Love one another in deed and in truth. Little children (believers, dear ones), let us not love [merely in theory] with word or with tongue [giving lip service to compassion], but in action and in truth [in practice and in sincerity, because practical acts of love are more than words]. 1 John 3:18
OUTLINE OF THE FIRST, SECOND AND THIRD EPISTLE OF JOHN
The Redeeming Love of God in Christ
The Ground of Assurance, 1Jn_3:19-24; 1Jn_4:1-6
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.
6. How may we know that we have “passed from death unto life”?
LOVE ONE ANOTHER
Do not be surprised, believers, if the world hates you.
We know that we have passed out of death into Life, because we love the brothers and sisters. He who does not love remains in [spiritual] death.
Everyone who hates (works against) his brother [in Christ] is [at heart] a murderer [by God’s standards]; and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. [Mat_5:21-23]
By this we know [and have come to understand the depth and essence of His precious] love: that He [willingly] laid down His life for us [because He loved us]. And we ought to lay down our lives for the believers.
But whoever has the world’s goods (adequate resources), and sees his brother in need, but has no compassion for him, how does the love of God live in him?
Little children (believers, dear ones), let us not love [merely in theory] with word or with tongue [giving lip service to compassion], but in action and in truth [in practice and in sincerity, because practical acts of love are more than words].
By this we will know [without any doubt] that we are of the truth, and will assure our heart and quiet our conscience before Him
whenever our heart convicts us [in guilt]; for God is greater than our heart and He knows all things [nothing is hidden from Him because we are in His hands].
Beloved, if our heart does not convict us [of guilt], we have confidence [complete assurance and boldness] before God;
and we receive from Him whatever we ask because we [carefully and consistently] keep His commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight [habitually seeking to follow His plan for us].
This is His commandment, that we believe [with personal faith and confident trust] in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and [that we unselfishly] love and seek the best for one another, just as He commanded us.
The one who habitually keeps His commandments [obeying His word and following His precepts, abides and] remains in Him, and He in him. By this we know and have the proof that He [really] abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us [as a gift].
Comments by
F.B.Meyer On
1 John 3:13-24
LOVING IN DEED AND IN TRUTH
Love to the brethren is a sign that we have been born into the family. We may not like them all, yet we can love them. If we love, we live; and if we live in the deepest sense, we shall love; that is, we shall put others first, and our care for them will be tinged with the crimson of sacrifice. Love is not measured by the expressions of the lip or the emotion of the heart, but by the extent to which we will do or suffer.
The believer dares not affirm too much about himself, he is so unworthy and fickle; but God understands us and imputes to us what we would be. Mark in 1Jn_3:22 the double condition of prevailing prayer. It is also clear from 1Jn_3:23 that men can believe, if they will. God is prepared to impart to those who are wishful all that He commands. Augustine prayed thus: “Give what thou commandest, and command what thou wilt.”
Choose a Sermon on
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