us provides us who believe in him with hope and thus confidence to stand before him when he appears. Just as Jesus was in the world in a loving fashion and in no way attracted divine displeasure, so we are to likewise live as his followers. The love that Jesus Christ embodied and lived out while among us on earth is being lived out through his life in us today and provides us with confidence in the day of judgment.

Without faith we live in fear and with faith we abide in him and thus abide in his love. In this love there is thus no fear because perfect love cast out fear. As believers, do you and I have some fear? Yes, we do because love in not yet perfect but is being perfected. The fear that that we have is because we are concerned about possible punishment for our sin. But if love in being perfected within us then we belong to him and in him our sins are forgiven so there should be no fear. Any fear is an indication that we still need to grow in our love.

In a practical way, evidence of our love is seen by others in such characteristics as “joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, [and] self-control” (Galatians 5:22 – 23 ESV), especially under trials. As these characteristics improve they provide evidence that love is being perfected.

19 We love because he first loved us. 20 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. 21 And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.

Since love has no object it is up to the reader to supply the object. Based on the context there are two obvious objects that could be supplied, those being God or other believers. Maybe John had both in mind, but the following verses puts more emphasis on love for believers.

John states that we love because God first loved us. Looking at Romans 3:10 – 12 (ESV), we see why this is true: 10 “None is righteous, no, not one; 11 no one understands; no one seeks for God. 12 All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.” Clearly these verses do not express any love for God, and in fact if anyone is going to seek God, then God must first touch that person’s life and provide him with desire.

If one should claim to love God and yet fails to show love toward fellow believers, then we validate the fact that we are a liar. If we cannot love someone, who we can see, who is created in the image of God, then how can we love God who we cannot see. How would we know that God was any different than the one we do not love but hate? Being created in the image of God makes God enough like the person we hate to prevent us from loving God who we cannot see. Thus, not loving another believer, who was created in the image of God, indicates that we do not love God either and makes us a liar if we say we do.

This argument then brings us back to the commandment that whoever loves God must also love other believers. As I study and think about verses like this I think about the culture of heaven and what life will be like between believers then. Try to imagine life with others with the total absence of feelings like dislike, hate, anger, resentment, envy, etc. and replace them with perfect expressions of “joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, [and] self-control” (Galatians 5:22 – 23 ESV). Life in the body of Christ will then be a perfect expression of his love and it will be forever.

1. Why does John tell believers to “test the spirits”?

Answer:
John warns believers not to accept every spiritual claim simply because it sounds religious or claims divine authority. False prophets had gone out into the world, making discernment essential. According to 1 John 4:1–3, the decisive issue is what a teacher confesses about Jesus Christ. The Spirit of God leads people to acknowledge the truth that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh. John therefore teaches that genuine faith requires both spiritual openness and careful biblical discernment. Christians are to evaluate teaching by its faithfulness to the truth about Christ rather than by charisma, popularity, or impressive claims.

2. What does John mean when he says that Jesus Christ “has come in the flesh”?

Answer:
John emphasizes the genuine incarnation of Jesus Christ. Jesus was not merely a spiritual appearance or an ordinary human teacher; the eternal Son of God truly entered human history as a man. This truth is central to the gospel because Christ’s real humanity made His sacrificial death possible, while His divine identity gives His saving work its unique significance. Denying the incarnation strikes at the heart of the Christian message. John therefore makes a correct confession of Jesus an important test of authentic Christian teaching.

3. What encouragement is found in the statement, “he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world”?

Answer:
In 1 John 4:4, John reassures believers that they do not face spiritual deception in their own strength. God dwells within His people by His Spirit, and His power is greater than every force opposed to Him. The “one who is in the world” represents the spiritual opposition behind falsehood and rebellion against God. Christians may encounter deceptive teaching, temptation, and hostility, but these powers cannot overcome God. The believer’s confidence rests not in personal strength but in the greatness and presence of God.

4. How can believers distinguish between the spirit of truth and the spirit of error?

Answer:
John explains in 1 John 4:5–6 that false teachers speak from the world’s perspective, and therefore the world readily listens to them. Those who know God receive the apostolic testimony concerning Christ. The distinction is ultimately one of allegiance: does a teaching agree with God’s revealed truth concerning Jesus, or does it reshape that truth according to the values and assumptions of the world? Christians must therefore measure teaching against the apostolic gospel preserved in Scripture. Truth is not determined by how widely a message is accepted but by whether it faithfully reflects God’s revelation.

5. Why does John repeatedly command Christians to love one another?

Answer:
John sees love as one of the clearest evidences that a person truly knows God. In 1 John 4:7–8, he explains that “love is from God” and that “God is love.” God’s character is revealed through self-giving love, and those who have been born of God should increasingly reflect that character in their relationships. Christian love is therefore more than kindness or emotion. It is evidence of God’s transforming presence within the believer.

