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1 João 2

Adam Clarke · Citado em PreceptAustin

1 João 2:7-11

Clarke - He is still in his heathen or unconverted state; and walketh in darkness, his conduct being a proof of that state; and knoweth not whither he goeth - having no proper knowledge of God or eternal things; and cannot tell whether he is going to heaven or hell, because that darkness has blinded his eyes - darkened his whole soul, mind, and heart. Habitual hatred inevitably produces further hatred; so that the possibility of loving becomes more and more remote. Stephen Smalley - Pursuing and extending the motif of “light and darkness” which he is using here, the author suggests that a perpetual existence in darkness rather than light causes spiritual blindness, and consequently makes it increasingly difficult to find the way back to God… Habitual hatred inevitably produces further hatred; so that the possibility of loving becomes more and more remote. (See 1, 2, and 3 John, Volume 51: Revised - Page 60) Marvin Vincent on has blinded - The aorist tense (aorist, active, indicative), blinded, indicates a past, definite, decisive act. When the darkness overtook, it blinded. The blindness is no new state into which he has come. For the image (blinded) see Isa 6:10-note. See on closed, Mt 13:15 (Vincent's Note on Mt 13:15 = The Hebrew, in Isa. 6:10, is besmear. This insensibility is described as a punishment. Compare Isa. 29:10; 44:18; in both of which the closing of the eyes is described as a judgment of God. Sealing up the eyes was an oriental punishment. Cheyne (“Isaiah”) cites the case of a son of the Great Mogul, who had his eyes sealed up three years by his father as a punishment. Dante pictures the envious, on the second cornice of Purgatory, with their eyes sewed up: “For all their lids an iron wire transpierces, And sews them up, as to a sparhawk wild, Is done, because it will not quiet stay.” Purg., xiii., 70–72.) Compare Jn 1:5+, and see katalambano, overtook; John 12:35, 40. Pulpit Commentary - The brother-hater has darkness as his habitual condition and as the atmosphere in which he lives and works; and long ago (aorist) the continual darkness deprived him of the very power of sight, so that he is in ignorance as to the course he is taking. Cf. "They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness" (Ps 82:5); "The wise man’s eyes are in his head, but the fool walks in darkness. And yet I know that one fate befalls them both." (Eccl 2:14) (1 John 2 - The Pulpit Commentaries) A T

1 João 2:16

Clarke writes that "All that it can boast of, all that it can promise, is only sensual, transient gratification, and even this promise it cannot fulfill; so that its warmest votaries (devoted admirers) can complain loudest of their disappointment. B F Westcott - In moral and spiritual things there is a law of equilibrium. Nothing rises higher than its source. The desire of things earthly as ends in themselves comes from the world and is bounded by the world. It is therefore incompatible with the love of the Father… It is the false view of them which makes them idols. (1 John 2 Commentary) D Edmond Hiebert - As Jackman notes, "The `worldly' characteristics of which the verse speaks are in fact reactions going on inside us, as we contemplate the environment outside. John's three articular designations seem best understood as denoting the three basic spheres of worldliness. Although they do not offer exact parallels, these three realities are seen in the accounts of the temptation of Eve in the Garden (Ge 3:6) and of Jesus in the wilderness (Luke 4:1-12). (The Epistles of John An Expositional Commentary D. Edmond Hiebert) (See Hiebert's Excellent Online Paper on 1 John 2:2-17 in Bibliotheca Sacra) Steven

1 João 2:16

Clarke writes that lust of the eyes speaks of "Inordinate desires after finery of every kind, gaudy dress, splendid houses, superb furniture, expensive equipage, trappings, and decorations of all sorts.

1 João 2:16

Clarke writes boastful pride of life speaks of "Hunting after honors, titles, and pedigrees; boasting of ancestry, family connections, great offices, honorable acquaintance, and the like. H A

