Keys of Truth: 1 John (Chapter 2)

Chapter summary:
John has promised that if we confess our sins, God will forgive and cleanse (1:9-10). His motive is not to encourage but discourage sinning! Knowing the full extent of the love God extends in Christ's atonement motivates us to serve Him (2:1-2). Salvation is a transforming experience, and those who truly know God will obey His commands and seek to "walk as Jesus did" (vv. 3-6). Mention of God's commands turns the apostle's thought to Jesus' "new command"—a command which while new is also old. The believer that loves others obeys this command and so walks in the light. The person that "hates someone" is still stumbling around in the realm of darkness (vv. 7-11).

Again John's thoughts turn, this time stimulated by his mention of darkness. He addresses the whole church, represented as children, young men, and fathers. We can overcome by knowing Christ and appropriating His Word (vv. 12-14). But the believer must not love the world's ways or share its passions (vv. 15-17) or be deceived by antagonist that deny Christ and try to lead us astray (vv. 18-25). The Holy Spirit will enable the true believer to recognize truth and error and to remain in Him (vv. 26-29).

The believer’s personal application: We must live as Jesus lived.

TEXTUAL INSIGHT

"Not sin" (2:1-2):
Some assume that only fear of punishment can keep a person from sinning. The New Testament teaches that the prime motivator of obedience is love. Knowing God will forgive us if we fail helps us sense the depth of His love for us in Christ. We choose godliness because we respond to that love with gratitude and love of our own.

“Knowing God” (2:4-6, 29):
In John, knowing God is not academic, theoretical, nor intellectual. Knowing God is personal, practical, and experiential. To know God is not simply to trust Him, but also to live in daily fellowship with Him. Anyone who claims to "know God" in this personal, intimate way and who is disobedient to the Word or hostile toward other Christians "is a liar."

“Walking as Jesus walked” (2:6):
In the Bible, "walking" is a frequent figure of behavior or lifestyle. Since Jesus lives in the believer, a person who is living close to Him will have a godly lifestyle. Christ loved and gave Himself for us. Anyone who hates his brother is still in darkness. Love for others is one way that Jesus expresses Himself in our lives.

"Overcoming the evil one” (2:13-14):
The Christian cannot be victimized by Satan or the world—against his or her will. If we stay close to Jesus we share by faith in the victory He won (John 16:33; 1 John 5:4).
The world is opposed to God (Colossians 2:20; 1 John 2:16); being blinded by Satan (2 Corinthians 4:4).

“Worldliness” (2:15-17):
Worldliness is not a matter of some list of do's and don'ts. It is adopting the perspectives (cravings), the values (lust of the eyes), and attitudes (the boasting of status or position) of man's society rather than the perspective, values, and attitudes of God.