Douglas Jacoby Podcast

For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ website.

Scripture for memory 

• 1 John 1:7 -- But if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.  Importance: Ongoing forgiveness: walking in the light is not sinless perfection. It is also integral to genuine Christian fellowship.
• 1 John 2:6 -- Whoever says, “I abide in him,” ought to walk just as he walked.  Importance: Our Christian walk is a walk of discipleship, with Jesus our teacher and mentor.
• 1 John 3:16 -- We know love by this, that he laid down his life for us—and we ought to lay down our lives for one another.  Importance: John 3:16 applied at the earthly level. Jesus Christ modeled love.
• 1 John 4:20-- Those who say, “I love God,” and hate their brothers or sisters, are liars; for those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen. Importance: Challenges acceptance, resentment, segregation, racism, and lack of forgiveness, which destroy both love and obedience.
• 1 John 5:3 -- For the love of God is this, that we obey his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.  Importance: Like Deut 30 and Matt 11, this passage gives us a positive view of commandments and obedience, and helps us more positively portray Christianity to outsiders.
   
• 1 John 5:13-- I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.  Importance: Refutes theologies that deny we can know we are saved.
   
• 2 John 7-- Many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh; any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist!  Importance: Pinpoints the crucial doctrinal issue in the world of 1-2 John.
• 3 John 9 --I have written something to the church; but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority.  Importance: Leadership, character.

For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ website.

1 The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth.

• Third John is a personal letter written from one friend (the elder) to another (Gaius).
  • Gaius was a common name in the ancient world.
  • For example, it was the name of the emperor Caligula (37-41 AD).
• A conflict has arisen between supporters of Demetrius and supporters of Diotrephes.
• This little letter yields many insights into early Christianity.
  • First, John emphasizes his love for the Christians to whom he is writing.
    • Loving relationships are rooted in truth (v.1).
    • Without truth -- and this includes others' being truthful -- a solid relationship is not a realistic possibility

2 Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, just as it is well with your soul. 3 I was overjoyed when some of the friends arrived and testified to your faithfulness to the truth, namely how you walk in the truth. 4 I have no greater joy than this, to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

• Health is a legitimate concern (v.2). Do we inquire after people's physical condition, or only after their spiritual health?
• "Friend" (v.3) is a technical term.
• Truth is something in which we "walk" (live in day to day), not just something to which we give assent (v.3).
• With regard to verse 4, Paul had similar sentiments in 1 Thess 3:8. The "children" are probably not be John's literal offspring, but rather children in the faith.
• With regard to verse 3, what do we call fellow believers?
  • There are many acceptable words to describe followers of Jesus Christ: disciples, friends, believers, the church, the assembly, the Way, brothers, and more.
  • Our term of choice reveals how we conceive of our relationship to fellow believers.
  • Note: the term "disciples" seems to have been current in the book of Acts, yet not once does it appear in any of the letters. This would suggest that our options are considerably broader than we may have been led to believe.

5 Beloved, you do faithfully whatever you do for the friends,even though they are strangers to you; 6 they have testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on in a manner worthy of God; 7 for they began their journey for the sake of Christ,accepting no support from non-believers.8 Therefore we ought to support such people, so that we may become co-workers with the truth.

• That "friends" may be strangers (v.5) strongly supports the special use of this alternate term for Christians.
• Financially supporting true disciples, even those they have never met, is commendable (vv.5-6).
  • "Sending them on their way" indicates financial support (Matt 10:10; 1 Cor 9:14; Gal 6:6).
  • Evangelists often (if not usually) were compensated for their work, since they moved from city to city and needed room and board. Elders too seem to have been paid (1 Pet 5; 1 Tim 5).
  • These early missionaries did not accept assistance from non-believers (v.7). The church family takes care of the church family.
  • One way these men were assisted was in room and board (v.8). Hospitality is a high virtue in the Bible.
• In v.7, "for the name of" has been rendered "for the sake of" (NRSV). If we follow the Greek NT more literally, the phrase the name (v.7) probably refers to the divinity of Christ.
  • See Deut 12:5; Exod 23:20-23; Judg 2:1-5; Deut 4:37; John 17:11.
  • God gave his "name" to Jesus.
  • This is only one of many NT passages supporting the truth that Christ is God.

9 I have written something to the church; but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority. 10 So if I come, I will call attention to what he is doing in spreading false charges against us. And not content with those charges, he refuses to welcome the friends, and even prevents those who want to do so and expels them from the church.

• Diotrephes is unfortunately not so generously minded (v.9).
  • He "loves to be first."
    • Ego is a driving factor in much of church history and church politics.
    • John uses the rare word philoprōteuōn, appearing only here in the NT.
      • In classical Greek it means "strive to be first or in the front rank."
      • In ecclesiastical Greek (well after the 1st century), the word came to mean "love to be the leader."
      • Striving to be first is a negative leadership quality. Modesty more often than not characterizes the men and women of the Bible whom the Lord uses to do great things.
    • Diotrephes' doctrinal persuasion is a matter for speculation (v.10). This letter does not seem to be connected the world of Docetism. It's Diotrephes' world that is the issue -- with Diotrephes as star actor and lead commander.
       
  • He expels those who disagree with him from the church.
    • These were false instances of church discipline.
    • Click for more on the subject of church discipline.
• John has no hesitation in dealing publicly with the wicked actions of Diotrephes.
  • This ego-driven leader seems to pervert the good principle of 2 John 10 for his own purposes.
  • Before siding with a teacher, we should examine the fruit of his life (v.11). (See also Matt 7:15-20.) There is a connection.

11 Beloved, do not imitate what is evil but imitate what is good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God. 12 Everyone has testified favorably about Demetrius, and so has the truth itself. We also testify for him,and you know that our testimony is true.

• Demetrius, the righteous leader, has a good reputation (v.12).
  • This was a requirement for overseers and ministers (deacons, servants) in 1 Tim 3 and Titus
  • There are three reasons Gaius and his friends should trust Demetrius:
    • He is highly regarded by the church at large.
    • Demetrius' life is in accord with the truth.
    • John speaks well of him.
    • The friends should weigh this triple testimony: that of John, the church, and the truth itself.
• "Whoever does good is from God" (v.11) refers to Demetrius. Moral character lies at the heart of Christian leadership, not forcefulness, persuasiveness, good looks, or popularity.

13 I have much to write to you, but I would rather not write with pen and ink; 14 instead I hope to see you soon, and we will talk together face to face.