1 João 2:16

Clarke writes not from the Father indicates that "Nothing of these inordinate attachments either comes from or leads to God. They are of this world; here they begin, flourish, and end. They deprave the mind, divert it from Divine pursuits, and render it utterly incapable of spiritual enjoyments. A man can be outwardly conformed to the Christian way of life while he is inwardly conformed to the spirit of this world. -- Sinclair Ferguson Daniel Akin - His is a real Cinderella story. He played quarterback at a small obscure college (Northern Iowa). The NFL had no use for him so he was forced to play in Europe and then Arena Football back in the US. He married an abandoned divorcee on food stamps and worked in a grocery store after being cut by the Green Bay Packers making $5.50 an hour stocking shelves. God, however, had something special for him. In 2000 he led the St. Louis Rams to the Super Bowl. In 2001 he was named the NFL’s MVP. His name is Kurt Warner (Read Wikipedia) and he is a wonderfully committed Christian. Commenting on his playing days in Europe he said, “I really got to know the Lord there, because of all the temptations from the devil in Amsterdam. Drugs, women, promiscuity everywhere you go. The devil tried to get me to fall, but I gave my life completely to the Lord.” When asked what he wanted his football epitaph to be he simply said, “He used his football platform to work for Jesus.” (World, 2-19-02, p. 11). The world loves us in order to abuse us and destroy us. Jesus loves us in order to save us and use us. The world’s glory is for a moment, but God’s glory is forever. “He who does the will of God, he will abide forever.” Adrian Rogers (Sermon - Overcoming) First of all, the lust of the flesh. And, I’m telling you, more and more and more, you are going to have to say, “Dear God give me power to overcome the lust of the flesh.” The other night I was sitting, watching television, just going through the channels, and I looked at something and I said, “Dear God what on earth is that? How did that get in on public television?” The devil said, “Why don’t you watch that?” The Lord said, “You have no business watching that.” Do you ever face anything like that? Don’t look so holy. Passions Now dear friend, that’s what we call the lust of the flesh. That deals with our passions. Now I’m not just talking about erotic passions. It’s anything that tells you to pamper the flesh so that you will do something contrary to the will of God. That is what we call the lust of the flesh. And so, that deals with passions. And, then look if you will, here. And, all that is of the world, the lust of the flesh and then the lust of the eyes. Possessions Now what does he mean with the lust of the eyes. Well, that deals with possessions, not passions, but possessions. You know the eyes just simply see things and they want those things. You’re eyes have an appetite. Have you ever heard the expressions, “feast your eyes on that?” Just as your flesh has an appetite, your eyes have an appetite. And, many of us have a desire to acquire and to have things. You see, the lust of the flesh deals with doing, but the lust of the eyes deals with having. Now, let’s go on and look at what he says, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and then he says, the pride of life, the pride of life. Positions First of all, passions, secondly possessions, and thirdly positions. That’s the pride of life. To be something, to be somebody. Now there’s nothing wrong with holy ambition, but he’s talking here about unholy ambition. To try to be first, to put yourself ahead. To somehow be the biggest, the greatest, the smartest, the grandest, or whatever it is. This is what motivates so many people. Drive the car that’ll make your neighbors envious. Madison Avenue knows how to work all three of these. These things are not new. They’re just as old as they can be. When the devil saw Eve in the Garden of Eden he said, “Eat that fruit.” What was that? The lust of the flesh. And, then he said that the tree was beautiful. What was that? The lust of the eyes. Desire to make one wise, what was that? The pride of life. You see, that’s not new. That’s as old as the Garden of Eden. When the Lord Jesus Christ was here on earth, how did the devil tempt the Lord Jesus? He said, “Turn these stones into bread.” What is that? The lust of the flesh. Then he said to the Lord Jesus, “I’ll give you all the kingdoms of the world if you’ll fall down and worship me.” What is that? The lust of the eyes. You can have all of this. And then he said, “Cast yourself down from the temple.” What’s that? The pride of life. That is, you just come floating into the temple court and everybody will say, “Isn’t he wonderful. Look what He did as He just floated down on angels wings.” The devil knows how to get us. You see, but my dear friend, all of these are substitutes for what God wants us to have, because dear, we are suppose to do something, but what are we to do? Do the will of God. We are supposed to have something, but what? Have what He wants us to have. We are to be something, but to be what He wants us to be. And, if the devil can’t get you any other way, dear friend, he’ll just simply get you to do a good thing the wrong way. Now, you’re going to be pressured. There’s going to be unbelievable pressure this world’s system. Now, let me tell you about the world. We have been saved out of this world, but we are in the world. We are sent back to the world to