Bible Study - No DOubt (2) - Sure of a Relationship - 1 John 2:3-11, 15-17 - September 12, 2021

 

Bible Study – No Doubt (2) – Sure of a Relationship – September 12, 2021

This is lesson two (2) in our series entitled, “No Doubt: Six Things You Can Know for Sure.”

Our focus scripture is 1 John 2:3-11, 15-17.

Our relationship with GOD is reflected in how we live.

I have lived long enough to be able to see that gaining things is not the answer to living a successful life. We, as humans, treasure things. As the not-so-old saying goes, “He who has the most toys when he dies, wins the game of life.” But guess what, every person will leave every material possession behind when he or she exists their physical life. But there is eternal treasure in knowing JESUS as your Savior and serving HIM.

Let’s explore!

The Apostle John was writing a message to fellow Christians telling them to place the things of earth in proper perspective. Why? It is because upon our physical death, only what we do for JESUS has value in Heaven and stored in the Heavenly treasury.

JESUS said it best in Matthew 10:49:

⁴² And whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is a disciple,^[n] truly I tell you, he will never lose his reward.”

Let’s read 1 John 2:1-2:

2 My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. ² He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

The Apostle John was writing this to Spiritual Children who still need grow Spiritually and mature in their relationship with JESUS.

In last week’s lesson our scripture was direct and to the point, 1 John 1:8-10:

⁸ If we say, “We have no sin,” we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. ⁹ If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. ¹⁰ If we say, “We have not sinned,” we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

This week, we focus on the fact that JESUS is the eternal solution for sins committed by those who place their faith in HIM and HIS passion (death upon the cross). This covers those who are to receive salvation and those who have received salvation. JESUS is our lawyer or advocate before GOD pleading our case because Satan is our accuser. Faith in JESUS is enough to eternally save a person’s soul.

How do we know that we are secure in JESUS?

The Apostle Paul reveals to us in Romans 8:14-17:

¹⁴ For all those led by God’s Spirit are God’s sons. ¹⁵ For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear. Instead, you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, “Abba,^[i] Father!” ¹⁶ The Spirit himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God’s children, ¹⁷ and if children, also heirs—heirs of God and coheirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.

The indwelling Holy Spirit confirms and assures that every Spirit-born person is secure in placing his or her faith in JESUS, eternally. Why? JESUS is in Heaven and every Spirit-born person’s citizenship is in heaven and our salvation is secured by the sinless shed blood of JESUS.

Let’s read 1 John 2:3-6:

Love and Hatred for Fellow Believers

³ We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. ⁴ Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. ⁵ But if anyone obeys his word, love for God^[a] is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: ⁶ Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.

How do we know for sure? First, the indwelling Holy Spirit confirms it and our walk in the light confirms it. Do Spirit-born Christians get into the weeds of sin? YES! That is when Satan lures us to think GOD has abandoned us. But the truth is that GOD does not forsake us or abandon us. Some Christians fall for this lie and it causes them to take their eyes off of JESUS. It is to make them feel that JESUS has abandoned them. But the fact of Salvation is our faith in JESUS and HIS love for us is eternal. YES, once Spirit-born always Spirit-born. However, Satan desires for us to remain in the weeds of sin. JESUS pleads our case before GOD to remind Satan that Spirit-born Christians eternally belong to GOD through the miracle of Spiritual birth.

So, how does a Christian who has fallen into sin get his or her feet back on the solid ground of walking in the light as JESUS is the light?

Confess our sins and ask JESUS to forgive us. So, you need to get saved again? NO! You need to get back into fellowship with GOD. You do not need any barrier between you and GOD. Sin is a barrier but you never loose your salvation, once received.

Do you recall 1 Corinthians 3:15:

¹⁵ If anyone’s work is burned up, he will experience^[e] loss, but he himself will be saved—but only as through fire.

So, what is the Apostle John’s solution? It is: ⁶ Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.

How did JESUS live? Let’s read John 5:19:

¹⁹ Jesus gave them this answer: “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.