15 Peace to you. The friends send you their greetings. Greet the friends there, each by name.

• As he indicated in his previous letter, John prefers to deal with certain matters face to face (vv.13-14)
  • "Pen and ink" here, "paper and ink" in 2 John 12.
  • See also 2 Cor 10:9-11.
• "Friends" (v.14), once more, was an epithet of the early Christians.
• The friends were to be greeted not generally, but by name (v.14). There is something special about remembering people's names and praying for them by name (2 Tim 1:3).

Finally:

• Though 3 John is quite a short letter, there is much for us today.
  • Every chapter of the Bible -- 1189 in all! -- is inspired and useful (2 Tim 3:16).
    • That means we need 3 John. Without it, our Bibles would not be complete. This letter anticipates many situations facing us today.

Thought questions:

• Do we care about how others are doing physically, emotionally, and spiritually? (See 1 Thess 5:23.) Spiritual interest alone is lopsided. God created the body and its emotional, volitional, and intellectual faculties, not just the spirit.
• Am I a Demetrius, or a Diotrephes? Do I love to be first, or are am I well spoken of by others for being selfless? Am I a team player?
• How do we feel about paid staff? Christian workers are worth their wages. It is also right for us to support (at a distance) Christian workers we may never have met.
• What is our "favorite" term for a follower of Christ? There are many available designations for a Christian. Biblically there is no warrant for limiting ourselves to just one term (like disciple or Christian).

For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ website.

• 2 John has been called "1 John in miniature." As with 1 John, Gnosticism is the central theological issue in this epistle.
  • Matter is evil (or irrelevant). Thus the body is treated in licentiousness or asceticism.
  • The biblical God is an inferior deity, levels beneath the true deity.
  • Enlightenment is intellectual and mystical more than moral or practical.
  • Gnostics use a similar vocabulary to Christians, but the terms have vastly different meanings. (See 2 Corinthians 11:3-4.)
  • This heresy addressed in several other NT books: Colossians, 1 Timothy, 1 John, and the Gospel of John.
  • Gnosticism is resurgent in modern New Age Movement.
• About ancient letters
  • Although to us 2 John, like the next epistle in the N.T., seems very short. And yet in the ancient world, private letters were usually around 90 words. Figures in literature typically penned letters twice that length. Papyrus sheets normally accommodated around 200 words.
  • Compare with Paul's shortest epistle, Philemon is 335 words. Romans is 7114 words!
  • For these longer epistles, sheets of papyrus were joined and rolled -- the scroll.

1 The elder to the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth, and not only I but also all who know the truth, 2 because of the truth that abides in us and will be with us forever:

3 Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us from God the Father and fromJesus Christ, the Father’s Son, in truth and love. 4 I was overjoyed to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we have been commanded by the Father. 

• The elder (the aged John) is writing to "the lady," warning about the bad influence of Gnostic (Docetist) teachers who are spreading their erroneous ideas from house to house.
• Who are the lady and her children?
  • She is either a church (the preferred interpretation) or an individual woman (minority interpretation). See 1 Pet 5:13 for a parallel.
  • Accordingly, the "children" are members of the church, or else literal children.
  • It is quite possible that John is writing to an individual house church. (Remember, larger Christian meetings come in the 4th century, not the 1st.)
• The truth (vv.2-4) is objective, not subjective; practical, not theoretical. Walking in the truth means living in love.
  • This is integral to the Christian walk, since it is relational.
  • It is also evidently lacking among the heretics, further evidence that they have left the way of Jesus.

5 But now, dear lady, I ask you, not as though I were writing you a new commandment, but one we have had from the beginning, let us love one another. 6 And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment just as you have heard it from the beginning—you must walk in it.

• The issues affecting this house church issue from a lack of love. Resolving them will require love -- love for others and love for God.
• True love for God means obeying him (see John 14). Although it may not feel natural in our church culture, in biblical culture, obedience and love are inseparable.
• Keeping Jesus' commandments makes us more loving, particularly because so many of them have to do with relationships:
  • Loving our enemies
  • Being generous
  • Forgiveness, even when we cannot trust or continue the relationship with the offender
  • Praying with awareness of our own need for forgiveness
  • Striving for humility
  • Dealing with conflict directly -- privately at first, and then publicly if necessary
  • Reaching out to the lost
  • Sharing with the needy in the church (especially)
  • Crossing boundaries and flouting the conventions of a prejudiced society

7 Many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh; any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist! 8 Be on your guard, so that you do not lose what wehave worked for, but may receive a full reward. 9 Everyone who does not abide in the teaching of Christ, but goes beyond it, does not have God; whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. 

• The false teachers denied the incarnation (v.7). See also John 1:14; Col 2:9.
  • This is the spirit of the antichrist.
  • They "run ahead" of the teachings of Christ.
  • Early heretics tended to accept Jesus' divinity, but rejected his humanity. Modern heretics have reversed this.
• Are there degrees of reward at the judgment (v.8)? Yes. This is a common N.T. teaching (e.g. Matt 6:20; 19:21), as we have discussed previously.
   

10 Do not receive into the house or welcome anyone who comes to you and does not bring this teaching; 11 for to welcome is to participate in the evil deeds of such a person.

• We mustn't condone or endorse the false teachers (vv.10-11).
  • Our ministry has no part in their ministry.
  • Notice that these are not only false teachers, but false Christians.
    • We all make errors, and no one has "arrived."
    • But when central Christian doctrines are discarded or distorted, salvation is in jeopardy.
• Verse 10 says we are not to accept him (as a teacher) in our house [church].

12 Although I have much to write to you, I would rather not use paper and ink; instead I hope to come to you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete. 13 The children of your elect sister send you their greetings.

• John has more to say, but he wisely comments that the best communication is done face to face (v.12).
• His wish is for their joy. (See a similar thought in Phil 1:25.)
• In verse 13 the elder conveys greetings from his church to his recipients.
• "Elect sister" has no connotation of Calvinism.

Conclusion
Though 2 John is a short letter, it yields many lessons for us today:

• Worldly philosophy may masquerade as Christianity. Watch out!
• The incarnation is a central doctrine of Christianity. To deny it is to deny Christ.
• The antichrist is not necessarily one individual.
• Despite temptations to run ahead, we must remain with the gospel message of Christ.
• There is a clear dividing line between genuine Christianity and pseudo-christianity.
• Communication is best done in person. Written communication is okay, telephone is better, but in person is best.

