2. Belonging to God
Makes us whole
Gives real freedom from bondage to sin
Shapes how we live:
WALK IN THE LIGHT
3. Condition 1:
Break with Sin
We are called to holy lives
We are helped by the Holy Spirit
We have the Scriptures to help prevent us from
sinning
4. Condition 1:
Break with Sin
When we fall into sin, we have help
Jesus Christ is our Advocate:
Someone who comes alongside us
Someone who pleads our case
Keep short accounts:
Personally
Communally
5. Condition 2:
Keep the Commandments
An affirmation:
Evidence that someone knows God:
Obedience to God’s commandments
All commandments summed up in:
Love God
Love neighbour
6. Condition 2:
Keep the Commandments
Shape of obedience 1:
2:4Whoever says
“I know him”
without keeping his
commandments
is a liar
“Know” = personal knowledge
Knowing God means experiencing his love
and grace
7. Condition 2:
Keep the Commandments
Shape of obedience 2:
2:6Whoever says
“I remain him”
must act as he acted
“remain”: one of John’s major themes
Remaining in God has to do with
permanence, inner life, connection
Means to live as Jesus did: a life of love
8. Condition 2:
Keep the Commandments
Shape of obedience 3:
2:9Whoever says
“I am in the light”
but hates his brother
is still in darkness
Progressing to loving the unlovely
9. Condition 3:
Detachment from the World
A parenthesis: to reassure the flock
Children (2:12, 4a)
– Term used for the followers
– Assurance of forgiveness and relationship with
God
10. Condition 3:
Detachment from the World
A parenthesis: to reassure the flock
Fathers, parents (2:13a, 14b)
– Those who are mature in the faith
– Known Jesus who is from the beginning, through
diligent study of Scripture and devotion
– Mature knowledge of God
– Seasoned wisdom anchors the community
11. Condition 3:
Detachment from the World
A parenthesis: to reassure the flock
Young people (2:13b, 14c)
– Those who are newer in the faith
– Strong and zealous for the faith
– Have overcome the evil one
12. Condition 3:
Detachment from the World
Call to detachment from the world
– “World”: the sinful system that is opposed to God
– Contra: the created universe which God loves and
is working to rescue (2:2)
13. Condition 3:
Detachment from the World
3 things that draw us away from God:
1. Disordered bodily desires: sinful desires or
interests
2. Disordered desires of the eyes: sinful passions
3. Pride in possession: arrogance from worldly
goods or status
14. Condition 3:
Detachment from the World
3 things that draw us away from God:
– Desires need to be ordered in God’s scheme of
things
– We engage with the world but must guard against
being sucked into its values and life
15. Condition 3:
Detachment from the World
Mature and young Christians make up God’s
community
– Young Christians have zeal and enthusiasm
– Mature Christians bring steadfastness
16. Condition 4:
Guard Against Anti-Christ
The need to guard against false teachings
The Holy Spirit – the anointing – teaches us
and guides us into all truth
17. Conclusion
We can still fall into sin and need the blood of
Jesus to set us free
We are called the keep God’s commandments
We are to be detached from the world and its
values and systems
We are to guard against false teachings
18. Conclusion
Remaining in God will help us do all that:
– Study and meditate on Scripture
– Pray
– Be in community