witness to the world and that’s the only business we have in the world. We are not to conform to the world. We are not to condemn the world. We are not to compromise with the world, but we are to confront the world, and we are to overcome the world with the gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Now, there you’re going to meet tremendous opposition. And, don’t get the idea that because you’re saved, you’re not going to have any opposition. As a matter of fact, that’s really when you’re opposition begins. I’ve said it before. If you’ve never met the devil it’s because you and the devil have been going in the same direction. You turn around, you start to live for God, and you’re going to have a collision with a system that I call Satan’s system and that the Bible calls the world. THE ANTIDOTE FOR LOVE OF THE WORLD - "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart" (Deuteronomy 6:5). Many people come to a sad end because they worship wrong gods. Some are wicked, having made a god out of sensual pleasure. Others are decent people, yet they too have worshiped the wrong god. After a young farmer committed suicide, his wife said, Farming wasn't just a job with Floyd. It was his identity, his nationality, his religion. Working with the ground gave us both a sense of connection with the Almighty. But it had gone sour by the time Floyd killed himself. My heart goes out to people like Floyd. They have a deep apprecia­tion of God's natural world and are willing to work hard. But when-ever an occupation or anything temporal takes priority in life, it be-comes our god. The apostle John admonished us, Do not love the world or the things in the world… 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 (1John 2:15, 16). This can apply to any earthly pursuit that becomes central in our lives. When we love anything more than the true and living God revealed in the Bible, we are worshiping it. Whatever it is, it won't last. (1Jn 2:17-note ) The "world" is whatever cools our affection for Christ. There's no room for double occupancy in the Christian's heart. A Breach In The Wall The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father. — 1 John 2:16 Today's Scripture : Nehemiah 4:7-18 The 4,000-mile-long Great Wall of China was built to keep out invaders from the north. The first wall was constructed by Shi Huangdi, the first emperor of China, who lived between 259 and 210 bc. But in ad 1644 the Manchus broke through the Great Wall and overran China. They did this by bribing a general of the Ming dynasty to open the gates. During the reconstruction of ancient Jerusalem, Nehemiah understood the acute danger posed by those who opposed the rebuilding of the city’s ruined walls. So he commanded constant vigilance. Half of the workers were to stand watch while half rebuilt the walls (Neh. 4:13-18). As Christians, we must be vigilant that nothing breaches our spiritual defenses. Even the most mature believer can never afford to let down his guard. The apostle John warns us of enemies from three quarters. He identifies them as “the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life” (1 John 2:16). These enemies lure us away from God and His Word and leave a gap for the enemy to sneak in. It may not be some heinous deed That chills our hearts and chokes the seed; It’s often just a trifling toy That grabs our eye and steals our joy. —Gustafson The world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. —1 John 2:17 Disappointing Sideshows - Joe Stowell For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—comes not from the Father but from the world." 1 John 2:16 When I was a boy, one of the biggest annual events in town was the circus. My dad would take us early in the morning to watch the circus trains unload the tigers, lions, elephants, monkeys, and all the other animals and paraphernalia that made the circus so intriguing. Once the circus was set up, great attractions were lined along the midway. The midway was the walkway leading to the big tent. Vendors hawked their wares, happy music played, the smell of hot dogs and cotton candy mingled in the air, and multicolored balloons bounced in the wind. With bursts of laughter and excited screams, customers twisted and turned on amusement rides. The midway was almost more than a boy could take. The most intriguing sights of all for me were the sideshows. Large posters advertised all kinds of physical deformity and daring feats of bravery—a man with three eyes, a bearded woman, sword-swallowers, and fire-eaters. I would pull on my dad’s hand and beg him to take me to see them, only to hear him say, “Joe, it’s a waste of money. It’s not all it’s cracked up to be.” This is the warning we see in 1 John 2:16. The world is a lot like the midway. Much of it is exciting. But as our Father walks us through experiences, He warns us of what will disappoint us, waste our resources, and distort and destroy us. It’s the sideshows that seduce us and endanger our experience here. Our world constantly puts us in tension with all that it offers. This tension forces us to make up our minds about whom or what we will believe and follow. Will it be our Father or the sideshow? When I grew up and went to the circus on my own, I couldn’t wait to put up my own money to see the sideshows—only to find out that my father had been right. My money was wasted. It’s like that in life, but the stakes are far greater. YOUR JOURNEY… What sideshows threaten to seduce and distract