Test of Righteousness - "Do I keep His commandments?"
1 John 2:3-6. John is combating the false idea of gnosticism. He's using the word "know" over and over - "and by this we have assurance (know) that we have come to have a relationship (know) with Him." Whoever says "I have a relationship (or know Him) with Him, by this we have assurance (know). Matthew 7.
Q: where does God's law (commandments) belong in the believers life today? Matthew 5:17. Well, we will walk through 3 tests of genuine faith. Commandments are a test of righteousness, or moral behavior.
You want to obey God when you are child of God. To love God is to love God's law. The law of God is an expression of the character of God.
Verse 5. Love of God "perfected" - the law is the means whereby we grow in completeness, in holiness. There are three ways we should think about the use of the law:
1. James 1:22-24 describes the law as a mirror. We understand our sin in a new way. We see ourselves measured against what God commands.
2. Also serves as a restraint. "This is what's acceptable and this is not." There should be penalties for us when we transgress. Exodus 20:1-17. The moral law of the OT actually undergirds the law codes of most major societies. Laws create boundaries of how we should live with one another.
3. It shows us what's pleasing to the Lord - a path (narrow). God's law shows us how to live His way in His world.
Verse 6. Walk on the path of Jesus. A long obedience in the same direction; moving towards righteousness. Personal sin results in collateral damage. Personal obedience results in collateral benefits.
1 John 2:7-11. Introduces a second test where he uses the commandments as a bridge moving from the test of righteousness to the test of love. "Do I love my brothers?"
Commandments summed up in Matthew 22:37-40.
Q: How are we to understand the difference between the old commandment and the new? Well, how is it new?
1. It's new in its extent. It reaches the sinner and the outsider (Acts 1:8). Also, to the extent it will go - love of brothers.
2. It's a new commandment in the degree which it is realized - God's law will be written on our hearts.
Verse 10. Love "agape". A love the mind analyzes and the will chooses. All obligation on God's side. But us? We need something in return. Tests: 1) what are we doing? 2) what is your heart like? your will? Examine our actions, our desires and our beliefs.
Verse 12-14. He's addressing different levels of spiritual maturity. Encouragement to persevere.
Verse 15-17. He's setting up another contrast: love of the world vs love of the Father. Contrast is what which is temporary and that which endures. Similar to Matthew 6:19. Remember the gnostics believed the created things around them were evil. They would like this verse, but then...."the desires of the flesh" etc... He's saying "you have a spiritual problem." It's not the stuff. It's your heart.
Flesh = sensuality. Eyes = covetousness. Pride = arrogance.
Sounds like the things the serpent offered to Eve in Genesis 3:1-6:
1. It will make me happy
2. It won't hurt to look
3. It will make me amazing
1 John 2:17a. Sanctification progressively sets us free from the power of sin - laying our desires on the altar.
1 John 2:17. Q:
1. How can I walk as He walked?
2. What brother/sister needs my purposeful, intentional love?
3. How will I trade sensuality for sensibility? Or covetousness for contentment? Or pride for humility?
Next: Session 4 Practice righteousness, pursue love, possess assurance
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