1 John Part 12

18Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. 19This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence 20whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. 1 John 3:18-20

I find the phrase "whenever our hearts condemn us" very interesting. I don't know a single Christian that hasn't felt condemnation within themselves at some point. If you have not doubted your salvation, you have for sure doubted the quality of your faith and your value to God. Jeremiah 17:9 says that the heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure.

It seems to me that this verse is saying that if you love in actions and truth, then our hearts will be assured of salvation and of our right standing with God. We do not need to run or hide from God.


The Next Level

Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God 22and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him. 1 John 3:21-22

Now that we have assurance of salvation and we know the truth, we add to this foundation obedience. Because we are close to God and are obeying him, we then can receive from him anything we ask for. I believe it is largely because we will ask for the right things. We may ask for opportunities and favor in sharing the gospel rather than a shiny new bike like we did when we were children. But I also believe we receive special favor from God the more faithful we become.

This is true empowerment by the Holy Spirit. We quit with the old things of worrying about our standing with God and rest in his power and care. That is when we can start to truly live for him, free from the chains of doubt and false condemnation.

1 John Part 11

The way we treat each other is important

We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death. 15Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life in him.

16This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. 17If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? 18Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. 1 John 3:14-18

Sometimes we may be tempted to keep our faith between ourselves and God, and not let it influence us to get involved in the lives of others. We can philosophize and ponder why we are to reach out to others and not keep to ourselves, but the fact that God tells us to is enough. Understanding why helps, but it is not essential. Love one another.

How do we show love toward each other? John says we should lay down our lives for each other. Now if we need to die for one another we should be willing to do so, but the more difficult task is to daily put others' needs ahead of our own, to sacrifice our interests and well being for the sake of another.

Talk is cheap

Verse 18 shows that true love is shown in action, not words or 'feelings.' Words mean nothing if they are not backed up by action. Gary Chapman has come up with the concept of love languages, five different ways of showing love to others. The one that means the least to me is words of affirmation. It's probably because I've heard people make way too many promises and say things they didn't mean. How did I know they didn't mean it? Because their words were not backed up by actions. One actually has to do something to show love. Words alone don't count. The only time words mean something to me is if I can tell someone went out of their way to say something to me or I can tell it took courage for them to say what they did.

Love in truth

It's very important to note that love must take place in truth. Since true love is shown in actions, one must know the truth to know the proper actions to take. Glossing over sin is not love. Saying there are many ways to heaven is not love. Avoiding conflict is not love when the conflict is necessary. Doing something that's wrong or misguided even when you have the best of intentions is not loving, even if you meant the action to show love.

1 John Part 10

Hope they hate us for the right reasons.

This is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another. 12Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil and his brother's were righteous. 13Do not be surprised, my brothers, if the world hates you. 1 John 3:11-13

I mentioned this subject briefly in my last post. The world hates Christians. This is a fact. The question is, 'Why?' Why do they hate us?

Part of the reason is Christians that do not act like Christ - ones that are mean, greedy, sticks in the mud, etc. I never hated all Christians before I came to Christ, but the televangelists and the self righteous ones that I saw were not my favorites. And if that's all you saw, then I'd imagine you wouldn't have a real high opinion of Christians.

I think I hear this line of thinking quite a bit in the church, mostly because we as American Christians know we fall short in many ways and carry quite a bit of guilt over it. We've lived through the legalism of dress codes and a culture of judgment rather than forgiveness. We've been guilty of getting too comfortable in our life to make real changes and be convicted of our sins. I just don't think that this is as big a reason as Christians may think.

People hate us because we stand for what is right. We are the do gooder righteous folk that think we have all the answers for people. We don't drink or swear. Even if you don't say one word to someone, if they're drinking and you're not, you are likely to take heat for it. You'll be made fun of for your clean speech. Just wait until someone finds out that you tithe. You're crazy. John says it pretty plainly using the example of Cain and Abel; if your actions are righteous and the other person's actions are not, you will be hated. It's not because you didn't present yourself in a relevant manner or you came on too strong; you're hated because you're a Christian. Sometimes it really is that simple.

This doesn't give you license to act like a punk; you'll be hated no matter what, right? We are told to answer non believers with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15), and to make the most of every opportunity (Ephesians 5:16). You can't do these things while acting like a jerk. Of course if you realized that you are where you are only by the grace of God this won't be a problem.

