Lesson 10 for the 5 th of September, 2009

“These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may believe in the name of the Son of God” 1 John, 5: 13 John wrote his epistle to believers so: We are confident that we have eternal life. We strengthen our belief in the Son of God, Jesus Christ. EPILOGUE

5:13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God. 5:14 Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us: 5:15 And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him. 5:16 If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death, he will ask, and He will give him life for those who commit sin not leading to death. There is sin leading to death. I do not say that he should pray about that. 5:17 All unrighteousness is sin, and there is sin not leading to death. 5:18 We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him. 5:19 We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one. 5:20 And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life. 5:21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen. 5:13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may trust that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God. 5:14 Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us: 5:15 And if we trust that He hears us, whatever we ask, we trust that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him. 5:16 If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death, he will ask, and He will give him life for those who commit sin not leading to death. There is sin leading to death. I do not say that he should pray about that. 5:17 All unrighteousness is sin, and there is sin not leading to death. 5:18 We trust that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him. 5:19 We trust that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one. 5:20 And we trust that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life. 5:21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.

Of having eternal life. That God hears us. That Jesus saves us from the evil one. That Jesus gives us understanding to know the true God.

CONFIDENCE “I who am… also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed” (1 Peter, 5: 1)

John presents eternal life, not only as a future thing, but also as something present – sure-, that every believer has now. Eternal life is a security we can’t loose while we keep believing in Jesus Christ. Those who stop surrendering to the Lord everyday in obedience, repentance and faith, lose eternal life. John presents eternal life, not only as a future thing, but also as something present – sure-, that every believer has now. Eternal life is a security we can’t loose while we keep believing in Jesus Christ. Those who stop surrendering to the Lord everyday in obedience, repentance and faith, lose eternal life. CONFIDENCE

GOD HEARS US A comparative study of verses 14 and 15 shows us that God always hears our requests and that, when they agree with His will, we have sure positive answer. IN PRIVATE PRAYER we ask anything according to His will He hears us whatever we ask we have the petitions Firstly, John invites us to know God’s will so we know what to ask and, secondly, he invites us to accept God’s will when He replies. CONFIDENCE

We can be completely sure that God’s will is our salvation. GOD HEARS US IN PRIVATE PRAYER Therefore, any request related with that will be heard and granted. CONFIDENCE

“If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death, he will ask, and He will give him life” (1 John, 5: 16) When a brother commits an offence, true believers pray for him and with him. This intercessory prayer leads the sinner to have the desire of forgiveness. If that happens, God will give life to the sinner. GOD HEARS US IN INTERCESSORY PRAYER CONFIDENCE

“the one who was born of God keeps him safe, and the evil one cannot harm him” (1 John, 5: 18) THE ONE WHO WAS BORN OF GOD THE EVIL ONE Jesus ChristSatan He saves us, He protects us, He sets us free. He doesn’t touch us, he doesn’t catch us, he doesn’t make us prisoners. The believer who has been born again, is protected by Jesus and he overcomes temptation. CONFIDENCE

HE GIVES US UNDERSTANDING TO KNOW THE TRUE GOD THE TRUE ONE: GOD There is one true God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit). All the other gods are vain idols. THE TRUE ONE: THE FATHER Throughout his earthly ministry, Jesus gave us the ability to know the Father. THE TRUE ONE: THE SON “These things says He who is holy, He who is true, "He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens"” (Revelation, 3: 7) CONFIDENCE

“It would be well for us to spend a thoughtful hour each day in contemplation of the life of Christ. We should take it point by point, and let the imagination grasp each scene, especially the closing ones. As we thus dwell upon His great sacrifice for us, our confidence in Him will be more constant, our love will be quickened, and we shall be more deeply imbued with His spirit” E.G.W. (The Desire of Ages, chapter 8, page 83)