In this verse we are talking about a special relationship, a spiritual one. It is one about which the world knows nothing. This is a relationship which commences when a person believes that the Lord Jesus Christ died for him, and at the same time the Holy Spirit witnessed that fact to us, "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together." Rom.8:16-17.

1. First of all it is a standard which is suitable to God and to our new nature, the nature of the new creature that we are. It is a relationship which should mirror the relationship between God the Father and His Son the Lord Jesus Christ. No christian in their right mind would suggest that, that relationship is anything but perfect.

2. Secondly, this is a relationship we have never known before, and one of which the world knows nothing. In fact the world’s relationships, even at their best, can never approach the spiritual relationship between believers.

The absolute truth about this relationship is that it is impossible to have a right relationship with the other children in the family until we have a right relationship with the Father. Without that relationship we will not have any real way of acting, or standard of behaviour towards others in the family. First we have the fact that God is perfect in all His ways, and therefore He does have a perfect relationship with me and also with every other child in the family. With that being so our relationship should the same as our perfect Father’s. Is it? That is the question each one of us should answer.

If it is not then there is only one way of knowing how to behave. That is by drawing ever closer to the Father and knowing how He feels about His children, whether they be faithful or wayward. We come to learn of His perfect ways. How do we draw closer to the Father? by drawing closer to His Son. As we have read above we see the Son’s love for the Father and the Father’s love for the Son, and as we do, we become more like Him.

This is made very clear in the last part of verse 1 above, "and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him." Please carefully notice no progress is made in the field of love until we love the begetter, the Father. It is then we will perceive the brother as our Father does. There is no way a carnal christian can do this because he had gone into the world, and adopted the world’s evil ways, and having done that then exhibits the works of the flesh which are, "Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God." Gal.5:19-21.

The Word of God is true. If I am a carnal christian the above evil carnal characteristics will mark me. I will not be able to "agape" love at all. I will not have the faintest clue as to what it is all about, and strife will follow me wherever I go. Without doubt the Holy Spirit convicts us of our wrong position, and it is essential that we stop and examine ourselves when that happens. Am I causing strife and contention between brethren? Do I love the things of this world? One would pray that we should never be so full of self that we would judge others as always being wrong and ourselves always right. Stop and consider carefully.

It seems that these early verses in this chapter summarise the previous statements in the chapter. They are summarised in a way which is very very powerful, and should take a mighty hold on us. We are reading that we can only love the brethren when we "keep His commandments." One may ask; why is the statement made, "keep His comandments"? The scriptures make that abundantly clear, "He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him." John.14:21

Once again the scriptures make it quite clear that there is only one test for our love for God, and that is our obedience. We can claim whatever we like, but that does not prove anything. Are we keeping all His commandments or only the ones which we think we should. Do we think some of His commandments are out of date? If we do we are the most disobedient. In fact we are in open rebellion against God.

Sometimes it takes a number of times to read a passage before we can understand just what is being said. There may be a number of reasons for that even though we may be quite intelligent. The first thing is that it takes the power of the Holy Spirit to bring the meaning of a particular passage to us. It may also take some particular experience in life making us seek an answer to the events befalling us in conjunction with the power of the Holy Spirit to understand the message. In this particular verse it says that we only know we love the children of God when we love God and keep His commandments, otherwise we do not.

The answer to this situation is that we seem to instinctively think that because we are christians we love our brethren. This is so even when faced with evidence of the very opposite. That evidence being internal strife between believers, tensions, and outright disobedience. We can have the case where a believer can be so deceived that they think, that to denigrate disobedient believers is love. There may be many other wrong situations which naturally escape our attention, but it is only when we measure ourselves against the word of God that we begin to see two things:

1. Our own shortcomings, and

2. God’s infinite love for us.

It must ever be kept in mind that the only real and eternal truth is God’s Word. "I change He changes not". The most powerful thing is that God loves all His children equally with an infinite love, and when we do not love them we are at odds with our heavenly Father. We lose His fellowship because we have reverted to the filthy flesh in assessing the position, and then acting wrongly. Furthermore we become aligned with the world which is at war with God, and a tool of the enemy Satan. To sum up this verse we have been given a test which tells the measure of our love first of all to God, and secondly to our brother.

and his commandments are not grievous. barus; grievous, burdensome

Once again we are forcibly reminded just what our love for God is. It is wholly and solely based on us keeping His commandments. As mentioned before there is only one measure of our love for God, and that is the degree of our obedience to His Word. This is a kind of thermometer to measure our love. It should be unnecessary to also repeat, that what is meant here is not what we think the commandments of God are, but what the written Word of God specifically says. It is brought by the Holy Spirit in power to our heart from that written Word of God.