Guess what? Spirit-born Christians can do nothing by themselves! That is why we must rely upon the internal direction of the indwelling Holy Spirit. That is why, all Spirit-born Christians are given the Holy Spirit to lead and guide them through the dark times in their lives.

Let’s read 1 John 2:7-11:

⁷ Dear friends, I am not writing you a new command but an old one, which you have had since the beginning. This old command is the message you have heard. ⁸ Yet I am writing you a new command; its truth is seen in him and in you, because the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining.

This is nothing new. It has been hidden but will seem new because truth and salvation has been revealed in JESUS. JESUS’ sinless life upon earth was essential to complete GOD’S redemptive plan for mankind. To Satan it was foolish but to GOD it was HIS Glory. Satan never knew GOD’S redemptive plan. GOD is awesome,

Let’s read 1 Corinthians 2:6-10:

⁶ We do, however, speak a wisdom among the mature, but not a wisdom of this age, or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. ⁷ On the contrary, we speak God’s hidden wisdom in a mystery, a wisdom God predestined before the ages for our glory. ⁸ None of the rulers of this age knew this wisdom, because if they had known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. ⁹ But as it is written,

What no eye has seen, no ear has heard,
and no human heart has conceived—
God has prepared these things for those who love him.^[c]

¹⁰ Now God has revealed these things to us by the Spirit, since the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.

The Holy Spirit knows the mind of GOD.

⁹ Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister^[b] is still in the darkness. ¹⁰ Anyone who loves their brother and sister^[c] lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble. ¹¹ But anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness. They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them.

How do you measure your walk with JESUS? What is your love quotient toward your fellow brothers and sisters in JESUS and those who do not yet know JESUS as their Savior?

Why was the Apostle John writing this message? Let’s read on ----

Let’s Read 1 John 2:12-14:

Reasons for Writing

¹² I am writing to you, dear children,
    because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name.
¹³ I am writing to you, fathers,
    because you know him who is from the beginning.
I am writing to you, young men,
    because you have overcome the evil one.

¹⁴ I write to you, dear children,
    because you know the Father (GOD).

I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning.
I write to you, young men,
    because you are strong,
    and the word of God lives in you,
    and you have overcome the evil one.

The Apostle John was addressing the progression of Spiritual growth compared to physical growth: children, young men (young women), fathers (mothers).

What is the Spiritual key? Let’s read on----

Let’s read 1 John 2:15-17:

On Not Loving the World

¹⁵ Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father^[d] is not in them. ¹⁶ For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father (GOD) but from the world (Satan). ¹⁷ The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.

Christians must keep in mind that this world is not our final destination.  What did we read in 1 Corinthians 2:9?

What no eye has seen, no ear has heard,
and no human heart has conceived—
God has prepared these things for those who love him.^[c]

We are to live in the world but not be of the world. Let’s read John 17:14:

¹⁴ I (JESUS) have given them your (GOD’S) word. The world hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.

This is why those who are Spirit-born must be led by the indwelling Holy Spirit. The world hates Spirit-born people.

John 17:26:

 ²⁶ I (JESUS) made your (GOD) name known to them and will continue to make it known, so that the love you (GOD) have loved me (JESUS) with may be in them and I may be in them.”

Do you know how much JESUS loves you? HE willingly gave HIS sinless life just for you, by the act of your will, to become GOD’S Son or Daughter through the miracle of Spiritual birth.

JESUS told a Jewish rabbi that it was necessary for him to be born-again. Let’s read John 3:1-6:

3 There was a man from the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. ² This man came to him at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one could perform these signs you do unless God were with him.”

³ Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, unless someone is born again,^[a] he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

⁴ “How can anyone be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked him. “Can he enter his mother’s womb a second time and be born?”

⁵ Jesus answered, “Truly I tell you, unless someone is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. ⁶ Whatever is born of the flesh is flesh, and whatever is born of the Spirit is spirit. 

GOD’S redemptive plan for sin was determined by HIM before the world was made. Ask JESUS to forgive you for your sins and ask HIM to come into your heart and experience the miracle of Spiritual birth.

Blessings!!!