me? What will I do to turn from them? How can I learn to follow Jesus more faithfully? Where is my heart for God? for the world? How can I show my love for God today? A man visiting a distant city made no comment when his friends showed him one of the city's most impressive buildings. Disappointed at his silence, one of the friends finally asked, "Don't you think it's beautiful?" "No, not really," he responded. "I've been to Rome, you see." Because he had seen the magnificent structures of Rome's glorious past, the building his friends showed him did not impress him. It suffered tragically by comparison. C. H. Spurgeon, commenting on that story, said "O believer, if the world tempts you with its rare sights and curious prospects, you may well scorn them, having been by contemplation in heaven, and being able by faith to see infinitely better delights every hour of the day." Believers who through faith in God's Word have had a foretaste of heaven and have considered their glorious spiritual blessings in Christ Jesus are not attracted by the enchantments of this world. They're not impressed by its empty baubles. They're not enamored with its allure­ments. Recognizing that which has genuine worth and lasting value, they respond to the earthly and temporal by saying, The world cannot distract us when Christ attracts us. Give Me Jesus In the morning when I rise Give me Jesus Give me Jesus Give me Jesus You can have all this world But give me Jesus. (Sung by Jeremy Camp) WHAT SCENT ARE YOU TRACKING - THE WORLD'S OR HEAVEN'S? A MAN bought a new hunting dog. Eager to see how the dog would perform, the man took him out to track a bear. No sooner had they gotten into the woods than the dog picked up the trail. Suddenly he stopped, sniffed the ground, and headed in a new direction. He had caught the scent of a deer that had crossed the bear's path. A few moments later he halted again, this time smelling a rabbit that had crossed the path of the deer. On and on it went until finally the breathless hunter caught up with his dog, only to find him barking triumphantly down the hole of a field mouse. Sometimes Christians are like that hunting dog. We start out on the right trail, following Christ. But soon our attention is diverted to things of lesser importance. One pursuit leads to another until we've strayed far from our original purpose. Apparently this is what happened to one of the apostle Paul's companions, for Paul wrote to Timothy, "Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world." (2Ti 4:10-note) LAST week I got a letter from my credit card company tell­ing me that I was one of their most valued customers. "We would like to raise your buying power by $3,000," the letter said. The next day, because I was late in sending a payment of $36.96, I received another letter from the same company. This one said if I didn't pay up immediately, they would take action against me. So which am I? A valued customer or a loser? With one voice they urged me to go out and spend more of their money. With another they implied that I couldn't be trusted with what they had already loaned to me. Commercials and advertisements send the same kind of conflicting messages. Some urge us to spend our lives in indulgent behavior. Others warn us of the dangers of doing so—addiction, debt, disease, death, and poverty. Illustration of 1Jn 2:15-17 - Today in the Word When rescuers were finally able to pull a middle-aged man from the wreckage of a horrible car accident, he was taken to a nearby hospital. But it soon became apparent that he would die. As the chaplain comforted him, the man, who was a Christian, exclaimed, “As I look squarely at eternity, I realize now just how much I wasted my life on things that don’t matter.” What a sad revelation! Today’s passage offers a strong challenge to those who “waste their lives on things that don’t matter.” John opens this passage with uncompromising words: “Do not love the world or anything in the world.” At first glance, verse 15 may seem at odds with John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son.” Most likely, John is using the word world differently in these two texts. In John 3:16, world refers to the lost people of the world, whereas in 1 John 2:15, world refers to an entire system of beliefs and values–what we might call a “worldview.” This worldview is completely opposed to God and His ways. To clarify what he means, John lists three elements of this worldview in verse 16. First, he warns against “cravings.” These are misplaced appetites for some of our most powerful drives such as for food, for intimacy, and for recognition. Next, John talks about the “lust of the eyes.” This includes both what we can see and what we can imagine. This can best be summarized as our tendency to look at the external qualities without really inquiring about what’s inside. For example, many people are tempted by the pursuit of wealth because of all they imagine it will enable them to possess. Finally, John addresses pride, or that self-sufficiency that attempts to manufacture what God has promised–or what He has forbidden–rather than humbly allowing Him to give what we need. TODAY ALONG THE WAY- Today’s passage doesn’t condemn everything material as evil. Instead, it focuses on the affection that we have for the “stuff” around us. In others words, it’s not so much about what kind of car we drive, but rather the reasons we might have for wanting it or the intensity of our desire for it. What John is