1 John 3

1 John 3:1

After telling us how to experience the light of God in chapters 1 and 2, we begin a new section here in chapter 3 as John calls us to experience the love of Godlove that is pure (verses 1Jn_3:1-9), love that is practical (verses 1Jn_3:10-24), and love that is perfect (chapter 4). In his Gospel, John tells us that as many as received Jesus were given power, or authority, to become the sons of God (Joh_1:12). Here, he picks up on the same theme. Paul further develops this idea of sonship when he writes of the “doctrine of adoption” in his epistles to the Ephesians and Romans. Seen in light of our position as sons of God, the Greek word for adoption is interesting indeed. Huiothesia comes from huios, or “son,” and thesis, or “position.” Thus, Jesus Christ took our position on the Cross in order that we might take the position of the Son in heaven. He who was rich became poor for our sakes that we might enjoy the riches of God (2Co_8:9). The story is true, I’m told, of the brothers who wanted to play Little League. As they signed up, the registrar was puzzled when, according to their papers, he noticed they were six months apart. “You’re brothers?” he asked. “Yep,” they answered. “But you’re only six months apart,” the puzzled official countered. “Well, one of us was adopted,” said one of the boys. “Which one?” asked the registrar. “We ask our dad all the time,” said the boys, “but he says he can’t remember.” I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.Joh_17:23 I studied this verse a year ago, and have been in somewhat of a daze ever since, for the word “as” means “to the same degree.” In other words, Jesus says that the Father loves me, His adopted son, to the same degree that He loves Jesus, His only begotten Son. Amazing!

1 John 3:2

We don’t always act like sons of God or look likes sons of God, but John says when He shall appear, we shall be like Him. Do I like that? Yes, because I like Him! After all, Jesus Christ is the Man everyone desires to be like… So gentle was He that little children flocked to Him (Mat_19:14). Yet so commanding was He that a single look from Him parted the angry crowd intending to do Him in (Luk_4:29-30). So authoritative was He that fierce storms would be quieted by His word (Mar_4:39). Yet so tender was He that He stilled the storm of criticism that swirled around the adulterous woman (Joh_8:11). So embracive was He that sinners called Him friend (Mat_11:19). Yet so righteous was He that His blood could wash away the sin of the entire world (1Jn_2:2). Jesus is, indeed, the Perfect Man. He’s everything every one of us innately wants to be. The more you read the Gospels carefully and thoughtfully, prayerfully and contemplatively, the more you will develop a profound appreciation of the personality, character, integrity, wisdom, and strength of Jesus. When I didn’t know as much about Jesus as I know now, I wasn’t as impressed with Him as I am today. And this is amazing because in every other case, the better you know people, the more disillusioned you become as you begin to see their cracks and flaws. Not so with Jesus. The longer you walk with Him and the more you learn about Him, the more you will be impressed by Him, and the more you will long to see Him. Even though now we only see Him through a glass darkly (1Co_13:12), I like what I see!

1 John 3:3

Every man who has the hope of seeing Jesus, everyone who looks for His coming walks with a greater degree of purity than with which he would otherwise walk. Living in the constant awareness that the Lord’s coming is at hand has a definite effect on the way one lives. Whether you subscribe to a Pre-Tribulation, Mid-Tribulation, or Post-Tribulation Rapture, when you read Jesus’ words concerning the end times, you cannot come to any other conclusion than to say He wants us living each and every day looking for His coming. “I’ve been hearing you talk about the soon coming of Jesus for twenty years now,” you say. “Before that, I heard Billy Graham talk about it. And isn’t it true that one hundred years ago D. L. Moody also believed Jesus would come shortly? C. H. Spurgeon said the same thing one hundred and fifty years ago. And it still hasn’t happened.” That’s okay. Even if the Lord doesn’t come back in my lifetime, put me in the company of men throughout history who have lived their lives expecting the soon coming of Christ. Put me in the company of St. Francis of Assisi and Thomas ’ Kempis, Spurgeon and Moody, Torrey and Finney. I would much rather be with those men throughout the agesincluding the first-century churchwho were living the true expectancy of the coming of Christ than to be in the company of those who say, “It can’t be today.”

1 John 3:4

The Greek word translated “committeth” is in the present perfect tense that speaks of continual action. Thus, this verse does not refer to one who falters in sin, struggles with sin, or falls because of a struggle with a certain sin. It refers to one who blatantly, habitually, and continually practices sin. I used to watch my son Benny in the backyard with his baseball bat, practicing his swing over and over again. So, too, there are those who practice sin in order to get good at it.

