December 1st 2024 1 John chapter 2 v 1 - 11
The writer now deals with the conduct of the believer who walks in the light. There is no break in thought between the chapters.
This part deals with the character of our conduct: … Imitation of Jesus.
The assurance of forgiveness of sins (1 v 9) and the statements of its acceptance (1 v 8-10) might lead some to take a light view of sin. So,John shows the standard of conduct and the nature of the remedy for sin in order that his readers might not sin.
V 1. Little children. A term of endearment, not an indication of age.
That ye sin not, cannot mean "that ye continue not in sin," but rather "that ye sin not at all."
Though this can never be completely true until we see Him ( ch3 v 2), it should be our aim always.
And if any man sin. Man cannot be sinless until we reach heaven, our nature by default is to sin, but with help from the Lord we sin less and less until He comes
We have. John includes himself.
Advocate. one summoned alongside especially to serve as a helper - ,a patron. The word is used in the NT only by John (John 14 v 16,26,… 15 v 26; …16 v 7, and here),
The advocate pleads the cause of the believer against Satan, his accuser (Rev ch 12 v 10).
He is Jesus Christ the righteous. ….Righteous indicates the particular characteristic of our Lord which gives effectiveness to his support (Heb ch 7 v 26).
Because he is righteous, he can plead with the righteous Father
V 2. He. He himself, a personal help……Christ himself IS the satisfaction
Propitiation. This is the basis of his advocacy, and although the latter is for believers only, propitiation is for all men, ..Propitiation means satisfaction (used here and in ch 4 v 10 only).
"Jesus is said to be the 'propitiation' and not simply the 'propitiator'
He is called the 'Saviour' in order to emphasize the thought that He is Himself the only offering as well as the priest
For our sins. …For not "on behalf of."
But also for the whole world. There is no limitation on the satisfaction which Christ is concerning sin.
He is the Pattern for Imitation - "Even as he walked."
Keeping the Word of Christ. V 3-5. Imitation involves keeping His commandments.
V 3. Hereby if we keep his commandments.
We do know. We understand things
That we know him. We have come to a knowledge of Him personally .
Keep his commandments. Gnosticism is the opposite, which concernsitself with intellectual attainment, Christianity requires moral conduct.
V 4. Is a liar. His whole life and character is false.
Truth as an active value is not in such a man and so cannot regulate his whole life.
V 5 Word. God’s word is wider than the commandments, covering all of God's revelation of His will.
Love of God ..Our love for God is found to be prefect… indwelling peace
V 6. He that saith. To declare yourself on Christ's side binds you to Him morally to imitate him ..
Abideth …Tis is a habitual fellowship maintained by keeping His commandments ,._
Ought …we are bound; as if an obligation represented as a debt
Even as not merely, as Jesus did. indicating that the imitation must be exact and, in all things
The pattern of Jesus Christ is set down in the NT and is everywhere humiliation and self-sacrifice.
V 7. Brethren., (beloved). First occurrence of the word in this epistle.
Commandment. To walk as he walked (v. 6) and to love the brethren.These are essentially the same.
From the beginning. This could mean the beginning of the race, or the beginning of the Law (Lev 19 v 18) or, best, the beginning of the Christian life.
V 8. Which thing is true. The best reading would be. A new commandment write I unto you. namely, that which is true in Him
Is past., … the darkness IS passing away
Because the darkness is passing away and the true light is shining, John asks his readers walk as children of light.
The true light, The revelation promised from God in Christ. Anew brighter future
V 9. He that saith. Don’t let there be a possible inconsistency between profession and conduct
Brother. Fellow Christian, not fellow man
Is in darkness. This false profession involves existence in the exactly opposite state from that which is claimed,
V 10. He that loveth. This is not mere profession, but the actual truth.
There is none occasion of stumbling in him, There is in him nothing likely to cause others to stumble.
This follows the general NT, occasion of stumbling for it is used of offense caused to others.
V 11. Is in darkness and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not.
Darkness is where things go wrong for the believer and is the home and scope of activity and the cause of being blind of the one who hates his brother.
News from the Church New dates
4th December …..Friendship Group, (this covers all ages and the lonely people.)
18th December….. Knit and natter is a time to finish old projects or learn new skills
22nd December….. Carol Service at 6-30pm
25th December….. Christmas day Service. 10-00 am This is a 45 minute service so you can get back
to preparing the dinner
ANSWERS TO 24th November QUESTIONS
1) Passover feast 2) No king before like him 3) He fought king Necho of Egypt 4) Jeremiah
5) Jeremiah 6)Zephaniah 7) Yes 8 ) They loved him 9) Come to a banquet 10). To hang Mordecai 11) It was revealed of the plot to kill the jews by Haman 12) He was hung on the Gallows that he had built 13) She wrote to the Jews be ready and arm yourselves 14) Esther ch 8 v 9
15) Ch 3 v 13 and Ch 8 v 10 16) He was given royal apparel and wore the kings ring
Bible Quiz this week’s Quiz is about Hezekiah and Isaiah and Nehemiah
1 Who was the Emissary for the Assyrians?
2 What did Hezekiah do with the ultimatum from Assyria?
3 What great Prophet was living in Jerusalem at the time?
4 How did he convey God’s message to Hezekiah?
5 What dramatic thing happened to the Assyrian army?
6 When the King was dangerously ill, what message did Isaiah bring to him?
7 When the king prayed, what was Isaiah told to tell him?
8 How was the king healed and what was the sign of his recovery?
9 How did Nehemiah first survey the ruins of Jerusalem?
10 What did he tell the people about rebuilding it?
11 Who was the main opponent to Nehemiah rebuilding?
12 Why were the builders armed during their work?
13 Why were they to listen for the sound of the trumpet?
14 Why did Nehemiah have 150 people to dinner each day?
15 What Scribe occupied the pulpit for half a day?
16 Who said “the joy of the Lord is your strength”?
God Bless