1 John 3
Category:New Testament -> 1 John
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3:1 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.
3:2 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.
(3:2) “We know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.”
John expects to live to see Jesus return.
3:3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
3:4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
3:5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.
3:6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.
(3:6) “Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.”
Earlier in this letter (1:8, 10) John assured us that everyone sins. Yet in these verses he claims that Christians don’‘t sin.
Do Christians sin?
Has there ever been a perfect person?
3:7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.
3:8 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.
(3:8) “He that committeth sin is of the devil.”
3:9 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.
(3:9) “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.”
Do Christians sin?
Has there ever been a perfect person?
3:10 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.
3:11 For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.
3:12 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.
3:13 Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.
(3:13) “Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.”
Does the world hate Christians?
3:14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.
3:15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.
(3:15) “Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.”
Jesus said that whoever wanted to be his disciple must hate his brother (Lk.14:26), but John says that such a person is a "murderer" and will not go to heaven.
Should we love or hate our brother?
3:16 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.
3:17 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?
3:18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
(3:18) “Let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.”
Love others in deed and truth.
3:19 And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.
3:20 For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.
3:21 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.
3:22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.
(3:22) “Whatsoever we ask, we receive of him.”
How’‘s that for a big lie?
3:23 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.
3:24 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.
