Tag Archives: 1John

1 John 4:7-12

ESV

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

Discussion Questions

vs. 7 whoever loves has been born of God and knows God

How can this be true?

  • Doesn’t everyone love somebody?
  • So does everyone know God?

What kinds of love does the New Testament describe and how are they different from one another?

What kind of love is John talking about in this verse?

vs. 9 How does John say that God’s love was shown to us?

vs. 10 What is propitiation?

  • Why would this be necessary?
  • What meaning can God’s mercy have if he is not capable of wrath?
  • Are you thankful for Jesus’ atoning sacrifice on your behalf?

vs. 11 if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another

God showed his love by an atoning sacrifice when we deserved His wrath.

  • What does this say about the kind of love he wants us to display to one another?
  • How is this possible?

vs. 12 if we love one another, God abides in us and His love is perfected in us.

  • Do you want this?
  • Let’s ask Him to do this work in us
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1 John 4:1-6

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

Review questions

Who were the gnostics and what did they teach?

Is there one antichrist or many? (See notes from April 24)

Main points in 1 John 4:1-6

Why is it important that Jesus came in the flesh?

Why is it important that he died a physical death? (1 John 5:6)

Why does John say that anyone who does not teach this is not from God?

How can we recognize demonic deception?

Application

What are some forms of false teaching in our time that contain the same errors as the gnostic deception?

What are the results of such false teaching?

How can we stay spiritually healthy?

  • believing the truth
  • practising the truth
  • genuine fellowship
  • genuine love for God
  • genuine love for one another

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1 John 3:19-24

Vs 19 By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him

By what?

Three sources of assurance in 1 John

  1. Our faith in Jesus’ finished work on the cross on our behalf.
    1 John 2:23-25, 1 John 5:1, 1 John 5:4-5
  2. The testimony of the Spirit in our lives. 1 John 4:13, 1 John 3:24
  3. The evidence of genuine love and obedience in our lives.
    1 John 3:18-19

Why is each one important?

Though it follows after #1 and #2 in terms of the overall flow of God’s plan of salvation, why is #3 also important?

vs 20-22 for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; and whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him. 

How does habitual obedience (i.e. walking in love) affect our prayer life?

How does habitual disobedience affect our prayer life?

Why is it hard to pray with confidence when you know you haven’t been obeying God?

What can we do about this?

vs 23-24 And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God, and God in him. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us.

All three sources of assurance are found in these two verses. What are they, and where are they in these verses?

Prayer themes

  • Give thanks for the assurance (confidence) that we can have in our prayer life because of what Jesus has done for us
  • Give thanks for the work of the Spirit and ask for more
  • Ask God to help us to grow in love towards Him, towards our brothers and sisters in the family of God, and towards those not yet in the faith.
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1 John 3:11-18

According to John (1 John 3:14) , how can we know that we have passed out of death into life?

What does John mean when he says we have “passed out of death into life”?

  • Are we still going to die?
  • If so, in what sense have we “passed out of death into life”?
  • According to Jesus’ words in John 17:3, what is eternal life?
  • What does it mean to know God?
  • How well do you think you know God?
  • Are we supposed to be content with the knowledge of God that we have now? (Philippians 3:7-14)

What does John say about the world system’s rejection of true Christians? (1 John 3:13) Should we be surprised by this? Why, or why not? (1 John 3:1, John 15:18-21)

Why did Cain hate Abel? (1 John 3:12)

What is the root cause of murder? ( 1 John 3:15, Matthew 5:21-23 )

How are true believers to treat one another? (1 John 3:16-18)

What does Jesus say about the true significance of living in this way? (John 13:34-35, John 17:20-21)

What about our enemies – those who hate us? What did Jesus say about how we are to treat them? (Matthew 5:44-48)

Prayer Themes

Pour out Your love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit; cause us to abound (overflow) in love.

Philippians 1:9-11

Romans 5:1-5

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1 John 3:4-10

Why does John say that anyone born of God cannot go on sinning (make a practice of sinning)?

