New Nature, New Love (v2)
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Children’s Question: If you could make one rule that everyone in the world had to follow, what rule would you make? Why?
INTRODUCTION
If you’ve been reading First John, you have noticed that John repeats himself. The themes of light, love, and truth are interwoven throughout this brief letter.
In Chapter 4 John states, that those who are born of God prove it by their love. He reminds us true believers love one another because:
1. They have a new nature.
2. Because Jesus died for them and He makes a difference in their lives.
3. Because they know the positive qualities they possess are be from God’s indwelling Spirit.
4. And Jesus is coming to take us to be with Him, because God loves us with out of this world love!
We begin by looking at the New Nature…
I. We Have a New Nature (4:1–6)
I. We Have a New Nature (4:1–6)
1 Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3 but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.
4 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 5 They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. 6 We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood.
Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3 but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.
4 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 5 They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. 6 We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood.
John starts by warning us about false spirits in the world.
John starts by warning us about false spirits in the world.
Because we have a NEW NATURE (the nature of God plan ted within us) we have the ability to discern what God is saying from the the world.
Keep in mind that the NT was not yet completed at the writing of this letter, and what had been written was not widely known; until the completion of the NT, the local churches depended on the ministry of people with spiritual gifts to teach them truth.
How could a believer know when a preacher was from God and that his message could be trusted? After all, Satan is an imitator.
John states false spirits WILL NOT confess that Jesus is the Christ. That is still true today!
That is still true today!
False religions deny the deity of Christ and make Him a mere man or an inspired teacher.
But the Christian has the Spirit within, the new nature, and this gives overcoming power.
John says two spirits are in the world today:
A teaching is either true and from the Spirit of God; or, it is a false and from the spirit of deceit (v. 6).
God’s Spirit of Truth, who speaks through the inspired Word, or Satan’s spirit of error that teaches lies
1 Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons. 2 These people are hypocrites and liars, and their consciences are dead.
Teachers sent by God will speak from God, and God’s children will recognize them.
Teachers sent by God will speak from God, and God’s children will recognize them. Satan’s workers will speak from and depend on worldly wisdom ().
Satan’s workers will speak from and depend on worldly wisdom ().
Satan’s workers speak from and depend on worldly wisdom ().
This truth is repeated throughout the Bible:
Jesus told us, true sheep recognize the voice of the Shepherd (, ).
True sheep also recognize and love one another.
Satan is a divider and destroyer; Christ unites people in love.
PRACTICAL APPLICATION: We discern the Spirit of God speaking truth, from the spirit of deceit leading to lies each day!
John continues to discuss the role of the Spirit in the life of the believer. He encourages the community to evaluate teachings to determine if they are from God or from those who have separated from the community (the antichrists; ).
God always encourages His Children to evaluate teachings to determine if they are grounded in His Written Word of from worldly wisdom...
God has given us His Spirit to discern right from wrong...
John continues to discuss the role of the Spirit in the life of the believer. He encourages the community to evaluate teachings to determine if they are from God or from those who have separated from the community
Truth ALWAYS ultimately sets us free, while lies enslave us...
Loving people and being kind ALWAYS serves us better over the long run, than being mean and hateful...
John tells us to test what we hear to determine if it is true or false; he then underscores the most important event in human history: the ATONEMENT of Christ!
II. Christ Died for Us (4:7–11)
II. Christ Died for Us (4:7–11)
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.
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.
The world does not really believe that God is love.
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.
The world does not really believe that God is love.
People see the awful ravages of sin in the world and say, “How can a God of love permit these things to happen?”
The world is filled with evil and the consequences of sin continue to take their toll. Everything seems to be out of control.
We tell people God loves them and they doubt the words. TELLING IS NOT ENOUGH for us, so God gave us a demonstration of love—God sent His Son! It caused us to pause and reflect!
And when we love them as God does—OUR demonstration of love it causes them to pause!
God proved His love at the cross.
John says Christ died that we might live “through” Him
9 God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him.
1 john 4:9
Paul reminds to live “for” Christ in:
15 He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them.
(), “for” Him (), and “with” Him ().
And “with” Him in:
9 For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us. 10 Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever.
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The logic is clear: “If God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.” We should love each other in the same measure and manner as God loves us.
The Cross reconciles sinners to God and people to one another. If two Christians do not love one another, they have taken their eyes from the cross. John explains that God’s true children will reflect His character.
False teachers deny the effectiveness of the Cross to restore people to God.
John reminds us that ONLY thru the Cross of Christ can a person find their way back to God.
Trusting in Christ alone is the only method God provided to take care of our sin problem—every other method is false!
Those whom God has fathered spiritually (believers in Christ) enjoy a relationship with Him
The Cross was God’s method to restore the image lost by humanity when man fell in the garden ().
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God’s ultimate expression of love was the Cross, and those who deny that Jesus came in the flesh and died on the Cross for their sins, reject God’s love for them.
God’s ultimate expression of love was the Cross, and those who deny that Jesus came in the flesh and died on the Cross for their sins, reject God’s love for them.
As a result, John says in v11, “we also ought to love one another!”
John links together the two main issues that false teachers have misconstrued:
John links together the two main issues that the false teachers have misconstrued:
(1) the love of God demonstrated thru the Cross and,
(2) the love God IN US, which enables us to love one another with HIS love!
