The Love of God Perfected

"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."

I John 2:4-6 

 If you've read this far into the first letter from John you see that he places a strong importance on being clear about who belongs to Jesus and who does not. Early in the first chapter he made clear distinctions that there are two categories of people, not Jews and Gentiles, but those in the light and those in darkness. He then showed us that there is one advocate for those in the light, and He is Jesus Christ the only righteous. He is the only way to walk in the light of God. So how does one walk in the light and have fellowship with God? By keeping His commandments, even the commandments of Jesus who is God in the flesh. So to be perfectly clear John says likewise that if you do not obey the commands of Jesus you are in darkness. Even if you claim to obey Jesus with your words but your actions show that you do not. You are a liar if that's the case and in darkness.

But who can obey Jesus, that the love of God is perfected in them? This is not an obedience to perform some ceremonious task that we may be justified before God. That is heresy. Jesus does all of the atoning work of salvation, even clothing His righteousness upon us in the form of faith. God's love cannot be perfected in the unrighteous because they are without Jesus. So the perfection of love is not a question of salvation because it can only belong to those who are covered by the blood of Christ to make them more like Christ.

God's love is perfected in us because the obedience is not in word only but confirmed by our actions. In his letter, James says that faith without works is dead. This means that if faith is genuinely provided by God it will bring about actions that prove the faith exists whereby it cannot be denied that faith in Jesus is present and perfected (James 2:22). Consider it as well in the matter of love. Love is perfected not when we only say we love God, but when we obey the commands of Jesus because that obedience is proof of His love. It cannot then be denied that the perfect love of God is present in us.

So what ought we to do? If we say that we love Jesus we must love His commands! Sometimes we don't understand Him. Many times we understand all too well and it hurts that we must repent of some things to be right with God, but we must repent when He reveals these sins. It is when our everyday actions show the world that we trust, obey, and follow Jesus Christ that the love of the almighty God is perfected in us. Examine yourselves to see if your actions leave doubt of God's love. If you find that they do, please repent and obey that His love may be perfected in you through Christ.

Consider also: James 2:17-26; John 15:1-17; Romans 8:34-39; Ephesians 3:17-19

Do You Know If You Know Him?

 "And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments."

I John 2:3

  Oh how great a thing is it to be able to really know the God of the universe! Not only to say we know He exist or that we've heard of Him, but that we know Him personally. Is this just simply knowing His actions throughout the course of our history, or is it something far greater? Thankfully, knowing God is not hidden in some complex algorithm, a scheme of events, or incantations that must be achieved in methodical fashion. Knowing God is really quite simple. However, it is impossible for the unconverted person to know Him. This is because to know God is to know that Jesus Christ is His only begotten Son and is the propitiation for the Lord's saints. Without believing the gospel it is impossible to know God and have fellowship with Him.

And there is a way that we know who knows Him. Those who keep His commandments are those who have fellowship with Him. Not that the mere acts themselves grant fellowship or knowledge, but that those who are redeemed from sin, and the wrath of God upon their sins, desire to obey Jesus because His commandments are light in the darkness of sin.

It is true that our flesh at times lusts against us to do sinful things we would not do. But the Christian earnestly desires to please his Savior by obedience because it shows we belong to Him. Praise God! it is He who changes our hearts that we desire to obey and to grow closer to Him! It is He who grants us the sweetness of His fellowship and knowledge of His saving grace when after we look to Him we obey Him. 

Consider yourselves in the light of this short, simple, yet glorious verse. Do you desire to obey Jesus? Or is it a grievous thing for you to follow after Him and abandon sin. If you love the things of this world then it is likely you hate the things of God. You love darkness and not light and therefore you'll find yourself in eternal Hell if you do not believe the gospel. But if Jesus is precious to you; if He is your desire then take comfort that He has overcome the world for you. If His commandments are wonderful to you then praise the name of Jesus Christ the righteous and know that you know Him!

Consider also: Matthew 7:15-27; John 3:14-21; John 14:6,7,15; John 17:1-3

Jesus Christ The Righteous

"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."

