1 John
Don’t believe everything you hear
John explains how you cannot rely upon everyone who claims to preach a message from God (v. 1). Just because a man says he is presenting the Word of God from the Bible is no reason to believe that what he is saying is necessarily true. Each thing that you hear needs to be tested. …
Tests of true knowledge
In the opening statement of this chapter there is the yearning, affectionate tenderness of a pastor for people whom he has known for a long time. Even in all their wayward foolishness he still loves them. ("My little children”). John says two things about sin. First, he …
Sure tests for true teaching
The churches that John was writing to were having a problem with false teachers who were denying that Jesus of Nazareth was truly the Christ. John gives two sure tests for teacher evaluation:The Holy Spirit will bear witness if it is true. -"the one that is in you” …
A clear description of God’s Children
This is John’s approach in writing to Christians. Instead of listing the evil characteristics of Satan’s children, he gives us a clear description of God’s children. The title “sons of God” is an honor bestowed upon those who have a right relationship to God. This relat …
I have two dogs living in me
When a person receives Christ as his personal Savior, tremendous spiritual changes take place:He is given a new standing called “justification."He is given a new position called “sanctification."He is given a new nature called “regeneration.” A …
Jesus and God are one
False teachers in John’s day claimed to have a special anointing from God which gave them special knowledge that others did not have. But John points out that all true Christians know God and have received the Spirit of God (v. 23). Apparently these false teachers in John’s day w …
Don’t be surprised if the world hates you
As a Christian we should not be surprised if the people of this world hates us (v. 13). There is no way of telling what a tree is other than by its fruits, and there is no way of telling what a man is other than by his conduct. John lays it down that any one who does not live rig …
Sins’ reality and remedy
This is one of the most important sections of Scripture in the Bible for Christians. It deals with how we tend to try and cover up our sins. The first step in dishonesty is that we want our friends to think we are “spiritual” so we lie to others about our lives a …
Pretending is not a mark of maturity
Notice that John says it is love “perfected” which gives us confidence in the day of judgment (v. 17). The day of judgment is that time when all people will appear before Christ and be held accountable for their actions in this life. With God living in us through Christ …
Worldliness is a matter of the heart
John gets to the heart of the doctrine of separation in this passage. Worldliness is not so much a matter of activity as it is of attitude. It is possible for a Christian to stay away from questionable places and activities and still love the world because worldliness is a matter …