The difficulty is that the carnal christian believes that whatever comes into his mind with respect to so called "christian duty" is the commandment of God. This can never be true simply because the commandment of God is never at variance with the written Word of God. It does not matter how good it seems, unless it can be proved by lining it up with the Word. It comes from the flesh, and is the offspring of Satan.

If you can not find it written in the Book then it is not the commandment of God. If one finds an apparent contradiction in the Word then do not do anything about obeying the apparent commandment until one waits on the Lord, and the help of the Holy Spirit to enlighten us so that no contradiction appears. It is absolutely essential to closely examine everything we do for the Lord, and to be assured that it is according to the written Word.

We should look at some easy examples. Can we see any denomination written in the scriptures? If not why should we belong to one. If the Holy Spirit now convicts us of our wrong position then we must study the Word until we find the mind of God. There is one thing certain; He will not leave us in the dark.

Again are we gathering together with unbelievers? Then why are we when the Word says "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?" 2Cor.6:14 If we are in a church where unbelievers can be members why are we there? If in that position we have a choice to make. Will we obey the Word of God or will we go our own way? That most emphatically is up to us. We will either offend the unbeliever whom we can see and please the Lord, or we will offend the Lord we can not see and please the unbeliever. This is as clear as the noon day sun. It is terribly sad that many a believer does not mind offending the Lord to please the unbeliever.

Even worse still the believer may be so deluded that he thinks that by disobeying the Lord he might save or help the unbeliever. Let it be quite clear. Our disobedience grieves the Lord and our heavenly Father and He will most certainly chastise us. Let us also be reminded that it is a terrible thing to grieve the One who loved us and gave Himself for us. Have we no shame, have we no consideration for the fact that He shed His precious blood for us. Is it so difficult to be grateful for infinite love at such infinite cost?

What a tremendous promise for our new relationship, for we find we have been purchased by the precious blood of the lover of our soul.

Let us further consider how far from grievous it is to obey His commandments. "And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:" 2Cor.9:8. How incredible, He will absolutely ensure that we shall never be in need, neither in this world nor in that which is to come. In fact He implores us not to concern ourselves overmuch about getting on in this world or the things of this world as His concern for us is beyond our understanding. "Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;" 1Tim.6:17

We should now note the position of a non family member. God’s Word is clear; "Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard." Prov.13:15. We also read, "The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble." Prov.4:19. The final end of the unsaved is "And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire." Rev.20:13-15. For a son who has strayed it is chastisement, and perhaps we may even sin unto death.

It is good to consider, and see the end of our decision in this life as we have only two choices:

1. We can ignore the existence of God, or

2. We can follow the leading of the Holy Spirit to the person of the Lord Jesus Christ and thank Him for dying for us, it is all up to us.

In the paragraphs above we have seen, that even though we can see, feel and appreciate our loving relationship with our Father and our Lord we can turn aside by allowing the flesh to take control. In this verse we are given the key to our victory over all that would turn us aside.

When we look at the first phrase we read that whoever is born of God overcomes the world. The problem is that many christians do not even know what the world is therefore we should have some idea about what we are to overcome.

1. "And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness." 1John.5:19. The whole world, the system of thing in it and all its inhabitants are enveloped by, and controlled by Satan.

2. "Now is the judgement of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out." John.12.31. The world has a prince who is Satan.

3. "And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him." Rev.12:9. Every single human being, a descendant of Adam, has been deceived by Satan.

4. "Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:" Eph.2.2. Every person in the world follows Satan

5. "The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil." John.7.7. The inhabitants of the world hate the Lord, and as we read "without a cause"

6 "Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you." John.14:17. In this passage we see that the world can not receive the Holy Spirit or even understand anything about Him

7. "In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them." 2.Cor.4:4. Once again we see that every human being has been blinded by Satan.

8. If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you." John.15:18. The world hates the believer.

9. "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:" Rom.5:12. Here we see every single descendant of Adam is guilty before God, and whose final estate, unless saved, is in the lake of fire for all eternity.

 

These are some of the characteristics of the world, but we still need a simpler definition of just what it is. It is every individual who in born into this world and every system of things set up by human beings since the fall of Adam.