I John 2:1,2

"My little children." John writes to those under his care as if they were his own children. And not only they, but all of God's people who would read these words throughout time. The apostle whom Jesus loved is showing forth that same love in taking us by the hand and explaining a very important truth to us just as a caring father would for his own children.

Never having met most of his readers he informs us why he is taking such great care to write; So that we do not sin. Not that he is saying that we can live perfect sinless lives on this earth but that it is what we should be working for. God's people are to abhor sin and flee it like the plague that it is! Run from it even though we will never be able to fully escape it until we die. Why is this or how is it possible? It is because God has provided His people with an advocate in Jesus Christ by whom is the only means God's people have righteousness; by whom is the only way they become God's people. 

Jesus the righteous died so that God's people may be saved from His just wrath and dwell eternally in His holy presence. This happens because the blood of Christ is a propitiation for those who believe - meaning His blood satisfied the requirement that resulted from Adam's sin in the garden. We know from scripture that Christ is not a propitiation for every man because we know many are in Hell. Therefore He is not an advocate for every man but for those whom God has given Him (John 6). And He is not a propitiation for believing Jews only but for the gentiles also! Praise God that His saving grace has extended beyond the exclusivity of the Jews to all nations upon the earth, that among all nations God has and is bringing many sons to glory!

In the first chapter, John laid the foundation teaching us that God's people must confess when we sin because Jesus, our righteousness, is our advocate to God. We don't rely on a human priest to atone for us. We don't rely on a pope to give us the Word or instruct us in holiness. We don't trust anything that we may do because we are not perfect. We have Jesus the only righteous for when we sin and praise His name that have Him!

Consider also: Romans 3:19-26; John 17

The Foundation

"If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us."

I John 1:10

On the surface this verse seems to only be a replica of verse eight. But look at it closer and you well see the summation of what we know as the first chapter of this letter from John and the perfect bridge from this chapter to the next.

Contextually speaking, John has laid the final stone in the foundation of this letter before building the walls to the palace which has become a blessed part of our beloved Word of God. Through inspiration John has drawn sharp contrast speaking of light and darkness, truths and lies. We must understand that there are opposing sides and that there is no middle ground between them.

John has shown us that we all have sinned and that sin actions still remain after conversion. He has also comforted us in telling us that if we confess our sins to God, humbling ourselves before His majesty He is faithful to forgive His people and that He is just in doing so. We know that darkness and light cannot commune with each other. Therefore we understand that those who practice sin cannot claim to have truth or to be in fellowship with God. If we were to deny all of this we would be accusing God of lying, and if we accuse Him of such it is painfully obvious that His living word, even our Jesus who gives life, is not in us.

The chief cornerstone is Jesus Christ. If we are to have any part in the palace it must be by resting on Him alone by faith. This faith is evident when we separate from the worlds sinful mindset and actions. That is, when we stop practicing sin and start practicing holiness by the power of God. If we are to "sin not" as the apostle admonishes in the next chapter, then we must rest on the finished work of Jesus Christ who died on the cross for our sins.

Consider also: Romans 13:10-14; 2 Corinthians 4:1-6; Galatians 5:16-26

Confession

" If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

I John 1:9 

 We know that none of us live without sin. After close examination it is evident that we still sin even after conversion. After all, the entire book of I John is about examining ourselves and reaffirming that we are in the faith. In verse eight of this chapter we see that no one is without sin and to say such makes that person a liar and without truth. But we struggle with these thoughts and understanding God's way. Do we lose our salvation when we sin after conversion? Has the glory of being in God's presence slipped through our fingers because of one sin we commit? Must Jesus die again for for our iniquity? Thankfully, no! Scripture tells us that Jesus died once for all who look to Him and believe for all of time, from the foundations of the world to the very last breath that will be taken on this planet.

So what is this manner of confession? It is not strictly toward our brothers in grace or to the head of your local assembly other than that which is specifically against them that would cause the fellowship to cease. Instead, we are to consistently confess our sins to God because all sins are rebellion against Him and a trespass against His holiness. We confess to God not only because we are commanded to, that we may be in fellowship, but also so that we may be humbled before God rightfully acknowledging His complete sovereignty even if we don't understand it. And this isn't necessarily a general request of forgiveness as a blanket to cover our sins at the end of the day, week, month, year, or lifetime. The proper application here is that we confess every sin we know. We acknowledge our evil against the Almighty because we cannot bear to be removed from His fellowship. 