If we are truly born of God, doesn’t it stand to reason that we would have a strong desire to imitate Jesus’ ways and character? Isn’t that what young children do (imitate their parents), before they are corrupted by the world’s influence?

Why does John say that anyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness? What is lawlessness?

John contrasts Jesus and Satan (1 John 3:8).

  • What was the dominant character (core motivation) of each?
  • Beyond dying for our sins, how else does Jesus destroy the works of the devil in our lives?

What is the basic orientation of your life? Be honest.

If it is towards God,

  • what things cause you to stumble or lose focus?
  • what things help you to stay motivated?

If it is towards yourself,

  • How satisfying is this, long term?
  • What do you need to do about it?

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1 John 2:15-17

Do not love the world

Verse 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.

  • John wrote in his gospel that God loves the world (John 3:16) and its people, and wants them to be saved.
  • Scripture also records that God loves and cares for his creation (Psalm 145:8-9,15-16).

So what does he mean by not loving the world?

  • Romans 1:18-32 – worshipping the creature rather than the creator – we become slaves to all kinds of ungodly passions. This is the way of thinking of the world system (humanity in rebellion against God)
  • Matthew 4:8-10 – Devil showed Jesus all the kingdoms of the world.
  • Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world. Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
  • James 4:4 friendship with the world is enmity towards God.
  • Matthew 6:24 No-one can serve two masters.
  • Romans 6:6-13 (NIV) presenting your body to God, not to sin.

What’s the issue here?

The issue here is what is our ruling desire? What is the thing that drives our life?

I can say “I love riding my bike on a beautiful spring day”. Well, I do. I’m very motivated to do that. I can say “I love playing with my granddaughter”. But that desire doesn’t interfere with my love for God. It’s an expression of my love for Him.

The desire that rules my life is the desire to love God and glorify Him. Some things I can enjoy while loving Him wholeheartedly. Other things I can’t, because I know they will lead me away from him.

Verses 16-17

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. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

  • lust of flesh – “I want to experience it / feel it”
  • lust of eyes – “I want to have it / control it”
  • pride of life – “I want to be able to boast about it / get recognition for it”

The word for lust is heated (white hot) desire. You can have the same intense desire for good or evil ends. Paul says that we should eagerly desire spiritual gifts and he’s using the very same word. But the purpose is different.

“Loving the things in the world” is being focussed on getting what we want apart from God, instead of focussing our love on Him and letting Him satisfy us

He does give us many good things in addition to Himself – things we can enjoy – blessings that bring pleasure and no pain

For discussion

Why does John say “If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him?”

What does he mean by “The one who does the will of God abides forever”?

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1 John 2:7-8

The New/Old Commandment

Verse 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.

  • What is the new commandment?
  • Why does John say that it’s not a new commandment?
  • What does he mean by “from the beginning”?
    • beginning of the gospel (new covenant) era?
    • beginning of the world?
  • Why does it matter that it’s not in fact a totally new commandment?

Verse 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.

  • What is new about this commandment?
  • What does John mean by saying “It is true in him (Jesus) and in you” ?
  • What does John mean by saying “The darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining”?
    • Do you believe this is true today?
    • Is the darkness passing away?
    • Is the true light already shining?
    • Where is it shining?
    • What does this “true light” have to do with the new commandment?

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1 John 2:4-6

Verse 4-5a

Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. 

What does it say?

  • If we say we know God, but we don’t do what He says, we are self-deceived. “The truth is not in him”.
  • If we keep his word (obey him), the love of God is brought to completion. In other words, we grow in love for God by obeying him.

What does it mean?

Matthew 7:21-23

  • Obedience matters more to God than spiritual gifts or visible achievements including success in ministry
  • What does it mean to “know God” ?
  • Restate in your own words what John is saying here about the relationship between obedience and knowing God

How does it apply to my life?

  • What are we doing when we make the claim that we know God?
  • What does Jesus think of such boasting? (Luke 18:9-14)
  • What should we do instead?
  • When you choose to willingly obey God in any area, what happens to your heart?
  • When you stumble in any area of obedience to God, and realize that you have fallen short, what should you do?
  • What heart attitude is God looking for in those who say they know him? Luke 18:14

Verse 5b-6

By this we may know that we are in Him: whoever says he abides in Him ought to walk in the same way in which He walked.