Thought questions:

• Do I draw the line where God draws the line vis-à-vis core Christian teachings? How do I feel about those who reject one or more of these teachings? Am I indignant, or do I fail to see the seriousness of the situation?
• For example, do I accept the implications of verses 7-9, that those who deny the incarnation (Jehovah's Witnesses, Unitarians, Muslims, and others) do not have God?
• Do I tend to deal with problems in letters and emails, when phone calls and face-to-face communication would be more helpful? Are I more comfortable with the more indirect modes of communication? (If so, why?)

For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ website.

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5:1 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christhas been born of God, and everyone who loves the parent loves the child. 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. 3 For the love of God is this, that we obey his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome, 4 for whatever is born of God conquers the world. And this is the victory that conquers the world, our faith. 5 Who is it that conquers the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

• Those who accept that Jesus (the fully human, earthly man) is the Christ (the Messiah) are the Christians, not those who replace Jesus with a spirit or apparition or any subhuman theology.
• It isn't possible to accept God while rejecting the biblical Jesus (v.1).
  • When we are close to someone who becomes a parent, we rejoice in the birth of the child.
  • The Gnostics took little pleasure in the real, historical Jesus—a sign they did not have a relationship with God. (See John 3:18.)
• Loving God means obeying his commandments (v.3), as in John 14:15, 23-24. It is unthinkable that one could be faithful to God while being willfully disobedient to him. See Matt 11:28-30.
  • His commands are not burdensome, when kept out of a faithful heart.
  • In Deut 30:11-20 God assured the Israelites of the same thing.
• Obedience lifts the burdens of sin, bad relationships, meaningless living, and more. Faith overcomes the world (v.5). It leads to obedience, and obedience to God leads to victory.

6 This is the one who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ, not with the water only but with the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one that testifies, for the Spirit is the truth. 7 There are three that testify:8 the Spirit and the water and the blood, and these three agree. 9 If we receive human testimony, the testimony of God is greater; for this is the testimony of God that he has testified to his Son. 10 Those who believe in the Son of God have the testimony in their hearts. Those who do not believe in Godhave made him a liar by not believing in the testimony that God has given concerning his Son. 11 And this is the testimony: 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.

• In vv.6-12, John assures us that to enjoy the Christian life we must have the correct Christ. A similar idea is expressed in 2 Corinthians 11:3-4.
• Jesus came by water and blood.
  • This refers to his humanity, over against the Gnostic claim that he was not God incarnate, or that the Spirit of God left him before the crucifixion. In the ancient world, it was widely believed that humans were composed of water and blood.
  • It may also be an allusion to John 19:34, where, while Jesus hung dead on the cross, both blood and water gushed from his side when the Roman soldier pierced it.
  • Click to read about the Johannine Comma of verse 7.

13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.

• Can we know we're saved?
  • Isn't “arrogant” to claim we are on the narrow road? Is it wrong to “judge” our own salvation?
  • Not according to John (v.13). 
• Those eager to live for Christ know that a saving faith is an active faith (James 2:14-26).
• They learn to accept God’s grace, struggling less and less with trusting Christ for eternal life, ever growing in confidence.
• The Bible is clear: you can absolutely know you are saved.
• Further to verse 13, some ask whether we are only saved at the judgment day. Click here for further discussion.

14 And this is the boldness we have in 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 obtained the requests made of him. 16 If you see your brother or sistercommitting what is not a mortal sin, you will ask, and Godwill give life to such a one—to those whose sin is not mortal. There is sin that is mortal; I do not say that you should pray about that. 17 All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin that is not mortal.

• How can we be sure God will answer our prayers?
  • The prayer must be according to God's will (v.14).
  • Often against this truth, the modern “Word-Faith” movement (followed by so many evangelical churches) teaches that if you believe it, it will happen.
    • This is based on Mark 11:24 (out of context), ignoring the hyperbole.
    • This is also the spirit of paganism: We can manipulate the gods to get what we want.
• What is “the sin that leads to death” (v.16)?
  • In the context of 1 John, it is probably related to the errors of Gnosticism in rejecting the true Christ and falling away (see Heb 6:4-6).
  • James tells us that death is the end-result of full-grown sin (James 1:13-15).
  • Another idea: We can be forgiven for any sin that we will repent of, but if someone is unwilling to repent, it won’t help to pray for their forgiveness. This principle is also found in Jeremiah 11:14 and 14:11.
  • For more on the sin that leads to death (v.16), click here.

18 We know that those who are born of God do not sin, but the one who was born of God protects them, and the evil one does not touch them. 19 We know that we are God’s children, and that the whole world lies under 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.

• Being born again means that we will not continue to sin (v.18).
  • Not that we'll never sin, but that we won't continue in a sinful lifestyle.
  • See also Hebrews 10:26-31.
• We can be confident that we will be kept safe from the evil one.
• John isn't reneging on his word that we must walk in the light (1:7), confess sin (1:9), obey the commandments and follow Jesus (2:3-6) and love our brother (4:19-21), etc.
• The whole world is under the control of the evil one (v.19), but we follow one who is even more powerful (v.20), who is truly man and also truly God.
  • Exactly how Satan controls the world through his spiritual forces (Eph 6:10-12) is never spelled out in scripture.
    • This is despite the plethora of books postulating the exact mechanisms ("spiritual warfare").
    • It is certain, however, that he has considerable dominion over the earth. No one but a true believer escapes his control.

21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols.

• The striking final verse (v.21) fits well with the theme of 1 John.
  • What are the “idols” which he warns us against if not the false concepts of Jesus and God taught by the Gnostics?
  • A wrong-headed concept of Jesus is a dangerous thing: by it a man or woman can be lost just as surely as by the true Jesus a man or woman will be saved.
• To follow the Lord we must keep ourselves from idols.
• Tomorrow we will study 2 John, which has been called "1 John in miniature." 

Thought questions:

• How do you feel about the truths of verses 3 and 13? Do his commands feel burdensome, or do you doubt your salvation? If so, what is to be learned from this chapter?
• Can you summarize the errors of Gnostic theology? It is important to understand their distorted concepts of Christ, sin, the world, the light, and God. Do you see how what you have learned will help you better understand 1 John and other N.T. documents dealing with Gnosticism?
• When I see my brothers and sisters sinning, compromising their faith, do I pray for them? Do I want them to pray for me when I myself am drifting?

For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ website.

