1 John 3:1-24

(1 John 3:1-24)

Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.  In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother. For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.  Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous. Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you. We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.  But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?  My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.  And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.  And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.

The Apostle John said『My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth』and『Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. 』 There is nothing to reprove because it is in Christ. So, we must boldly seek to save the life of the Spirit in Christ. 『If we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him. 』It is because God promises that in order to give the life of the Spirit, we can receive everything we ask from God.

 

God's will is to believe in the Son. That is, to believe that Jesus Christ came to the world for the death of the ransom for all mankind. If the saint prays and asks for this, God will be most pleased. God rejoices, gives power, and rejoices in obedience to His words. God willingly sacrifices, serves, and loves those who love and sacrifice for the glory of God. This is the love of the Lord shown on the cross. By practicing that love, you can move God.

 

The Bible recommends. 『My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. 』. Saving the spirit of a neighbor will not be easy. It is the fact that even though suffering is caused by works, it is the love of God. The Bible says that this is keeping God's commandments. It is said that we believe in the name of the Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another as Christ has commanded us.

 

In 1 John 4:7-8, “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. 』 In these words, it is not that the loved one is born again, but that the born again loves. We must realize that human righteousness and love are different from the Bible's righteousness and love. He said that the righteous are born of God, and those who love are born of God.

 

In 1 John 5:1, 『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. 』 Again, believers are not born again, but those born again become believers in Jesus Christ. Righteousness, love, and faith in 1 John speak to those who are born again.

 

For those who are born again, the words of 1 John 5:4 apply. 『For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. However, it is said that those who cannot overcome the world will not be saved. The most important thing in the world will be wealth. A person's attitude toward wealth will know his faith. People do not know when they have less wealth, but when they have more, they become distant from God. Jesus said, "You cannot serve God and riches at the same time."

 

The born again can win the world. In Chapter 5, verse 18, "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. 』It is Jesus Christ who is born of God. He protects the born again. I do not overcome the world, but Jesus Christ makes me overcome the born again. Those who are born again are born of God.

 

It is important to know that "We are not trying to be righteous, but Jesus is just." People crucified Jesus like a sinner. It is resurrection and righteousness that God raises His Son, Jesus Christ, from the cross. 『If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him. "Here "doeth righteousness" means that God raises the dead Jesus. And "is born of him" means "resurrected." So those who are born again become those who do righteousness. Being born again becomes righteousness, and this righteousness comes from God