Each inhabitant is guilty of sin before God, and as such is judged already. On the execution of that judgement each and every unsaved individual will spend eternity in a lake of fire. Most particularly judged as evil is every system devised by the human brain, and includes every act and word, and deed said and carried out by every individual.

Notice every individual who was ever born into this world is a part of the world until saved, with the only exception being the Lord Jesus Christ. Again note "And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others." Eph.1:1-3. Each individual who accepts the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour is then taken out of this world and adopted into the family of God for all eternity.

It may be interesting to note that it is faith that overcomes the world. That seems simple enough, but Satan is a deceiver. His deception is first of all to keep believers ignorant of what the world is, his kingdom, and secondly he keeps us from knowing how to break the attraction. Again note it is faith that overcomes not works, service, sacrifice, and not even love, it is faith.

"Now faith is the substance of things hupostasis; solid confidence, assurance, firm conviction

hoped for, elpizo; trust

the evidence of things not seen." elegchos; conviction

When we read Weymouth’s version it seems to be clearer for there is nothing vague or uncertain about faith: "Now faith is a well-grounded assurance of that for which we hope, and a conviction of the reality of things which we do not see." In this there is an absolute certainty about the thing in the future. It is something not yet seen, but we rest in the certainty. The Lord is coming again for His own, and we, as believers, know with certainty that He is coming back for us. In addition we have the absolute confidence in Him to the extent that we believe His Word. Faith is a perfect gift which God has given us and we thank Him for it. Just who then is he that overcomes the world?

We should look closely at the word overcome for an understanding of the word:

1 to carry off the victory, come off victorious

a) of Christ, victorious over all His foes

b) of Christians, that hold fast their faith even unto death against the power of their foes, and temptations and persecutions

c) when one is arraigned or goes to law, to win the case,

This leaves us in no doubt about what overcome means. It is the complete and absolute victory over the forces of the world as manipulated by its Prince Satan. In plain English this verse means: "Whoever believes that Jesus is the Son of God has total victory over the world, and all its systems, and influences." What is it then that we have to believe?

The answer to the question above is, the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. One will notice that the title is not Jesus Christ, or even the Lord Jesus Christ, but Jesus the Son of God. This implies a growth and maturity in the believer. When we first met the Lord He was on the cross, and our knowledge of Him was very limited. We saw a man crucified for our own personal sin. We saw someone who loved us and gave himself for us. Somehow we knew He was connected with God.

We were taken up with our new experience, by that we do not mean we were really self occupied as the relationship between us and the Lord was a wonderful experience. Just who He is, however, was not our concern then. The Holy Spirit had witnessed with us that we were reconciled to God. We experienced the joy of salvation.

We may even have read, "And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory." 1Tim.3.16. This is new truth for the young christian. For him, things concerning God are vague. He knows that the Holy Spirit dwells within, and that the Father is in the heavenly places, but just where the lord Jesus Christ fits into the picture, apart from being his saviour, he was not sure. It is by the grace of God, as the young believer progresses, through obedience to the written Word that he begins to discover wonderful things about the Lord, and the relationship of the persons in the Godhead. Before we proceed we must commence by understanding that God is infinite and that we are finite. This being so God has to overcome that difficulty in describing Himself to us.

He has done this by using the illustration of the family with the father being the head, the wife being his mate who has been fitted for that purpose by God. The children are under discipline to be obedient to them. Because this is the case great emphasis is placed on the family, and behaviour in it. The problem in the last days is that the world has destroyed the family unit almost completely, and we virtually have nothing to see where it is as it should be. The family is a type of the relationship between God and His adopted children; therefore it has come under attack by Satan who hates God and all that He stands for. In fact Satan’s attack has been successful, and we must go back to the Word of God in order to counter his destruction.

We have this picture, and we should be able to understand it. We have seen that God is infinitely high, and all mankind is infinitely low, furthermore God is a Spirit and there is no affinity between the two, that is between flesh and spirit. God is presented with two problems, from the human point of view.

1. that for reconciliation to be effected God has to be able to communicate with us, and

2. the penalty of sin has to be paid for which is death.

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He, the Son, left heaven’s glory with the express purpose of doing His Father’s will, and would always be obedient to Him. He set the pattern of the Father and Son relationship, and in doing so glorified His Father. He, in His life unfolded the plan of God to man. Not only by living a perfect life, but also by perfect obedience to His Father.

Let us read once again His position, "Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." Eph.2:6-8.

