I John Lesson 5

What I can know and how 2:3 I have come to know Him IF I keep His commandments 2:18 It is the last hour: many antichrists have appeared 2:19 Not all “among us” are “of us”: they did not remain, but went out 2:21 I know truth: No lie is of the truth 2:22 I can know the liar: He denies the Father and the Son 2:29 I am born of Him: If I practice righteousness

What I can know and how 3:2 I will be like Him when He appears. How will I know? I will see Him just as He is 3:4 The one who practices sin is lawless: Sin IS lawlessness 3:6 No one who abides in Him sins: the one who practices righteousness is righteous 3:8 The one who practices sin is of Satan. How do I know? Sin is lawlessness = Satan 3:9 No one who practices sin is born of God: God’s seed abides in the one born of God and he cannot sin.

Sin’s definition Sin: Hamartia: wrongdoing, missing the true end and scope of our lives, which is God. An offense in rebellion to God with emphasis on guilt. “The sinfulness of sin depends on the innate or acquired knowledge of God’s expectations.” You don’t know what you don’t know. The Law brings to our focus what IS sin.

I John 3:5-8 Vs. 5 Jesus appeared at His first coming to take away sin and destroy the works of the devil Vs. 6 No one who abides and knows Him, sins Vs. 7 DO NOT BE DECEIVED! Vs. 7 You practice righteousness: righteous Vs. 7 You practice sin: unrighteous; of Satan Vs. 8 Why? Because Satan has sinned from the beginning

Cross references Ez. 28:16-17 Sin began with the devil choosing his will instead of God’s He became proud of his perfection in wisdom and beauty, his wisdom became corrupted He was filled with violence Gen. 3 He introduced sin to mankind in Eden He questioned what God had said: Still does Gen. 3:4 He contradicted what God said

Genesis 3 Satan lied to Eve when he told her she wouldn’t die for her disobedience He lied when he told Adam and Eve they would be like God if they disobeyed Truth: their sin separated them from God. They no longer had fellowship and wanted to hide from God. Shame entered Truth: They became like Satan; sinful, separated and shameful

Romans 5 Vs. 16 Adam’s transgression brought death to ALL mankind Vs. 19 ALL men have sinned Vs. 19 Jesus’ one act of righteousness brought life to ALL who accept it by believing in Him Vs. 19 Jesus’ obedience brought righteousness to ALL

I John 3:9-10 Vs. 9 Those born of God cannot practice sin because His seed abides in them Vs. 10 Those born of the devil do not practice righteousness or love their brother. NOT of God Practice? Your habit of life Eph. 5:10 We are trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.

I John 3:11-12 Cain Murdered his righteous brother He was evil and did evil deeds He was of the devil Gen. 4:1-16 He was Adam and Eve’s firstborn He became a worker of the ground Brought an offering to the Lord: Lord had no regard for it which made Cain angry “You must master/rule over sin” vs 7

Cain and Abel Vs. 8 Cain told Abel what God said!! Vs. 8 Then Cain killed Abel VS. 9 Cain lied to God Vs. 11 The tiller of the ground now has the ground testify to what he did: it swallowed up Abel’s blood and cried out to God Vs. 12 Cain cannot till the ground any longer Vs. 13 Cain complains of his punishment, not his sin

I John 3 Believers are to love one another, not hate One who hates is a murderer and does not have eternal life. 3 John Diotrephes was evil and they were not to imitate him. The world will hate God’s children vs. 13

What I can know and how 3:14 I have passed out of death into life: because I love the brethren 3:14 I abide in death if I don’t love the brethren 3:16 I can know love: Jesus died for me 3:19-22 I am of the truth and have confidence before Him. My heart does NOT condemn me

The Heart Heart: kardia – inner life, intention, mind, character, will, center “the capacity of moral preference”, “desire-decisions”. Vs. 17 Can’t close your heart to your brother’s needs Vs. 19 Assurance comes from the heart Vs. 19 Outward evidence of an inward truth

Confidence Confidence: parresia – freedom, openness, especially in speech, boldness, leaving a witness that something deserves to be remembered (taken seriously) I John 2:28 At Jesus’ coming I John 3:21 Before God I John 4:17 In the day of judgment I John 5:14 God hears, answers according to His will

I John 3:23-24 Vs. 23 Believe in Jesus’ name Vs. 23 Love one another Vs. 24 Holy Spirit enables us to know we abide in Him Theme: Practice Righteousness: born of God Practice sin: of the devil

What I can know and how 3:24 Abide in Him/He in me: His Spirit He gave 4:6 I know God & Truth: I listen to His Word 4:7 I’m born of God: I love 4:8 Some don’t know God: they don’t love 4:12 God abides in me and I in Him: I love the brethren and confess Jesus is the Son of God 4:18 I don’t fear: Perfect love casts out fear 4:20 I can’t love God: hate/ don’t love my brother 5:13 I have eternal life: By the things John wrote

Application DO you have eternal life? How can you know? DO you know? Do you love like Jesus loved? Does God abide in you, you in Him and therefore you have no fear?