1 John 3

1 John 3 ~ Vs1 “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.” ~ The phrase, ‘sons of God’ is the same ones included in John 1:12, which has reference to the manifested sons, or true believers in the finished work of the atonement. This is further defined by the use of the pronoun us. Paul in Rom 8:23 refers to the two classes of God’s people as ‘they’, but also ‘ourselves’, which have the firstfruits of the spirit, or new covenant faith. The world has reference to those yet under the work systems. 1 Jh 2:19, 20 also separates these two classes of God’s people, the ones who had not the unction of the Holy One and those who do.

Vs 2 “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.” Beloved, as stated is an enduring term used as the wife of a faithful husband. Now those who are the firstfruits are embraced in the arms of our beloved. This indeed is impossible for one such as I to think he would peradventure invite me too dine with him in his chamber. Being blessed with this hope even brings us to the purity found in our husband, Jesus. I say that which is found in our Husband, for within us there is nothing good, let alone pure. I am made to think of the song in the harp ‘Purer in Heart Oh Lord, make me to be’.

Vs 4 “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.” ~ Where there is no law there can be no sin charged. We find this was the case in Rom 5:13 from Adam to Moses, yet men died because of their sin nature. God was (2 Cor 2:19) manifested in the flesh (in the man Jesus) to take away our sins. This took place in the three hours of darkness upon the cross. The phrase, ‘in him is no sin’ has reference to Jesus and while we are dining, abiding in him we are without sin. No man can have a continual abiding in him, but for a little while when we meet in the assembly, he peradventure will open to us his bride’s chamber and invite us to dine with him. It is in this position that we are without sin, because Satan can not enter there (Isa 33:21). When we are walking in the flesh (Rom 8:1) he is not with us, for we will not find him as long as we are in the flesh. John admonishes us to walk in the light, so ‘as much as is in me’ I am ready to serve my LORD and master Jesus Christ. Yes it is he that worketh in me the will and the to do of his good pleasure. My prayer is that I will be ready to work out what he has worked in me, and continue to work at crucifying this flesh.

Vs 8 “He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.” ~ It is no question in our minds that if we are engaged in the sins of this flesh we are following in the ways, which the devil delights in. As state above this is the very reason for God being manifested in the flesh; that is, to destroy the works of the devil. Then why oh why do we yet live after the flesh? It is simply that I am not abiding in him. Birth what is it, and what is involved in it? We do not agree with those who say that you can kill a baby in the womb, for it is not yet a child. This may be lengthy but we need to get the setting of the events evolved in the birth of a child. Look at the scriptures and you tell me what is involved in the birth of a child. Matt 1:18 ‘she was found with child.’ Matt 1:21 ‘she shall bring forth a son.’ Matt 2:1 ‘when Jesus was born in Bethlehem.’ Matt 19:12 ‘They were so born from their mother's womb.’ Luke 2:11 ‘There is born this day in the city of David a Saviour.’ John 3:5 ‘Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter.’ John 16:21 ‘as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world.’ 1 Cor 15:8 ‘one born out of due time.’ Gal 4:19 ‘I travail in birth.’ Heb 11:23 ‘when Moses was born, was hid three months.’1 John 2:29 ‘every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.’ Rev 12:2 ‘She being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.’ Rev 12:4 ‘the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.’ Now lets look at the other words, which must first take place before birth. For one to be born, they must be brought forth from the womb. Matt 1:20 ‘fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.’ Luke 1:36 ‘Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her.’ Luke 2:21 ‘Jesus, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.’ Rom 9:10 ‘Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac.’ In verse 11 this event is following verse 10, ‘the children being not yet born.’ What more can I say? Conception gives life; and birth, or being born, gives light to the life that already exist. Now lets go back to our text ‘Whosoever is born of God’. Those who have been conceived (regenerated Mt 19:28) by the dealt faith of the new covenant, hath the seed of Christ in them. In 1 Peter 1:3 we find this statement, He has, “begotten us again unto a lively hope”. This is not the beginning of Peter’s sonship as a child of God, but when he was sanctified to the truth, having the seed of Christ implanted within them. Peter further defines this in verse 23, “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word (logos) of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.” If you will notice the word (logos) is not capitalized here as in Jh 1:1. Why? It is because it is the seed of Christ, not Christ himself. Just as the husband of a woman is able to quicken to life the egg in the womb of the mother, so the Holy Ghost quickens the life in the womb of the law (Ps 110:3, Gal 1:13, Eph 2:1, 13). It is the seed of Christ, for wisdom (Pr ch 8 - Holy Ghost) is justified of her children (Lk 7:35), which is the mother of us all (Gal 4:26). This is the seed spoken of in Gen 15:13, Ps 22:30, Isa 1:9, Rom 9:29, Gal 3:16, which cannot sin, nor lie (1 Jh 2:27), nor be deceived (Mt 24:22,24), for it is the seed of Christ in you. It is also called an anointing (2:27), or unction of the Holy One (2:20). The manifestation of this defines who is born, brought to light, and those who are yet in the darkness of the spiritual womb, or work systems of the world. Both groups are children of God and have been conceived by the fruit of the spirit and able to discern between good and evil. Yet the flesh is always present, but only those who have been brought forth to light are able to manifest themselves as the true ‘sons of God.’ If the laws of the land did not prevent those under the work systems from persecuting (2 Thes 3:2) the true believers, they would, as history has shown us. If one has this testimony in them, and is following after the works of the flesh, he is manifesting himself as a liar or a child of the devil. John 8:44 “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth (manifested) in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.” Yes only one who has this (new covenant faith) testimony in him, can be declared a liar. He is manifesting the opposite of what the witness within is testifying to him. During the ministry of Jesus his works and words were the witnesses. In the early church they had the sign gifts and the written word as the two witnesses. Since the completion of the cannons and the closing of the sign gifts, we now have the law written in the heart and the preaching of the word in the power of the Holy Ghost as the two witnesses.

Vs 11 “For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous. Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.” ~ Again we must keep the lesson in context as John is writing to the beloved bride of Jesus, for we see the lesson is about those that, from the beginning, understand their relationship with their husband. We are told that as much as ye have did it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me (Mt 25:40). Most of Adam’s race is looking out for self, and do not take time to help others, unless it is to their benefit, or they are attempting to flee the wrath to come (Mt 3:7, Lk 3:7). The worldly system hates the true disciples (2 Thes 3:2). We live in a society that is much different than that found in the rest of the world. In other words, Cain could represent most of mankind. Question, am I saying that those who act as Cain can be a child of God? If not for the marvelous grace of God we would all be like unto Balaam and Core (Jude 11). It is not in me to determine who is and who is not a child of God.

Vs 14 “We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” The word brethren/brother is used throughout this lesson, and must be referring to those who are following Jesus, in spirit and truth. If a church member is having a problem with another church member he is not abiding in the husband, the man Jesus. What more should be said?

Vs 17 “But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?" The lesson continues as above, that is defining what is true discipleship, and no one else is included in the lesson. Gal 6:10 “Let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”

Vs 18 “My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight." Truth is the key word in the lesson. If one is not striving to keep the faith, then he can not be included in the lesson.

Vs 23 “And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.” The Spirit again goes back to 2:20 in reference to the ability to worship him in spirit and truth (Jh 4:24). In order to dwell, abide in him, we must be holding, ‘the faith’ in a pure conscience. 2 Cor 4:2 “By manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.”
Allen Cook Rev 9/2/09