Deeper, Part 4 (1 John 2:3-11) Questions for Reflection

Dig Deeper

Twenty-six times in the epistle of 1 John the apostle John uses the word “know” to emphasize the Christian’s confidence or certainty of his salvation, and its blessings. The first two occasions occur in 1 John 2:3, “And hereby we do know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments” (KJV). Accompanying this statement of confidence is a “test”-- obedience. John certainly does not have in mind perfect obedience as he began this chapter, “But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One” (1 John 2:1b). Genuine and saving faith results in obedience. The fruit of obedience in turn is cause for increased confidence.

Examine the following “we know” statements by John. What do these statements reveal about the Christian’s confidence?

1 John 2:5; 2:13-14; 2:29--

1 John 3:2; 3:5; 3:14; 3:20--

1 John 4:7; 4:13--

John reminds his readers that his command is not new “but an old one, which you have had since the beginning” (1 John 1:7). What additional insights do the following verses from John’s gospel provided concerning this command?

John 13:34-35--

John 15:12--

Application

In John 14:15 Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commands” and John 14:23, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.” How is the Holy Spirit leading you to deepen your relationship with God through obedience?

Memorize This

  1 John 2:6 Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did. NIV

Deeper: 1 John 1:5-2:2-- Questions for Reflection

Dig Deeper

In the eight verses that make up 1 John 1:5-2:2 John uses the word “sin” nine times. While our culture usually tries to downplay sin and evil, John addresses it head on. Ultimately there are only two ways of dealing with sin. The first is to attempt to conceal our sin by either hiding it from others, including God or lying to ourselves, “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves” (1 John 1:8). The response urged by 1 John is to confess our sin, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

The English word confess is from the Greek word, homologeō meaning “to say the same thing as another or to agree with another.” (Stongs, g3670) What do the following biblical examples of confession reveal about its importance in our relationship with God?

Luke 19:8-9--

Acts 19:11-20--

Psalm 51:1-12--

Compare Job’s confession in Job 7:20-21 with Job 42:2-6. Why do you think God responded to Job in the later but not the former?

1 John 1:9 declares that God is both faithful and just in forgiving the one who confesses his sins. John explains that God is just (or justified) in this response because Jesus’ work as our propitiation (atoning sacrifice- NIV) for sin (1 John 2:2). What benefits are yours because of Christ’s propitiation?

1 John 2:1-2--

Hebrews 2:17-18; 9:11-14--

Colossians 1:21-22--

Application

The Evangelist D. L. Moody frequently reminded his fellow Christians to “keep short accounts with God.” He meant by this a lifestyle of confession and repentance as soon as the Christian becomes aware of sin in his life. How are you sensing the Holy Spirit’s lead to deepen your walk with God through confession?

Memorize This

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. HCSB

Have you ever felt alone because of a shortcoming or sin? You lost your cool and yelled in a completely undeserving manner at your spouse or child or because of a lack of follow-thru on your part you lost your company’s most profitable client? One way or another we all, through failure or sin experience aloneness, or as John describes it, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us” (1 John 1:8, KJV).

As Christians we might feel alone, but the truth is that we are  not alone, “My little children, I am writing you these things so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father-- Jesus Christ the Righteous One” (1 John 2:1, HCSB). Jesus here is called by John our Advocate, “called to one’s side/aid.” At the times you feel most alone remember Jesus Christ is at your side.

Last Sunday we used the example of 2000 Florida State Seminoles senior punter and placekick holder and current FSU baseball coach Keith Cottrell to illustrate what it means to have an advocate. On October 7^th of that year FSU faced their rivals the University of Miami with the national championship on the line.  At the half FSU was down 17-0 to rally to 27-24 with 5 seconds left in the game. Matt Munyon, FSU’s walk-on freshman who earlier had missed a 23-yard kick will now attempt a 49-yard field goal to tie the game and send it into overtime.

With the crowds and his opponents jeering and even teammates cussing him, Keith Cottrell steps to his side-- “I’ve been with Matt from the beginning of this season, when everybody cussed him before he even kicked the ball… It’s very important for me, as a senior, as a teammate, and as a brother in Christ, to be there for him, through the good times and the bad.”[1]

Remember, you have more than a teammate sticking by your side. You have an Advocate!

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[1] Gary Long, Teammates Stick by Munyon,  preachingtoday.com.