1 John 3:5

In verses 1Jn_3:5-8, and in verse 1Jn_3:4 of chapter 4, John will give us three reasons why Jesus came. As seen here in verse 1Jn_3:5, the first reason was to take away our sin.

1 John 3:7

We need to remind those who claim to be believers yet habitually, continually practice sin that, in the life of a true believer, the Lord came to take away sin." Here we see the second reason Jesus came: to destroy the works of the devil. In taking away our sin, Jesus paid the price for sin. In destroying the works of the devil, He destroyed the power of sin. That is, He destroyed the power of the Enemy to entangle us in those things that compromise our ability to impact the world for the kingdom.

1 John 3:9

Because Jesus came to take away sin and to destroy the works of the devil, he who is truly born again doesn’t practice sin. The seed spoken of here in verse 1Jn_3:9 could either refer to the life of Christ within the life of the believer (Joh_1:13) or to the Word of God (1Pe_1:23). Which is it? I believe it’s both. When the Spirit of Christ comes into a man and when the Word of God stirs within him, he cannot continue sinning indefinitely. Oh, he might struggle with sin. He might even be ensnared at times by sin. But he’s not comfortable in sin. That’s why a Christian involved in sin is the most miserable person in the world. He has too much of the Lord to enjoy sin, and too much sin to enjoy the Lord. The seedbe it the Person of Christ, the Word of God, or bothdoes not allow a person to habitually, continually practice sin.

1 John 3:10

In the lives of those who are born again, there is not only the absence of something negative but also the presence of something positive. That is, there is not only an absence of habitual, constant sin, but there is the presence of love.

1 John 3:11

John points to Cain as a picture of one who could not claim to be a believer. The Book of Hebrews tells us Abel’s sacrifice was offered to God in faith. Cain’s, on the other hand, was the work of his hands, the fruit of his own energy, and was therefore rejected. This produced a bitterness and jealousy so deep within Cain that it caused him to kill his brother. The more successful a person is, the more vulnerable he, like Cain, is to jealousy or envy and the more likely he is to make a snide remark about the one of whom he’s jealous. Oh, it might be just a word or two, a wink or a chuckle, a nod or a smile. But when I engage in such activity concerning a brother, I know in my heart what I’m doing. I’m murdering him.

1 John 3:13

Even though you’re called to love all peopleespecially the brothers and sisters in the Christian communitydon’t expect to be loved in return.

1 John 3:14

“I’m not sure I’m a Christian,” someone says. John says one of the primary ways a person knows he’s born again is if he loves his sisters and brothers in the Lord. If you find yourself caring about your brothers and sisters in Christ and wanting to stand up for them, you can be sure something unusual has taken place in your heart because such feelings are contrary to human nature.

1 John 3:15

Jesus said, “You’ve heard it said of old that you’re not to commit murder, but I say unto you if you’re angry with your brother, you’re guilty of murder” (see Mat_5:21-22). If I’m angry with someone, I am guilty of murder. Why? Because I will be killing him with my comments and cynicism (Pro_18:21). The message of 1 John is that we are to love. An on-fire group of young believers in Germany end each of their petitions to the Lord with, “No matter the cost.” I like that. Ask the Lord to make you a lover of peopleno matter the cost.

1 John 3:16

There is no reconciliation apart from death. For us to be reconciled to God, someone had to dieand it wouldn’t be us. God initiated the process of reconciliation by laying down His own life. So, too, the only way there will ever be reconciliation between you and the person with whom you are at odds with or toward whom you feel tension is if someone dies. Either you will lay down your life and quit proving your pointor the other person will be the bigger person and choose to do so. If there’s someone with whom you want to be reconciledbe it a parent, child, spouse, or ex-spousethe only way it can happen is through death. Somebody’s gotta die.

1 John 3:17

It’s very easy to talk about love and even easy to wax poetic about it. But John says, “Don’t talk about it, kidsjust do it.”

