1 JOHN
Chapter 1, Verse 5-7
[1-23-11]
Review:
1 John 1:4) [KJV] And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.
QUESTION: What does John want for his readers?
ANSWER: He wants us to be happy, to have a deep-seeded joy that will see us through the difficulties of this journey called life.
John 15:8-12) [GNB] My Father’s glory is shown by your bearing much fruit; and in this way you become my disciples.
9) I love you just as the Father loves me; remain in my love.
10) If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love.
11) “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.
12) My commandment is this: love one another, just as I love you.”
John 16:23-24) [GNB] “When that day comes, you will not ask me for anything. I am telling you the truth: the Father will give you whatever you ask of him in my name.
24) Until now you have not asked for anything in my name; ask and you will receive, so that your happiness may be complete.”
QUESTION: What three things, according to John, will bring joy in our lives?
ANSWER: Here are those 3 things:
1. We need to understand that the incarnation was intended to bring us into fellowship with God {current verse}.
2. We need to walk in the love of God towards one another. {John 15:8-12}
3. We need to understand the privilege God has given us to come before Him in prayer, and that He wants to answer those prayers. {John 16:23-24}
On To This Week’s Lesson:
1 John 1:5) [MSG] This, in essence, is the message we heard from Christ and are passing on to you: God is light, pure light; there’s not a trace of darkness in him.
Regarding the word “message,”
“This word, however, is invariably used in the New Testament in the sense of promise” [Vincent].
NOTE: The Greek word translated “message” is used 53 times in the N. T. 52 of those times it’s translated “promise.”
QUESTION: What does John want us to see here regarding the “message”?
ANSWER: We have Jesus’ word on this statement. In essence, it’s His promise to us that there is no darkness in God.
6) [GW] If we say, “We have a relationship with God” and yet live in the dark, we’re lying. We aren’t being truthful.
QUESTION: How do we live a lie according to this verse?
ANSWER: If we claim to be a Christian, but we choose to live by another standard, then we are lying.
In regards to “walk,”
“Walk [peripatéō] is, literally, walk about; indicating the habitual course of the life, outward and inward” [Vincent].
QUESTION: What does “live in the dark” mean?
ANSWER: When our life choices are contrary to the sound teaching of Scripture we are walking in the darkness.
NOTE: This verse isn’t talking about acts of sin; it’s talking about choosing to live contrary to the Truth.
ANOTHER NOTE: John is most probably directing this comment at the Gnostics. They claim that they know Jesus, but they claim that Jesus never came in the flesh, and they claim that since the spirit is saved, but not the flesh, that it’s O.K. to sin. One might learn some valuable lessons that will benefit the saved spirit. They claim to have a relationship with Jesus, but they walk in darkness.
7) [KJV] But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
QUESTION: What are the results of our walking in the light of God’s truth?
ANSWER: 1) Christian fellowship occurs. When we are walking in God’s truth we will love one another. 2) Also, when we walk in the light of God’s truth we have been, are, and will be cleansed from sin.
Concerning “cleanseth,”
“Note the present tense cleanseth. The cleansing is present and continuous” [Vincent].
2 Corinthians 5:19) [KJV] To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
NOTE: Through Christ, God has brought all who trust Him into a relationship with Him. How did He do this? Jesus took the blame for our sins! He then died for those sins! Consequently, GOD NO LONGER COUNTS OUR SINS AGAINST US!!
QUESTION: What are the results of our walking in the light of God’s truth?
ANSWER: 1) Christian fellowship occurs. When we are walking in God’s truth we will love one another. 2) Also, when we walk in the light of God’s truth we have been, are, and will be cleansed from sin.
Concerning “cleanseth,”
“Note the present tense cleanseth. The cleansing is present and continuous” [Vincent].
2 Corinthians 5:19) [KJV] To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
NOTE: Through Christ, God has brought all who trust Him into a relationship with Him. How did He do this? Jesus took the blame for our sins! He then died for those sins! Consequently, GOD NO LONGER COUNTS OUR SINS AGAINST US!!