For John, the two expressions of love are interwoven and lived out among the Children of God.
III. The Spirit Witnesses to Us (4:13–16)
III. The Spirit Witnesses to Us (4:13–16)
13 And God has given us his Spirit as proof that we live in him and he in us. 14 Furthermore, we have seen with our own eyes and now testify that the Father sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. 15 All who declare that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God. 16 We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love.
God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them.
13 This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit. 14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. 15 If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. 16 And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.
People CANNOT see God, but they CAN SEE God’s children revealing Him in their love for one another and for those in need.
People cannot see God, but they can see God’s children revealing Him in their love for one another and for those in need.
This love is not something that we work up; it is the work of the Spirit within:
5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.
God’s love flows from us as we yield to the Holy Spirit. Christians do not love each other because of their good qualities, but in spite of their bad qualities!
When we abide in His love, we have no difficulty loving other Christians.
When we choose to FEED the New Nature God planted within us, we have no difficulty loving other Christians.
We enable the new nature to grow and eventually it produces the fruit God desires .
tells us there are two type of fruit: one comes from the Spirit of God and the other is from the world—or the spirit of deceit...
13 For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. 14 For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you are always biting and devouring one another, watch out! Beware of destroying one another.
16 So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. 17 The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. 18 But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses.
19 When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, 21 envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.
22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. 25 Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. 26 Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another.
I know it’s been a long tim to us, but I also know Jesus is coming…
IV. Christ Is Coming for Us, Because He loves us! (4:17–21)
IV. Christ Is Coming for Us, Because He loves us! (4:17–21)
17 This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. 18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
19 We love because he first loved us. 20 Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. 21 And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.
17 This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. 18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
17 This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. 18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
19 We love because he first loved us. 20 Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. 21 And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.
Christians who obey God have boldness with God now (3:21–22); and Christians who love one another will have confidence when Christ returns. Some, however, will be ashamed at His coming (2:28). Christians will have to get along with each other in heaven, so why not begin by loving one another down here? Where there is true love for God and His people, there need be no fear of future judgment. God may have to discipline us in love during this life, but we need not fear to face Him when He returns. We may be ashamed, but we do not need to be afraid.
A better translation of verses 17-21 is:
17 In this [union and communion with Him] love is brought to completion and attains perfection with us, that we may have confidence for the day of judgment [with assurance and boldness to face Him], because as He is, so are we in this world.
18 There is no fear in love [dread does not exist], but full-grown (complete, perfect) love turns fear out of doors and expels every trace of terror! For fear brings with it the thought of punishment, and [so] he who is afraid has not reached the full maturity of love [is not yet grown into love’s complete perfection].
19 We love Him, because He first loved us.
20 If anyone says, I love God, and hates (detests, abominates) his brother in Christ], he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, Whom he has not seen.
21 And this command (charge, order, injunction) we have from Him: that he who loves God shall love his brother believer] also.
17 In this [union and communion with Him] love is brought to completion and attains perfection with us, that we may have confidence for the day of judgment [with assurance and boldness to face Him], because as He is, so are we in this world.
18 There is no fear in love [dread does not exist], but full-grown (complete, perfect) love turns fear out of doors and expels every trace of terror! For fear brings with it the thought of punishment, and [so] he who is afraid has not reached the full maturity of love [is not yet grown into love’s complete perfection].
19 We love Him, because He first loved us.
20 If anyone says, I love God, and hates (detests, abominates) his brother [in Christ], he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, Whom he has not seen.
21 And this command (charge, order, injunction) we have from Him: that he who loves God shall love his brother [believer] also.
Our present communion with God, seeking Him, trying to love as He does, cooperating with the Holy Spirit, as He produces His fruit in us—PUSHES AWAY FEAR.
We do not dread facing God--We look forward to Jesus coming!
We need not fear the day of judgment, because the Spirit’s witness of love proves that we are His children and that we will never face condemnation.
Note the astounding statement at the end of v17: “In this world we are like Jesus”
Note the astounding statement at the end of v17: “In this world we are like Jesus”
literally translated, “as He is (now in heaven), so are we (now on earth).”
literally translated, “as He is (now in heaven), so are we (now on earth).”
Jesus is in heaven representing us before the Father, and we are on earth representing Him before sinful people.
God never meant for people to live in terror. There was no fear on earth until Satan and sin entered the world ().
Adam and Eve were afraid and hid only AFTER they fell.
Yes, Judgment is coming, and anyone who has never trusted Christ ought to be afraid—BUT CHRISTIANS DO NOT NEED TO BE AFRAID TO MEET THEIR LORD!
Vs20-21 God commands us to love one another
Keep in mind that Christian love does not mean we must agree with everything a brother or sister thinks or does.
We may not like some of their personal characteristics—but because they are in Christ, we can love them!
Doing so demonstrates an accurate understanding of the love of God.
The believer’s responsibility to show Christ-like sacrificial love to other Christians is not optional; it is commanded by God as a way of displaying His love to the world.
If I had but one message to give you today from God, it is this—LOVE ONE ANOTHER NOT JUST WITH WORDS, but with YOUR ACTIONS!