6. How did God demonstrate His love for humanity?

Answer:
God demonstrated His love by sending His only Son into the world so that sinners might receive life through Him. According to 1 John 4:9–10, the foundation of love is not humanity’s love for God but God’s initiative toward sinful humanity. He “sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” God’s love is therefore sacrificial, purposeful, and saving. The cross is the supreme demonstration of divine love because God acted to deal with the very sin that separated humanity from Him.

7. What does it mean that Jesus is “the propitiation for our sins”?

Answer:
Propitiation refers to Christ’s sacrificial work dealing fully with the guilt of sin and satisfying God’s righteous judgment against it. Sin is not merely overlooked; it is dealt with through the sacrifice of Christ. Jesus willingly bore the consequences of sin so that those who trust in Him may be reconciled to God. This makes the cross both a revelation of God’s justice and a profound demonstration of His love. Salvation rests upon what God accomplished through His Son rather than upon human merit.

8. How should God’s love for us affect the way we treat others?

Answer:
John draws a direct conclusion in 1 John 4:11: “Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” Christians do not love others merely because others deserve it or because relationships are easy. They love because they themselves have received undeserved love from God. God’s sacrificial love becomes both the pattern and motivation for Christian relationships. Forgiveness, patience, generosity, compassion, and service become practical ways of reflecting the love believers have received through Christ.

9. How is the invisible God made visible through His people?

Answer:
John states that “no one has ever seen God,” yet when believers love one another, God abides in them and His love is perfected in them. Although God’s essence cannot be physically seen, something of His character becomes visible through the transformed lives of His people. A Christian community characterized by genuine, sacrificial love provides tangible evidence of God’s presence and activity. Thus, Christian love has a witnessing function: people can see the effects of God’s grace through the way His people treat one another.

10. What assurance does the Holy Spirit give believers?

Answer:
According to 1 John 4:13, believers know that they abide in God and God abides in them because He has given them His Spirit. The Holy Spirit confirms God’s presence by producing faith in Christ, obedience to God’s truth, and love for others. Assurance is therefore not merely an emotional feeling; it is connected to God’s work within the believer. The Spirit continually points believers toward Christ and increasingly shapes their lives according to God’s character.

11. Why is confessing Jesus as the Son of God so important?

Answer:
John states in 1 John 4:15 that whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God demonstrates a relationship in which God abides in him and he in God. This confession involves more than simply repeating words; it represents genuine faith in Jesus’ identity and saving work. Christianity centers upon the person of Christ. To know God rightly is inseparable from receiving His Son. Authentic Christian faith therefore includes both believing the truth about Jesus and trusting personally in Him.

12. What does the statement “God is love” teach about God’s character?

Answer:
“God is love” means that love is intrinsic to God’s nature. It does not mean that love is God’s only attribute or that anything people call love must therefore be approved by God. God’s love exists in perfect harmony with His holiness, righteousness, justice, faithfulness, and truth. Because love belongs to God’s very character, those who abide in love demonstrate that God is at work within them. Christian love must therefore be understood according to who God is rather than according to changing human definitions.

13. How does God’s love give believers confidence for the day of judgment?

Answer:
In 1 John 4:17, John explains that God’s love being perfected in believers gives them confidence regarding the coming judgment. Those who belong to Christ do not approach judgment relying upon their own righteousness but upon their relationship with Him. Their growing resemblance to Christ provides evidence that God’s saving work is active within them. Consequently, believers need not live in constant dread of condemnation. Their confidence rests in Christ and in the transforming work of God’s love.

14. What does John mean when he says, “perfect love casts out fear”?

Answer:
The fear John discusses in 1 John 4:18 is specifically connected with punishment and judgment. As believers increasingly understand and rest in God’s saving love, terror concerning condemnation is displaced by confidence in Him. John is not teaching that Christians will never experience ordinary fear, anxiety, or concern. Rather, the person who knows God’s redeeming love does not need to live in dread of God’s final punishment. Christ has provided the basis for peace with God.

15. Why are Christians able to love God?

Answer:
John gives the foundation in the simple statement of 1 John 4:19: “We love because he first loved us.” Human love for God is a response to God’s prior grace. God took the initiative by sending His Son, providing salvation, and drawing people into fellowship with Himself. Christian love is therefore never a basis for boasting. Every expression of genuine love ultimately flows from the love that God first extended to us.

16. Why does John say that claiming to love God while hating a brother is a contradiction?

Answer:
John argues that love for God cannot be separated from love for God’s people. A person who claims devotion to the unseen God while persistently hating the brother or sister he can see exposes a serious inconsistency in that claim. Genuine love for God changes the way people relate to others. This does not mean Christians will never disagree or experience relational difficulties, but deliberate, settled hatred is incompatible with the transforming love of God.