His obedience led Him to the agonising death of the cross, and the suffering of being forsaken, and separated from His Father all in doing His Father’s will. By His work He had reconciled us to His Father. Everything He did was first and foremost for His Father. He determined to glorify Him, and that we are saved is secondary. Once again we say His Father wanted us to be reconciled to Him, and the Son paid the price in doing it. Above we read that if the Son glorified His Father, His Father would glorify Him. The Lord Jesus Christ glorified the Father on the cross and the following resulted:

" Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Php.2:9-11. There He was elevated in status above everything in the universe, and we read further: "Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all." Eph.1.21-23. Now He is returned to His original position; equal with the Almighty God at His right hand.

This verse has always been hard for most to understand, and it needs the helps of the Holy Spirit to enlighten us as to its meaning.

Looking at the Greek words it reads: "This is He (Jesus the Son of God), Jesus Christ, who came through water and blood." That seems unusual as we tend always to think of the blood first, but here the water comes first. It behoves us therefore to determine what both the water and the blood signify.

and renewing of the Holy Ghost;" anakainosis; a complete change for the better

In this we see the new birth and the work of the indwelling Holy Spirit, but there is still the question of the guilt of sin and its penalty which brings in the blood.

The blood shed is a sign that a life has been given to pay the penalty for sin. By this in legal terms our sins have been remitted, meaning release from the penalty of sins. Let us note:

We have also noticed the repetition of the water and the blood as if to emphasise the truth presented here. That is the great and glorious work of the Lord on the cross. At the end of the verse we have the most unusual statement, ". And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth." One notices that the Lord Jesus Christ is called the truth, and so is the Holy Spirit, but the Father never is.

We hereby have brought home to us ample proof of the truth of the work and person of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Some scholars believe that there is no evidence that these two verses are not free of error. In fact it is extremely difficult to make sense out of the verses 7 and 8. There are a number of valid reasons why such a conclusion may well be correct. It seems more likely that both Kelly and Darby have a better understanding of the verse than most. J N Darby, and W Kelly translate the verses as follows.

"Because three are those that bear witness, the Spirit, and the water and the blood, and the three agree in one" W Kelly.

Again, "For they that bear witness are three, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood, and the three agree in one." J N Darby. The word "agree" in the verse means, "are at one purpose." that is in their testimony.

In this verse it would appear that the "water" and the "blood: are figurative witnesses, but it is the Holy Spirit who brings the truth home to our hearts in power. What is being said here is that there is a witness to men. First the person is reached by the Holy Spirit who pierces the darkness which surrounds the unsaved soul. Then comes the witness of the water and the blood which we have noted above.

We should look again at the state of the unsaved soul, and the associated darkness.

"for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways; To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins, Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us, To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace." Luke.1.76-79. Here we have the picture of all unsaved sitting in darkness, and we notice certain truths about them:

1. They are unsaved and the salvation message has not reached them for the Saviour comes with light

2. They sit in darkness not even knowing that God exists, and

3. they are in danger of imminent judgement.

"In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not." John.1.4-5. Here we see that those in darkness can not understand the light even when it shines on them.

"And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved." John 3:19-20.

The Word of God is quite clear about the fact that the unsaved love darkness rather than light. It is because of their state that judgement is passed on them. There is nothing in them that responds to the light. This is their condition from birth.

"Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth." John.12.35

Here we are told quite clearly that those who are in darkness do not know where they are going. This most surely indicates a lost condition.

The word "lost" here means to perish. Therefore the verse could be translated as "But if our good news is veiled or hidden, it is kept from those that are perishing". The emphasis would appear to be that those without Christ are perishing.

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The unsaved are in darkness that is not having the mental ability to see and understand the fact that God exists, and even when the light shines in on them they are incapable of comprehending, or acknowledging it. The following verses give us the remedy.

"In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." 2Cor.4:3-6.

for this is the witness of God which marturia (as above)

he hath testified of his Son. martureo; bear witness to

Before we look more closely at this verse we must firmly keep in mind the fact that verses 9, 10, 11, and 12, are all very closely connected together with the one main subject "record". The first part of this verse is reminding the reader that we accept the testimony given by men. This is done in courts of law, and in many other places and ways. Now in contrast to the testimony of men we have the testimony of the Almighty Creator God of this whole universe, which of necessity should be given greater credence than the testimony of mere man. This is because of who He is, and what He is.

