“And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us” (1 John 3:24).
The first letter of John is packed full of instructions for how Christians should behave. It’s written to Christians telling us how to act towards fellow believers. Our joy in the Lord depends upon what Jesus did for us, not what other people do to us. Do our actions and words matter? Yes, they do. When we come to Jesus, we come out of the world. By the “world” I mean the desires, attitudes, and lifestyles that do not reflect God’s love. The world glorifies Satanic ways, but Christians should always glorify God.
As I study through John’s writings, I see the love he had for Jesus, and how much he desires for his brothers and sisters in Christ to honor Him in word and deed. He loves the brethren enough to encourage them to turn from sin. He knows that sin doesn’t honor God, so Christians must move away from sin.
“Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not” (1 John 3:1).
John writes much about us being sons of God. In his Gospel, John told us how to become a son of God. “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God” (John 1:12-13).
What is a son of God? That phrase denotes a direct creation of God. Adam was a son of God because he was directly created by God. Naturally born people are sons of Adam. In the Old Testament, whenever the phrase “sons of God” is used, it refers to angels. We never see female angels in Scripture, and that indicates that angels don’t marry other angels and have baby angels. When Jesus was asked about marriage in Heaven, He said something interesting:
“Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven” (Matthew 22:29-30).
Be sure to understand that Jesus specifically used the example of “angels of God in heaven” and was not referring to the ones who fell and had sexual relations with human women, as revealed in Genesis 6.
When a person comes to faith in Jesus and repents of the sin binding them to the world, Jesus said we are born again.
“That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again” (John 3:6-7).
We are a new creation when we are born again, and are then a son of God. This phrase carries a deep meaning, which I won’t get into here, but let’s just say that only sons could inherit from their father, except under specific circumstances. When we are born again, we are a direct creation of God…a son of God.
John was privileged to be a disciple of Christ. He knew that Jesus was perfect in all ways. John saw many wonders, not the least of which was the transfiguration. He was an eyewitness to all Jesus did. John saw miracles, he saw Jesus’ love towards people, he saw His anger towards the religious leaders who disrespected God, and he saw the transfiguration. John was also there when, after the crucifixion, Jesus entered a locked room and spoke with His disciples. In this letter, John says we will be like Him. “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:2).
What will He be like when He appears to take us Home? My feeling is He will be a combination of all that John saw in Him. He will shine brighter than the sun, yet we will look upon Him. Will we shine as a reflection of His love? We need to start today to be a reflection of the love of Jesus. Will He appear as a sacrificed Lamb or as the Lion of the tribe of Judah? We need to be a living sacrifice for Him now, and love the nation of Israel. We are sealed with the Holy Spirit, and if we don’t quench His guidance, we can get a head start on reflecting God’s love.
The thing that stands between us and full fellowship with God is sin. We are all sinners, but true Christians have repented of sin and live to honor Christ. What is sin? “Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil” (1 John 3:7-8).
Do you ever commit a sin? Yes, you do and so do I. I’m not happy with myself when I sin. Verse 8 is bothersome to all of us who admit we sin. I don’t want to be of the devil. When you study the original language, and the intent of the words, this isn’t talking about an “oops” moment but a continual practice of sin. For instance, today the homosexual movement is everywhere. Some of them claim to be Christian, but sexual immorality of any kind is a sin. If they repent of sin but continue to take pride in their lifestyle, John says they aren’t of God.
It’s the same if you continually lie, or are angry and embrace hatred. We are to behave in accordance with Scripture. Jesus loved all who came to Him but never told anybody to continue in sin. He died for our salvation, but Satan wants us to die for him. Live for Jesus and let the Holy Spirit guide you in how to behave.
Jesus defeated Satan at the cross; the war was won and Satan lost but still wants to destroy as many lives as he can before he’s thrown into the lake of fire for eternity. Don’t let him destroy you or hinder your walk with the Lord.
John encourages us to live righteously as evidence that we are children of God. “In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother. For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother and wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous” (1 John 3:10-12).
Do you remember the account of Cain and Abel? They were both sons of Adam and brought sacrifices to God. “And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD. And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering: But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell” (Genesis 4:3-5).
God had demonstrated to Adam and Eve that blood has to be shed to cover sin, and Abel gave a blood offering, but Cain was sloppy in his sacrifice and did things his own way. He just gave fruit. God rejected Cain’s offering, which angered Cain, and he killed his brother. It was Cain’s choice to not honor God properly, but still he killed Abel. Jesus taught that even being angry with your brother is as if you have committed murder.
