First John A Test of True Faith Howard Buck 3:14-18 February 20, 2011

This test started in 3:11 and ends in 3:18 We are in the middle of our examination of the applicational methods of the Social, or love test This test started in 3:11 and ends in 3:18 To preface our verses, let’s review verse 13 first:

1 John 3:13 Do not be surprised, brethren, if the world hates you. The contrast is here, the word hate and in verse 14, the word love The world hates us because our walking in the light exposes the sins of the world Are we actually hated by the world??

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. Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer; and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. 16 We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 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? 18 Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth

The first 3 verses have some rather hard language in them to emphasis the seriousness of the subject! 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. Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer; and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. 16 We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren..

One or the other, no in-between!!!! As my colleague Sam 1 stated last week, and as will be very clear this week: Good – Bad Saved – Not saved Love – Hate One or the other, no in-between!!!!

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. Keep in mind as John makes his points that this is a comparison of an ongoing lifestyle not separate or random events i.e..

1:5 Can we walk in the dark and still be a Christian? Yes if we only step into the darkness for a short time UNDER CONVICTION WHILE WE ARE THERE 1:8 Can we sin and still be a Christian. Yes, as long as it is not an on-going lifestyle 1:3 If we break His commandments, are we still a Christian. Yes, again it is not an on-going lifestyle 3:8 If we practice sin, are we a Christian No, not if sin is an on-going lifestyle..

What did Jesus say would identify His disciples?... John 13:35 "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." This verse, John 13:35 must have been on John’s mind as he writes 1 John 3:14, since he draws such a distinct parallel to it..

The only difference is their terms for our Spiritual birth: Jesus says the evidence of your Spiritual birth is in your love for one another John says the evidence for our Spiritual birth is in our love for our brethren The only difference is their terms for our Spiritual birth: Disciples of Jesus in John 13 Brethren in 1 John 3:14..

Eph.2:1 And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, Why does John say that those without this love abide in death?... Because they are still spiritually dead in their sin: Eph.2:1 And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, 2 in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience..

This is a bold statement!! 1 John 3:15 Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer; and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. This is a bold statement!! First, define murder -- To kill someone, or to hate someone? (Matt 5:21-22) Is John speaking of a one time or occasional event?... No, it is an on-going lifestyle..

That he is dead in his sin and therefore will NOT inherit eternal life So, if someone hates his brother as an on-going thing, what is this evidence of?... That he is dead in his sin and therefore will NOT inherit eternal life Do you wrestle with on-going hatred of your brother??????

1 John 3:16 We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. What is the difference in this example and the one in verse 12?… Cain killed His brother, Jesus died for His brother See the difference between the world and God..

John says that “we know love” by this act This love (agape) reveals some of it’s characteristics here, what do you think they are?… It is costly, it shows unconditional acceptance of another and it brings accomplishment… What is Christ’s dying acting out?… True Christian love for one another..

Exercise it in our dealing with each other!! So by His example what do we learn about how our Christian love should be?…. Sacrificial!!!! Expositors Commentary: It is denial of self for another’s gain. It is doing what Jesus Himself would do So what does John think we should do about this Agape love thing?... Exercise it in our dealing with each other!!

Notice that this verse opens with a contrast – 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? Notice that this verse opens with a contrast – We go from the perfect and ultimate example of Christian love (Christ) to a practical example of non-Christian love Again John draws the black and white picture You, by example are, or you by example are not There is no in-between What's the practical application of this verse?... John again calls us to walk the walk!!

First, who is John speaking to?... Christians, (little children) 1 John 3:18 Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth First, who is John speaking to?... Christians, (little children) What does it mean that we are not to love by word or tongue?... Don’t sit around simply talking about helping a brother in need and Don’t give lip service through idle words to your brothers when they need action:

17 Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself. James 2:15 If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? 17 Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself. Rather, love one another, BY YOUR ACTIONS!!

These are very powerful words I don’t think there is any verse that will hit the Christian who is living a hypocritical lifestyle more then 3:18 These are very powerful words What about you? Can you really say that you show your love for one another in deeds – or in truth (truth is genuine love not conditional),,

“Our church ought to______,” Or, are you part of the lip-service group that talks about it but never does it? “Our church ought to______,” But, we are not willing to get involved and start or even participate in the project. Where do you stand? What exactly is it you do in or around the church to show your love for your brother and sister in Christ by your ACTIONS??

Let’s summarize this last group of verses 11 The ‘action’ message of the gospel = love one another. 12 Cain, killed Abel because Abel’s righteous deeds exposed Cain’s unrighteous deeds, leading to hatred and murder. 13 Expect the world to hate us because our righteousness will expose the world’s wickedness. 14 Our love for our fellow Christian is evidence of our rebirth in Christ. 15 Hatred is murder and evidence of not being reborn in Christ. 16 Agape love is sacrificial love and must be practiced by believers. 17 Helping others is a sign of true salvation. 18 Put your agape, Christian love in action through deeds..

What do we take home, how about… loving actions toward one another Summary statement: Our love for one another is proof of our belief and is evidenced by our loving actions toward one another