1 John 3:23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.
24 And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.
These verses again repeat the three features of this epistle, believing, loving, and obeying, which are the major evidences of true salvation. John has combined in this chapter the importance of true faith in Christ and true love for others. Because we are believers in the Lord Jesus Christ he has given us permission to use His name to pray to the Father. Also because we keep His commandments we dwell with Him and Him in us. The Spirit gives internal assurance to corroborate the external testimony of true faith, active love, and consistent obedience. This chapter has taught us about faith, love, and obedience so let straighten these qualities by attending a good Bible believing church today that preaches the truth of God’s word.
1 John 3:20 For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.
21 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.
22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.
These verses start off by telling us that sometimes we may sometimes have doubts. This is when God is at His best to justify us even when would condemn ourselves. He sees not only our actions but also the motives and intentions behind them. Next we see when a Christian recognizes in his life the manifestation of love in deeds and actions, it results in confidence about his relationship with God. When we have this confidence and know the benefits of sharing the love of God and keeping His commandments we can ask anything of Him and He will answer. Since love is the heart of obedience to the law, its presence in a life evidences submission to God which He blesses by answered prayers. We just always need to remember to try and live a life pleasing to God
1 John 3:18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
19 And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.
John carries love a little bit further here by telling us that we are not to love by just speaking or giving lip service to someone, but to love with our actions and in truth. When we talk about helping someone it accomplishes nothing. We must put those words into action and help in any way we can. Because we love people with our actions and be truthful in doing what we do we demonstrate proof of our salvation. We know we will have no regrets, if when we stand before God, we have acted out the faith that we say we have. Our heart will not condemn us, if we know we have done the best we can by everyone.
1 John 3:16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
17 But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
Here again in verse 16 we see just how much God loved us by sending His Son to die for us. In turn the bible tells us there is no greater love than a man lay down his life for his friends. Then verse 17 shows us again that those who have more than they need and can not help out someone in need has not the love God in them. It is sad when you see people who do not have much give of what they have to help others and those that have a lot will do little or nothing at all to help someone. Let us strive each day to be what God wants us to be in not just giving material things but sharing the love God with the people we see each day.
1 John 3:14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.
15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.
John continues to emphasize how loving our brethren leads to life eternal with God in Heaven. Also that for those who loves not his brethren are facing eternal death in hell with Satan. He goes own to tell us that anyone who hates someone is a murderer. In God’s eyes, they may not have committed actual murder, but to Him because you have this hatred for someone you have committed murder in your heart. We also know that there is no place in heaven for murderers. Hate and greed rule the worldly people. Love and sharing is of the Christian. Hate brings death. Love brings life. One thing to remember is that these people with this hatred in their lives can be forgiven, and if they seek a true relationship with God, they will no longer live in a murderous nature.
1 John 3:11 For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.
12 Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous.
13 Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.
This first verse reminds us again that we are to love one another as Christ loved us. This is a central theme throughout all the New Testament. Also remember that Jesus said many times that love covers a multitude of sins. Showing love as should to our neighbor is a key factor in people seeing us as a child of god. In the next verse John shows us the opposite of love through the life of Cain, who was of the wicked one. Cain slew his own brother because his works were evil and Able’s works were righteous. So in verse thirteen we see that we are not to be surprised when we find out that most of the world hates us because we can show love to them because we are a child of God.
1 John 3:9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.
John continues the theme here of us who born of god or who have truly accepted Christ as their savior. He does not mean we can not sin but that the sin nature is gone and as we grow as Christians we are able to resist the temptations that Satan throws at us. Because we are truly born of God, He helps us as we grow to resist sinful nature. As we grow the desire to sin grows smaller if we are remaining in God. In verse 10 again he shows us if you are a child of God you are full of His spirit, and if you follow the devil you do not have the righteous of God nor do you have the love of God for your brother that a Christian should have. These scriptures tell us the fruit we bear reveals who we are. People who habitually sin are of the devil. Those who choose not to sin are of God. This does not mean that a Christian might not commit a single sin; it means that is not their way of life.
1 John 3 : 7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.
8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
John hear is reminding us again that we need to make sure we are listening to the truth of God’s word being taught to us. We should know that are deceivers out there today in churches who are watering down the word of God just to lure people in and lead them astray. If we hold true to righteousness God has put in us we we will remain righteous as God is righteous. John goes on to tell us for those that leading people astray are of the devil and quit simply this is telling us that we serve one or the other, there is no in between. Because the devil sinned from the beginning, Jesus was sent to us to destroy the works of the devil. As we go to God’s house today, and I hope you are going, let us go with the knowledge that we are going to hear the truth of God;s word so we can seek His righteousness. Remember, seek ye first the kingdom of God all kinds of blessings will be added to you.
1 john 3:5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.
6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.
These verses help us to see how we are to live without sin. Jesus came to this earth and lived a sinless life and took our sin upon Himself on the cross. We do not have to live with sin in our life if we put Christ first in our life. We are by no means perfect like Him but we are to strive daily to live the life He would have for us. It is a commitment we have to make every day to live a sin free life and ask for repentance when we fall. For those who proclaim to be Christians but continue to commit the same sin everyday never knew Jesus to begin with and until they decide to commit their lives to Him they will never know Him. If we are striving every day to abide in Christ then He will abide with us to help us to resist sin.
1 John 3:3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
These verses show us the hope we have if we keep ourselves pure. Verse 4 reminds us that even though we are under grace the law is still the standard by which we judged. When we sin today it is because we have transgressed against the law. But again if we will strive each day to keep our life in line with the will of God we know the hope that we hold dear of being in Heaven with Him will be a reality one day. This verse also lets us know that each and every one of us is responsible for own salvation.
"For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one." I John 5:7
