1 John [Day 4 and 5] – Background on 1 John: This was likely written towards the end of the first century after the Death and Resurrection of Jesus. It is also likely that John was the pastor of a church for the years after Jesus ascended into Heaven. The reason that it is believed he was a church pastor and not a traveling missionary like Paul was because there are no letters written by him to remote churches with salutations customary when writing such letters. John had seen personally many of the miracles, the death, and resurrection of Jesus. Based on the timing of this letter (late first century) he is up there in age and has a well founded church; so it is with enduring love that he refers to his church as his children.
On Friday (Day 3), I read through verses 1-17 of 1 John 2 but did not have a quiet time on Saturday (Day 4). Today I am re-reading through 1 John 2:1 – 6 and will dwell and meditate on that passage.
Top Level Notes for 1 John 2:1-6:
- DO NOT SIN!
- Refrain, resist, turn, and don’t indulge
- If you sin:
- Thank goodness we have an advocate in Jesus a the right hand of God in heaven interceding on our behalf.
- It is like Jesus is our filter only representing the best of what we are and absorbing the cost of the sin we commit. So, when I sin I must have the picture in my mind of Jesus absorbing the blow that I most definitely deserve.
- I decided to do a little word picture to represent that thought.
- Thank goodness we have an advocate in Jesus a the right hand of God in heaven interceding on our behalf.
- PROPITIATION: Turning away of wrath by an offering. Similar to expiation but expiation does not carry the nuances involving wrath.
- Jesus is the propitiation of my sins and the sins of the whole world.
- How am I able to see for myself that I am growing in my knowledge of Jesus?
- I bear Him in mind in all that I do.
- I observe, obey, and practice His teaching and commands.
- What does it mean to KNOW?
- To perceive Him
- To recognize Him
- To understand Him
- To be acquainted with Him
- If I say I know Him but fail to keep and obey His commands then I am a LIAR -> The Truth (Gospel) is not in me.
BUT!!
- He who treasures God’s Word in its entirety -> the love of and for God has been perfected, completed, and reached its maturity. When this happens I will know, recognize, and be sure that I am IN Him.
- When I say I abide in Him; as a personal debt, I owe it to Jesus to walk and conduct myself in the same way in which He walked and conducted Himself.