I John 3:24 – 4:19 Boldness Through Abiding, Part II
2:28 through 4:19 is marked by a Greek literary device known as inclusio. Within this overall theme of ‘Boldness at the Judgment Seat’ another inclusio marks the first section of today’s Scripture. Notice in verse 24 the phrase “abides in Him, and He in him” and the almost identical phrase in 4:16, “abides in God, and God abides in him.”
3:24 – 4:16 Learning to see the God of love
1. God’s Indwelling Affirmed – 3:24
Obedience produces a reciprocal relationship – We abide in Him and He abides in us
The Holy Spirit is the means by which we discern the reality of God abiding within us
2. God’s Spirit Recognized – 4:1-6
Verse 1 – God’s Spirit is not the only spirit at work in the World
Test the spirits – Test their words, their message See Matthew 12:34-37 and Matthew 7:15
False prophets – Possibly those speaking prophecy under the influence of a demonic spirit
Verses 2 & 3 – The test
Confesses Jesus Christ having come in the flesh 1 John 5:1 – This message is a saving message Heretical teaching does not always deny Biblical truth, but it does not affirm who Jesus Christ is
Verse 4 – The Holy Spirit within us is mightier than the deceivers
Verse 5 – The origin and message of the false prophets is the world
Verse 6 – The origin and message of the Apostles is from God
3. God’s Indwelling Recognized – 4:7-16
Verses 7 & 8 – True Christian love, whenever expressed, finds its source in, and takes its character from, God Himself Two truths about every believer who loves:
They are ‘born of God’
They ‘know’ God
The believer who does not love does not ‘know’ God. God is love – Love is fundamental to God’s nature!
Verse 9 – The revelation of God’s love
Verse 10 – The character of God’s love
Propitiation – Four occurrences in the New Testament
Romans 3:25 (hilasterion) ‘a propitiation’
Hebrews 9:5 (hilasterion) ‘the mercy seat’
1 John 2:2 (hilasmos) ‘the propitiation’
1 John 4:10 (hilasmos) ‘the propitiation’
Propitiation means to turn away or satisfy wrath. Propitiation is always toward a person.
Expiation - Two occurrences in the New Testament
Luke 18:13 (hilaskomai) ‘be merciful’ (KJV)
Hebrews 2:17 (hilaskomai) ‘to make reconciliation’
Expiation is the means of forgiveness. It has the idea of atonement or forgiveness of sin.
Verse 11 – Our response to God’s love
Verses 12 & 13 - When we love we reflect God and this love can only be produced in us by the indwelling Holy Spirit
Verse 14 – Abiding in love is a witness to the world that Christ is the Savior. ‘Savior’ is only used here and in John 4:42.
Verse 15 – The source of true confession is the indwelling Spirit
Verse 16 – The experience of love among believers produces knowledge of and faith in God’s love.
4:17 – 19 Boldness At The Judgment Seat (1 Corinthians 3:10-15; 2 Corinthians 5:10-11; Romans 14:10-11)
God’s love reaches its fullness and maturity in us only as we learn to pass it on to our brothers and sisters in Christ.
Boldness is linked to love which is perfectly revealed in Christ. When we abide in Him we will exhibit His sacrificial love.
Perfect love and fear are incompatible!
Our love for God is sourced in His love for us!