4:1 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 Jesusis not from God. And this is the spirit of the antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming; and now it is already in the world. 4 Little children, you are from God, and have conquered them; for the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 5 They are from the world; therefore what they say is from the world, and the world listens to them. 6 We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us, and whoever is not from God does not listen to us. From this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.

• The term “spirits” (v.1) is equivalent to “prophetic messages.”
  • The same word “spirit” is rendered prophecy in 2 Thess 2:2.
  • The idea is similar to that in 1 Thess 5:20-21.
• The point: don’t be duped by false prophets. God’s true Spirit always works in harmony with God’s Word and will never teach, tolerate or lead us into error.
• Are there prophets today? Click here.
• The world—and this includes pagans and the worldly religious—accepts worldly thinking and excuses, approving of the messages of the false prophets (vv.4-6).
  • Anyone on the side of truth will eventually join us—or we will join him.
  • Our focus should not be “Who’s right?”, but “What’s right?” Begin with the truth in God’s word, then apply it relentlessly and accept the conclusions.
  • Can a Gnostic Christian be saved? Click here.

7 Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9 God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. 

• Verses 7-10 are poetic, and based on an ancient Christian hymn.
• Love is revealed by action, particularly by going.

11 Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us. 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 do testify that the Father has sent his Son as the Savior of the world. 15 God abides in those who confess that Jesus is the Son of God, and they abide in God. 16 So we have known and believe the love that God has for us.

• Love is the very nature of God (vv.7-11). It is impossible to understand real love without appreciating the cross of Christ.
• In regard to vv.12-15, no one has ever fully, completely seen God (John 1:18; Isa 55:8-9), though at times God has made one aspect or another of himself visible (Exod 34, for example).
  • We see God in the person of Jesus as recorded in the Bible (Col 2:9). But today Jesus is at the right hand of the Father, and through his spirit he lives in his body, the church (Eph 1:22-23; 2:22).
  • Although God is invisible, he is seen in Christian relationships. It’s so difficult to lead someone to Christ without his or her seeing the community of faith. The abstract becomes concrete in the fellowship of the saints.

God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them. 17 Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness on the day of judgment, because as he is, so 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 reached perfection in love. 

• In regard to vv.16-18, believers in Christ possess spiritual confidence.
• Fear has to do with punishment. Christians know they’re forgiven, and perfect (mature, complete) love drives out fear. We revere God (a good sort of fear), but we don’t stand in terror of God (the bad sort), for three reasons:
  • We're already acquainted with him (he's no stranger), and we're confident about his unchanging nature. A true Christian need not fear death. We don't fear him because we know him.
  • God has assured us in Christ that he'll do anything to get us to heaven. The cross is a powerful disclosure of his heart. "For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him” (John 3:17).
  • He sets our hearts at peace, providing us with forgiveness and the gift of a good conscience (Heb 9:14). When we're living right, our hearts are at rest. This should be the “default setting” of a disciple of Christ. At his return Christ will bring salvation to those waiting for him (Hebrews 9:28).
• What will the judgment day be like for Christians? Will our lives be reviewed in order to determine whether we go to heaven or hell, or merely to determine some level of reward in heaven?
  • All believers will appear before the judgment seat (2 Cor 5:10).
  • We are not saved by our works (Eph 2:8-9), but we are rewarded according to our works (Matt 25:21). Before death we know that we are saved (1 John 5:13) and thus be confident and unashamed before God at his coming (2:28).
    • Jesus frequently mentions treasures in heaven (Matt 6:20).
    • Punishment, like reward, is in direct proportion to knowledge and responsibility (Luke 12:47-48). It is just not true that all get the same reward or punishment.
  • At the return of Christ we will:
    • receive the gift of eternal life (1 Cor 15:50, 53),
    • meet Jesus Christ, and
    • become like him (3:2).

19 We love because he first loved us. 20 Those who say, “I love God,” and hate their brothers or sisters, are liars; for those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen. 21 The commandment we have from him is this: those who love God must love their brothers and sisters also.

• As John puts it in 4:20, if we claim to love the (invisible) Lord while we don’t love our (visible) brother, we lie.
• It isn't logically possible to love God (who is invisible) if you don't love your brothers and sisters (who are visible).
• Contradictions to the claim that we love God -- all of which bring reproach on the Christian church -- include:
  • Bitterness and resentment (Heb 12:15).
  • Racism and prejudice, which are forms of hatred (Gal 5:20). It has been accurately observed, “11:00 on Sunday morning is the most segregated hour of the week.”
  • Refusal to connect relationally with other Christians. Isolation contributes to denominationalism (1 Cor 1:10-12; 3:16-17; John 17:20-23).
  • Fragmenting or fractured marriages (Eph 5:22-33).
  • Disrespectful treatment of others, violating the spirit of love (1 Cor 13:1-8).
  • Lack of forgiveness -- which is damnable (Matt 6:14-15).
• Love is the bottom line.
  • A true Christian must actively love God, his brothers and sisters in the faith, and the lost.
  • These truths -- a personal walk with God, involvement in the church, and commitment to evangelism -- we hold to be (biblically) self-evident.

Thought questions:

• Am I spiritually gullible, or am I cautiously skeptical, testing everything by the Word?
• Are we walking confidently before God and man? How do we feel about the judgment?
• Does the church you attend reflect local demographics, or is there a lack of love for those who are different from the norm?

For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ website.

1 See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed. What we do know is this: when he is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is. 3 And all who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.

• When we see the Lord (v.2), in the end, we will be like him.
  • This transformation begins now, in this life (Rom 12:2; 2 Cor 3:18; Rom 8:29).
  • This is God's "plan" for my life.
    • Western Christianity's individualistic obsession with "God's plan for my life" is neither biblical nor is it part of historic Christianity.
    • It is closely tied in with the "health & wealth" message embraced by hundreds of millions of evangelicals and charismatics.
    • This transformation requires suffering (Rom 8:17; 1 Pet 4:1). We are in the crucible!
    • God cares about character 1000x as much as he does career.
    • For more, please listen to the podcast Decision Making and the Will of God.
  • The hope of seeing God helps to keep us pure.
    • We live in the anticipation of seeing him (v.3). He inspires us.
    • Yet to meet him, we must be pure (Psalm 101:2; Habakkuk 1:13).

