“Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth. For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness in earth, the spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one. If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son. He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him. If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it. All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death. We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not. And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness. And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life. Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen. (1 John 5: all scripture quoted is from the King James Version)
The Collect
The Second Sunday after Christmas Day
ALMIGHTY God, who hast poured upon us the new light of thine incarnate Word; Grant that the same light enkindled in our hearts may shine forth in our lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
We shall always be well advised to begin all our study of the Holy Bible with a believing ascent and not a question as to its reliability. The modern critics of the biblical text begin in doubt, and less faith, when they question the Word of God as passed down to us through the ages. Such men are, as Paul says, “Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (2 Tim 3:7) We do not suffer that dilemma in the AOC for we readily accept, and without question, those same Scriptures as commonly received by the Reformers – those identified as the Textus Receptus and used as the basis for the Geneva, Coverdale, Great Bible, Bishop’s Bible, Matthew’s Bible, the Tyndale Bible, the King James Bible and many others of the Reformed family of Bibles. We will not waste our time in inquiring whether this, or that, should be added or taken away. We accept God’s Word intact and as complete and pure as preserved across the ages. This may seem a strange way to begin devotion from the writings of the Beloved Apostle, but I have my reasons for doing so. If you are unaware of the issue regarding the Johannine Comma, you are advised to remain in that ignorance of dark knowledge. If you do know of it, please refrain from debating the false notion that some things must be dropped from, or added to, God’s Word.
This last chapter of the First Epistle of John opens before us a question, a testimony, and two transgressions of differing natures. Throughout the Epistle there has been a haunting question that is constantly presented the reader: How may I know with certainty of my salvation? The answer to that question, in addition to numerous other places in Scripture, are revealed systematically through the Epistle and summarized in this last chapter. The question, in whole appears in the first five verses:
“Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?” The answer itself is suggested in the question and clarified in the remaining verses.
WHO CAN BE SAVED?
What are the qualifications found in those who would be saved?
First, “Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God.” Do we believe Jesus to be the Only Begotten Son of God?
Second, “….every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.” The child of God loves God and obeys Him.
Third, “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.” The child of God has privilege of answered prayer. His prayer reflects the perfect Will of God for his life.
Fourth, “We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not. And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness. And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life. Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen The child of God hates sin and shuns it. Our lives are evidence of who we are in Christ.
This was the Question and these were the answers provided by John. Because John is an Apostle, and because He has the love of God in his heart to overflowing, we can trust his counsel as sent of God. Because we know John, we may know Christ more fully.
WHAT TESTIMONY DO WE HAVE OF GOD?
“This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth. For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness in earth, the spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one. If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.” We have the witness and testimony of Jesus Christ – the second Person of the Triune Godhead. These last verses are by no means the only proofs of the Trinity, but they more clearly state the principle than any other verses. These three are One and agree as One. If we are in Christ and One with Him, we shall be One with the Father and the Spirit as He is One with them. If you have an abomination of the modern translation variety, you may find that the Trinity is demeaned therein. It will leave the very critical portion of verse seven out – “that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.” 1 John 5:7 (KJV)
“And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. “Joined with the testimony of heaven is the promise of eternal life to those who believe that Jesus Christ is the only Begotten Son of God.
THE TWO TRANSGRESSIONS:
There is a sin not unto death: “If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death.” If a brother or sister is not a reprobate sinner, that is sinning without restraint or sorrow, and not so much so that his conscience is seared as with a hot iron, pray for that man or woman that God will grant mercy and grace.
There is a sin unto death: “There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it. All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.” What grievous sin is unto death: “But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation:” (Mark 3:29) This is the sin of ascribing demonic motives or characteristics to Christ.
An inordinate fear of God is not the kind of fear a Christian should have of God. Then what kind of fear should we have of Him who made us? It is the respectful and reverent kind of fear that a child should have of a loving father. WE are careful to live in a manner that honors our parents that will not demean the family name or bring shame on the name of our heritage. The Christian must fear God out of love and not terror. If we have behaved badly, will our father kill us? No! he will chastise us. So will our heavenly Father bring a chastisement on us who have not obeyed according to our calling and election in Him.
The one element that John has driven home to our hearts is that precious ointment called LOVE. If our hearts are filled with that balm, there will remain no place for disobedience, hate, or sinful lusts. John came unto the influence of the Love of Christ. He was absorbed with it, and it possessed him. And John has spread that same love abroad in our own hearts. And what are we to do with it? Love is like Manna – it cannot be preserved for future use. It must be used in the present tense in order to make space for greater measures from the Father. Do you have this love?
