1 John: Jesus, Love, Truth

Wow. All I can say is Wow.

I have just started this new study on the book of 1 John by Kay Arthur. It is so amazing.

The book of 1 John was written by John in order to instruct Christians on how to live and to also warn them of different false teachings which were rising up within the church. One of these teachings was Gnosticism. Gnostic's believed they had a superior knowledge which other believers did not, or could not obtain. They believed they somehow "arrived" and this learning they had, led them to salvation. The funny thing about this type of teaching was, that it was not based upon the Word of God.

Gnosticism also includes some really bizarre beliefs. They dehumanized Christ, and they also downplayed sin and the need for redemption. They did not believe in Jesus being the means for salvation. 1 John repeatedly talks about the importance of Christ, and the necessity of his Crucifixion and Resurrection for salvation and forgiveness. The Gnostic's could not believe that God would come to Earth in the form of a "human Jesus" and thus save the world from sin. They thought that anything physical was dirty or unclean, thus God could not come in the human form. John repeatedly urged the Christians in this book to turn away from this teaching and embrace Jesus.

"This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. " 1 John 4:2

It was also interesting how John continually spoke on the concept of love and obedience within this epistle. Over and over again John emphasized the importance of Love and Obedience as evidence, and the "fruit" of walking with Christ and abiding with Him.

"We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, " I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not see. And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother." 1 John 4: 19-21

"Dear Friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love." 1 John 5:7-8

He used awesome words to describe Christianity and the walk of following Christ. He spoke on how we are to live in the Light and not in the darkness. There are "fruits" which come from walking in the light and on the contrary "evidences" of walking in the darkness. It is interesting to me how when I am "abiding in Christ" I really do have joy, peace, righteousness, love, etc. However, when I am walking in "darkness" in any area of my life, there is a fear, an insecurity. John was basically teaching the importance of really abiding in Christ and how it was good for them, it was life to them.

Isn't this true though? Isn't it interesting that most evil deeds are done at night, in the darkness? People can hide in the dark, it is safe there, it just feels right. Similarly, Nicodemus came to Jesus at night. He wanted to talk to Jesus, but he didn't want to be seen. He still had fear. This is like us. 1 John talks about the importance of love, and how love even casts out all fear. Christ's love that is.

This teaching was important because the Gnostic's did not believe they had a sinful nature which needed repentance. John urged them to dismiss this type of thinking which was unbiblical and untrue. He called those who claim they are without sin: "liars"(1 John 2:3) and they should turn away from this idealogy.