1 John 3:19

If your heart is attacking you, don’t worry. God is greater than your heart, for He knows more about who you are than your heart ever could… Heart Attacks A Topical Study of 1Jn_3:20 How glorious it is to be free from condemnation. It happened to me one morning when I looked on the front page of the paper and saw this headline: “Chocolate Good In Fight Against Bad Cholesterol.” The article went on to say that, according to researchers, while chocolate may be the despair of dieters, it also contains certain chemicals that help lower the risk of heart disease. No more condemnation! But how much more glorious it is to be free from condemnation spiritually, for when our heart is free from condemnation, we have confidence toward God and effectiveness in prayer. This doesn’t mean we dictate to or demand from God. However, when there’s not a lot of junk in the way of our relationship with Him, we find the desires of our heart coming closer and closer in line with His will for our lives. Consequently, when we pray for the desires of our heart, we’re praying for that which is God’s will because it was God who put the desires in our heart in the first place. If, on the other hand, you don’t have confidence with God because your heart condemns you, John has good news for you as well. “God is greater than our heart,” he says, “and He knows all things.” What does God know? He knows a lot… Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.Psa_103:13 When my heart reminds me that I’m not doing what I could be and that I’m not as loving as I should be, God reminds me that He knows I’m only made of dust. Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.2Ti_2:19 Immediately after a mother penguin lays her egg, she heads out to sea for a three-month eating binge, leaving Dad on the ice floe to stand on the egg and keep it warm until she returns. Then it’s Dad’s turn to take to sea and grab a bite to eat. By the time he returns, the egg has hatched. Yet, although there are millions of penguins on the ice floe dressed exactly alike, and although he has never even seen his offspring, he’ll go directly to his own baby. So, too, God says, “I know those who are Mine.” If you’ve ever been in a public place in a time of confusion and commotion, you’ve seen parents act the same way as they immediately, instinctively, intuitively gather their kids around them. They don’t say, “Peter, you’ve been good, so I’m going to find you. Christy, you’re on your own.” No, when there’s danger, disaster, or difficulty, a parent gathers every one of his kids around him. He gathers them all. Even though your heart may condemn you, God knows you are His, and He will gather you as well. Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast day, many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did. But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men, and needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.Joh_2:23-25 Jesus was in Jerusalem at Passover and many believed in His name when they saw the miracles He did. But Jesus did not commit Himself unto them because He knew they wouldn’t be able to keep their commitment to Him. Although they were impressed with His miracles, although they were blown away by His presence and power, knowing they didn’t understand what was asked of them, He didn’t hold them to their commitment. O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether. Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.Psa_139:1-6 The Lord knows my ups and downs, my failings, vulnerabilities, and shortcomings. He knows all about me. And He knows everything about you, for He put you together. He knows how you are, what you are, who you are. For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.Jer_29:11 When did God say this? When His people were headed into captivity. For seventy years, the Jewish people would go through difficult days and tough times in Babylon. Yet the Lord said, “I know what I’m doing. It might look brutal and bleak to youbut it’s all to bring you to a glorious end.” And the same is true for you and me. When our hearts condemn us, God is greater than our hearts. He knows all things. He knows we are made of dust, that we make promises we can’t keep, and that we are bound to fall and fail. Yet He also knows that we are His and that He has a glorious plan for our lives. The One who knows us best loves us most. What a miracle!

1 John 3:21

We have confidence with God because we do things that are pleasing in His sight. What things are pleasing in His sight? To the Jews, it was the six hundred thirteen commandmentsthree hundred sixty-five that are negative, two hundred forty-eight that are positivethey are found in the Old Testament law. But six hundred thirteen being quite a heavy load, David reduced the number to twelve… LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour. In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the LORD. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not. He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved.Psalms 15 And if a dozen is too many, Micah reduced the number to three when he said, He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?Mic_6:8 Yet if three is too hard, Jesus reduced the number to two when He said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.Mat_22:37-40 How do we have an assured heart, a free heart? By loving the Lord and His peoplenot in word and tongue, but in deed and truth (1Jn_3:18). When I don’t live up to my own expectations, I tend to say, “I’m such a loser, why should I even bother to ask the Lord for anything?” But when my heart is not condemning me, I find I have a beautiful freedom with the Lord. From His perspective, it’s there all the time. But I only recognize it when I am free from the heart attacks of condemnation.

1 John 3:23

“Master,” they said, “what must we do to do the works of God?” Jesus answered, “This is the singular work of God: That you believe on Him whom the Father hath sent” (see Joh_6:28-29).

1 John 3:24

We know Jesus lives in us when the fruit of His work in and through our lives is the fruit of the Spirit, or love (Gal_5:22).