Another thing to keep in mind is the fact that the words "witness", "record", "testified" all have the same base meaning as we noticed in the verse above for example. The word in the English language means "to bear witness to a fact", "give evidence", "make a public declaration about a fact". So what we see in the verse above is that God has made a public declaration about His Son. The fact put before us is that God has made this declaration about His Son, and it should be given full credence. This should give us full confidence and satisfaction.

He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: marturia; testimony, bear witness

he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because poieo; practice a course of action

he believeth not the record that God marturia; testimony, bear witness

gave of his Son. martureo; bore witness, testified.

This is a verse which is of utmost importance to the young christian, and which is inseparable from verses 9, to 12. The connection is the word "record". Here again we are brought to the word "witness" or "testimony". What we find here is that the believer, who has faith in the Son of God, has the witness or testimony within himself in all the power of the Holy Spirit. One will remember in verse 5 that it is a spiritual process of maturity in the believer which allows him to discover that Jesus is the Son of God, and having done that he is an overcomer of the world, and a firm believer in the Word of God. One will notice that the record is given in verse 11, and we if do not believe Him we are calling Him a liar. Just what the testimony is which He testifies of His Son is given in detail later.

Now the horrendous sin we are committing, by not believing God, is really blasphemy. Yet christians do so. We must also notice it is not just calling Him a liar, but the real meaning above in the verse is that we make a practice or take a course of action of calling Him a liar. This is so bad that it should shock us to the foundations, and cut us to the quick. How could we do such a thing? Apparently quite easily! We should determine never to do so to our heavenly Father who "spared not His own Son".

And this is the record, that God hath given to us marturion; witness, testimony

eternal life, and this life is in his Son. aionios; endless (in this context)

Now we have come to the testimony that God has given concerning His Son; God has given us endless life in His Son. What does endless mean? It means it never comes to an end. Why is that? Because the life we have been given is in His Son!

There is not one single word or verse in all the scriptures which would remotely indicate that a believer can be saved and lost as a careful study of it will clearly show. Therefore believe the testimony of God. He has recreated us. He has sealed us unto the day of redemption with, not by, the Holy Spirit. Believer, He is coming back for you irrespective of what you imagine! Furthermore whilst in this life, let us note some other things He has done, and that among infinite blessings, "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." Eph.2:10. How infinitely blessed we are as believers.

of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, oida; to know perfectly

First the "may believe" is present tense really meaning " are believing right now, so that the last phrase means, "eternal life ye who are believers" The thing highlighted in this verse is that they are to "know". That is to know perfectly that we have eternal life, and to have confidence in the Son of God. We repeat the believer is to know that he has eternal life. In other words, for us not to have assurance of eternal life, and not to recognise the Son of God and have complete confidence in Him is a complete waste of John’s time, or rather a waste of God’s time in trying to enlighten us through His Word.

What the apostle John has done in both his gospel and epistle is to magnify the person of the Lord Jesus Christ with particular emphasis on what He has done for the Father, and secondly for us. It is incredible to think that almost all christians have no idea just what the Lord has done for them except to know that they are saved. That they are on their way to heaven seems to be all they care about. This, gloriously, is only the beginning of an infinite number of things which He has done for us as secondary to, and associated with glorifying His Father. These people are almost completely egocentric. They talk about their service, their worship, their prayers, their needs, and their organisation, and very little else. There is a feeling of a club atmosphere in their churches which may be either friendly or not depending on the mood at the time.

Even their worship seems to be based on what the Lord has done for them measured by physical and temporal blessings. This indicates a concentration on the gift and not the giver. The reason for this is that there is little knowledge of the person Himself such as:

1. Knowledge of the personality of the Lord is very limited, and the Father seems to be quite unknown.

2. So also is the relationship between the Father and His Son. This being so there is little worship (adoration). What a terrible state of spiritual affairs when the believer is only interested in gifts, and can only see that the Lord loved them and gave Himself for them.

3. The cost to Father and Son is little known.

4. Nor is the eternal glory of the Son.

5. The reason why He has been given a name above every name, and raised above all principality and power is not well known either.

Let us note just a few of the things concerning the glory of the Son.

One may preach the gospel and see millions saved, or be martyred at the stake, it simply does not matter what we may have done. We could do infinitely more and still not have done enough to pay our debt. Yet there are some christians who boast about their service for the Lord. Let us all be assured that no matter how much we may have done, at the judgement seat of Christ, our real shortcomings will be made abundantly clear to us.