17. What command summarizes the practical message of the chapter?

Answer:
John concludes in 1 John 4:21 that “whoever loves God must also love his brother.” Love for God and love for others belong together. Christian faith is neither merely doctrinal nor merely relational; it involves believing the truth about Christ and living out the love of God. Correct belief should produce transformed relationships, while genuine Christian love must remain rooted in the truth about God and His Son.

18. What are the central truths of 1 John 4?

Answer:
First John 4 brings together truth, Christ, love, assurance, and obedience. Believers must test spiritual claims according to the truth about Jesus Christ. They can stand confidently against deception because God within them is greater than the powers of the world. God’s nature is revealed as love, supremely demonstrated in sending His Son as the propitiation for sin. Those who receive that love are called to reflect it toward one another. As God’s love matures within believers, fear of judgment gives way to confidence, and love for God becomes visibly expressed through love for His people. Thus, the chapter teaches that true Christianity confesses Christ faithfully, rests confidently in God’s love, and demonstrates that love through relationships with others.

1 John 5 brings John’s letter to a powerful conclusion by emphasizing the certainty and assurance of genuine Christian faith. John explains that everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and that love for God is demonstrated through love for His children and obedience to His commands. Faith in Jesus Christ is presented as the victory that overcomes the world, supported by God’s own testimony concerning His Son. John then centers the believer’s assurance on the promise of eternal life found in Christ, declaring that whoever has the Son has life. This confidence also shapes prayer, giving believers assurance that God hears requests made according to His will. The chapter closes with teaching about prayer for fellow believers, the security of those born of God, and the certainty that Jesus Christ is the true God and eternal life. John’s final warning, “Little children, keep yourselves from idols,” summarizes his call to remain wholly devoted to the true God revealed in Jesus Christ.

¹ 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. (1 John 5:1 ESV)

We ended the previous lesson being told that “whoever loves God must also love his brother” (other Christians). With this lesson we begin a new section and chapter 5 and look at faith in the Son as the way of life.

“Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God” raises several questions. For example, what does it mean to believe, what does it mean that Jesus is the Christ, what does it mean to be born of God, and what is the source of faith to enable belief?

In Luke 4:41 the demons came out of many, crying, “You are the Son of God!”, but they are not and cannot be born of God. First, belief has content; “Jesus is the Christ.” Second, belief is a wholehearted trust in the saving work of Jesus Christ on the cross. Third, belief or saving faith includes a humble submission under the authority of Jesus Christ. ⁹ “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰ For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved” (Romans 10:9 – 10 ESV).

What does it mean to say that Jesus is the Christ? ¹ “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² He was in the beginning with God. ³ All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. ¹⁴ And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:1 – 3, 14 ESV). He is first described as the Word who is God and who is God’s Son. It is through him that all things were created. He was before all things and in him all things hold together (Colossians 1:17). This God of creation took on a body of flesh through a virgin birth and became the person of Jesus. “For to us a child was born (Jesus), to us a son is given (Christ)” (Isaiah 9:6 ESV). Speaking to the woman at the well about the Messiah, Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am he.” (John 4:26 ESV). Jesus is described as the Son of Man, fully God and fully Man. Son is the Christ and Man is Jesus.

What does it mean to be born of God? This is a question that Nicodemus asked Jesus. Every person that is conceived and born physically is born spiritually dead and destined to an eternity in hell, but through Jesus Christ one can be born spiritually or born again. One who is born again is destined to an eternity with God in heaven. Being born again is to be born of God, because God as Father places his seed in the person to be born spiritually. Thus, all born again people have God as their Father and are his children. The NET Bible translates “born of God” as “fathered by God.” Being born of God is to be fathered by God to become his children.

What is the source of faith to believe? Everyone who is born spiritually dead (and that includes all) has no desire to seek God (Romans 3:11), so where does faith come from to believe? ⁴ “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, ⁵ even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved” (Ephesians 2:4 – 5 ESV). While we were dead in our sin and having no desire for him, he shows mercy to those he chooses and extends grace to make us spiritually alive. It is in that process of regeneration that faith to believe is found. Our salvation is totally God’s doing. It is absolutely a gift of grace to those he chooses. If you say that is unfair and being fair is serving justice, then all would perish as implied by Romans 3:11.

Having covered only the first verse of chapter 5, we sure have much to think about.

² By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. ³ For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. (1 John 5:2 – 3 ESV)

In the previous lesson we covered some deep topics in connection to being born of God. In this lesson we need to again consider his commandments.

“By this” is ambiguous because one is not sure if it is referring to previous things or things that follow. It is believed that what follows is the best choice here and points to our love of God and our obeying his commandments as an indication that we love the children of God. If in loving God and keeping his commandments is the key to knowing that we love God’s children, then it is important to define what the love of God involves.

