Important Themes in 1 John

September 12, 2009
Larry R Evans

Reflective Introduction

It has been said that “a bit of carbon in iron makes powerful metal; a bit of truth in a lie makes powerful deceit.” Lies would never stand a chance of being believed if there weren’t something seemingly rationale or true in them. Often times it is perspective that makes all the difference and lies have a perspective all their own. Paul speaks about those who chose to exchange “the truth about God for a lie.” They ended up worshipping and serving “the creature rather than the Creator” (Rom.1:25). This week’s lesson is all about truth, choices, acceptance and denial. There comes a point when we need to be quiet long enough to let God speak. Let Him reveal truth. We have a tendency to speak our opinions before truth has a chance to become known. Truth about God, Jesus, our nature and the future do matter. Our understanding of these shapes who we are, how we approach the world and what kind of hope we will have. Truth about God is foundational.

Reflective Quiz

1. Jesus was a loving representative of God the Father and by His example we are saved. [1Jn.1:7; 5:6,8] False (Part II)

1 John 2:5-6

6 Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did. (NIV)

John 10:24-30

24 The Jews gathered around him, saying, "How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly."

25 Jesus answered, "I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in my Father's name speak for me, 26 but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. 27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. 30 I and the Father are one." (NIV)

Acts 4:12

12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." (from New International Version)

2. The Church exists to reach the unreached. [1Jn.4:7; Eph.2:19-22; 4:29; Isa.59:16; 2Cor.5:18-20; Matt.28:18-20] True (but this includes more)

In the following texts note carefully the role of God’s people as others travel to find distances in search of someone who truly knows God. So, how do we get to that point and what is the role of the Church to both members and nonmembers?

1 John 4:7-12

7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. (NIV)

Zech 8:20-23

20 This is what the LORD Almighty says: "Many peoples and the inhabitants of many cities will yet come, 21 and the inhabitants of one city will go to another and say, 'Let us go at once to entreat the LORD and seek the LORD Almighty. I myself am going.' 22 And many peoples and powerful nations will come to Jerusalem to seek the LORD Almighty and to entreat him."

23 This is what the LORD Almighty says: "In those days ten men from all languages and nations will take firm hold of one Jew by the hem of his robe and say, 'Let us go with you, because we have heard that God is with you.'" (NIV)

2 Cor 5:17-20

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. (NIV)

3. According to John, there are benefits for accepting Christ this side of heaven. [1Jn.2:12, 13; 3:14; 5:12,13] True

Joh 10:6 Jesus told this simple story, but they had no idea what he was talking about.

Joh 10:7 So he tried again. "I'll be explicit, then. I am the Gate for the sheep.

Joh 10:8 All those others are up to no good--sheep stealers, every one of them. But the sheep didn't listen to them.

Joh 10:9 I am the Gate. Anyone who goes through me will be cared for--will freely go in and out, and find pasture.

Joh 10:10 A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of. (MSG)

Note some of the benefits:

· Sins have been forgiven (1Jn.2:12)

· Overcome the evil one (v.13)

· Pass from death to life (3:14)

· Have eternal life (5:12,13)

4. Ethical behavior is more important than one’s theology. [1Jn.4:7; 1:7] False (with explanation)

Theology informs our behavior or at least it should. While behavior can reflect our theology, our own behavior is not a good guide to use as a theology. Note the following:

1 John 4:7-8

7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. (NIV)

Theology, however, can be dangerous if not grounded in an accurate understanding of God and His Word. Scripture misused can be dangerous, deceptive and even deadly. Illustration of Thought Voices and the Halsted sisters.

5. If a neighbor is a good person, doesn’t ‘kick the dog’, is respected by family and friends as a person of integrity, it is not necessary for him to accept Christ to be saved. [1Jn.3:19-23; 2:4-6; Rom.1:16-25] False but with explanation.

The verdict can never be based on how good we are. Is it possible to be good enough? The Bible tells us that regardless of our behavior no one is righteous (Rom. 3:10) and even the righteousness that we may have is as filthy rags.(Isa.64:6). What we do in response to God’s love, forgiveness and the gift of eternal life must not be confused as a reward for behavior. That would take away the gift perspective. We respond unconditionally because of what has been given to us and because of that there is no end to what our response gives.

1 John 2:1-6

2:1 My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense-Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 2 He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

3 We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. 4 The man who says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: 6 Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did. (NIV)

6. “Compelled behavior is the essence of tyranny. Induced behavior is the essence of leadership. Both may have the same objective, but one tends to evil, the other to good.” (Dee Hock) The same could apply to religious leadership. [Jn.14:15; 1Jn.2:3-6; 3:1-3] True

Over and over again God is teaching that motivation is what he is after. Intrinsic or internal motivation is from the heart whereas a behavior that is compelled is more self-preservation with an attitude of compliance.

With Cain and Able the issue was intrinsic versus extrinsic. Able honored God with his heart and the acceptable offering followed. Cain’s extrinsic response brought about a sullen attitude and despite God’s coaching (“Why is your face downcast?” Gen. 4:6). His heart unchanged and unreceptive to God’s wooing led to a behavior of murder.

Obedience that flows from love has depth and is lasting! (Ex.20:1-2, 3-17).

Joh 14:15 "If you love me, show it by doing what I've told you. (MSG)

Reflective Conclusion

There are indeed important themes through the Bible that if missed will create a false understanding of God, of ourselves, the basis of hope and the kind of accountability that is ours. God’s plan of liberation is radical. It changes the way we think and that is no easy task. It can be painful while it is at the same time hopeful by what it frees us from and what it brings to us.

Rom 5:1 By entering through faith into what God has always wanted to do for us--set us right with him, make us fit for him--we have it all together with God because of our Master Jesus.

Rom 5:2 And that's not all: We throw open our doors to God and discover at the same moment that he has already thrown open his door to us. We find ourselves standing where we always hoped we might stand--out in the wide open spaces of God's grace and glory, standing tall and shouting our praise.

Rom 5:3 There's more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we're hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us,

Rom 5:4 and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next.

Rom 5:5 In alert expectancy such as this, we're never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary--we can't round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit! (MSG)