Don't be surprised

I think I also need to emphasize what John says about not being surprised if the world hates you. I think I am still surprised by the world's reaction to Christians and Christian principles, probably because society used to respect Christian principles for the most part. This is not the case anymore. This should not surprise me or shock me the way it does sometimes. In a sense things are getting back to normal in America since it is more against Christians every day.

So when some government official goes out of their way to remove a Christian reference, a store refuses to mention the word "Christmas," or other religions are given preferential treatment, I need to remember to not be surprised.

1 John Part 9

Out of control

Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness. 5But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin. 6No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him. 1 John 3:4-6

Sin is lawlessness. Sin is so ugly. What do you think or feel when you think about lawlessness? A bad neighborhood? A corrupt region where the weak are victimized? Lawlessness comes from the human heart, and we all have the potential for lawlessness in us. The law keeps us under control to the extent that we obey the law. When we do not obey the law, lawlessness exists and we are out of control. The ugliness we see in bad neighborhoods and corrupt regions of the world is present in every human heart.

Jesus came to take this sin and lawlessness away from us. He came that we might become self-controlled. Self-control is one of the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:23).

So, once we know the sinless one who took away our sins, we will not keep on sinning. We know from context that this means a lifestyle and direction of sin, not that we will never commit a single sin the rest of our lives. It only makes sense that if we live in the sinless one that we will not keep on sinning.

It also makes sense that those who continue in a life of sin have never truly seen Christ or know him. It is impossible to meet Christ and not be changed.

He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work. 1 John 3:8

The work of the devil is sin, and the Son of God appeared to destroy sin. Sin and all its consequences are the devil's glory. It's all he wants to do. He wants to sin and increase sin in mankind. Jesus destroys this work in his followers.

1 John Part 8

How great is the love the Father has lavished on 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. 2Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 3Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure. 1 John 3:1-3

I could write a book on how truly great the Father's love is to call us his children. We deserve separation and hell. And it's amazing that He doesn't want that for us. His love truly must come before his anger in order to want us to be with him. How does he see us as anything better than annoying pests? The perfect love of God is the only possible answer. I can't be stupid or annoying or sinful enough to exhaust his love for me. Praise be to my Father!

It's also interesting that the world seems to take this for granted. We're all God's children, right? We may all be created by God, but it's only through Christ's sacrifice that we can be adopted into God's family. We have to be adopted to be called children of God; it's not the birthright of a sinner. If you tell a non believer this, make sure you explain it. Tell them you have to be adopted.

And that is what we are! (1 John 3:1b) The fact that we are children of God seems so exciting and unbelievable to John that he has to repeat it. It's almost a verbal way of him pinching himself. We are, we really are children of God!

Why aren't you understood, liked, or respected by the world? Because the world doesn't know God and his ways. Many people talk about the world hating us because Christians don't act like Christians. This is true to a point, but I don't think we should go around feeling guilty because people don't like us. There's a spiritual element to the world's hatred of Christians that goes beyond the objective judgments of worldly people. The world hates what God loves and there's not a lot we can do about it.

John moves on to talk about the great hope we have because we are children of God. We are going to be transformed to be like Christ. I don't know exactly what that means, but I know it's really good. Our bodies and minds will be new and different, and isn't that what you long for? I know I do. To be without the daily struggles of my corrupt mind and body is one of the most freeing things I can think of.

Should be live differently here since we know we will be like Christ someday? Absolutely. John tells us to purify ourselves because of this great hope. We are preparing ourselves to meet Christ face to face and to be like him. In a sense our lives are like a great preparation or practice of purification for living with God for eternity.

1 John Part 7

Religious people will try to lead you astray. 1 John 2:18-28

I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray. 1 John 2:26

Who is the liar? It is the man who denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a man is the antichrist—he denies the Father and the Son. 23No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also. 1 John 2:22-23

I am encouraged when I read passages that emphasize doctrine. It is important what you believe. John would not repeat the warning to remain in Christ over and over if doctrine was not important. And if doctrine was not constantly being twisted by religious people trying to lead true Christians astray.


Don't fall into temptation to doubt; Trust God and your calling .

As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him. 1 John 2:27

John was concerned about doctrine, and he encouraged these believers to be confident in their faith and to trust God. Satan loves to sow seeds of doubt in our minds and hearts, and then attack with all that he has. If we remain confident in our faith, then the seeds of doubt will not grow and serve their evil purpose.


What's at stake?