Verse 3 points out that the love of God is connected to keeping his commandments. Obeying his commandments is the way to love the children of God because those commandments show believers the true way to do good for others. For example, in Romans 13:9 (ESV) we read: “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Another good example is found at Galatians 5:14 where we find that the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

Keeping his commandments is described as not being burdensome because God’s love in his people through the presence of the Holy Spirit provides them with the desire to love and please him. It follows then that our eagerness to keep his commandments, when rightly understood and followed, will bring us great joy and freedom, not a sense of burden. Jesus spoke of this in Matthew 11:28 – 30 ESV: ²⁸ “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

What is the relationship like between your love for God, your love for others and your obedience to his commandments? Is there a good bond between love and obedience?

⁴ For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. ⁵ Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? (1 John 5:4 – 5 ESV)

In the previous lesson we looked at the relationship between our love for the children of God and our love of God and obedience to his commandments. In this lesson we will look at our need to overcome the world.

The reason the commandments are not burdensome to the believer is because we have been born of God and have the Holy Spirit who provides us with the means to overcome or to conquer the world. As believers we are not defeated by the world’s hostility towards us. We see this in the ability of our brothers and sisters who suffer under persecution for their faith and are able to endure torture and even death to remain faithful to Jesus Christ. The world cannot compel us to turn from following Jesus Christ if we are willing to daily carry our cross as Jesus did.

The victory we have is the result of our faith, a faith that is given to us by God, a faith to believe that Jesus is the Son of God. This is strongly suggested in Ephesians 2:4 – 10 ESV. ⁴ “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, ⁵ even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ.” When we were dead in our trespasses, we had no understanding and we did not seek for God (Romans 2:11). And how did God make us alive together with Christ? ⁸ “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, ⁹ not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

God must choose those he will adopt as his children as a child can never choose who he or she wants as parents or as adopted parents. When God chooses one he provides all that is needed to bring that chosen one to the point of salvation. When my time of spiritual birth came I could not resist surrendering myself to my confession of sin, my need of a savior, and my acceptance of his gift any more than my wife could resist the three times she gave birth to our children. The NET Bible uses the words “fathered by God” in place of being “born of God” to take the process back to conception and then when the gestation period is complete spiritual birth then takes place. This is all God’s doing and is so wonderful.

The one who overcomes the world and who finds the commandments not burdensome are those who are born spiritually and have the Holy Spirit. It seems that today, especially in the western church, that we are letting the world in and not overcoming it.

I have had thoughts lately about how governments are trying to close down churches in various parts of the world and now with the coronavirus spreading in the US, we find our churches are empty and the doors closed.

⁶ This is he who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not by the water only but by the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. ⁷ For there are three that testify: ⁸ the Spirit and the water and the blood; and these three agree. (1 John 5:6 – 8 ESV)

With the previous lesson we finished the section about overcoming the world by being born of God. With this lesson we being a new section about the testimony concerning the Son of God.

Jesus Christ came by water and blood indicates two separate events. “Water” most likely refers to the time when Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist. ¹³ “Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. ¹⁴ John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” ¹⁵ But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. ¹⁶ And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; ¹⁷ and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:13 – 17 ESV).

“Blood” refers to the atoning death of Jesus on the cross. “Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins” (Hebrews 9:22 ESV). “For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it for you on the altar to make atonement for your souls, for it is the blood that makes atonement by the life” (Leviticus 17:11 ESV).

Since “no one understands; no one seeks God,” God must intervene in in a person’s life if that person is to have any desire for him. It is the Holy Spirit that works in a person and convicts that person of their sin and their need of a savior. It is the work of the Holy Spirit to bear witness that Jesus Christ came to become that savior. We see this work in Ephesians 2:4 – 5, 8 – 9 ESV: ⁴ “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, ⁵ even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ. ⁸ For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, ⁹ not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

It is the Holy Spirit that leads us into all truth: “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you” (John 14:26 ESV). “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come” (John 16:13 ESV).

There are three that bear witness of Jesus Christ: (1) the Holy Spirit, (2) the water baptism of Jesus when the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus in the form of a dove and the Father spoke saying, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” (Mark 1:11 ESV), and (3) “the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7 ESV). These three witnesses agree thus providing persuasive confirmation that we should believe that Jesus is the Son of God sent by the Father (John 3:16) to purchase our salvation with his blood.

The Old Testament required two or three witnesses to confirm the truth of something, and here we have three.

⁹ If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater, for this is the testimony of God that he has borne concerning his Son. ¹⁰ Whoever believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself. Whoever does not believe God has made him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has borne concerning his Son. ¹¹ And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. ¹² Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. (1 John 5:9 – 12 ESV)

In the previous lesson we looked at three witnesses of who Jesus Christ is. Those witnesses were the Holy Spirit, water baptism, and the blood of Jesus. In this lesson we are going to look at the difference between the testimony of men and that of God.

