6-24-2018 Proof is in the Pudding 1 John 5:2-5
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Introduction:
It was a bright Sunday morning in 18th century London, but Robert Robinson’s mood was anything but sunny. Who was Robert Robinson? The minister who authored of the popular Hymn: “Come Thou Fount” and other hymns as well. All along the street there that Sunday in London were people hurrying to church, but in the midst of the crowd, Robinson was a lonely man. The sound of church bells reminded him of years past when his faith in God was strong and the church was the most important part of his life. It had been years since he set foot in a church—years of wandering, disillusionment, and gradual defection from the God he once loved. The loneliness that he wrote about in his diary he attributed it to his falling from the faith. Early in his adult life, he was a Baptist minister who converted to Methodism, and then towards the end of his life, became what he had once despised and denounced: a Unitarian denying the Trinity and other fundamental doctrines to the faith.
Could it be that Robert Robinson was a tragic case where none of his fellow brothers and sisters in the faith love him like they should, leaving him so lonely that he even had forgotten the love of Jesus?
Transition:
The Apostle John has some words about this matter. Perhaps Mr. Robinson and his fellow churchgoers could have benefited from the passage that we are looking at this morning.
Scripture Reading:
2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. 4 For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
This is another proof text from the Apostle John. A proof text in the sense that it is yet another test to the authenticity of true brothers and sisters in the faith. John now again directly confirms the interconnectedness of our love for other Christians with our love for God and the relation to the obedience to His commands.
Transition:
This morning I want to offer you what I think the Apostle John offers here in a couple proofs about what is true in a brother or sister in the faith:
I. Proof #1 Consistent Conformity (vv. 2-3)
I. Proof #1 Consistent Conformity (vv. 2-3)
Let’s start with verse 2 with this idea of obedience popping up for the believer
By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments.
This verse, along with verse 3, repeats one of the major themes of 1 John. Love for God is expressed by lasting, ongoing love and obedience. Here obedience to God is the test. To obey God proves love to him, and this again involves love of his children.
Take note the evidences of a true believer throughout this one passage:
(1st) he/she loves God
(2nd) he/she loves God’s child [Jesus] (v. 1)
(3rd) he/she loves God’s children (v. 2);
(4th) he/she obeys (vv. 2, 3); and
(5th) he/she overcomes (vv. 4–5)
“By this” ἐν τούτῳ - By what? By what follows, observing God's commandments— in other words: Our Conformity
Just as believers’ love for their brothers and sisters is the sign and test of their love for God, so their love for God (tested by obedience, 5:3) is the only basis of their love for Christian brothers and sisters.
There is a tendency in each of us to be a bit selfish at times. We like what we like and we want things to go according to our desires. It is not within human nature to submit to the desires of another. The flesh wants to promote itself, even at the expense of others. In ourselves we do not desire to live according to the Word of God, keeping His commandments. The flesh always desires that which is contrary to the spirit.
For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.
“For this is the love of God” Love is not sentimental emotions but physical action, both on God’s part and on ours. Obedience is crucial (cf. John 14:15, 21, 23; 15:10; 2 John 6).
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.
Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.”
Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.
If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love.
And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it.
back to our passage:
For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.
Our Continuation in that: “we keep his commandments.” Lives submitted to the Lord, lived in light of His great love, are marked by obedience to His commandments. Our love for God is revealed through submissive, obedient lives. The word keep has the idea of “watching over or guarding something viewed as great treasure.” It is easy to talk of our love for the Lord, but the proof is in the pudding. Do our lives reflect our love for Him? Do we live in a way that brings honor to Him?
As I considered this simple statement I thought of those who have been faithful to our Lord throughout life. I thought of those who had served the Lord for many years, and as they ended their journey, they remained committed to Christ unto death. It is one thing to serve the Lord for a short while and quit, but it is out of this world to remain committed to Christ for a lifetime. It is possible to serve the Lord throughout life, but faith in Him has to remain strong. Our love for Christ always must continue to grow if we are to remain committed for life. How? complete abandonment to self—Kill yourself daily to live for Christ every single day.
Our Consolation (3b) – and his commandments are not burdensome/grievous. The world looks at the believer in astonishment and unbelief. They wonder why we would live as we do. They do not view faith as joyful and liberating, but restricting and burdensome. They view the Christian life as being bound by a set of rules that deprive the follower of all joy in life. John declares the commandments of God are not grievous; they are not heavy, burdensome, or the cause of affliction.
Henry Donald Spence said:
“The Christian, whose will is united with the will of God, will not find obedience to that will a task.”
The new covenant does have responsibilities (cf. Matt. 11:29–30 where the rabbis used yoke for laws, 23:4).
Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Yes! His yoke is light and easy, BUT IT IS STILL A YOKE! YOU ARE STILL A SLAVE TO CHRIST
These responsibilities flow out of our relationship with God, but don’t get confused— these responsibilities do not form the basis of that relationship, which is based on God’s grace--not human performance, faithfulness, or merit Titus 3:5 . His people, the more and more aware we become of the two extremes of libertinism and legalism.
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
Jesus’ guidelines are very different from the false teachers, who either had no rules (antinomian) or too many rules (legalists)!The longer we serve God by serving
We know the secular man views these responsibilities/commands in the New Covenant as grievous, but the believer embraces His commandments, viewing them as beneficial, and even necessary. That is not to say the flesh will never want to rebel against the commandments and desire of God for our lives, but spiritually we know God is working in our lives for our benefit.
One cannot embrace the commandments and will of God apart from faith in Christ and love for Him. However, when one is born again in Christ, indwelt by the Spirit, there is an understanding of God’s great love and His desire for us to be conformed to the image of His Son. It is not a burden to serve the Lord. I do not view Christian service as dreadful, but a genuine joy. We are privileged to have the opportunity to serve the Lord and follow Him.