See that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father. 25And this is what he promised us—even eternal life. 1 John 2:24-25

And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming. 1 John 2:28

We have glorious promises to look forward to if we remain in him. Conversely we have much to lose if we allow ourselves to be led astray. You will remain in the Son and in the Father which is unfathomably great in itself. We will receive eternal life, and how can the importance of eternal life be diminished?

Do you ever wonder what it will be like when you see Jesus face to face for the first time? Do you think it is possible to be confident and unashamed when you see him? If we continue in him we can be confident and unashamed, while face to face with Jesus! Amazing.

1 John Part 6

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. ¹⁶For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—comes not from the Father but from the world. ¹⁷The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever. 1 John 2:15-17

The world = temporary. The world= Satan. The world= evil.

Your cravings are evil. The fact that you want every good looking thing you set your eyes on, is evil. That pride you feel for your accomplishments and maybe your house, car, or iPod? Evil. Especially the iPod, since I don't have one. Wait a minute...

Is it bad to want things? Bad to want shiny tvs? Just about anything in a Best Buy ad? Well, probably. Think about the emotions you feel when you see the latest gadget. How excited do you get when you study the specs and photo of what you want? How do you feel when your friend lets you see their new iPhone? At best these things are distractions from the Kingdom of God. At worst they become the center of our desires and the objects of our worship. We are willing to go into debt and neglect our relationship with God to serve our desires.

It is important to note what this verse so wisely says, that these things will pass away. They seem so important now but they will not last. Even if these things last the rest of our lives (which they rarely do) they still pass away. You can't take it with you, right? Technology becomes outdated. And the stuff that does not will be dispersed to our younger relatives or sold off and donated when we die.

The things will pass away, but the desire for them will pass away also. The focus will be on God for all eternity, even for those who are not saved. Those who are saved will be satisfied with his presence; those who are not will long for him in vain. This worldly system will be gone.

The world and its desires are evil and useless, while doing the will of God leads to eternal life. What a stark contrast! How foolish we are for going after worldly things. What an awful thing it is for the love of the Father to not be in us. What an awful consequence for going after things that last for such a short time.

May the Lord transform my mind and renew me daily so that I can focus on Him rather than the pretty shiny things of the world around me.

1 John Part 5

Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did. 1 John 2:6

What does that mean? How did Jesus "walk"? What was the essence of his life? Which principles transcended his day to day actions and were a part of everything he did? Like John said in his gospel, the world doesn't have enough books to tell about all the things that Jesus did (John 21:25), but the principles that strike me are grace and truth. You can have truth without grace, but you can not have grace without truth.

We must start with the truth. Jesus personified truth (John 14:6) so he never could get away from it or escape it. He never lost sight of the truth like we do. Truth defines his very being. This is what makes the grace that he walked in have all the greater magnitude. Jesus is the very essence of truth, yet he came to forgive people who were filled with sin and treated them with grace and compassion while never being able to escape the reality and the magnitude of their sin.

How do we imitate this in our own lives?

Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness. ¹⁰Whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him to make him stumble. ¹¹But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness; he does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded him. 1 John 2:9-11

Do you hate your brother? Do you hate other people? I know I do. What does it mean to hate? Do you put yourself first and treat others like they don't matter? I know I do. Do others just get in the way sometimes? Do you only have time for smart people, pretty people, funny people, moral people? We are none of these things to Jesus. We are not smart or moral for sure. Yet he has grace and compassion on us. Do you only have time for people that can provide you some benefit? Then you are not walking as Jesus did. Jesus needs nothing from anyone and we have nothing to offer him.

Selfishness is a constant struggle. Our felt needs are there constantly. And they are up close and intense. I guess this is otherwise referred to as the flesh. Our physical and emotional desires are in our faces surrounding us. Our sinful nature wants to fulfill these desires with no regard to the consequences. Will we walk as Jesus did, looking to the needs of others while grounded in truth, or will we disregard the needs of our brothers and fulfill our selfish sinful desires?

I feel the need to emphasize the need to be grounded in truth. We should not rationalize the sins of others or ourselves. Sin is sin and it is not ok. We need to pray throughout the day as well as set time aside for prayer to stay grounded in the truth. When we recognize our own sin and the sin of others for what it is, it should drive us to compassion because they are helpless just like we are. It should compel us to show the love of Christ to them, not become annoyed and condemn them in our hearts.