saying, however, is that we can’t ever let these things distract us from the eternal: God Himself. All these things will eventually be gone, but God is everlasting. That’s a reminder we all need to hear again. (MBI - Today in the Word) BEWARE OF YOUR OWN LUSTS! > Consumed by Their Own Lust Radio personality Paul Harvey tells the story of how an Eskimo kills a wolf. The account is grisly, yet it offers fresh insight into the consuming, self-destructive nature of sin. First, the Eskimo coats his knife blade with animal blood and allows it to freeze. Then he adds another layer of blood, and another, until the blade is completely concealed by frozen blood. Next, the hunter fixes his knife in the ground with the blade up. When a wolf follows his sensitive nose to the source of the scent and discovers the bait, he licks it, tasting the fresh frozen blood. He begins to lick faster, more and more vigorously, lapping the blade until the keen edge is bare. Feverishly now, harder and harder the wolf licks the blade in the arctic night. So great becomes his craving for blood that the wolf does not notice the razor-sharp sting of the naked blade on his own tongue, nor does he recognize the instant at which his insatiable thirst is being satisfied by his OWN warm blood. His carnivorous appetite just craves more—until the dawn finds him dead in the snow!” Dr. George Sweeting wrote in Special Sermons For Special Days It is a fearful thing that people can be “consumed by their own lusts.” Only God’s grace keeps us from the wolf’s fate. -- Chris T. Zwingelberg This powerful illustration from Paul Harvey—of a wolf unknowingly killing itself by licking a blood-covered knife—perfectly portrays the deceptive, destructive nature of sin. It highlights how sin, like the frozen blood, disguises itself as harmless or satisfying, yet ultimately leads to self-destruction. The wolf’s inability to recognize that it is consuming its own lifeblood mirrors how sinners become consumed by their own appetites, often without realizing their peril until it’s too late. Below are Scriptures that beautifully complement this illustration and can be used in teaching, preaching, or devotional writing: Scriptures That Align with This Illustration 1. James 1:14–15 But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death. Key Connection: Just as the wolf is drawn by its appetite and unknowingly seals its doom, so those who are lured by sinful desires will inevitably find that sin leads to spiritual death. 2. Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Key Connection: The wolf’s fatal appetite mirrors the consequence of sin—death. Only God's grace rescues us from this fate through Christ. 3. Proverbs 14:12 There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death. Key Connection: The wolf thinks it is feeding itself, but is destroying itself. Sin often appears satisfying, even harmless, until its deadly end is revealed. 4. Galatians 6:7–8 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. Key Connection: The wolf "sows to the flesh" and reaps corruption—death. Habitual sin is self-sabotaging. 5. 2 Peter 2:19 …by what a man is overcome, by this he is enslaved. Key Connection: The wolf is overcome by its appetite—its own nature—just as sinners can become enslaved by their own desires until it destroys them. 6. Proverbs 5:22 His own iniquities will capture the wicked, and he will be held with the cords of his sin. Key Connection: Sin is not something merely external—it comes from within and traps us. The wolf is literally consuming and being trapped by its own blood. 7. Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; who can understand it? Key Connection: Like the wolf deceived by its own hunger, the human heart deceives itself into thinking sinful desires will satisfy. 8. Hebrews 3:13 But encourage one another day after day… so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. Key Connection: Sin deceives—and that deception leads to spiritual death if unchecked, just like the wolf’s fatal ignorance. 9. Isaiah 59:2 But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear. Key Connection: The wolf’s insatiable appetite leads to separation from life, just as sin separates us from God—unless we repent. LEAVE THE DOG HOME The story is told of a man who liked to hunt pheasants. He thought he could do better if he had a dog to help him, so he bought one. However, he was disappointed when he discovered that the dog was interested only in chasing rabbits. The man had acquired a hound dog when what he needed was a bird dog. So instead of hunting pheasants, as he really wanted to, the-man spent his time doing what his dog preferred. Finally the hunter decided he had better leave the dog at home. IF YOUR CHRISTIAN LIFE IS A DRAG, WORLDLY WEIGHTS MAY BE KEEPING YOU DOWN. Marks/Tests of a true Christian from 1 John 1 John 5:13 THESE THINGS I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life. THESE THINGS: This phrase has reference to all that John has written in his letter. (The MacArthur Bible Commentary) TRUE CHRISTIAN I. DOCTRINAL TESTS 1. Scriptural views of SIN Confesses sin. 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 2. Scriptural views of JESUS Believes Jesus is man. 1 John 4:2 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 Believes Jesus is God. 1 John 4:15 If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God. Believes Jesus is the Messiah. 