4 Everyone who commits sin is guilty of lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. 5 You know that he was revealed to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. 6 No one who abides in him sins; no one who sins has either seen him or known him. 7 Little children, let no one deceive you. Everyone who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. 8 Everyone who commits sin is a child of the devil; for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The Son of God was revealed for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil. 9 Those who have been born of God do not sin, because God’s seed abides in them; they cannot sin, because they have been born of God. 10 The children of God and the children of the devil are revealed in this way: all who do not do what is right are not from God, nor are those who do not love their brothers and sisters.

• Verse 4 gives us a compact definition of sin: violation of God’s moral law.
  • It is a personal affront to God, not an infraction of some arbitrary code.
  • Taking morality into our own hands (as our generation has done), refusing to submit to the sovereignty of God, asserting our own autonomy, or right to “update” the Bible to suit our whims -- this is lawlessness. See also Matt 7:23.
  • Law in verse 4 does not mean the same thing as the term in Romans and Galatians, where it refers to Torah.
• In verse 6, “continuing to sin” (present aspect in Greek—continuous action) means a lifestyle of unrepented sinfulness, as in Hebrews 10:26, not isolated acts of sin.
  • The Gnostics sinned and sinned boldly. To them, sin was a technicality, or some imperfection, since they considered themselves to be perfect already.
  • Jesus is sinless (John 8:46), so those who continue to sin have neither seen him (as he is) nor known him (Matt 7:23; 1 Cor 8:3).
• V.7 contains the phrase "does righteousness." Everyone who does righteousness is righteous. There is no authentic relationship with God if there is no seriousness about holiness -- about following Jesus' commandments!
• Satan will try to lead us astray (often through other people). Yet since God’s seed remains in us (v.9), we can't go on sinning (living a lifestyle of sin). (“Cannot” in the sense of our refusal, not our inability, since we always have free will.)
• This seed is the Word (Luke 8:11), which we must retain (Luke 8:15). “Once saved, always saved” is again shown to be a misguided notion!

11 For this is the message you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. 12 We must not be like Cain who was from the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own deeds were evil and his brother’s righteous. 13 Do not be astonished, brothers and sisters, that the world hates you. 14 We know that we have passed from death to life because we love one another. Whoever does not love abides in death. 15 All who hate a brother or sister are murderers, and you know that murderers do not have eternal life abiding in them. 16 We know love by this, that he laid down his life for us—and we ought to lay down our lives for one another. 17 How does God’s love abide in anyone who has the world’s goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help?

• The false teachers resemble Cain (v.11).
  • Like the false Christians of Romans 3 and 6, they claimed that sinning magnified God’s grace in forgiving sins.
  • The term “antinomian” means that they maintained a lawless position with regard to sin and righteousness (anti + nomos = against + law)
• Further to verse 12, the Cainite Gnostics taught that Cain was the good guy (not Abel), that the Sodomites were spiritual persons who should never have been destroyed, and that Balaam was a righteous man.
  • Why? Remember that the Gnostics typically abhorred the OT god.
  • The enemies of the god of the OT were their friends. (The enemy of my enemy is my friend.)
• True love is sacrificial (v.14ff).
  • 1 John 3:16 is John 3:16 at the human level, just as John 3:16 is 1 John 3:16 at the divine level.
  • Cain didn't love Abel; rather than sacrificing in a godly manner, he “sacrificed” his own brother. Towards the end of the first century more and more false Christians betrayed their spiritual brothers and sisters to death.
  • Turning in a Christian, especially a non-Roman citizen or a slave, would likely lead to the execution of that individual -- assuming he refused to worship Caesar as Lord. One mark of the false Christian is unwillingness to be persecuted, especially to be martyred.
• John suggests one more easy test for true and false Christianity: How do those who claim to be disciples sacrifice to meet the needs of those less fortunate? See James 2:14-26, and also Gal 6:10.

18 Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action. 19 And by this we will know that we are from the truth and will reassure our hearts before him 20 whenever our hearts condemn us; for God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. 21 Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have boldness before God; 22 and we receive from him whatever we ask, because we obey his commandments and do what pleases him.

• “Setting our hearts at rest” (v.19) has been misunderstood. John isn't encouraging us to feel good about ourselves if we aren't walking in the light.
  • Misinterpreting Col 3:15, some religious teachers insist anything that upsets you—anything that takes away “the peace of Christ” should be avoided. This is bogus.
  • Those with hypersensitive consciences or more “accused” personalities may often find that “their hearts condemn them.” They need encouragement.
• When we've committed ourselves to loving others and are laying down our lives for them, God sees our hearts and does not condemn us.
  • We may feel unworthy, but our actions show where we really stand before God.
  • When we love “in truth and action” our hearts will be at rest before God because our consciences will be at peace!
  • Attempts to feel good spiritually apart from obedience to God are misguided. Here are three simple tests, each inherent in the message of 1 John, which we can apply:
    • Do I actively seek to alleviate the suffering of my fellow human beings?
    • Am I fulfilling my commission to spread the Word?
    • Do I expect others who are in Christ to walk in the light?
• And when our hearts are at rest, we receive what we pray for (v.22).
  • This is not the mechanical theology called "Word-faith," which is based on a misunderstanding of Jesus' (hyperbole) in Mark 11:24.
  • We are focused and spiritual in our prayers.
  • See a similar thought in James 1:2-6.

23 And this is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. 24 All who obey his commandments abide in him, and he abides in them. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit that he has given us.

• Finally, we know he abides in us by the Spirit he gave us (24).
  • This is not because of some feeling we have, either because we can feel the Spirit or because the Spirit makes us feel good.
  • Nor do we know by virtue of the fact that we were baptized (Acts 2:38).
  • Rather, we know the Lord is living in us because of the effects of his Spirit in us.
    • These are practical love and other elements in the fruit of the Spirit.
    • To the extent that these effects are absent, Christ is not dwelling in us richly.
• The more we surrender to his Spirit, the more we will enjoy walking in the light—which is walking in his steps—and the more he will use us to spread the Word in this world.

Thought questions:

• Am I growing spiritually, actively purifying myself through the hope of seeing the Lord?
• When is the last time I helped a brother or sister in physical need?
• Is my heart at rest? Do I generally have confidence that my prayers make a difference?

For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ website.

18 Children, it is the last hour! As you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. From this we know that it is the last hour. 19 They went out from us, but they did not belong to us; for if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us. But by going out they made it plain that none of them belongs to us.