In his writings, John is testifying about his experience with Jesus and what he learned from him. This is the testimony of men that we accept when we read the Scriptures, but it goes deeper than this. John is reporting what he is seeing and hearing from God in the person of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. This is the witness of God that John is reporting. In this way John is claiming divine authority for his teachings. In John 12:49 (ESV), Jesus said, “I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak.” In like manner, John is writing that which he is receiving from God, for “all Scripture is breathed out by God” (2 Timothy 3:16).

The testimony that John had in receiving from God, we also have as believers because we have the Holy Spirit who teaches us. “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come” (John 16:13 ESV). The Scriptures are given by God to those chosen to record the testimony given and we who are chosen are given the Holy Spirit so that we can interpret that which was given. Jesus Christ is the head of the body and his words are communicated to us in the body by the Holy Spirit.

If we do not believe this testimony from God then we are unsaved because we do not believe what God is saying about his Son dying on the cross to secure our salvation. By not believing we are essentially calling God a liar concerning his testimony about his Son.

What is this testimony that we are to believe that is from God? This is the testimony, ¹¹ “that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. ¹² Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.”

God gave us the promise of eternal life (1 John 2:25) which we receive from Jesus Christ allowing us to live through him (1 John 4:9). “In [Jesus] was life, and the life was the light of men” (John 1:4 ESV). “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him” (John 3:36 ESV).

There is only one way to the Father. Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6 ESV) and there is only one name by which we are saved: “There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” All other ways lead to death (Proverbs 14:12). The one who has saving faith is one who has part in the greatest of all mysteries: “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27).

¹³ I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life. (1 John 5:13 ESV)

With this lesson we begin the final section in 1 John 5 which covers the topic of knowing if we have eternal life. Can one really know if he or she has eternal life?

Leading up to 2:19, we were told that it was the last hour, a time of many antichrists, a time when some had gathered in the church. As some of these leave the church it was indicated that they were not one of them in belief because they left. If they were true believers they would have stayed, but that raises a question about those in the church and their relationship to belief. Can one know if they have eternal life?

John tells us that we can know that we have eternal life. In 1 John 2:3 (ESV) John tells us that “we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments.” Do we know the Bible, and do we obey what we know. Do you hunger and thirst to know the word and do you desire to live by it? Are you “diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15 NASB).  In 1 John 3:14 (ESV) the measure is our love for our brothers and sisters: “We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death.” Two very important test, obedience and love, can reveal if our faith is a living faith.

James tells us that “faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead” (James 2:17 ESV). That work is the living out of our obedience and our love. This work is related to the qualities listed in 2 Peter 1:5 – 9 ESV: ⁵ “For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, ⁶ and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, ⁷ and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. ⁸ For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹ For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins.” Then in verse 1:10 (ESV), we read: “Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall.”

Can you know that you have eternal life? According to John, James and Peter the answer is yes and is related to obedience, love and growth. These three and the greatest of these is love because without the stimulus of love, we will probably be unwilling to obey and not care about spiritual growth. If we are saved, we have the Holy Spirit and we will have his love and its characteristics are “joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, [and] self-control” (Galatians 5:22 – 23 ESV). If we are honest about our evaluation, we can know if we are in Christ or not.

14 And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him. (1 John 5:14 – 15 ESV).

In the previous lesson we considered three conditions necessary to know that we have eternal life. Those conditions are: (1) obedience to God’s will, (2) love of other believers, and (3) spiritual growth. If these three conditions are maturing in our lives then we have confidence that we can come to him and ask anything according to his will and he will her us.

As I think about “according to his will” I am reminded of the Lord’s prayer. When we pray that prayer we pray “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10 ESV). When we come to him in prayer how strong is our focus on him compared to our needs or desires? The Lord’s prayer has two parts: (1) prayer to the Father about the Father (verses 9 – 10) and (2) prayer to the Father about the family (verses 11 – 13). When we ask according to his will it must satisfy the context of Matthew 6:10 and in some way connect to his will and his kingdom. How will what we are asking for in some way, even a very small way, benefit the kingdom of God? If our request is within the context Jesus laid out in his prayer for the disciples, then we know we have a listening ear and will receive what we have asked for.

The term confidence has come up three times in the past in our study: (1) In 2:28 it was related to abiding in Jesus so that we would have confidence and not shrink away from him in shame at his coming, (2) in 3:21 it was related to keeping his commandments and having a heart that does not condemn us and thus having the confidence to come before God in prayer, and (3) in 4:17 it was related to love being perfected with us and if it is then we may have confidence for the day of judgment. It thus seems important that put forth effort to insure a growth in our confidence in relation to God.