And what is the result of this confession? It is that our sins are forgiven because He is faithful and just to do so and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. This isn't concerning the sacrifice of Christ directly as a matter of salvation but those whom the blood has been applied. God is just in forgiving their sins because justice was already served upon Christ and His righteousness covers the believer who has been made alive in spirit and can come before the throne of God in prayer. The unconverted have no part in this due to the fact that they are dead in their trespasses and sins. They have not been drawn to Christ and His blood not applied on their behalf. This is how we know that God is faithful and just, because He does forgive the sins of His children when we confess and repent because the absence of His presence, that of the Holy Spirit during this life, is a great grievance for us. Thus His cleansing us is necessary time and time again until this body dies to the curse and our spirits can enjoy the true presence of our Savior in Glory. 

Dear children of the living God, do not be weary when we fail our Father. In His love and mercy He has provided a way of reconciliation and it is that we confess our sins to Him and He will forgive and cleanse us by giving us repentance from the sins and a heart that loves Him and His commands. What a mighty and wonderful God!

Consider also: Proverbs 28:13; Psalm 32

Deceiving Ourselves

"If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us." 

I John 1:8 

Jesus Christ died for the ungodly and His righteousness covers all those believe that He is the only begotten Son of the living God who bore His wrath upon the cross in our stead. Though this covering of Jesus' righteousness upon us separates us from the bondage of sin, frees us from the guilt of sin, and removes the burden of bearing the immense weight of our sin, it does not cause our sinning to cease. Our bodies were formed under a curse that they should die and though the righteousness of Jesus cover our souls He has not unjustly removed our bodies from that judgement. God, while greatly merciful and gracious, is still holy and thus while our perfected souls will one day be able to stand in fellowship in His presence by the blood of Jesus our corrupt bodies must still perish because of sin. We cannot, by the very existence of our remaining on this earth, say that we have no sin.

To say that we are perfect and without sin is a lie. It is deceptive not only to ourselves but to those around us. We may rightly say that we are not living in a particular sin, or that we do not go about practicing sin (our actions will confirm this), but we can never in this life say that we have no sin. Who among us can say there are no thoughts that creep into our minds that we dwell on till sin is conceived be it lust for money, power, sex, or property? Who among us has not looked upon our neighbors belongs and coveted for anything of his, even after conversion? Who among us has not gone a day without an action of some kind great or small confirming that sin remains in this present life? Isn't this the plight of the Christian? We are not bound to sin because Jesus has freed us. His yoke is easy, and His burden is light (Matt. 11:30). When He has cleansed our spirits and washed away our sin with His blood we earnestly desire to put away sin and bring our flesh into subjection because we desire to be like Him.

God is truth and truth must be in us for us to be in fellowship with Him. Dear children of the living God, do not deceive yourselves into believing that the activity of sin has yet passed from us. We are not yet perfect in glory with the Father and until we are we must remember that our fleshly bodies, and those of our brothers in faith, are not yet without sin. And understanding that we know and can say that the truth is in us because of Jesus.

Worse Than Hypocrites

 "If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." - I John 1:6,7

There is a great danger for those who say they have fellowship with God but live a life which practices sin. God plainly says these people liars. They are worse than just mere hypocrites. Rather than being backslidden or simply of little faith they, instead, abhor the fellowship of God, His Word, and his church. These people say they love God but are living in sin and loving it; proving they really do not know Him. They lie and truth is not in them.

Dear child of the living God, if we walk in the spirit minding holy things as God is holy then we truly have fellowship with Him. And what is sweeter than to be in good favor with God? Nothing is greater than knowing the blood of Jesus has cleansed you from all of your sin and being able to enjoy the comfort of the Holy Spirit. Remember, though, it is not because of what you have done but what Jesus did on the cross that we have this wonderful union with the Father and Son.

Beware of falling in the midst of those liars who claim to be in God's favor but are clearly living in the pleasures of sin. There are far greater pleasures provided by our holy God through the righteousness of Jesus!