Study Scripture and draw closer in your walk with Jesus. Jesus shed His own perfect blood as the final sacrifice for sin. Paul said “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Romans 12:1-2).
How do we be a living sacrifice? Follow the example of Jesus, and love one another.
John wasn’t writing to the world. Somehow, Christians have twisted God’s inspired word to say that we are to do all we can to love and accept worldly people. We are to love all people, but we are to share the Gospel with the people of the world. John wrote this letter to Christians, and when he says “brother” or “brethren” he’s talking about fellow Christians. Yes, we are to love our brothers and sisters in Christ.
“We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him” (1 John 3:14-15).
Why does it seem as if the people who reject Christ hate Christians? They love their sin more than they desire eternal life. Too many Christians have a “holier-than-thou” attitude, which makes life in Christ look uninviting. All must repent of sin, and if you accept Jesus and repent, you cannot hold onto your sin. The tradeoff is a richer and more satisfying life on Earth, and after that, eternity with Jesus. Jesus didn’t sugar coat the hatred that His disciples would face.
“If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you” (John 15:18-19).
You might lose some friends by choosing to behave in a way pleasing to the Lord, but don’t show hatred or anger to your friends. Show love, but stand firm on God’s truth. You just might lead a lost soul to salvation, and that would be a blessing.
“Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?” (1 John 3:16-17).
I love how the Holy Spirit works. The chapter and verse divisions in Scripture were added years after the God-breathed words were written. John 3:16 talks of God loving the world so much that He gave His only begotten Son for our salvation. That closely resembles John’s words in 1 John 3:16. First John also makes it clear how we are to behave towards a fellow believer who’s having a rough time. If you’ve been blessed with money or items that can help a brother or sister in need, then give freely.
After a major earthquake or other disaster, disaster aid agencies call for money. They don’t want clothing items or warm blankets; they want money. I haven’t been blessed with an overabundance of money, but I do have clothing items I could share, or household items or food. I can understand that money can buy these things that are needed, but I also would rather give to help fellow Christians. Not that I don’t have compassion for the lost, but Christians are to help Christians and share the Gospel with the lost.
Let me just add a note here that recently I’ve had a great need. My daughter has had medical problems, and many of the tests have to be done in a city many miles away. A lovely Christian couple willingly drives us to the doctor since my daughter shouldn’t be driving far, and I am physically unable to drive there. What a blessing!
How often do you not “feel” saved? How often do you behave in a way that doesn’t please God? Do your times of poor behavior coincide with your doubts of salvation? We all have moments of doubt, but Scripture is clear that once we’ve repented and asked for forgiveness from Jesus, our salvation is secure. We must allow God to change us from people who honor worldly ways into people who love the brethren. John tells us that we are to walk the walk and not just talk the talk.
“My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God” (1 John 3:18-21).
If you feel you have behaved wrongly towards another person, you probably have. Behave in a manner that you see in Scripture, and you can be sure you are pleasing God. Don’t take Scripture out of context and study it in its entirety. Don’t twist God’s words, but change your attitude toward your sins. The Psalmist encouraged following God’s path.
“BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way: by taking heed thereto according to thy word. With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee” (Psalm 119:9-11).
This truth has never changed. If we know Scripture, we will behave in a way that pleases God. If you feel you’ve displeased God, turn to Scripture. Remember, there are times when things are preached as sin, but aren’t sin according to God. It’s God you need to please by following His word. If you know Scripture and someone tries to condemn your actions, but you know you’ve followed God’s commands, then you can have confidence in standing before the Lord.
“And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight” (1 John 3:22).
Does this mean that if we ask for something opposed to God’s ways, we can expect Him to give us what we want? No. If we keep His commandments, we won’t desire things that don’t honor Him. It also means to understand that our heart might desire something that will harm us. I think of all the Hollywood and music stars who desire fame, and that fame destroys their lives. Jesus was clear that we need to follow Him and not our own desires.
“And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it. For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” (Mark 8:34-36).
I’d rather have life in Jesus than fame and fortune.
How can we behave to please God? John tells us. “And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment” (1 John 3:23).
That sounds easy until we are tested. Practice living according to Scripture, and it will become easier.
God bless you all,
Nathele Graham
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All original Scripture is “theopneustos,” God-breathed.
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