A further comment on knowing God’s will might be necessary here. Someone might ask about how much of God’s will do we need to know before we can pray effectively. We don’t need to know what is sometimes referred to as his hidden will because “The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law” (Deuteronomy 29:29 ESV). We have his will contained in the Bible and can know it if we are willing to spend time in study. This is how we determine what pleases God so that we can pray according to his will. Paul tells us in Ephesians 5:17 (ESV) to “not be foolish but understand what the will of the Lord is.”

¹⁵ And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him. (1 John 5:15 ESV)

In the previous lesson we focused primarily on “confidence” and “the will of God.” We will use this lesson to cover some final comments on verse 15.

We know from experience that God does not always provide all the things we ask for. This leads one to conclude that there must be conditions from other passages of Scripture that must apply that affect what we receive and maybe when. A search reveals at least four areas we need to consider:

(1) According to Matthew and James, we need to pray in faith. Jesus said: “And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith” (Matthew 21:22 ESV). James tells us: “But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind” (James 1:6 ESV). But how much faith does it take? According to Jesus extraordinarily little: He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you” (Matthew 17:20 ESV). Maybe it is not a faith problem but for wrong reasons. James says, You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions” (James 4:3 ESV).

(2) Luke tells us to pray with patience: ¹ “And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. ² He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. ³ And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ ⁴ For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man, ⁵ yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.’” ⁶ And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says. ⁷ And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? ⁸ I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” (Luke 18:1 – 8 ESV). Maybe we have not waited long enough or been persistent enough.

(3) Maybe our prayer is not combined with obedience. “If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened” (Psalm 66:18 ESV). Maybe our walk with the Lord is not as it should be. “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil” (1 Peter 3:12 ESV).

(4) When we pray we need to pray in submission to God’s greater wisdom. We need to be in submission as Jesus was in the garden when he prayed, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done” (Luke 22:42 ESV). Are we obedient to his will? Submission in the face of suffering is important. “Let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good” (1 Peter 4:19 ESV). When life seems to be falling apart and our suffering is growing and God seems to not care we need to remember “that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28 ESV) and that purpose is to be conformed into the image of Jesus Christ.

Through Bible study are we learning about the culture of heaven and how to live out that culture here on earth and as we do our request will be framed according to that culture and God’s will for us here on earth. When our prayers reflect the culture of the world and not that of heaven, then maybe we have reason to not expect many answers.

¹⁶ If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask, and God will give him life—to those who commit sins that do not lead to death. There is sin that leads to death, he shall ask, and God will give him life—to those who commit sins that do not lead to death. There is sin that leads to death; I do not say that one should pray for that. ¹⁷ All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin that does not lead to death. (1 John 5:16 – 17 ESV)

In the previous lesson we saw that to pray according to God’s will, meant that we need to pray in faith, with patience, in obedience, and in submission to God’s greater wisdom. In this lesson we will look at the relationship between sin and death.

A sin not leading to death would be any sin committed by a believer for which forgiveness is possible and in which God is willing to grant it. It would also include those sins of an unbeliever who has just been born again. These sins were covered when Jesus died on the cross in our place. Sin not forgiven leads to death which also implies an eternity in hell. Sin forgiven leads to eternal life and an eternity with God in heaven.

If one is convicted of sin by the Holy Spirit and seeks forgiveness then by grace through faith it is granted (1 John 1:9). Because of forgiveness, based on the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, our sin does not end in death for us. This is sin not leading to death. So, then what is sin that leads to death?

It seems that sin that leads to death is sin that left unrepented by those John has been describing as antichrist who reject the doctrine about Jesus Christ, do not obey the commands of God, and do not love believers. Thus, those whose sin do not lead to death are believers and those whose sin lead to death are unbelievers who remain in that state.

When we see a believer committing sin we are to pray for that one and help as we can to restore that one back into fellowship. We should be alert to our own sin and seek forgiveness and we are to pray for other believers who are struggling with sin issues and help them overcome. Those who are unbelievers and are committing sin leading to death, we are to pray and approach them in a different way. We should pray for their conviction of sin and our opportunity to be a witness to them.

All wrongdoing is sin and without the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross sin would lead to death for all people, but because of his death and resurrection, God is now able to grant forgiveness to those who humbly seek it through faith in Jesus Christ. Those who do not seek God’s forgiveness, their sin will result in their remaining spiritually dead and face an eternity in hell.

¹⁸ We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him. (1 john 5:18 ESV)

In the previous lesson we considered the difference between sin that did not lead to death and sin that did. We concluded that sin that was forgiven does not lead to our death because Jesus died in our place, but sin that is unforgiven allows that person to remain spiritually dead and thus faces an eternity in hell.

In this lesson John tells us that “we know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning.” We looked at this when we covered 3:6 – 7, 9 – 10 ESV: ⁶ “No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him. ⁷ Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous. ⁹ No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God. ¹⁰ By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.”

