1 John 3:23-4:11, Hb. 10:24-25, Abiding in the Truth (1)

There are two commands from Christ (3:23).  First, the old command to believe on the name of Christ.  Second, the new command to love the brethren.  In keeping these we “abide” in Christ and He “abides” in us (v24).  In 3:19-23 the issue was the new command.  In today’s passage the concern is the old command.

What have we learned about believing in Christ.  First, the audience, whether little children, young men or fathers, are all believers in Christ.  Second, they know Christ in the truth because they believed the gospel and then God gave them the Holy Spirit or “Anointing.”  These people are not “antichrists” who deny that Jesus is the Christ (2:22).  They have acknowledged the Son and have a relationship with the Father (2:23).  The command then, is to let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning (2:24).  What can believers do that will help them abide in the truth about Christ?  The Holy Spirit has several encouragements.

·       4:1-6: Test the spirits.  It is interesting that he did not say “test the doctrine.”  In fact, he does want us to do that in v2-3.  But believers have the indwelling Holy Spirit, the Anointing, who teaches us the truth about Christ.  If someone comes with a message we need to check out the “spirit” from which they speak. 

From John’s Gospel Jesus argued the truth of His Deity.  That is critical.  But you notice here that these people were dealing with a challenge to His humanity.  Did the Christ come in the flesh?  Apparently, even the false teachers here agreed the Messiah was the Lord come to earth.  But they denied that He was fully human.  We should understand that the Savior of the world must be truly and fully one with those He came to save.  He must live a righteous life in the same setting and humanity with us.  Having done this, He is then able to take our punishment.

This is the message of the Gospel.  John encourages his audience not to give in on this truth.  The Spirit who is in them is greater than the spirit in the world (4:4).  Anyone who denies this is “of the world” and not “of God” (4:5-6).  This is what distinguishes between “the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.”

·       4:7-11: Don’t miss the previous paragraph and 4:5-6.  There are two groups: those who are “of the world” and those who are “of God.”  John’s second encouragement is that we recognize that loving the brethren (those who are “of God,” who are “born of God”) is our identifying mark.

What is so important about our love for each other?  Two things!  First, God is love.  And second, love is of God.  If we are born of God then we bear the character of God, which is “light” (1:5) and which is “love” (v8).  Then, God has given His love through His Son.  If God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.  We are loving those who are “of God.”  Do you see how fundamental the new command is to keeping and abiding in the old command?  A familiar passage that states a similar truth is in Heb. 10:24-25.