1 John 5:1 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God II. ETHICAL/MORAL TESTS 1. Obeys God Obeys/Keeps God's commands. 1 John 2:3 By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. 1 John 3:24 The one who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. Does God's will. 1 John 2:17 the one who does the will of God lives forever. 2. Lives a righteous life (a life of holiness) Walks in the light. 1 John 1:7 but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. Walks as Jesus did. 1 John 2:6 Whoever claims to live in Him must walk as Jesus did. Practices righteousness. 1 John 2:29 If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone also who practices righteousness is born of Him. 1 John 3:7 Little children, make sure no one deceives you; the one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous Purifies himself. 1 John 3:3 And every one who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. Does not practice sin. 1 John 3:9 No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him 1 John 5:18 We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin 3. Loves the brethren Loves the brethren. 1 John 2:10 The one who loves his brother abides in the Light 1 John 3:14 We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love abides in death. 1 John 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 1 John 4:12 if we love one another, God abides in us Meets his brother's needs. 1 John 3:17 But whoever has the world's goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him? Loves with actions and truth. 1 John 3:18 Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. 4. Does not love the world Does not love the world. 1 John 2:15 Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. Overcomes the world. 1 John 5:4 every one born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 5. Perseveres Remains with us. 1 John 2:19 They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us. Overcomes false teachers/teaching. 1 John 4:4 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. Listens to God's people. 1 John 4:6 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. 6. Has the Holy Spirit 1 John 2:20 But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth. 1 John 3:24 And this is how we know that He lives in us: We know it by the Spirit He gave us. 1 John 3:24 And this is how we know that He lives in us: We know it by the Spirit He gave us. FALSE CHRISTIAN/PROFESSOR I. DOCTRINAL TESTS 1. Unscriptural views of SIN Claims to be without sin. 1 John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. 1 John 1:10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us. 2. Unscriptural views of JESUS Denies that Jesus is the Messiah. 1 John 2:22 Who is the liar but the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ? Denies Jesus. 1 John 2:23 Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father; the one who confesses the Son has the Father also. Does not believe testimony about Jesus. 1 John 4:3 every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God 1 John 5:10 Anyone who believes in the Son of God has this testimony in his heart. Anyone who does not believe God has made him out to be a liar, because he has not believed the testimony God has given about his Son. II. ETHICAL/MORAL TESTS 1. Does not obey God Does not do what Jesus commands. 1 John 2:4 The man who says, "I know him," but does not do what He commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 2. Lives a sinful life. Walks in the darkness. 1 John 1:6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth Practices sin. 1 John 3:6 No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen Him or known Him. 1 John 3:8 the one who practices sin is of the devil Does not practice righteousness. 1 John 3:10 By this the children of God and the children of the devil are obvious: anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor the one who does not love his brother. 3. Does not love the brethren Hates the brethren. 1 John 2:9 The one who says he is in the Light and yet hates his brother is in the darkness until now. 1 John 2:11 But the one who hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness 1 John 3:15 Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer; and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. 1 John 4:20 If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. Does not love the brethren. 1 John 3:10 By this the children of God and the children of the devil are obvious: anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor the one who does not love his brother. 1 John 3:14 We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love abides in death. 1 John 4:8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. Shows no mercy to needy brethren. 1 John 3:17 If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? 4. Loves the world Loves the world. 1 John 2:15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. Has worldly values. 1 John 4:5 They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. 5. Does not persevere Abandons the brethren. 1 John 2:19 They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us. Does not listen to God's people. 1 John 4:6 We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. 6. Does not have the Holy Spirit 1 John 2:20 But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth. 1 John 3:24 And this is how we know that He lives in us: We know it by the Spirit He gave us. 1 John 3:24 And this is how we know that He lives in us: We know it by the Spirit He gave us.

