June 5, 2022

        THE LETTERS OF JOHN: TAKE A WALK IN THE LIGHT

     June 05, 2022

        Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Statistics tell us that most people have three to five close friends. In today’s age when we often need encouragement, how important are your friends? Can anyone share?

John, the beloved apostle, referred to himself as the disciple “whom Jesus loved.” While we can’t be certain exactly what was in John’s mind when he wrote that of himself, all true Christ-followers can insert their name as being beloved by the Lord. It means He is Lord of your life. You strive to make choices that reflect “What Would Jesus Do,” and your walk and your talk match. The fellowship with Him is unparalleled, as the hymn “In the Garden” says, “And the joy we share, as we tarry there, none other has ever known!”* There is nothing more humbling, more peaceful, more filled with security, than having the God of the universe show you that He loves you. You can take it to the bank, for “The Bible Tells Me So.”

Focal Passage: 1 John vv 1-10.

Jesus is still the Way, Truth and Life

  • Read 1 John vv1-2. What do you know about John 1:1, Gen. 1:1 and 1 Jn. 1? What is the important truth common to those three verses? Read James 2:23b, Ex. 33:11a and Jn. 1:47. What testimony does God give about each of these men? Do you doubt His word about them? In Jn. 21:20, what is he called? Would God allow this if it were not so? By establishing John’s veracity, why do we believe he would not lie?
  • What did John say he had witnessed? When friends tell us of something they’ve witnessed, how do we respond? Can we believe what John says about Jesus? He saw, heard and touched Him after His resurrection. Why would people not believe?
  • Why is it not possible for a human—under his own power—to get out of his grave? What did Jesus have? When do we receive the same resurrection power?

We are one family because of Jesus

  • Read 1 Jn. Vv 3-4. Why does John say he’s writing this letter? Who is able to have fellowship with the “family of God”? What makes a family? Read 1 Cor. 8:6. How does that verse confirm this passage in John? How do you have fellowship with the world? Why is it not possible? If you are hanging on to a worldly friend in order to save them, why is that not likely to happen? Read 1 Cor. 15:33.
  • Why will we not get along with everyone who says they are a Christian? Who does true fellowship exist between? Why does John say he is writing these things?

Hypocrisy destroys the family

  • Read 1 Jn. vv 5-6. What is the hardest part of dealing with a person you can’t trust? Why can you not trust someone who lies, exaggerates, and twists the truth? What if they say they are a Christ-follower?
  • What is the difference between one who loves the world and one who loves Jesus? Read James 4:4. How does God expect us to live?
  • Do you know people who claim to be saved but live a sinful lifestyle? What is wrong with that? What should their life be like if they are truly saved?

Obedience builds the family

  • Read v 7. Why is it that some people at church or in your circle of friends are like “soul mates”? Is there anything quite as wonderful as having a friend you can truly count on, no matter how you mess up? How can we have this communion?
  • Why is it not okay to assume we can have a sinful lifestyle because He has paid for all our sins? Read Romans 6:1. (Read the entire chapter when you get time!)

So let’s be honest

  • Read vv. 8-10. Do you know there are some who believe we can attain sinless perfection in this life? Why is that not true? How does verse 10 check our spirit?
  • Why is verse 9 so marvelous for the Christ-follower? What does it mean to “confess” our sins? Do your sins bother you and make you miserable until you confess (agree with God that you have done wrong) them and get right with God again?

 

Undoubtedly, within your family are those who are not saved and whose souls you are very concerned about. Perhaps they follow “another gospel,” perhaps they have rejected Jesus Christ as the only Way to eternal life, or perhaps they have grown lukewarm and nothing you say influences them. According to these verses written by the “Beloved apostle,” you can’t have real fellowship with them until they turn to Christ in confession and repentance.

In this short letter that was meant to be circulated among all the churches at that time, as well as the future, does John help you understand any relationships in your family that are dysfunctional? Perhaps there’s someone whom you seem to irritate no matter what you say or do. Is it feasible they are not right spiritually, and until they get their life straightened out before God, it may not be possible for you to have the love exist between you that you would like? God is light, John says in verse 5, and if someone has darkness in them, how can you expect to have a beautiful relationship?

Perhaps there is someone whom you love, and with whom you desperately want a good relationship. You may have no control over them whatsoever, and the loss of their friendship breaks your heart. However, you know the one in the Person of Jesus Christ, who was foreordained to come and heal the brokenhearted (Psa. 147:3, Isa. 61:1), and Jesus Himself said He had come to heal the brokenhearted (Luke 4:18). You can pray, daily lifting up the one you love, that they will get sick of their sin and desire to turn to Jesus. You will be praying in the Lord’s will, as He says that He does not desire that any should perish, but that all would come to Him in repentance. It may not be in your lifetime, but the seeds you sow will eventually result in a harvest.

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