The NET version of verse 18 is interesting: “We know that everyone fathered by God does not sin, but God protects the one he has fathered, and the evil one cannot touch him.” In that translation “born of God” is replaced by “fathered by God” and “born of God protects him” (which is not clear) is replaced with “God protects the one he has fathered.” Those who are born of God have the Holy Spirit and it is he who protects the believer from the evil one. His presence is an influence towards us making the right decisions concerning our desires.

However, the final phrase of verse 18 suggest something additional. The Holy Spirit, who is in us, is greater that the devil who is in the world (1 John 4:4). As a result of this power difference, we are protected from any spiritual loss due to the evil one. He may bring persecution against us and even destroy the body, but he cannot kill the soul (Matthew 10:28). Once we are born again we are secure and will be with God forever.

¹⁹ We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.

²⁰ And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. ²¹ Little children, keep yourselves from idols. (1 John 5:19 – 21 ESV)

In the previous lesson we considered the blessing of the Holy Spirit in protecting us from sinning and from the evil one causing loss to our soul.  With this lesson we will finish our study of 1 John by looking at the blessing of being God’s children.

From our study, we know that as God’s children we are from God, but how are we from God? Many believe that we are personally able to overcome Romans 3:11, which tells us that “no one understands; no one seeks or God,” and on our own can choose to believe and seek God and be born again. From my study over the past 70 years I have come to understand that the God chooses who he will adopt as his children and causes them to be born again (1 Peter 1:3 ESV) by placing his seed within us (1 Peter 1: 23). The NET Bible replaces “born again” with “fathered by God”. For example, in 1 John 3:9 we read: “Everyone who has been fathered by God does not practice sin, because God’s seed resides in him, and thus he is not able to sin, because he has been fathered by God.” Another example is found in 1 John 5:1 in which we read: “Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been fathered by God, and everyone who loves the father loves the child fathered by him.”

In Ephesians 2:1 – 3, Paul points out our sinful past when we were seen as children of wrath, but then in verse 4 and 5 something amazing happens: 4 “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved.” He made us alive by placing his seed within us and at the right time causing us to be born again (fathered by God) which provides us with desire and belief. At the point of spiritual birth, we are given eternal life by Jesus Christ and receive the Holy Spirit. We, through the sovereignty of God, are from God and we know that we are because of the witness of the Holy Spirit who will be with us and in us for an eternity.

As God’s children, we reside in the power of God as the Holy Spirit dwells with in us. Those “of the world” are left in their sin, lie in the power of the evil one and continue on to destruction. We know, through our gospel harmonization study, that the Son of God (Jesus Christ) has come and he has given us insight so that we may know him who is true, for he is the way, and the truth, and the life; the only way to the Father (John 14:6). And how do we know him? We know him, Jesus Christ the Son of God, because we are in him (verse 20) and he is in us: “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27). This is indeed a great mystery that the world sees as foolishness.

Jesus Christ is the Son of God; the true God and eternal life and we know this, and we know that we are from God and are not deceived as some of various religions believe we are. Knowing who we are in Christ and how we got there, we need to be on guard and keep ourselves from idols. At the time John wrote this letter, the term “idol” had a different meaning than it does for us in our modern world with all of our things and our particular desires. In that ancient time an idol referred to worshiping a false god instead of the true God, Jesus Christ. Thus, to guard yourselves from idols means, in the context of 1 John, to guard yourself against the opponents (the antichrists) and their teaching that would draw us away from Jesus Christ and his gospel.

This brings us to the end of another great study as we spent time with John. We will spend a little more time with him as we will start 2 John with the next lesson.

1. What does John teach about the relationship between faith in Jesus and being born of God?

Answer: John states that “everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God” (1 John 5:1). Genuine Christian faith is centered on the identity of Jesus as the promised Christ. This belief is not merely intellectual agreement; it reflects the transforming work of God in a person’s life. Those who are born of God become members of His family and therefore love both God and others who belong to Him.

2. How are love for God and obedience to His commandments connected?

Answer: According to 1 John 5:2–3, love for God is demonstrated through obedience to His commandments. Biblical love is more than emotion or affection; it produces a desire to live according to God’s will. John adds that God’s commandments “are not burdensome.” For the believer, obedience is not simply an unwanted obligation but the response of a heart that loves God and recognizes that His commands are good.

3. What does it mean that believers overcome the world?

Answer: In 1 John 5:4–5, John explains that those who are born of God overcome the world through faith. “The world” represents the system of values, desires, and opposition that stands against God. Victory does not mean believers will experience lives without suffering, temptation, or difficulty. Rather, through faith in Jesus as the Son of God, they are no longer ultimately controlled by the world and can remain faithful to God despite its pressures.