1 João 2:17

Clarke writes that the world is passing away speaks of "All these things continually fading and perishing; and the very state in which they are possessed is changing perpetually, and the earth and its works will be shortly burnt up. Worldliness is the love for passing things. The human heart can never find satisfaction with things. -- William MacDonald World (2889) (kosmos related to verb kosmeo = to order or adorn, to put in order [Mt 25:7 = "trimmed"], to adorn literally [1Ti 2:9], to adorn figuratively [Titus 2:9+]) means essentially something that is well-arranged, that which has order or something arranged harmoniously and has various meanings which are dependent on the context. In 1 John 2:15-17, world is used 6 times and every use conveys the moral/ethical meaning, referring to the "ordered" system of which Satan is the head (1Jn 5:19), the fallen angels are his demonic emissaries and the unsaved men and women tragically are his "subjects".

1 João 2:17

Clarke writes that also its lusts includes "their vain pursuits, and delusive pleasures, are passing away in their successive generations, and their very memory perishes." Lust (1939) (epithumia from epi = at, toward {the preposition "epi-" in the compound is directive conveying the picture of "having one’s passion toward"} + thumos = passion. Related verb epithumeo = set heart upon) is a neutral term denoting the presence of strong desires or impulses, longings or passionate cravings (good or evil as determined by the context) directed toward an object. The three uses of epithumia in 1John 2:16, 17 obviously refer to those strong inner longings for that which is evil, those passionate cravings one has for the things which are forbidden by the word of God. These evil desires, impulses and passions are constantly arising from the evil nature, the flesh, (cp Jas 1:14+) even as smoke rises from a chimney because there is a fire in fireplace. The evil flesh nature (the "fire in the fireplace") is not eradicated even in believers although it's power over the believer is broken (Ro 6:6+), and the believer no longer is obligated to obey the evil lusts. The wise believer would do well to remember that the lusts of the flesh are constantly attempting to control the believer's heart and mind, as it did before salvation wrought its work in his being. John gives us the great "prophetic promise" that these lusts are passing away some day in the future. W. E. Vine comments that epithumia - describes the inner motions of the soul, the natural tendency of men in their fallen estate toward things evil and toward things forbidden. (Vine, W E: Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words. 1996. Nelson) I Howard Marshall sums up the tragedy of loving this present world rather than the world to come - Many people are tempted to live for the moment, to conform to the way of life of a material world, and either to question the temporary character of material life or to hope that there will be no judgment. It is a natural tendency to make oneself comfortable here in the present real world rather than to deny oneself here in hope of a better life hereafter. But John’s reply would be that the judgment is taking place already; even now the world is in process of dissolution; men are blind if they do not realize what is going on before their very eyes (cf. Lk. 12:54–56+). For John it is indeed already “the last hour” (1Jn 2:18). (Borrow The Epistles of John) Simon Kistemaker adds "Man needs to look at the fleeting existence of worldly people, pleasures, and desires. If he places his interest in that which is here today and gone tomorrow, he reaps a harvest of instability, stumbles in the darkness of sin and, because he has cast his lot with the world, faces a similar end. “For this world in its present form is passing away” (1 Cor. 7:31)." (Exposition of James, Epistles of John) But the one who does the will of God lives forever: o de poion (PAPMSN) to thelema tou theou menei (3SPAI) eis ton aiona: Ps 143:10; Matthew 7:21; Mt 21:31; Mark 3:35; John 7:17; Romans 12:2; Colossians 1:9; 4:12; 1Thes 4:3; 1Thes 5:18; Hebrews 10:36; 1 Peter 4:2 Lives - Psalms 125:1,2; Proverbs 10:25; John 4:14; 6:58; 10:28, 29, 30; 1Peter 1:5,25 1 John 2 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries 1 John 2:17b Inscribed on D L Moody's Gravestone But - Introduces a marked contrast. Contrast words like but usually indicate a "change in direction" and in this case John presents even a change in destiny, in this case eternal life (which by "default" contrasts with eternal death). Colin Kruse - There will come a time when the world which is passing away will have passed away, but those who do the will of God will not have passed away with it, for they will remain forever. (See The Letters of John - Page 96) Victory is assured, resistance is required. -- Culpepper The one who does (poieo in present tense) the will (thelema) of God lives (meno) forever - The verb does (poieo) is in the present tense which indicates this individual as a habit of their life pursues the will of God (most clearly revealed in the Word of God). What is the promise? They will live forever. They have eternal life and the assurance of that gift. While they are not perfect practitioners of the Word and will of God, John's point is that the general direction of their life is "heavenward" (in context as determined by what/Who they love - cp 1Jn 2:15+). Note carefully that one's obedience to the will of God does not earn or merit salvation/eternal life (which is a gift by God's grace [Ro 3:24+] not a result of our works [cp Ro 3:20+ where justified = declared righteous = saved], cf Eph 2:8-9+), but does serve to prove (and give personal assurance) that one has truly been born again (from above, Jn 3:3+). Their ability to do (obey) the will of God is not because of their natural ability, but because the Spirit (the indwelling Spirit, Ro 8:9+) gives them a supernatural desire and power (Php 2:13NLT+) to habitually pursue and practice God's will until the end of their life (cp Heb 3:6+, Heb 3:14+, cp 1Co 15:2+ - their perseverance is evidence that they have been born again and have the Spirit for without Him they could not persevere to the end). The apostle James declares that eternal life is promised to these who are doers of the Word and not merely hearers only, for the latter group (in context those who habitually love the world and do not love God) delude themselves (Jas 1:22, 23, 24+, contrast Jas 1:25+). These professors falsely reason that because they have heard the word about Jesus, they are safe from the coming wrath of God (2Th 1:8,9+). They are deceived and will be among those to whom Jesus declares… 'I never (oudepote Greek literally = never at any time = so He is not saying they were saved and lost their salvation - the fact is that they were never, ever saved!) knew (ginosko - knew you intimately and personally) you; DEPART (an aorist imperative command - "Do it now!") FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE (present tense - habitually, as your lifestyle - the antithesis of the one who [habitually] does the will of God) LAWLESSNESS (I.e., they practice sin for 1Jn 3:4+ says Sin = Lawlessness). '(Mt 7:23+) See discussion of The Will Of God and How can I know God's will for my life? Colin Kruse on does the will of God - It is the opposite to all that is involved in loving the world. It means avoiding the ‘lust of the eyes’ and ‘pride in possessions’. Looking beyond the immediate context, doing the will of God in 1 John involves believing in his Son and loving fellow believers (1Jn 3:23). (See The Letters of John - Page 97) Warren

1 João 2:17

Clarke writes that also its lusts includes "their vain pursuits, and delusive pleasures, are passing away in their successive generations, and their very memory perishes; but he that doeth the will of God—that seeks the pleasure, profit, and honor that comes from above, shall abide for ever, always happy through time and eternity, because God, the unchangeable source of felicity, is his portion. H A

