1 JOHN LESSON 3

     We will begin this lesson in I John 2:15 "Love not the world,
neither the things [that are] in the world. If any man love the world,
the love of the Father is not in him."

     Christians are in the world, but not of the world. Our home is in
heaven. We need to keep our thoughts and desires set on things above.
"World" in this example here, is speaking of the sin of the world. It
is speaking of worldliness and fleshly lives. Loving the world, in
this sense, would be trying to please the desires of our flesh. To
love the world, would make us flesh man. Christians should be spirit
men. The world and the things of the world are carnal. This does not
mean that we cannot enjoy the families God has given us, or the
blessings we have received from Him. It does mean that we should not
be caught up in worldly living. God must be first in our lives. We
should not be hanging on to the world, but should eagerly await our
home in heaven with Him.

     I John 2:16 "For all that [is] in the world, the lust of the
flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the
Father, but is of the world."

     The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of
life are what got Eve into trouble in the garden. She looked, desired,
and wanted to be as God. Lust of all kinds fall into the category of
flesh and worldliness.

     I John 2:17 "And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof:
but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever."

     We have learned in a previous lesson, that this world will pass
away. In fact, we read that it will melt with fervent heat. Even if
that were not the case, the world for each person will pass away in
approximately 100 years. We are born dying. Death is the sentence of
all who do not receive eternal life in Jesus. God is eternal. He
shares that eternity with all who believe. To do the will of God means
that we have received Jesus as our Saviour, and are living in the
salvation He gave us. Jesus is the Quickening Spirit who gives us
eternal life. In fact, He is Life. To receive Him means that we
receive Life.

     I John 2:18 "Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have
heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists;
whereby we know that it is the last time."

     This, again, is speaking of Christians, when it says, little
children. The last time indicates the nearness of the coming of
Christ. Jesus warned of this very thing in Matthew 24:24 "For there
shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great
signs and wonders; insomuch that, if [it were] possible, they shall
deceive the very elect." The appearance of these antichrists is
another sign that the coming of Christ is near. The word "antichrist"
just means those who are opposed to Christ.

     I John 2:19 "They went out from us, but they were not of us; for
if they had been of us, they would [no doubt] have continued with us:
but [they went out], that they might be made manifest that they were
not all of us."

     Many times these false teachers and prophets, who are really
opposed to Christ, pretend to be Christians. These people many times
actually come to church and stir up the people. After a time, it is
apparent that they are not Christians. It is best, if you discover
them, before they do any damage to the other believers. Usually they
do not boldly come out against Christ. They just plant doubt in the
other believers. One of Satan's favorite statements is, "Did God say".
If he can get you questioning, he has won that battle. Be steadfast,
unmovable in your belief.

     I John 2:20 "But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye
know all things."

     "Unction", in the verse above, means anointing. This would mean
an anointing from the Holy Spirit of God. The Holy Spirit is our
teacher and guide.

     I John 2:21 "I have not written unto you because ye know not the
truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth."

     This is a further statement of verse 20. "All things", in verse
20, is spoken of here as Truth. John is writing to the church, and not
to the world. Notice the word "know" which is so evident in John's
writings. He reminds them that no compromise of the Truth will do.

     I John 2:22 "Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the
Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son."

     Anti means against. To deny Jesus brings death to the one who
denies. Jesus is Life and Truth. Christ interchanges with Messiah.
These that John is speaking to, then are possibly those looking for
Messiah, and did not recognize Him in Jesus. To deny the Son, is to
deny the Father who sent Him.

     I John 2:23 "Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the
Father: [but] he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also."

     Jesus said, If you have seen me, you have seen the Father. For
there to be a Father there had to be a Son. To deny the Son, would be
to deny there was a Father. The Father and the Son are inseparable.

     I John 2:24 "Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard
from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning
shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the
Father."

     The pure gospel message that had been brought to them was to be
kept at all cost. Let this gospel message live continually {abide} in
you. This is simply saying, reject the false message of the
antichrist. To hang on to the teachings of Christ, brings the Father
and the Son into your life.

     I John 2:25 "And this is the promise that he hath promised us,
[even] eternal life."

     Look, with me, at the promise in the words of Jesus. John 6:47
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath
everlasting life."  John 10:28 "And I give unto them eternal life; and
they shall never perish, neither shall any [man] pluck them out of my
hand." We see from this that eternal life is in Jesus. To have Him is
to possess eternal life.

     I John 2:26 "These [things] have I written unto you concerning
them that seduce you."

     "Them that seduce you" is speaking of those who are opposed to
Christ who with flattering words are trying to draw them away from the
Truth.  John is writing to them and to us to be aware of these false
teachers.

     I John 2:27 "But the anointing which ye have received of him
abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the
same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no
lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him."

     The "anointing" here, is speaking of the Holy Spirit dwelling
inside of us which teaches us all Truth. It brings to remembrance the
wonderful teachings we have had. John 14:26 "But the Comforter, [which
is] the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall
teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance,
whatsoever I have said unto you." It is the Holy Ghost that reveals to
us all Truth. John 16:13 "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is
come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of
himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, [that] shall he speak: and he
will shew you things to come."

     I John 2:28 "And now, little children, abide in him; that, when
he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him
at his coming."

     Stay with God. Let Christ in you live through you, and there will
be no fear of error. The Holy Ghost takes up habitation in those who
will receive Him. We will not be ashamed, when we follow the leading
of the Spirit of God, and get our flesh under subjection to that
Spirit.

     I John 2:29 "If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every
one that doeth righteousness is born of him."

     A Christian, is born again of the Spirit. Our flesh is buried in
water baptism, and we rise to new life in Him. This is speaking of
Jesus Christ the Righteous. We take on His righteousness.
                          1 John 3 Questions


1.  Love not the _________.
2.  Christians are __ the world, but not __ the world.
3.  What is "world" in verse 15 speaking of?
4.  Christians should be __________ men.
5.  What are the three things that got Eve in trouble?
6.  He that doeth the will of God __________ __________.
7.  Verse 18 says, it is what time?
8.  What does the last time indicate?
9.  Quote Matthew chapter 24 verse 24.
10. What does the word "antichrist" mean?
11. These false teachers pretended to be whom?
12. How do they bring the false message?
13. What is their favorite statement?
14. What does "unction" mean?
15. "All things", in verse 20, are spoken of as what in verse 21?
16. Who is a liar in verse 22?
17. What is another word for Christ?
18. To deny the Son, is to deny the ________ who sent Him.
19. What had been taught them from the beginning?
20. What promise did Jesus make to the believers?
21. Quote John chapter 6 verse 47.
22. Eternal life is in __________.
23. What is the "anointing" in verse 27 speaking of?
24. Quote John chapter 14 verse 26.
25. Who guides us into all truth?
26. How do we know we have His righteousness?