2. Sure of a Relationship

Question#1

Who do you know that almost always exudes confidence?The Point

The Point:

My Relationship with God is reflected in How I live.

Life Connection:

Only in Christ is Salvation possible. Other belief systems attempt to point us to ways we can be in good standing with God, but they are all based on efforts.

From that vantage point, no one can ever be sure they‘ve done enough - or have done the right thing. Salvation comes through Jesus because of what He has done, and the way we live after coming to Him in faith reassures us that we have been saved and transformed by Him.

The Setting

John, the Beloved Apostle, wrote 1 John, perhaps from his exile on Patmos in the mid-90s AD. First John is a letter of assurance. We have been studying Jude on Sunday Morning written around the same time Jude was a letter of warning to the church about false teachers, John is a letter of Assurance to the believers. Assuring them of their Forgiveness, their Relationship with God, Assuring them of the Truth, Assuring them of Victory in Jesus, Assuring them of God’s Love and Salvation.

Here is Johns summery statement of his letter.

1 John 5:13 NKJV

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.

John began by establishing his credentials as an eyewitness. Then he described the character God: “God is Light” (1:5)

Next John revealed three false claims and responded with three of God’s truths about forgiveness (1:6-2:2) Then John discussed believers’ relationships with God (2:3-17).

1 John 2:3–6

Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments.

He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him.

He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.

1 John 2:3 NKJV

Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments.

- How do we know that we know Him? Obedience

How we live reveals who we really are. If we say one thing and live something else what does that make us? A liar

1 John 2:4 NKJV

He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

This addresses the false teacher like what we have looked at in Jude as well as those that proclaim to know Christ and don’t.

If people proclaim to know Christ and willingly live in sin they are liar and the truth is not in them.

this doesn’t mean we never sin, but it means we don’t live there. We don’t habitually sin, like the dog returning to it’s vomit.

1 John 2:5 NKJV

But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him.

Just as verse 4 showed us what a nonbeliever looks like, verse 5 shows us what a believer looks like.

1 John 2:6 NKJV

He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.

The walk reflects the lifestyle. If we abide in Christ if that is where we live we should walk like Christ walks.

Question#2

“What do you find challenging about walking in Jesus’ footsteps?”

I Stubble, I fall, I look to please self more than God at times, I feel pride, doubt, anger. Sometimes my walk and talk don’t match.

1 John 2:7–11

Brethren, I write no new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you heard from the beginning.

Again, a new commandment I write to you, which thing is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining.

He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now.

He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him.

But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

Johns primary purpose in writing this letter appears to be assuring the Christian of their Salvation.

He is giving a test one could give themselves.

Assurance of Salvation

The Moral Test of Obedience (2:3-6, Love for God)

The Social Test of Love (2:7-11, Love for Others)

The Doctrinal Test of Belief in Christ (2:18-27)

John here is addressing the Brethren, Brother’s and Sisters in Christ. In verse 7 John says, “I write no new commandment to you “, Then in verse 8 he says, “a new commandment I write to you.” So which is it? Is there a new commandment or not? This is Johns way of saying , Here is a new aspect of looking at an old command. Deuteronomy 6:5, Leviticus 19:18.

Deuteronomy 6:5 NKJV

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.

Leviticus 19:18 NKJV

You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.

The old command has a new aspect in that.

We love because of Fellowship with God.

We have a standard of Love demonstrated through Christ.

Love becomes self-sacrificing.

Love comes with humility.

The sense of Love we have comes through being new creatures.

Looking at love after the cross takes on new meaning.

Verse 7 says Brethren written to believers. Verse says “He who says” referring to false teachers.

1 John 2:9–11 NKJV

9 He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. 10 He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. 11 But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

Question# 3

“How would you describe spiritual blindness?”

Not seeing or being concerned with the things of God.

1 John 2:15–17 NKJV

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.

John shows us here what loving the world looks like.

Lust of the Flesh: This is the desire for selfish pleasure; the person who cares more about himself than others.

Lust of the Eyes: This type of temptation is tied to the greedy longing for gain, always wanting more but never satisfied.

The Pride of Life: This temptation refers to envy and the love of popularity, recognition, and applause.

Question#4

“What are some things in the world we are tempted to love?”

Question#5

“What are some examples of the things in the world - the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life?”

Live It Out

My relationship with God is reflective in how I live. Choose one of the following applications:

Examine your life. Consider the fruit of the Spirit. Listed in Galatians 5:22-23. If, after examinig your life, you feel as through you have fallen short in manifesting a true Christian character, then repent and trust in Christ now.

Align your life. Perhaps through this study, you have been assured of your relationship with God. However, you also realize there are a few things in your life that need to be realigned under God’s Will. If so, begin making those changes this week.

Make a difference in someone else’s life. Be intentional this week to share about your relationship with Christ. Look for opportunities to serve someone, and when you see it, don’t hesitate. Serving others gives a great opportunity for sharing the gospel.