14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, parrhesia; absence of fear, boldness

if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: aiteo; beg, the position of a suppliant

we know that we have the petitions parrhesia; (as above)

that we desired of him. aiteo; beg, the position of a suppliant

Without question this verse really shows us up for what we are. It is almost universally true to say that almost all christians do not really know much about real answers to real prayer. That answers to prayer occur occasionally may be nothing more than the overriding grace of God in providing for His children. In looking at these two verses we see a number of things:

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1. There should be an absence of fear in our approach to God

2. Note the word ask is used when one of lower rank or status asks someone of higher rank to do something for him

3. These words assume that we know that He hears us

4 Above all we receive answers to our prayers

In some ways this is a remarkable verse in as much it does not stand alone in showing up our deficiencies in prayer. We now note other verses which should be considered together with it.

It is disgraceful just what we do not believe of the Word of God, and we are all guilty of this gross sin. We are even taught that we need to expect answers to prayer! Is this really what the Lord teaches us in His Word?. Yes, just look at these verses:

1. "If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it." John.14:14.

These words are very clear. They say what ever you ask for you are given.

2. " If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you." John.15:7.

Here we have two conditions. We must abide in Him, and we must be obedient. Note that very carefully. It is the obedient christian walking in fellowship with his Father and His Son who has answers to prayer.

3. "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you." John.15:16

This statement presupposes that we understand that we must abide in the true vine to bring forth fruit as in verse 7 above. We are chosen to bare fruit and receive answers to prayer.

4. "And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you." John.16:23.

"At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you:" John.16:26.

 

The information for us in these two verses is that we do not need the physical presence of the Lord to have answers to our prayers. Later in the disciple's life, after the crucifixion of the Lord, the Holy Spirit would bring this vital message to their hearts: for example throughout the Word of God as in the epistle under study. The above five verses however are absolute. That is, the statements are statements of fact, and cannot be refuted.

Our heavenly Father is determined to bless us according to our faith. It is faith in a way, but we stress it is a faith which is brought about firstly by obedience to His Word, and secondly by a walk in the Spirit, not fulfilling the lusts of the flesh, and keeping in fellowship with the Father and His Son. If we are not seeing continual answers to prayer then we have failed in our christian walk.

Just look at the array of verses which are quite clear in their meaning

We should not have distracting worries. If we do, we are to make our requests known unto God. Notice how many requests are we to make known unto God, ALL! No anxiety should ever arise that is not placed before God in prayer.

Do we have afflictions? Do we pray for them to be removed? Do we call the elders to anoint and pray the prayer of faith? The answer is generally no! Above all there is no mention of the gift of healing simply because the gifts of healing have ceased. Thank God miracles have not.

This is totally against human nature, but it certainly is the nature of one who is walking in the Spirit in fellowship with Him.

Too many of the Lord’s people have no concern for the unsaved. There is no thought of going into all the world as commanded, but rather cosily staying home and forgetting the lost world.

It is all a case of whether we believe God or not. If we do we are encouraged to pray for our needs.

This is of tremendous benefit to us because we may not know what to ask for, but the indwelling Spirit helps us. Here is our power. We should be careful, however, because demons can imitate the Spirit of God enticing us to pray for things we should not have. What it also does is make us very much aware of the two major requirements for answer to prayer, first obedience to the word of God, and second to maintain fellowship with the Father and His Son. This being so we are again assisted by the following words, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." Jas 1:5. What an infinitely gracious heavenly Father we have.

This is the key to unanswered prayer. We are not praying in the power and leading of the Holy Spirit who dwells within. If this is the case, irrespective of what we ask for, it is only something we want, not need. It does not matter whether it is good or bad because we do not "naturally" have the intelligence nor do we have the mind of God.

It seems rather brutal to say this, but it is a fact. Remember, however, in 6 above where God says we do not know what to pray for. That is the factual Word of God. We can praise God we are not left out. It is the Holy Spirit within who directs our requests which, of sheer necessity, must be the mind of God. Let us examine ourselves. Are we in the faith? What do we know of "groanings which can not be uttered"? It is absolutely essential that we stop right here and consider.

he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin. not unto aiteo; ask, beg as a suppliant

death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it. eratao; ask as an equal

Let there be absolutely and definitely no confusion about this verse. It has nothing to do with loss of eternal life. To even remotely think it, is to have virtually no knowledge of the scriptures or the mind of God. We have seen above that we have eternal life.

