I JOHNThe first Epistle of John is addressed to no particular church or individual, but it is the thought of It is thought, too, that the Epistle was written later than the Gospel by the same author, as The occasion and object of its writing seem to have been furnished by the presence of false And indeed, as a matter of fact, we learn from the writers of church history that at a very early (1). The Ebionites, who denied the deity of CHRIST; Theme of the EpistleThis is stated very clearly to be "Fellowship with God" in 1:3, 4, and the idea is presented to us not in a constant progression of thought, but after the manner of the law of recurrence, which we have come to recognize so clearly in other instances. Perhaps it might be said rather, that the apostle gives us three distinct cycles of thought, not very difficult to perceive and which form in their combination a very beautiful picture of truth, and a very impressive and cumulative application of the main line of instruction. For example:
I. Introduction, 1:1-4In the introduction to this Epistle three thoughts are set before us concerning the apostleship of John, which may be thus expressed:
II. First Cycle of Thought, 1:5-2:28What is the first message that John declares to them (1:5)?
(1). By perceiving and confessing sin in the faith of JESUS CHRIST (1:8-2:2). Notice carefully how this last section corroborates the previous remarks concerning the nature of
III. Second Cycle of Thought, 2:29-4:6The second cycle centers around the thought that "God is righteous" (2:29), hence fellowship It is interesting to observe that in the working out of the proposition that fellowship with GOD is (1). The motive for doing righteousness, viz: the hope we have through our sonship to GOD (3:1-10). Referring more at length to what I have called the "motive," notice particularly that our sonship Notice, too, that the evidence of the sonship is in a sense bound up with this expectation of His Verses 3-8 practically continue the thought of CHRIST's holiness, and His work on the cross to Verse 9, has presented difficulty to some, but it may be stated as a contribution to its It is one thing to fall temporarily into sin as a consequence of sudden and strong temptation, and The teaching of this verse should always be carefully balanced with that of 1:8, where the Referring to the "test" of doing righteousness, it may impress some as peculiar that brotherly It speaks much of GOD's love toward us and our love toward Him, but singularly, either side of what hinders the flow of this love as indicated by verse 12. How watchful we should be over envy! Notice its importance as demonstrating our spiritual condition in verse 14. Notice the deeply spiritual application of the sixth commandment in verse 15. Notice the very practical way in which this love should be demonstrated in verses 16-18. Referring to the "reward" of righteousness as consisting in the assurance of salvation, I would call attention to the number of times and the different relations in which that word "know" is employed by the apostle. This is the "assurance" Epistle all the way through as well as the Epistle of love, and it is more than a simple coincidence that these two things should go together. See how much assurance of salvation depends upon our having a good conscience and a warm heart in CHRIST (vv. 19-21). See, too, how that this assurance of salvation carries with it a corresponding assurance in prayer (vv. 22-24). Some Christians are ever asking how they may be sure that their prayers are heard. Here is the simple answer: Live the life of obedience to GOD in the faith of His Son JESUS CHRIST and dismiss all misgivings. See, again, that this is the evidence of the abiding life in CHRIST (v. 24), and that just in the measure in which we are pleasing our Heavenly Father as JESUS did, will we receive the witness of the HOLY SPIRIT to that fact as He did. Finally the Christian who thus lives obediently has his assurance increased in the testimony to his overcoming of temptation. He will not be carried away by false doctrines or deceived by any Antichrist (4:1-6). IV. Third Cycle of Thought, 4:7-5:21
In the working out of the thought thus suggested, that fellowship with GOD is to be maintained by experiencing and exercising love, let us notice:
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