Part 13 of the sermon series on the Letters of John.
John stated that those who practice sin are children of the devil. Anyone who makes sin a lifestyle, meaning, habitually practicing it intentionally, is not from God. The author emphasized that those who deviate from the teachings of Christ revealed by the apostles do not belong to God. But those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, meaning Messiah, the promised One, and the only Savior, are from God. Their knowledge of God makes them keep His commandments. Genuine believers are born of God, which means they have a new life in Christ. In doctrinal terms, it is referred to as regeneration. True believers do not love the world. Genuine believers do not hate like Cain, for hate is murder; instead, genuine believers love in deed and truth. This is expressed through serving one another and giving to each other, especially in times of need. The author’s words hit hard throughout the letter; they were sharp and uncompromising. Anyone who reflected on the apostle’s words might feel condemned. If so, John gives comforting words. God is greater than our condemned hearts.
Assurance
Even though a believer feels convicted of sin, they still know of God’s assurance. God knows all who belong to Him, for they are born of Him. The apostle made the same affirmation at the beginning of the letter: if the believer sins, they can confess to the Lord, and the Lord will forgive and cleanse them (1 Jn 1:9).
1 John 3:19-20: By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him; 20 for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything.
1 John 1:9: If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
If the believers love one another in deed and truth, they will know that they are of the truth. Why? It is because they listened to the truth and the command of Christ (Jn 18:37). But if they feel condemned, they can turn to Christ and receive forgiveness.
Confidence
If, based on everything the apostle said so far, the reader feels not condemned, meaning there is an assurance of righteousness, then there is confidence. The confidence comes from keeping the commandments. This leads to receiving what is prayed for.
1 John 3:21-22: Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; 22 and whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him.
John 15:7: If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
John reminds them of the teaching of Christ about all who abide in Him and in His words (Jn 15:7). They will ask and they will receive. One reason is that they will ask according to His word. In other words, according to His will. On the contrary, those who deviate from His word might ask the wrong things.
Holy Spirit
The author explains the commandment. It is to believe in His name and to love one another. Whoever does these abides in God. God is also with the believer. The author explains that this assurance is the work of the Holy Spirit.
1 John 3:23-24: And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. 24 Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God, and God in him. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us.
One would conclude that the Holy Spirit leads the believer to believe in Christ and to love one another. Such is made possible by the Holy Spirit’s work. Those who are in the light fellowship with the Father, Son, and Spirit.
Application
1. Let us reflect on our ways and see if we align with His word as the apostle wrote. If we feel convicted of sin, as true believers, we must trust in His forgiveness as we confess our sins.
2. If we continually believe in His name and love the community of faith, then we know that He is at work within us, giving us the confidence to persevere. With such confidence in Christ, let us pray that His will be done.
3. The Holy Spirit is the ultimate assurance because He regenerates us. The obvious sign is believing in the Lord Jesus and obeying Christ’s command to love one another. He is also the Spirit of Truth that leads us into the truth of Christ.
Poem
CONFIDENCE IN HIS NAME by Ed Pilapil Jr. Does our heart condemn us of sin? We can’t ignore the words of Him To believe in Christ, that’s His name The Son of God, yes, that’s the same Father and Son, substance the same For sure, we believe in His name The Holy Spirit, sent by Him He’s to convict us of our sin We will admit, confess our sin To receive forgiveness from Him If we did not love in His name We must change and not be the same For how can we remain the same We must change, if we name His name To remain in the words of Him He leads us not to practice sin Daily, we turn away from sin That’s to fulfill the will of Him We’ll obey and pray in His name Pray to obey and not to sin
Study Guide
1. How can we know that we are of the truth? (vv.19-20)
2. John speaks about a certain confidence, where does this confidence come from? (vv. 21-22).
3. What is the commandment? And explain why John mentioned the Holy Spirit. (vv.23-24).
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