Transition:
Therefore, Consistent Conformity to the commandments of God is a sure proof of an authentic Christian, but there’s at least one other proof here John wants to point out:
II. Proof #2 Vigorous Virtue (vv.4-5)
II. Proof #2 Vigorous Virtue (vv.4-5)
John now shifts his focus to the faith believers possess and the great benefit it has in our lives.
For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.
“For” — this is the reason for the preceding statement from verse three that it is not burdensome: the opposition which causes the difficulty is already been overcome.
John is speaking of:
Our Vigor and vitality (4a) – “everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world" We must keep in mind the historical context for this epistle. The church was in its infancy. False teachers were abundant. Many of the Jews maintained loyalty to the Old Testament teachings and refused to embrace Christ as the Messiah. The church faced many obstacles and daily struggles. Many were likely tempted to abandon their faith. John encouraged them of the great strength and help they had in the Lord that destroys these life difficulties.
It is all too obvious that we too face many struggles and obstacles as well—even recently! The circumstances and lures may have changed, but the battle is still the same. These are the most difficult times the American church has faced since the Revolution and it is likely to still get worse unless the church changes drastically. There is a forceful push to silence our voice and force us to abandon biblical conviction for political correctness. Unless we stop tolerating this attack from satan, things will get worse.
As difficult as today is, we can overcome in Christ. He is still sovereign and in charge of this world. We will face opposition and adversity, but we are not defeated.
Here and in verse 5, the word “overcomes” is a military term for conquest—John is talking spiritual warfare.
This is our Victory (4b) – “and this is the victory that has overcome the world, -- our faith” Likely, the early believers were asking John how they were supposed to respond to the difficulties they faced. How will we make it through? Is there any hope for us in such a volatile environment? John encouraged them to persevere through faith in Christ. They would be able to overcome and endure this world by faith. It is the world that hinders obedience to God’s commandments and makes obedience seem foolish. But everywhere God’s children may be, they can conquer the world, and that by means of their personal faith.
The word “victory” (νικη) is where we get the word Nike as in Nike shoes - This is the name for the Greek goddess of victory.
The aorist form is used (ἡ νικήσασα) to show the victory as already won and completed!
This truth has not changed and it never will. We too face difficulties and it seems at times as if we may lose our religious freedoms. We like to think that these things won’t happen. But we find in reality, they do; and when they do, we must persevere by faith. Whatever we face, though, is no comparison to the power of our Lord. Faith will allow us to rise above in victory! The world may abuse us or even one day take our lives, but they can never destroy our faith, and our love, and our security in Christ.
Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
This verse clearly defines the content of our faith, which is mentioned in v. 4. Our victory is built on our profession of trust in Jesus who is both fully man and fully God (cf. 4:1–6). I want you to notice how John says that believers must affirm that Jesus is
(1) the Messiah (v. 1);
(2) child of God (v. 1);
(3) Son of God (vv. 5, 10); and
(4) the Life (cf. 1:2; 5:20).
Here is our Virtue (5) –Every child of God has the power that defeats this evil world
What other way is there of conquering the world? And how can he who believes fail in the world? Belief in Christ unites us to Jesus, and gives us a share in His victories; and he Has overcome the world [[John 16:33]].
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
The world doesn’t share our hope. They do not have the promise of victory over the devil. The antichrist will come and bring intense suffering to those who remain on the earth. I rejoice to know I belong to Him and this creates a greater burden for those who are unsaved. We are indeed secure in Christ and the world remains outside His grace.
So What?
So What?
We know by reading the prophetic passages of Scripture that things are going to get worse and worse, not just in America, but around the world. We know the Lord is soon coming. We are not without hope though. Those who have put their faith in Christ, being born again in Him, will overcome. There may be some difficulty along the way, but we will one day enter His presence for eternity!
Faith, trusting Christ, provides the power source and the means to participate in the victory Christ won for them through His sacrifice and even more-so, His resurrection. This massive power, given by YHWH to believers, can easily overcome any opposition. The ones who believe that Jesus is the Son of God are the only ones who will win battles against the world which is so permeated with false, anti-Christian teachings. By holding fast to our faith in Jesus as God’s Son, Christians will not be lured away to false teachings.
Love is the absolute best motivator, and our faith is motivated by love. When our love is lacking or weak, our faith will be as well. Love and faith go hand in hand, working together as we strive to serve the Lord, consistent with His will.
Conclusion:
Again we saw this morning, John emphasizes love, obedience, and truth as the tests of true sonship. If we have God as our Father and love Him, then surely we will also love His other children. This deep love will lead to obedience. Where there is love, there is a willingness to serve and please others. God’s commands are not forced obligations to us because we love Him.
Just as there is a law in every city that parents must take care of their children, or else be put in jail. Is it really a burden for parents to work and sacrifice to care for their children? Or do they care for them only because they fear this law? No, neither is true! They obey the law because they love their children. The Christian who complains that God’s Word is a burden does not know the meaning of true love.
Christians are not to love the world, we don’t belong to the world, or listen to the world’s ways. We are truly overcomers, overcoming the world, satan, and the false teachers. We overcome by faith in God’s Word, not by our own power or wisdom.
This passage teaches us the relation of love and obedience -- where there is no obedience to God, there is no love for God. The two things are inseparable.
Love alongside faith is the spiritual weapon by which any temptation to disobey is overcome.
It is evident that faith and love work together in our lives. Both are vitally important to our Christian lives. Faith motivates love and love manages life. Do you possess faith in Christ? If so, do you exercise it as you should? Is your life lived in order to please the Lord, serving Him and others? If faith is lacking in any way, Christ is the source of faith and answer for the needs we face. Come to Him for the need in your life!