1 João 2:18-23

Clarke - As oil was used among the Asiatics for the inauguration of persons in important offices, and this oil was acknowledged to be an emblem of the gifts and graces of the Holy Spirit, without which the duties of those offices could not be discharged; so it is put here for the Spirit Himself, Who presided in the Church, and from Whom all gifts and graces flowed. Expositor's Greek Testament - An expression of confidence in his readers: they will not be led astray; they have received “a chrism,” the enlightening grace of the Holy Spirit, “which He poured forth upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Saviour” (Titus 3:6+, cp Ro 5:5+). Baptism was called chrisma in later days because of the rite of baptismal anointing’, but there is no reference here to this rite, which was of a later date and was derived from our passage. (1 John 2 - The Expositor's Greek Testament) W E Vine comments that "The believer is therefore not justified in praying for the anointing, for that is his by reason of his regenerate condition. He may pray that the power of the Spirit may be experienced, and that he may be filled with the Spirit, but to ask for the gift that has already been imparted indicates a lack of the apprehension of the goodness and grace of God in having bestowed it." (Ibid) Jamieson (unabridged) - Those anointed of God in Christ alone can resist those anointed with Satan's spirit, Antichrists, who would sever them from the Father and the Son. Believers have the anointing Spirit from the Father, as well as from the Son; even as the Son is anointed therewith by the Father. Hence, the Spirit is the token that we are in the Father and in the Son; without it one is none of Christ's. The material unguent of costliest ingredients, poured on the head of priests and kings, typified this spiritual unguent, derived from Christ, the Head, to us, His members. We have no share in Jesus, except we become truly Christians, being in Christ, anointed with that unction from the Holy One. (1 John 2 - Bible Commentary) David Guzik relates the story (it is not in the Bible but it is interesting) that "This idea of anointing - literally, to be blessed with oil - was the reason behind one of the punishments given to John in persecution. The Roman emperor Domitian cast John in a boiling vat of oil, as if to say, “You have an anointing? Here’s your anointing!” John emerged from the vat of boiling oil unharmed, because he was anointed indeed!" THE SECOND RESOURCE: KNOWLEDGE OF THE TRUTH And you all know (oida/eido) - Notice that some translations like KJV render it "ye know all things." The better rendering of the Greek is "you all know." (See NET Notes technical explanation) Note that here John uses oida/eido instead of ginosko in order to differentiate between possession of (oida/eido) and acquisition of knowledge (experiential - ginosko). The point of this verb for know is that John is not teaching the readers new truths but is reminding them of what they already know. This begs the question "Know what?" The truth (See context - 1Jn 2:21). In context this seems to be the truth about Jesus. The implication is that men were speaking lies about Jesus, about His humanity and/or about His divinity. These crucial doctrines of Christ are still the focal point of attack of the cults (and by default Satan). The Spirit will never lead the believer in a direction that contradicts the teaching of the word of God -- Daniel Akin The idea is all things that one needs to know to resist the false teachers. This seems to be directed at the "gnostic" folks who claimed secret knowledge regarding the truth. They falsely taught that this secret knowledge was necessary in order to be saved, but that only the elite group had access to this saving knowledge. THOUGHT - If you are "fuzzy" about the Person of Christ (fully God, fully Man), then I strongly suggest you take some time to study two resources by Dr Wayne Grudem - (1) The Person of Christ - An Outline (includes synopses of major heresies) (2) Four corresponding Mp3's on the Person of Christ (scroll down to "Chapter 26"). (3) Systematic Theology) Regarding the variant rendering as "you know all things" Colin Kruse comments "The reference to knowing 'all things' here needs to be understood in the context, in which the subject under discussion is the denial that Jesus is the Christ, God's Son come in the flesh. Nothing they need to know about these matters has to be learned from the secessionists. Everything they need to know is taught them by the anointing they have received." (See The Letters of John - Page 104) John MacArthur on anointing and know - In this text it (anointing) refers figuratively to the Holy Spirit (cf. 2Cor. 1:21-22), who has taken up residency in believers at the behest of Jesus Christ, the Holy One (cf. Luke 4:34; Acts 3:14), and reveals through Scripture all they need to know (John 14:26; 16:13; 1Cor. 2:9-10). (See 1-3 John MacArthur New Testament Commentary - Page 102) Steven

1 João 2:24

Clarke - Though ye believe the Scriptures to be of God, yet ye do not let them take hold of your hearts - his word is in your mouth, but not in your mind. What a miserable lot! to read the Scriptures as the true sayings of God, and yet to get no salvation from them! Albert