• It is the last hour (v.18).
  • John is stressing the theological urgency of the situation, more than the chronological nearness of the end of the world.
  • At any rate, all disciples must always be ready for the end; Jesus promised he would come as a thief.
  • The precise meaning of the “last hour” (v.18) is difficult to pin down.
    • Maybe it refers to the end of the world. This view is not without obvious difficulties; it does, however, follow on smoothly from verse 17. If this is correct, are we still in the last hour? Did it come and go, or are we still “on stand-by” till the end?
    • Some hold that it refers to the final years before the Destruction of Jerusalem (Matthew 24), in which case these were the final days of Judaism, or Christianity within Judaism—enjoying imperial protection. Things were to heat up considerably for the Christians after 70 AD!
    • Perhaps it alludes to the last hour in the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard (Matthew 20:12), and thus refers to the influx of Gentiles into the church. Could the Holy Spirit be revealing that, for the Christians in Asia Minor, persecution might soon eradicate the faith in that part of the world? In other words, it’s the “last hour” locally, not globally, for these disciples.
    • Or maybe this is a reference to Paul’s prophecy in 2 Timothy 4:3.
    • Or yet again to Jesus’ oracle (Matthew 24:12-14, 24). Many passages speak of disciples being led away from the truth.
• The antichrist (v.18) is not necessarily one evil individual.
  • Many antichrists have come.
  • They were denying the teachings of Christ and sacrificial lifestyle demanded of his followers.
  • They also denied the incarnation.
  • For more on antichrist, listen to the podcast on The Antichrist. (Login required.)
• "They went out from us" and "did not really belong to us" (v.19).
  • This doesn't necessarily mean they never belonged. Rather, their decisions and beliefs were (or became) contrary to correct Christian teaching.
  • Possibly these Gnostics have Jewish roots and “went out” (v.19) from the church to return to the synagogue, to escape persecution. The false prophets (4:1-6) would likely have permitted their adherents to worship in their own way, even if that meant a return to established religion (Judaism). But, there's no way to be saved apart from the truth of Christ—and the Christ of truth (2:23).

20 But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and all of you have knowledge. 21 I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and you know that no lie comes from the truth. 22 Who is the liar but the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, the one who denies the Father and the Son. 23 No one who denies the Son has the Father; everyone who confesses the Son has the Father also. 24 Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you will abide in the Son and in the Father. 25 And this is what he has promised us, eternal life.

• What is the "anointing" (v.20)? The false teachers whom John is refuting claimed that extra, esoteric, mystical knowledge was necessary in order to fully apprehend the truth
• Denying Jesus is the Christ (v.22) isn't to affirm you are a non-Christian. The claim -- in context -- is the denial that the earthly, fully human Jesus is the Christ (Messiah, or anointed one).

26 I write these things to you concerning those who would deceive you. 27 As for you, the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and so you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, abide in him.

• Gnosticism was a highly speculative religion/philosophy. John counters by affirming that all Christians already have the truth.
• Of course no one has "all knowledge" (1 Cor 13:2).
• We have no need for anyone to teach us the gospel all over again, or and add to it. Our Christian foundation was not defective.
• The “anointing” (v.27) refers to the original, pristine, apostolic doctrine which is both immutable and inimitable.
  • Jesus had promised that the Spirit would see to that (John 14:26 and 16:13). We need no teacher to explain the real faith to us, because we've already been taught, through the apostles.
  • Therefore no one needs to teach us the truth; we learned it when we first came to know the Lord. Jeremiah 31:34, with Hebrews 8:10-11, continues this thought. The claim that God did not come in the flesh is gravely wrong (v.22ff).
  • Verse 21 shows that “knowing the truth” is equivalent to “receiving the anointing” (2:20, 27).
  • The liar rejects the sufficiency of this “anointing.” He denies that Jesus is the Messiah (the Anointed One).
• The liar’s teaching is counterfeit; it resembles the genuine article, but up close its cheapness and uselessness become evident.
• In Isaiah 61:1, anointing refers to the Messiah. It is not right, in my opinion, for a modern-day preacher to claim to have God's "anointing" on him in an exclusive way. 

28 And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he is revealed we may have confidence and not be put to shame before him at his coming. 29 If you know that he is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who does right has been born of him.

• We should feel “confident and unashamed” (v.28) when we understand the power of Christ’s cleansing blood (1:7-2:2).
  • See 3:19-21 for the continuation of this thought.
  • Ironically, the false teachers were also confident (arrogantly so) and unashamed (though they should have been).
• John also reminds us that true Christians not only “talk right,” they also “walk right” (v.29).
• Back to the Docetists:
  • Their sinful lifestyle confirms that their prophets are false (Matthew 7:15-20).
  • Whether they’d (initially) crossed from death to life is irrelevant; they were now living for themselves.
  • When we live for self, the Bible says, we’re dead even while we live (1 Timothy 5:6).
• God's true children ("born of him") live righteously, in the light.

Thought questions:

• Am I easily influenced by novel and attractive doctrines? (See also Ephesians 4:14 and Hebrews 13:9.)
• “Confident and unashamed” (v.28) -- does this describe my walk with Jesus Christ? If I were to be ushered into his presence now, how would I feel?

For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ website.

2:1 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 and he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.

• Forgiveness (v.1) -- this is great news! Not that we should abuse God’s kindness, but in case we do sin (and we all do—let’s be honest), Jesus is right there speaking in our defense.
• Advocate, counselor, paraklete (v.1).
• Christ does not rationalize our sin through slick argument, but neutralizing it through his atoning blood. Would that the whole world grasped this and experienced it (2:2)!
• Some see in verse 2 a promise of ultimate redemption for everybody. This false doctrine is called universalism.
  • And yet 1 John does not teach that everybody will be saved, only that God wants everyone to be saved. The Lord will never force anyone against his or her will.
  • Rather, we should see 2:2 as a reflection of God's heart, longing that all would accept the message of Christ and be saved.

3 Now by this we may be sure that we know him, if we obey his commandments. 4 Whoever says, “I have come to know him,” but does not obey his commandments, is a liar, and in such a person the truth does not exist; 5 but whoever obeys his word, truly in this person the love of God has reached perfection. By this we may be sure that we are in him: 6 whoever says, “I abide in him,” ought to walk just as he walked.