Consider also: Philippians 4:8; II Corinthians 4:1-6; II Corinthians 6:14-18

God Is Light

"This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all."

- I John 1:5

There is a message that needs to be delivered to all men continuously, that God is light and in him there is no darkness. On the surface we see the blessings that the purity of God provide to His children But we often overlook what that purity meant to us before conversion, and still means for the unbeliever. 

Remember, dear one, that there is no darkness in God. Because God is pure, evil cannot stand in His presence. And on the day of judgment when every knee is bent and head bowed in reverence to Him all sinners will be cast away into the Lake of Fire. This is an uncomfortable truth to many because it shows our feeble state before the Holy One. But it is truth nonetheless.

But God, in His mercy and grace, supplied His Son Jesus to be the propitiation for the sins of many. For those who are drawn to Jesus this truth is wonderful. That His righteousness will cover their sins so that they may stand in the presence of God: not of their own works or strength, but of the finished work of Jesus. Sin is seen as grievous to them and it loses all of its vain appeal in the light of God's purity. Dear saint, remember always that there is joy in the purity of God and it is ours because of our fellowship with Him.

Consider also: John 1:1-5; John 3:14-21; Acts 26:22,23

Joyfulness

"And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full." - I John 1:4

We believers in Christ have a great peace in that the entire Bible, and specifically the first book of John, was written for us. It gives us life in the gospel of Jesus Christ. It gives us comfort in being reminded that we have fellowship with God though the world hates us. And it gives us joy in Jesus who has overcome the world.

God has preserved His holy Scripture in love that we may know Him. We can always find comfort and strength in what God has revealed to us in written Word. Reading the Bible consistently is a key part of the fellowship we have in God, and our joy will not be full without it.

There aren't many things which bring more joy than a marriage and the birth of a child. These are shadows to what believers experience spiritually with Christ. At the moment of conversion we see ourselves fully incapable and Christ fully capable. We trust that His righteousness has covered our unrighteousness. At that time we are birthed into new life in spirit through faith. And in that new life we are wed to our glorious Savior. He cares for our needs and watches us grow in His love. Truly, there is no greater joy than that which is given by Jesus both in this life and the one to come!

Consider also: Psalm 12:6,7; Psalm 16:11

Fellowship With Jesus

"That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;

(For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and show unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)

That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ." - I John 1:1-3

It is a wonderful thing that Jesus Christ, our Savior, has been with us since the beginning. He certainly did not abandon His creation as we see numerous appearances of Christ throughout the Old Testament, in figure, type, prophesy, and even in human form. But He was not yet God incarnate dwelling among men. 

Yet, in the fullness of time Jesus was manifested unto us. He lived with us and taught us, yea, even died for our sins and arose from the grave! Oh! the assurances we have in this! He defeated death! Not only did He defeat death He confirmed it in the presence of many witnesses, whose accounts remain even to our day. Also, while Jesus's resurrection does supply those who believe in Him with eternal life it also grants them true and pure fellowship with each other, with Jesus, and with Almighty God. In this there is great joy!

Consider also: John 1:14; I Corinthians 1:9; Psalm 5:11,12

The Wonderful Adoption

"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." - I John 3:1

The first book of John is undeniably pregnant with truths and great resources for the believer in Jesus Christ. It is easy to hang on every verse and weigh it next to our lives when we need reassurance in the faith. Sometimes we get so caught up when we sin that we may question if indeed we are saved. Often we feel the rejection of the world when we focus on what we see in the flesh and not what God has done in the spirit. Our Lord has faithfully provided His Word to sustain us through all aspects of life.

One of those great assurances is for us to remember that we are indeed adopted into the family of God if we have faith in Jesus. Adoption is a wonderful thing. The castaway being brought in and cared for with unmerited love and favor. In light of this relationship we know that we are forever protected unto eternal life in the presence of the Almighty! No amount of toil can sever this tie. No pain, sickness, injustice, persecution, nor even death can ever separate us from the love of God!

Dear believer, rest assured in the promises of God! For his love is bestowed upon you through Christ!

Consider also: Romans 8:14-18; Ephesians 1:3-6; John 15:17-21; Luke 6:27-38