Section Two “Victory Over the Practice of Sin” 1 John 1:5 – 2:11 Page 6 1

Gnostics believed that the spirits of “mature” disciples were not accountable for the “sins” of physical bodies  Because of their special “knowledge” about sin This doctrine was unsettling to others who were willing to abandon sinful practices  Gnostics lifestyles were so different from their own John’s urgent task was to discuss –  The inappropriateness of sin  The dangers faced by the Christian when he chose to embrace gnostic teaching about sin. 2

5 This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. 3

“This is the message which we have heard from Him...” (v.5) “God is light and in Him is no darkness at all” (v.5)  “Light” is truth, purity, and spiritual goodness;  “Darkness” is error, defilement, and spiritual wickedness How can men do what God cannot do and have communion with Him? What would be the result? IF we “walk in the light as He is in the light” (v.7)  Fellowship with one another and  The blood of Christ cleanses us from all sin 4

Gnostics denied that anything physical could be related to anything good “The blood of Christ cleanses us from all sin” (v.7) Jesus’ nature – physical and spiritual – and His life and death were intended to touch the dual nature of all men He cleanses our spiritual nature when body and spirit violate His law 5

“Fellowship” carries the idea of joint participation and joint sharing [communion] Faithful Christians have fellowship with the Apostles and with God and Christ (v.3) Christians who walk (live) in the light have fellowship with each other (v.7) We must not have religious fellowship with: idolatry, the devils, unbelievers, those in sin, false teachers, unfruitful works of darkness 6

8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. 7

Some charged that there is no chargeable sin in the lives of the “enlightened” “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” (v.8) “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23) Since all have sinned, God will forgive our sins if we are willing to confess our sins (v.9) However, the one who says he has no sins makes God a liar and His word does not dwell in that one 8

1 My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 2 And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world. 3 Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. 4 He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. 6 He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked. 9

7 Brethren, I write no new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you heard from the beginning. 8 Again, a new commandment I write to you, which thing is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining. 10

Christians must avoid sin at all cost “…these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” (v.1) John is writing this letter so that Christians will not sin But, when a believer sins, he has an Advocate, Jesus Christ, who is with our Father (v.1)  An Advocate is one who pleads the cause of another There are defenses we can use to avoid sinning… 11

1. Giving heed to the written word of God (v. 1) “My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin.” (v.1) God’s word: (1) guides men away from sin, (2) convicts them when they sin, and (3) promises freedom to the guilty when they seek forgiveness God’s word and His grace of forgiveness is available to ALL… “And He Himself is the propitiation [atoning sacrifice] for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.” (v.2) 12

2. Keeping God’s commandments (vs. 3-5) “Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments.” (v.3) We can “know” God only by: (1) embracing His nature that expects strict obedience, and (2) cultivating an intimate relationship with Him by demonstrating obedience to His commands. The gnostics rejected all commands  They “could not sin” in the spirit  In reality, they lied, rejected the truth about sin, and did not love God (vs. 4,5)! 13

2. Keeping God’s commandments (vs. 3-5) “Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments.” (v.3) The gnostics rejected all commands  They “could not sin” in the spirit  In reality, they lied, rejected the truth about sin, and did not love God (vs. 4,5)! “He who says, ‘I know Him,’ and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him.” (vs.4,5) 14

3. Following the example of Jesus’ life on earth (v.6) “He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.” (v.6) Gnostics scoffed at any importance in Jesus’ bodily deeds and declared that His activities could not serve as a moral pattern for men Christians must walk (live) as Jesus walked 15

4. Developing a deep and abiding love for God (Divinity/Jesus) This love was not “new” as a requirement for a close relationship with God Obedience to His “old” commands had always been the avenue by which this intimacy is accomplished  It was as “old” as Eden and Sinai. This new commandment would not be any different with a relationship with God through Christ (vs.7,8) 16

5. Cultivating a deep and abiding love for all God’s children Jesus showed the depth and extent of a love willing to sacrifice everything for others (v.5) Likewise, we must be willing to show a sacrificial love for others above our own welfare Gnostics rejected good deeds toward others as totally insignificant to the “spiritually mature” 17

4. Developing a deep and abiding love for God (Divinity/Jesus) “But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him.” (v.5) “He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” (v.4:8) “Brethren, I write no new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you heard from the beginning.” (v.7) 18

5. Cultivating a deep and abiding love for all God’s children (vs.8,9) “Again, a new commandment I write to you, which thing is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining. He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now.” (vs.8,9) Gnostics rejected any need to act kindly toward others because, they said, bodily deeds are totally insignificant to the “spiritually mature.” 19

5. Cultivating a deep and abiding love for all God’s children (vs.8,9) Jesus said, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (Jn. 13:34,35) Christians must have a mindset of placing the welfare of others above their own (Philippians 2:3-8) 20

One more look at defenses against sin – 1. Giving heed to the written word of God 2. Keeping God’s commandments 3. Following the example of Jesus’ life on earth 4. Developing a deep and abiding love for God (Divinity/Jesus) 5. Cultivating a deep and abiding love for all God’s children 21

9 He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. 10 He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. 11 But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes. 22

A Christian cannot hate his brother and be in the light Remember: Light is truth and Darkness is error “He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now.” (v.9) Gnostics denied all spiritual consequences of one’s physical behavior  He is still (“until now”) in darkness (v.9)  He is certain to “stumble” (v.10)  He is ignorant of his eternal destination (v.11)  He is unable to change his course (v.11) 23

Love for God, by obeying His commands, and love for the brethren, shown by our sacrificial service to them, are both integral parts of the “new commandment” that will keep our faces pointed toward heaven. “He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.” (vs.9-11) 24

Victory Over the Practice of Sin is achieved through obedience to all God’s commandments, not the least of which is that we must love one another deeply. 25

1. Refer to the gnostic teachings in the Introduction to First John. What might “light” and “darkness” imply as they are used in verse 5? a. “Light”: _______________________________ b. “Darkness”: ____________________________ 2. What plain statement does John make to expose the error of gnostics who confess Jesus while denying His true nature? (vs. 6) 26

3. “Walking in the light” will bring us two important blessings. What are they? (vs. 7) 4. What does John declare about the reality of sin in all lives? a. Present sin: ____________________ (vs. 8) b. Past sin: _______________________ (vs. 10) 5. Men deny that they have sin because the ________ is not in them. (vs. 8) 27

6. Men deny that they have sinned in the past because _____ _______is not in them. (vs.10) 7. What do we do to ourselves when we deny that we have sins in our lives? (vs.8) 8. Confessing (admitting) our sins is the first step toward receiving what two blessings? (vs.9) 28

9. Why do we make God a “liar” when we deny the sin in our lives? (vs. 10) 10. Why is it true that if we refuse to admit that we are sinners in need of forgiveness: a. The word of God is not in us? (vs. 10) b. The Word of God is not in us? (See John 14:23) 11. Does chapter 2:1 teach the impossibility of apostasy? Why or why not? 29

12. What is an “advocate”? Why do Christians need Jesus as our Advocate? (vs. 1) 13. What is a “propitiation”? How is Jesus our propitiation? How is that role connected to the last word in verse 1? (vs. 1,2) 30

14. Three things may be said of the disciple who obeys Jesus Christ: a. (verse 3) -- ________________________ b. (verse 5) -- ________________________ c. (verse 6) -- ________________________ 31

15. John speaks of an “old commandment” and a “new commandment.” What do you think each one is? a. “Old commandment”? (See verses 5-7 and Deuteronomy 6:5; Matthew 22:37.) b. “New commandment”? (See verses 8-11 and John 13:34,35; 15:12,13.) 32