• Verses 3-6 are a clear passage on the commitment the Lord demands.
• It silences the opposition of those who insist that uncommitted people can be saved.
• Walking as Jesus did is not walking in sandals or walking on water. As we have seen, the walking of 2:6 is equivalent to the walking in the light of 1:7.
• There is a tremendous difference between knowing someone and knowing about someone. According to Jesus (Matthew 7:21-23), countless individuals confuse knowing about the Lord with knowing him personally. Obedience is the key. (See also 1 Corinthians 8:3.)
• There is no contradiction between living as a committed Christian and salvation by grace through the blood of Jesus. In fact, grace is designed to bring us into an obedient relationship with Christ.
• John speaks of "commandments" (v.4), which for some may be uncomfortable language. Yet Jesus did give us numerous commandments (e.g. Matt 5-7), and expects obedience.

7 Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment that you have had from the beginning; the old commandment is the word that you have heard. 8 Yet I am writing you a new commandment that is true in him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining. 9 Whoever says, “I am in the light,” while hating a brother or sister, is still in the darkness. 10 Whoever loves a brother or sister lives in the light, and in such a person there is no cause for stumbling. 11 But whoever hates another believer is in the darkness, walks in the darkness, and does not know the way to go, because the darkness has brought on blindness.

• As in marriage, without commitment (faithfulness) the relationship sours and is eventually destroyed.
• The command about love (v.7ff) was old (Deuteronomy 6:5; Leviticus 19:18; Matthew 22:37-40), but also new, because now we can see clearly what we need to do by imitating God in the flesh (John 13:34). The command to live as Jesus did is all about love (2:5), because the Christian’s life revolves around people.
• The truth of this command is seen “in him and you”: in the life of Christ and in our life as his body, the church of Christ.
• Those who had left the fellowship didn't love their brothers. It seems John is saying that those who leave the church, who do not keep their commitment of love to God and the family of God, “hate” their spiritual siblings.
• Whoever hates his brother is in darkness.
  • There are enemies of the truth (see Acts 13:10) an enemies of the cross (Phil 3:18).
  • Yet Christians do not have personal enemies (persons we hate). That is why bitterness, violence, retaliation, and hatred in all its forms are so opposed to the message of Christ.
• Ironically, John says that darkness blinds us (v.11).

12 I am writing to you, little children,
    because your sins are forgiven on account of his name.
13 I am writing to you, fathers,
    because you know him who is from the beginning.
I am writing to you, young people,
    because you have conquered the evil one.
14 I write to you, children,
    because you know the Father.
I write to you, fathers,
    because you know him who is from the beginning.
I write to you, young people,
    because you are strong
    and the word of God abides in you,
        and you have overcome the evil one.  

• Verses 12-14 are a poem, or song, which became familiar to the first century Christians. The rhyme and rhythm are evident in the Greek original, which is why most translators set it out in verse form.
• “Children” (v.12) isn't referring to infants or toddlers. It's those of us who have become children of God through the new birth. “My dear children” is one of John’s favorite descriptions of those who are in Christ.
  • Our sins were forgiven through the name of Jesus, but when? At baptism, as Acts 2:38 and 22:16 make clear.
  • The way to overcome the evil one is to let the word of Christ dwell in you (Colossians 3:16; Psalm 119:9). John assures us that the victory is ours! We need to think of ourselves as overcomers.

15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. The love of the Father is not in those who love the world; 16 for all that is in the world—the desire of the flesh, the desire of the eyes, the pride in riches—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 And the world and its desire are passing away, but those who do the will of God live forever.

• The warning about loving the world (vv.15-17) reminds us of James 4:4.
• We are to love nothing in the world because it is not possible to serve more than one master (Luke 16:13).
• What is “worldliness”? The worldly man thinks about everything in relation to himself; the godly man in relation to God. And the bonus for the man who lives for God: eternal life.
• Those who had left the church for Docetic theology were, despite their religion, worldly to the core. The false Christians left the fellowship. They stopped going to church—the right church, that is. They started up their own!

Thought questions:

• Am I walking in the light? And is there any area of darkness in my life of which I am aware?
• Do I love my brothers and sisters? Is there hidden resentment or prideful independence that resists correction? Prejudice or hatred in any other form?
• Can I say with a clear conscience that the word of God lives in me?
• Am I worldly? What excites me more: my possessions, experiences, and accomplishments, or my walk with the Lord?

For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ website.

1 We declare to you what was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— 2 this life was revealed, and we have seen it and testify to it, and declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us— 3 we declare to you what we have seen and heard so that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4 We are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.

• John the apostle is confronting the false system of Docetism, as we learned yesterday. The docetic Christ wasn't physical -- hence John's emphasis that Jesus was tangible.
• According to verse 2, eternal life is available to all through Jesus Christ.
  • This suggests that none of us possesses it innately. Romans 6:23 tells us that eternal life is a gift we receive through Christ.
  • This implies that no one will truly live eternally who has not come through Jesus Christ. And yet what an incredible gift for those willing to receive it!
• Following the teachings of Docetism removed one from the fellowship.
• John has joy when the members in his sphere of influence (his ministry, here specifically in Asia Minor) are on track spiritually. It is deeply burdensome, for a leader, especially, when Christians are struggling with their faith and commitment (2 Cor 11:28-29).

5 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with him while we are walking in darkness, we lie and do not do what is true; 7 but if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.

• Is light perfection? No, light (John 3:19-21) is characteristic of God, his word and his people. In other words, judge these false Christians not just by their theology, but also by their morality.
• God is light -- and light has a strong moral component (Eph 4:17-19; 5:8-14).
  • Other chapters with the darkness-light theme are found in the letters of Paul (Romans 13, 2 Corinthians 6, Ephesians 5, 1 Thessalonians 5, etc), the letters of Peter (1 Peter 2), and especially in the four gospels.
  • Light and darkness don’t mix (vv.5-7), and woe to those who confuse the two (Isaiah 5:20)!
• “Walking in the light”—is this possible for a mere human?
  • Absolutely yes!
  • The Greek of v.6 has an interesting phrase: "do what is true."
• Walking in the light does not mean perfection, but an eagerness to obey Christ’s commands, especially (in 1 John) the command to love one another (2:6, 2:10). If it is impossible to walk in the light, then we are all lost, because walking as Jesus walked and walking in the light are one and the same.
• The opponents of John’s churches claimed to be in the light, but they were not, for two reasons:
  • They did not walk in the light; they did not walk as followers of Christ. (See 1 John 2:3-6.)
  • They were not in fellowship with other Christians. In fact they stood in opposition to the true disciples. (See 1 John 4:5-6.)