What does it say?

If we are in Jesus, His character will be displayed in our life.

What does it mean?

Implication : Jesus wants to (and is able to) make us like Himself.

How does it apply to my life?

2 Corinthians 3:18

Luke 10:38-42

  • We grow in the likeness of Jesus by spending time in His presence and loving Him by drawing near, paying attention, letting Him speak to us. This is the first commandment.
  • We grow in the likeness of Jesus by practising obedience to his other commandments, specifically the command to love one another.
  • If you are satisfied with your life and are content that you know God, test yourself by comparing yourself to Jesus.
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1 John 2:1-3

Verse 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. 

What does it say?

  • My writing has a purpose. I want to help you avoid sin
  • If you do sin, we have an advocate [representative] with the Father
  • Jesus is righteous

What does it mean?

  • What is the sin that John wants to help us avoid (how does he define sin and righteousness)?
  • What is an advocate? How is Jesus an advocate for us?

How does it apply to my life?

Verse 2

He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.

What does it say?

Propitiation means a sacrifice that takes away wrath. Because of His sacrifice we can enjoy God’s mercy.

What does it mean?

  • Why does God need to be angry with sin?
    • Yazidi girl raped multiple times, pregnant at 10
    • My own hasty judgement on someone at work – I am to represent Father’s mercy because I have received mercy.
  • How does Jesus take away the wrath of the Father?
  • How many people’s sins did Jesus pay for?

How does it apply to my life?

  • Did Jesus pay for my sins?
  • What is my response?

Verse 3

And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments

What does it say?

  • If we know him (gnosis – gnostics) we will do what He commands.

What does it mean?

  • Forgiveness is intended to change us.

How does it apply to my life?

  • Has Jesus’ forgiveness changed me?
  • Has it made me more obedient?
  • Has it made me more inclined to show mercy to others?

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1 John 1:5-10

Verse 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.

Background

This verse contrasts the God of the Bible to the gnostic view of God.
The Gnostics taught that …

  • the God of the Old Testament (the Creator) was evil, a lesser being who imprisoned people in the fallen, material realm.
  • the true God came in Jesus to lead people into the light by setting them free from the m
  • aterial realm. The way to this non-material salvation was through special knowledge.
  • Because of this, what you did in the body didn’t really matter

What does it say?

  • There is only one God and He is good
  • He is light and not darkness
  • the message we have heard from him: from Jesus.

Cross References

What does it mean?

  • There are no contradictions in God. He is consistent.
  • The Creator has the same character as the Redeemer
  • He is good all the way through
  • God is Light : He is the one who defines and reveals truth and reality.

How does it apply to my life?

  • I can rely on God
  • I can’t escape His light (His eyes of fire, His face like the sun)
  • The way to freedom and salvation is by walking in the light in this world, in real world relationships.

Verse 6-7

If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 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.

What does it say?

  • We can’t walk in darkness and walk with God.
  • Fellowship with God is conditional
    • requires spiritual honesty (humility)
  • Spiritual honesty
    • leads to forgiveness
    • leads to right relationships

What does it mean?

  • What is the end result of lying to ourselves or others about our relationship with God?
  • What is walking in the light?
  • Is forgiveness conditional or unconditional?
  • What key to right relationships is found in these verses?

How does it apply to my life?

  • Only you can answer that!

Verse 8-10

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

What does it say?

  • All have sinned.
  • God is merciful. He keeps His promises (He is faithful to his covenant)
  • We only receive forgiveness if we humble ourselves and repent.

What does it mean?

  • What is meant by “we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us“?
    • Who is the Truth? (John 14:6)
    • Who reveals our need to us and brings us to our knees?
  • If we confess our sins
  • If we say we have not sinned
    • What kind of attitude is this?
    • What does it lead to, if not rooted out?

How does it apply to my life?

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