4. What is the significance of the water, the blood, and the Spirit?

Answer: In 1 John 5:6–8, John emphasizes the trustworthy testimony concerning Jesus Christ. The “water” and “blood” have been interpreted in several ways, but they most naturally point to significant realities in Jesus’ earthly ministry—particularly His baptism and His sacrificial death. John insists that the same Jesus who was revealed at His baptism truly suffered and died. The Holy Spirit also testifies to the truth about Christ. Together these witnesses affirm the reality and identity of Jesus as the Son of God.

5. Why is God’s testimony about His Son so important?

Answer: John argues that if people accept human testimony, God’s testimony deserves even greater confidence (1 John 5:9–10). God Himself has testified concerning His Son. Therefore, accepting Jesus is ultimately a response to God’s own witness. Rejecting God’s testimony concerning Christ amounts to treating God as though He were untruthful. Faith in Jesus rests not merely on human opinion but upon the testimony God has given.

6. What is the central message of God’s testimony concerning eternal life?

Answer: First John 5:11–12 summarizes the message plainly: God has given eternal life, and this life is found in His Son. Eternal life cannot be separated from Jesus Christ. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son does not have life. Salvation, therefore, is not ultimately found in religious achievement, moral accomplishment, or human effort, but in a relationship with Jesus Christ.

7. Why did John write about eternal life?

Answer: John explains his purpose in 1 John 5:13: he writes so that those who believe in the name of the Son of God may know that they have eternal life. God does not intend believers to live continually uncertain about whether they belong to Him. Throughout the letter John has provided evidences of genuine faith—including belief in Christ, love for fellow believers, and obedience to God—so Christians can possess a grounded assurance of salvation.

8. What confidence can believers have when they pray?

Answer: First John 5:14–15 teaches that believers may approach God confidently when they ask “according to his will.” Confidence in prayer does not mean that God promises to grant every personal desire exactly as requested. Rather, believers submit their requests to God’s wisdom and purposes. Because God hears prayers that accord with His will, Christians can pray with confidence while trusting Him with the outcome.

9. What does John mean by praying for a brother who commits sin?

Answer: In 1 John 5:16, John encourages believers to intercede when they see a fellow Christian committing sin that does not lead to death. Instead of responding only with criticism or condemnation, Christians should bring one another before God in prayer. This reflects the responsibility believers have toward one another and demonstrates that restoration from sin is a concern of the entire Christian community.

10. What is the “sin that leads to death”?

Answer: First John 5:16–17 is one of the more difficult passages in the letter. John does not explicitly define the phrase, so Christians should be cautious about making the passage more specific than the text allows. In the context of 1 John, it may refer to persistent, decisive rejection of Jesus Christ and the apostolic testimony about Him. John nevertheless makes the broader principle clear: “All wrongdoing is sin.” Sin should never be treated casually, even though John distinguishes between sin that leads to death and sin that does not.

11. What does John mean when he says that the person born of God does not keep on sinning?

Answer: First John 5:18 does not teach that Christians become completely sinless. Earlier John stated that claiming to have no sin is self-deception (1 John 1:8). Instead, John is describing the believer’s fundamental direction of life. Those born of God do not embrace sin as their settled pattern of rebellion. Christ keeps them, and their new life in God increasingly produces righteousness rather than habitual allegiance to sin.

12. How does John contrast believers with the world?

Answer: John declares, “we are from God,” while “the whole world lies in the power of the evil one” (1 John 5:19). Humanity is therefore divided between those who belong to God through Christ and a world still under the influence of evil. This does not mean Satan possesses unlimited authority; God remains sovereign. It means that believers should recognize that the values of the surrounding world frequently stand in opposition to God and should therefore remain spiritually discerning.

13. What certainty does Jesus give believers about knowing God?

Answer: In 1 John 5:20, John declares that the Son of God has come and has given believers understanding so that they may know “him who is true.” Christianity is grounded in the historical coming of Jesus Christ, through whom God has made Himself known. Jesus does not merely provide information about God; through Him believers enter into fellowship with the true God and receive eternal life.

14. Why does John conclude his letter with the command, “Little children, keep yourselves from idols”?

Answer: John’s final statement in 1 John 5:21 summarizes an important implication of the entire letter. An idol is anything that replaces the true God or presents a false understanding of Him. Throughout the letter John has contrasted truth with error, Christ with antichrist, love with hatred, righteousness with sin, and eternal life with spiritual death. Having come to know the true God through Jesus Christ, believers must guard themselves against anything that competes with their devotion to Him.

15. What is the central message of 1 John 5?

Answer: The chapter emphasizes assurance, victory, testimony, eternal life, prayer, and faithfulness to the true God. Those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God have been born of God, overcome the world through faith, possess eternal life in Christ, and may approach God confidently in prayer. John closes his letter by giving believers strong assurance of what they know: they belong to God, the Son of God has come, and eternal life is found in Him. This certainty should lead them to obedient love, confident faith, and wholehearted devotion to the true God.