LifeStyle reveals True Essence

The Lifestyle of a Genuine Believer will involve keeping the commands of Jesus (1 John 2:3)

Explanation: John continues to give encouragement to the believers in their stand against the false teachers. John is telling them they can know they belong to Jesus by the outward manifestation of the indwelling Holy Spirit.

Argument: The truth will be revealed. What is inside will show up on the outside over time. The false teachers couldn’t fake it over the long haul

Application:

And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. (Matt 22:37)

And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. (Matt 22:39)

And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. (Mark 8:34)

Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matt 4:17)

But I say to you, ‘Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.’ (Matt 5:44)

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth … but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven. (Matt 6:19-20)

Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions. (Luke 12:16)

When you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you (Luke 14:13)

The Lifestyle of a Genuine Believer will be patterned after the life of Jesus (1 John 2:6)

Explanation: John gives the Christian another test; “by this” introduces yet another way for an individual to have assurance he or she belongs to Jesus. And another way to spot a false brother.

Argument: Jesus is the ultimate for John. John is convinced that genuine followers of Christ will pattern their lives according to the life of the Savior.

Jesus was a man given to prayer

Jesus was invested in the Word of God

Jesus was a man of simple means

Jesus cared about people

Jesus was approachable

Jesus had a zeal for the things of God

Application: The Apostle Paul was able to say, “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” Paul had enough confidence in his Christian walk so as to point other to himself, knowing that his life would point them to God.

Question: Where are you pointing your followers?

The Lifestyle of a Genuine Believer will not be a stumbling-block to others (1 John 2:10)

Explanation: John continues to discuss the contrast between the false and the genuine. A person can say whatever words he chooses, but the proof is in the actions. Hating a brother means that one is still in darkness.

Argument: None of us do it perfectly, (that why we all need the Advocate as seen in 1 john 2:1) but as we live in the light of Jesus we will not be an excuse for a non-believer (or weaker brother) to stumble into sin.

The Genuine believer will continually be encouraged through the Word of God (1 John 2:11-13)

Explanation: John makes use of a repetitive theme to emphasize the blessings that we have along our journey as believers. The three different terms, fathers, young men, children are not to be taken as 3 literal age groups, but rather as an emphatic means of addressing the scope of all believers. The main thing is to focus on the blessings.

Argument: Believers are forgiven, we have a relationship with the Father, we have the Word, and we have overcome the evil one by His Holy Power.

Application: The Christian life is exciting; not boring! We have been blessed by all our understanding or imagining. False teachers may enter our fellowship, but we will always have the constant, faithful, and dynamic Spirit of God in our lives and on our side.