Love of the saints is a mark of true Christianity. The saint who abides in Christ will not stumble. He is walking humbly with the Lord and thus He is listening to the voice of the Lord. When the child of God listens to God, there is no occasion of stumbling. We can walk faithfully with the Lord. We can be blessed in walking with the Lord.
In verse 11 God again reminded the recipients that the person who hates his brother is walking in darkness. The person who is walking in darkness does not know where he is going. He will stumble because he is not listening to the Lord. The disobedient person is blinded by his sin. There is a danger that such a person is not even saved. Those who are saved cannot hate their brothers. The love of God indwells the true child of God. He needs to submit to God’s will in order to know His peace and blessing.
In verse 12 we are reminded that the true child of God has been forgiven of their sin. We are forgiven not because we deserve it, but rather for His name’s sake. God is a God Who loves to forgive sin. Jesus Christ came in order for us to be forgiven. It is a blessing to be forgiven and free from guilt. The thief on the cross was forgiven while hanging on the cross. The apostle Paul was forgiven when he was saved. Peter was forgiven after he denied the Lord Jesus Christ three times. Judas chose not to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord, and he was not forgiven, and the guilt of sin was too great for him to bear and he committed suicide. He did not need to end up lost for all eternity, but he chose to reject the love of God.
In verse 13 God directed John to remind the fathers because they had the knowledge of God the Father and of the Lord Jesus Christ. Both are from the beginning as is the Holy Spirit. These three are one. Young men that are saved have been given the power to overcome the wicked one. Those who are saved do not need to fall for the lies of the devil. We have the ability to draw nigh to God and resist the devil. The little children have known the Father. God is gracious and good and He gives His children the knowledge of God. This does not happen through osmosis, but rather through obedience to God’s Word as His child. Faithfulness in Bible reading and in church attendance and in service of the Lord are all important for the true child of God.
In verse 14 John wrote similar words, but from a past tense point of view. God reminded the fathers that what they were being taught here was not new to them. God has written it before. Since the foundation of the world, God has revealed Himself to mankind. The nation of Israel had the truth and could follow the truth throughout the Old Testament as well as during the New Testament time. Most have chosen to reject the truth, but they have no excuse for doing so. We have the sure Word of God and we can know the truth today.
The young men also have been told the way to be strong. That way is when the Word of God abideth in them. This tells us that young men need to be saved and spending quality time in the study of God’s Word. You cannot do that apart from walking humbly and obediently with the Lord. Because the young men are walking humbly with the Lord, they have overcome the wicked one.
God’s children do not need to fear the devil. God’s children need to walk humbly with the Lord and in doing so, they will be protected from the wiles of the devil.
Paul was directed to write of the importance of having on the whole armour of God. It is with that armour that we can withstand and stand against the wiles of the devil. He is crafty and subtle. However, his ways are discernible to the humble and faithful child of God. That is the key to success. It is not a matter of going our own way and doing our own thing. It is a matter of accepting God’s Word as truth and trusting in Him in all things.
It is sad to observe people who claim to be saved, but walk contrary to the will and Word of God. God’s Word is very clear. However, the devil knows how to play with the pride of man. He knows how to keep a person in the dark, while the person thinks he is walking in the light. I have had occasion to witness to people over time, who have some knowledge of God’s Word, but they refuse to yield to what God’s Word says. They know how to challenge others in their lives, but they cannot see the hypocrisy in their own lives. I pray that these people’s hearts will soon be broken and they will know God’s peace and joy in their hearts.
We need to listen to what God has to say. Don’t develop your own theology. It will not stand the test of God’s righteousness. Submit to God’s way and know His peace and blessing.
Pastor Bartel