1 Jn. 4:12-19; Eph. 3:14-19, Similar Truth in Different Words

(We are traveling.  I had intended to continue and complete our studies in John 12.  However,  I have had some issues with the laptop and have been unable to resolve them.  Thus, I am going to post on various topics until the first of next week.  Thanks.)

When recently working through 1 John I remember thinking sometimes: John and Paul don’t seem to speak the same language.  Their letters don’t sound alike.  Shouldn’t they, since they are Apostles of the same Lord and Gospel?  But as I continued my studies, I came to realize: they were both on the same page!  To show what I mean, here are a few comparisons of 1 John and Paul’s epistles for you to think about and on which you can meditate.  The Bible, with all the different human authors, is such a powerful and consistent message!  It is the Word of One God.

JOHN	NOTES	PAUL
”abide” meno 1 Jn. 2:24	Paul sometimes uses meno but he also uses katecho, as does the writer of Hebrews (3:6).  Both mean to continue something already begun.  Both refer to the “present” tense of salvation; having been saved (past), I am being saved day by day as I continue to believe in Christ.	“hold fast” Katecho 1 Co. 15:2
1 Jn. 3:1-3	The Spirit/Anointing reminds us that we are sons of God, having been born of God.  This explains our ability to have deep fellowship with God.	Ro. 8:4-17
1 Jn. 4:1-6	One says “greater is He that is in you” and the other “if God be for us …”	Rom. 8:31
1 Jn. 4:7-11	Both passages speak of the greatness of God’s love, as seen in the work of Christ and its eternal benefits to the believer.  God’s love abides (remains).  Nothing can separate us from God’s love.	Rom. 8:32-39
1 Jn. 4:12-19	(v12) Both address unity of believers (v14-15) (v13) Both see need of the Spirit’s work (v16) (v14-15) Christ at home in the believer (v17a) (v16-18) Love must be perfected (v17b-19a) (v19) Joyful fellowship with God (v19b)	Ep. 3:14-19

The point, of course, is that there is a consistency with the Apostles.  Even though they come at a topic from their own, Spirit-led position, the NT is clear and there is no contradiction: our salvation must be worked out day to day, and it is done in the same way that we first came to Christ.  We must continue to have a "gospel focus," with our eyes set upon Jesus.  In this way, we are being transformed into the image of Christ.