8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

• The Gnostics did not admit to wrong and claimed to be without sin (1:8-10).
• Walking in the light is not only not perfection; it is a lifestyle where there is the open admission of imperfection. It is parallel to “confessing our sins,” that is, being open about our lives and refusing to hide in the darkness (John 3:19-21).
• We are purified from sin even while we are sinning (vv.7-9), because (in our attitude) we are walking in the light.
  • Christians don't go back and forth from darkness to light unless they leave the Lord completely.
  • We have crossed from death to life; that’s settled. Once the bill is paid, we don’t go back to the cash register and “settle up” again! It’s paid.
  • Some Christians falsely imagine that when they sin they go back to the darkness, and when they confess they are forgiven again and come back into the light. What agony! What insecurity! What error! What a misunderstanding of grace -- a lapse into Galatians 3:3 theology!
• Confession is vital (v.9).
  • It needs to be a part of our lifestyle. It is part of walking in the light.
  • However, a Christian who fails to confess every sin is not going to be condemned. Imagine the scene at Judgment Day.
•  
  • Baptism and subsequent confession have been described as “a bath and a shower in the blood of Jesus."
    • We as Christians don’t need the bath again, but it sure feels good to “shower off’ the unrighteousness in the presence of God.
    • Recall Jesus' conversation with Peter in John 13.
• Why pray for forgiveness when our relationship with God is secure?
  • As an illustration, take marriage. When we sin against our spouse, we need to ask for forgiveness. For what purpose? To become married again, or to mend the relationship?
  • Christians ask for God’s forgiveness not that they might be spared from going to hell (that was taken care of in baptism), but that the personal relationship with God might be healed.
  • Salvation is no excuse for not asking for forgiveness when we have hurt God.

Thought questions:  

• When is the last time you faced temptation and said, “No, I am not going to give in, because that is darkness”? What things have you decided not to allow in your life because they belong to the darkness, and not to the light?
• Do you enjoy walking in the light, or does guilt prevent you?
• How free do you feel to confess your sins to other people? How have you seen that confession truly brings you into deeper fellowship with God and with others?

For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ website.

In the late first century, there were false concepts of Jesus circulating in the Christian world. Just as today there are numerous false Jesuses (perhaps best known is the one begging you to "accept" him, in exchange for nothing -- no commitment), so at the turn of the second century there was a false and idolatrous Jesus. This was being proclaimed in the churches where the apostle John, now an old man, had influence.

1 Jn 1 We declare to you what was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— 2 this life was revealed, and we have seen it and testify to it, and declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us— 3 we declare to you what we have seen and heard so that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.

• 1 John is a letter from the apostle to Christians in Asia Minor (modern Turkey).
• These inspired words are addressed to the second (third?) generation of Christians. A whole generation or two of believers has been converted and died; it’s up to their children to carry the torch.
• The letters of 1 and 2 John address a heresy called Gnosticism, and specifically a version of Gnosticism called Docetism. If you are unfamiliar with these doctrines, be sure to click on the links -- otherwise it will be difficult for you to fully understand these letters. There are other articles on Gnosticism at this website, too.

2 Jn 7 Many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh; any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist! 8 Be on your guard, so that you do not lose what we have worked for, but may receive a full reward. 9 Everyone who does not abide in the teaching of Christ, but goes beyond it, does not have God; whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. 10 Do not receive into the house or welcome anyone who comes to you and does not bring this teaching; 11 for to welcome is to participate in the evil deeds of such a person.

• Christians shouldn't say, “Philosophy and theology don’t matter; just read the Bible.” Training in how to read the Bible benefits us all. The fact is, words and ideas are powerful. We have a moral obligation not only to teach the truth clearly, but also to protect the church from the ravages of false teachers.
• There are a number of NT references that begin making sense when you realize the nature of the false doctrine being discussed.
  • Colossians 2:18-23 deals with ascetic regulations, and the specific heresy seems to be a fusion of Jewish and Gnostic philosophy.
  • 1 Timothy 6:20 addresses the Gnostic superiority complex (“what is falsely called knowledge”).
  • 1 and 2 John deal with Docetism. The docetic "Jesus" is nothing but an idol (1 John 5:21).
• John is emphatic that Jesus Christ came in a physical body (vv.1-3).
  • His life and person were open to verification through the physical senses: sight, hearing and touch.
  • Keep in mind that the Docetists are claiming that he came not in a physical body but as some sort of disembodied spirit.
• John insists he is a reliable eyewitness of Jesus Christ.
  • It really does matter whether Jesus existed, whether he physically came to earth as a man, preached, loved, and resisted temptation in the flesh, whether he physically died on a cross and bodily rose from the dead (1 Cor 15)!
  • John stresses here not the divinity of Jesus, but his humanity, which was being questioned.
    • So, was Jesus 50% human and 50% divine? No! He was 100% human and 100% divine.
    • As an illustration, Gatorade is totally wet and completely lime-green—100% of each—both at the same time. There are two natures, yet neither excludes the other.
    • In the same way, Jesus is human and divine.
• Why the mention of fellowship in 1:3?
  • The false teachers, influenced by the Gnostics, had left the fellowship.
  • Either you are in the fellowship or out of it (in both senses of the phrase!).
  • The Gnosticized Christians had “gone out” (1 John 2:19); their new “church” was not in fellowship with the real disciples—they had nothing in common.
• A modern day phenomenon that is sweeping away many people tired of traditional religion is New Age religion.
  • This is a fusion of eastern mysticism and western concepts, with elements of astrology, pantheism, meditation, the occult and a good deal of snob appeal.
  • Enlightenment is sought within, rather than without—at the foot of the cross of Christ. This is the central flaw of this and many other quasi-religious movements.
  • Sin is downplayed, and the language of love, unity, freedom and tolerance masks the true heart of the movement, which throbs with rebellion and individualism. The movement takes strong exception to the doctrines of sin, judgment, righteousness, hell, and other doctrines clearly set out in the Bible.
  • The message is promoted in such bestsellers as
    • The Celestine Prophecy
    • The Care of the Soul
    • A New Earth
    • The Power of Now
    • A Course in Miracles
    • Four Agreements
• For an exploration of Gnosticism, with a survey of five Gnostic gospels, see my audio set The Lost Books of the Bible (IPI: Spring, Texas, 2007).
• The material in this and the next 5 or 10 lessons has been adapted from chapter 17 of my book James, Peter, John, Jude.  Re-read prologue