OUTLINE OF THE FIRST, SECOND AND THIRD EPISTLE OF JOHN
The Redeeming Love of God in Christ
The New Commandment 1Jn_2:7-28
INTRODUCTION
In addition to the Gospel, three Epistles have come to us from the pen of the beloved Apostle. Of these the First is the longest and most important. In form it is more like an essay or treatise than a letter; it bears no salutation nor signature. But if there were no other evidence, its similarity in phrase and thought to the Fourth Gospel would practically decide the question of authorship. Whichever was written first, the relation between the two is perfectly clear and has been aptly expressed by Bishop Westcott: “The theme of the Epistle is, the Christ is Jesus; the theme of the Gospel is, Jesus is the Christ.” The bearing of the Epistle upon practical living is also very plain. It shows that fellowship with the Father and the Son is realized in love of the brethren.
The Second and Third Epistles are very brief, and are private and personal rather than doctrinal. They have been called by Jerome “twin sisters.” In style and spirit they markedly resemble the First Epistle. There is the same emphasis upon love, truth, and obedience. While we are without exact information as to their date, they rank unquestionably among the latest documents in the New Testament.
2. What is the best evidence of union with Christ?
CHRIST OUR ADVOCATE
My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.
He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
THE NEW COMMANDMENT
Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning.
Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth.
that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.
He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.
But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.
Comments by
F.B.Meyer
On
1 John 2:1-11
KEEPING HIS COMMANDMENT OF LOVE
It is clearly possible to be kept from known and presumptuous sin. We shall be tempted, for that is an inevitable experience of life in this world; but we may be perfectly kept by the indwelling Spirit. Yet if we should be overtaken by some sudden gust of temptation, let us not despair; our Advocate ever makes intercession for us. The evidence that we have a saving knowledge of our Savior is obtained, not by the memory of a rapturous experience, but because we are conscious of doing, for His sake, things which we should otherwise evade. Let us continue to do such things, because by the path of patient obedience we shall enter into the Paradise of perfect, love. The outer walk is the best evidence to ourselves and others that there is an abiding union between us and Jesus. Light involves love; and love, light. Love and you are in light. Indulge hatred or ill-will and you begin to grope in darkness.
Sermon on
1 John 2:1-11
by
Dr. Sidlow Baxter
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