1 John 4

1 John 4:1 “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: and every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.” ~ John has brought these disciples to a position in which they now able to overcome the false teachers, their faith beening begotten of God (5:4), thus given them the ability to abide in him (1 Jh 2:27). Now having the witness, engrafted word of the new covenant faith, working in them the will and the to do of his good pleasure (Phil 2:13). Looking above at (vs 10) we are told that every one that is blessed with the engrafter word should bow at the name of their betrothed Husband, Jesus. Notice they should not will, for the spirit of the antichrist (at this writing) was already present in the churches, being lifted up with pride, 'counted the blood covering of the new covenant where in they were sanctified an unholy thing' (Heb 10:29). Thanks be to God that he has reserved a remnant of his betrothed bride (Rm 9:29) that shall not bow the knee to the image of Baal (Rm 11:4). Paul tell us in (Eph 3:14) that 'for this cause I bow my knee unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ'. Why? Because he has so to speak put them in a harness, and by his providential care and chastening keep them there as we would do with our own children which we love.

Vs 6 “We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.” ~ Only those who have the engrafter word of the new covenant faith can decern the uncertain sound (1 Cor 14:8). One can be raised up in the true doctrine, and not having the engrafted word of the new covenant, dealt faith, having only head knowledge, (Mt 13:11) hears only with the natural mind, will not retain it, for when the false teachers come along with cunning devices they will be leaded astray, taking away that which was sown (Mt 13:19).

Vs 7 “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.” ~ Again this is to the beloved, for it is they and they alone that knoweth their Husband, that is, in the sense of our marriage relationship. This love can compel a true believer to lay down his life rather then to deny his beloved Husband (Lk 9:24).

Vs 9 “In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.” ~ This message will ring true in the heart of a true disciple of Christ, for nothing else really matters if he is not in fellowship with his Husband. Yes the true disciple’s light can shine only as it is reflecting the light of the Son. It is a sad day when the earth has come between the child of grace(moon) and the Son (sun), and there is no light. - Ps 13:1 “How long wilt thou forget me, O LORD? How long wilt thou hide thy face from me?” Ps 80:4 “O LORD God of hosts, how long wilt thou be angry against the prayer of thy people?” - Yes I am sure that others such as David and I have felt to be cast off from his presence. May the Lord of glory help us in the time of our sorrow, when the Son no longer shines, and the darkness seems to cover us up. I know, as David, that when I have been tried enough, the light will shine again. May my thoughts continue to be upon him and his word, for as the disciples told Jesus on one occasion: ‘to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life.’ (Jh 6:68)

Vs 12 “No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.” ~ How do we know? It is because we feel his Spirit in us telling us not to despair.

Vs 14 “And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.” ~ The world spoken of herein is limited to the world of Jh 3:16, and Jh 17:17, those who have been sanctified to the truth as recorded in 2 Th 2:13. It is the world wherein the Holy Ghost as the administration of the new covenant hath betrothed (Hos 2:19) them unto the Son, adding (Acts 2:47) them to the chruch.

Vs 16 “And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the Day of Judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.” ~ The us, being the world that abideth in Him (1 Jh 2:27). This Day of Judgment is the judgment seat of Christ (Rm 14:10, 2 Cor 5:10), when we come before him in the assembly. We know that our eternal home is based upon, that with took place when God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself (2 Cor 5:19), not in some future time. Have been blessed with the knowledge that comes with the new covenant faith we are able to obtain the justification, which which come form our work (James 2:21 Rm 4:2, 5:1).

Vs 18 “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love (Heb 2:15). We love him, because he first loved us. If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.” This is a very defining statement, for one cannot be a true disciple if he is unwilling to forgive a brother who has committed a grievous sin, being grieving over his sin with a desire to walk in the way of truth. This being true we must also realize that the consequences of sin will leave a person scarred; yet he should be able to walk with his beloved husband Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 4:8) ‘2 Sam 12:13 ‘ The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die. Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die.’ Yes David did indeed suffer as many of the disciples of Jesus. Gal 6:7 ‘Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap, for he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption.’ I must confess that my life falls far short of the responsibilities which God has so graciously granted unto me. Allen Cook Rev 9/1/09