John is writing to explain the eternal life we have in Christ. If we live by the power of the new life, we will not sin. But we still have the old sin life and sometimes we allow it to act badly. If we do sin, we do not lose our eternal life, but our fellowship with God is disturbed. At these times, Jesus works with us to get us to repent so we can enjoy God as our Father. We can know for sure that Jesus is our Savior because we have eternal life that obeys the Word of God. Another point about eternal life that helps us to know we are saved is the love we have for other Christians.
Many things in the world compete with our love for the Lord Jesus, such as music, money, sports, movies and social networking. Some of these can be used in a good way, but if they distract us from following the Word of God, they are sinful. Don’t love the world, as this will dishonor Jesus Christ.
Anyone who says Jesus is not God, or the Messiah, is an antichrist. That person is a liar and God is not his Father. We have the Word of God, we have eternal life and we have the Spirit of God that abides in us to help us to know truth from lies. We have all we need to live the Christian life. We do not need any other new teaching.
Abide in Christ and live faithfully for the Lord so your life will give honor to Jesus when you get to heaven.
1. If we sin, who is our advocate with God the Father? __________ 1 John 2:___
2. What do we keep that helps us know that we know Him, Jesus our Savior? __________ 1 John 2:___
3. What should we keep to perfect the love of God in us? __________ 1 John 2:___
4. If you hate your brother, are you in the darkness or the light? __________ 1 John 2:___
5. What does a person love that proves that the love of the Father is not in him? __________ 1 John 2:___