"If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned." John.15:6. The context of this verse has to do with fruit bearing and not eternal life.

Let us look further in 1Cor.11, "Verse 27 "Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. 29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. 30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. 31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. 32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world."

These verses are simple to understand. If one partakes of the breaking of bread (eats and drinks) unworthily then some who do so "sleep". This means that some die, and some are weak and sickly as a result of God’s judgement. In addition we are told two other important things. First, we should be walking in the light with continual self judgement taking place. Second, our judgement is a child discipline or chastening. Now NOTE WELL; this chastening is really what we deserve as children in order that we should be more like our Father. This is the christian’s portion in this life. Then we are told we will not be judged with the unsaved at the great white throne. Remember "I give unto them eternal life and they shall never perish."

With chastisement now being the penalty for the sin of those who are christains, rather than being brought before the great white throne, we should ask ourselves, "what should our attitude be?" This scripture puts it quite plainly, "And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:" 1Peter.1.17. Should we continue to be insensitive to the reproof of the indwelling Holy Spirit, and continue in sin our earthly service for the Lord will be terminated, and we will be called home in disgrace as servants. Let it not be our portion to die in such a manner, but let us please Him by our obedience to His Word, It is very likely that the person who sins a sin unto death knows that this is the case, and also knows that prayer will not avail.

We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; gennao; born, perfect tense

but he that is begotten of God gennao; born, aorist tense

keepeth himself, tereo; watch over, preserve

and that wicked one toucheth him not. hapto; touch, assault

What do these two verses teach us? They teach us that the believer is a new creature or creation. Notice it is new, not renovated. Again we notice in the second verse that this new creation is created in righteousness and holiness. Simply it can not sin! However the old nature can, and we still carry it with us. Hence we are commanded to put on the new man. Put on means to be clothed with the new man. It is that which is visible by characterising the believer when it is worn. The character then seen is that of the Lord Himself. The first word "born" in the verse above is in the perfect tense which means that the birth took place in the past and continues on. The second "born" states a fact that it has happened. What we gather then is that the new life can not sin, and we need to be "clothed with it" to exhibit the personality of the Lord which preserves us against the attacks of the devil.

This is a statement of fact. Furthermore the Greek is quite definite. All that have been born again have been clothed with Christ as a matter of fact.

Here we are told that having put on the new man we should behave as that new man.

This is a command. We are commanded to be fully armed so that we can withstand the attacks of the devil both direct and subtle.

This verse is saying that after having put on or being clothed in the new man, who is in the likeness of its creator, the Lord Himself, we are to be like Him.

These three verses commence with the words, "be in the state of having put on" the new man. We are given its characteristics, and we see in them the character of Christ. We are to be occupied with Christ by concentrating on who He is, what He is, where He is, and what He has done. The more we study Him in the power of the Holy Spirit the more we become like Him.

This is very interesting in as much as it points out the potential of the believer. There is a time coming when we who are mortal will be clothed with immortality. When He comes into the air to call up His own, and when we see Him we shall be like Him for we shall see Him as He is. It will be a time when we will have shed all that pertains to the first creation, and we will be united to Him in the heavenly places for all eternity.

And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness. oida; conscious knowledge

The Greek grammar in this verse is very interesting. It reads as follows, "and we have seen and perceived (know) as an absolute fact that once in the past a transaction was completed, and will continue without end, that right now we are in God. Similarly we know the whole human system of things is enveloped in the wicked one."

In this verse we also have the stark contrast between the children of God and the inhabitants of this world. One is diametrically opposed to the other. One is free in Christ, and the other is the slave of Satan. That is fact.

And we know that the Son of God is oida, fullness of knowledge

come, and heko; come, be present

hath given us an understanding, that we didomai; give

may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, ginosko; indicates a relationship between two people, progress in knowledge

Here we know with absolute certainty that the Son of God is present with us, and He has given us an abiding understanding that we have the capability of progressively getting to know Him that is true. Now we have a sure knowledge that the Messiah has come whereas the Jews are still waiting for Him in unbelief, and the gentiles are still worshipping demons.

The Lord Jesus Christ is Jehovah which is the translation for LORD. The Lord Jesus Christ is God manifest in flesh, and in this manifestation He reveals the Father who can only be revealed by Him.

Everything which is not the true God may become an idol. It becomes an idol by that thing, whatever it may be, having a more important place in our life than the one true God. Suffice to say than every unsaved per