{"id":815,"date":"2012-01-14T15:04:29","date_gmt":"2012-01-14T21:04:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hushbeck.com\/blog\/?p=815"},"modified":"2012-01-14T15:04:29","modified_gmt":"2012-01-14T21:04:29","slug":"the-epistles-of-john-living-in-truth-and-love-1-john-19-21","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hushbeck.com\/blog\/2012\/01\/the-epistles-of-john-living-in-truth-and-love-1-john-19-21\/","title":{"rendered":"The Epistles of John: Living in Truth and Love. 1 John 1:9-2:1"},"content":{"rendered":"

Week 16: \u00a0Jan \u00a08, 2012<\/em><\/p>\n

We return to the study of First John. Having refuted the second claim, John now turns to the correct teaching.<\/p>\n

Study<\/em><\/p>\n

ii.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Three Proposition Refuted (1:6-10)<\/h5>\n

1:9 \u2013 \u00a0If we make it our habit to confess our sins, in his faithful righteousness he forgives us for those sins and cleanses us from all unrighteousness. <\/strong>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 confess <\/em><\/strong>here is present active, which indicates an ongoing process. Confession is not just something we do when we are saved; it is something that we continually do as we seek forgiveness for sin. \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

in his faithful righteousness <\/strong><\/em>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The forgiveness that follows confession stems from both the faithfulness of God and his righteousness.\u00a0\u00a0 He is faithful, and so forgives us because he said he would.\u00a0\u00a0 That he is righteous shows that he can, as Jesus paid the price for our sins.<\/p>\n

he forgives us for those sins<\/strong><\/em> <\/em><\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Some see a significance in the word Forgives <\/strong><\/em>(\u1f00\u03c6\u1fc7).\u00a0 It basically means \u201cto leave\u201d but takes on a variety of meaning depending on the context.\u00a0\u00a0 In terms of locations such as a city, it means to leave that location.\u00a0\u00a0 But when used of an object such as a book, it means to leave it in place.\u00a0 In reference to people it means to send them way or to let them go.\u00a0 For financial transactions it refers to canceling, or forgiving a debt.\u00a0\u00a0 In terms of sin, it means simply to pardon or forgive. \u00a0But his range of meaning does show why context is so important when determining the meaning of a word.\u00a0 One certainly would not want to use the meaning for objects, i.e., to leave in place, in this context. <\/em><\/p>\n

cleanses us from all unrighteousness.<\/em><\/strong> <\/em><\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The passage says that God not only forgives us, but that He also cleanses us.\u00a0\u00a0 Most commentators see cleanse and forgive as the same.\u00a0\u00a0 If so then the use of both in this passage is a form of emphasis<\/p>\n

I, however, think there is a distinction here. John\u2019s key premise is that God is Light and can have no darkness.\u00a0 God not only forgives us, he cleanses us and it is this cleansing that allows us to have fellowship with him. \u00a0This is why confession of sin is so important.<\/p>\n

I also think there is an implied argument here: <\/em><\/p>\n

Since the opponents did not think that they had sin, there was no confession <\/em><\/p>\n

Since there was no confession, there was no forgiveness <\/em><\/p>\n

Since there was no forgiveness, they were still in darkness<\/em><\/p>\n

Since they were still in darkness, they had no fellowship with God.<\/p>\n

How does the teaching of Light and darkness line up with the modern Churches view of sin? This is one of those balancing acts.\u00a0 Sin is a serious matter, yet the ability to confess and be forgiven has lead some to the false belief that it is no big deal.\u00a0 Yet if we focus too much on sin, we miss the blessings of forgiveness.\u00a0 Only though constant pray can we keep the correct balance. <\/em><\/p>\n

<\/em><\/p>\n

1:10 \u2013 \u00a0If we say that we have never sinned, we make him a liar and his word has no place in us. <\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 John now moves on to the Claim #3 : we have never sinned<\/strong><\/em><\/em><\/p>\n

With this claim, it is unclear whether this is an actual claim made by John\u2019s opponents, or if this is a summary of the other two claims.\u00a0 In support of it being a summary, the claim we have never sinned<\/strong><\/em> is very close to Claim #2 that we do not have any sin<\/strong>. <\/em>On the other hand, it could be a response to the implied argument;\u00a0 I need no forgiveness because I have never sinned.\u00a0 While the distinction would have been important to the people to which John wrote, \u00a0it is largely irrelevant to us.\u00a0 We are not caught up that particular controversy, and instead are looking for the universal applications that apply to us and this is the same for both understandings. <\/em><\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Refutation #3: we make him a liar<\/em><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

The him <\/em><\/strong>here is God.\u00a0 To say that we have never sinned is to call God a liar.<\/p>\n

1 Kings 8:46 \u00a0 When they sin against you\u2014because there isn\u2019t a single human being who doesn\u2019t sin\u2026<\/strong> <\/em><\/em><\/p>\n

Isa 53:6 \u00a0All we like sheep have gone astray,\u00a0we have turned, each of us, to his own way;<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Rom 3:23 \u00a0since all have sinned and continue to fall short of God\u2019s glory<\/em><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

his word has no place in us.<\/strong><\/em><\/em><\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 One cannot be in fellowship with God and deny his word. \u00a0\u00a0To deny sin is to deny the need for forgiveness and to deny the reason for Jesus\u2019 death on the cross.\u00a0\u00a0 For someone to do this, it is no wonder that John would say that his word (\u03bb\u03cc\u03b3\u03bf\u03c2)\u00a0 has no place in them. <\/em><\/p>\n

b.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Expansion: Keep His Commandments (2:1-6)<\/h4>\n
i.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Jesus the Messiah is our advocate (2:1-2)<\/h5>\n
2:1 \u2013 My little children, I\u2019m writing these things to you so that you might not sin. Yet if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father\u2014Jesus, the Messiah[1],\u00a0one who is righteous.<\/h5>\n

My little children<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 John seems to mark transition\/emphasis with such phrases, as he does here. \u00a0\u00a0Before going on to give the third counter teaching, he wants to make sure that he is being clear about the nature of forgiveness.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m writing these things to you<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Note the change from 1:4 \u2013 We are writing these things<\/em><\/strong>. While 1 John 1:4 referred to the writings of the eyewitness, i.e., the New Testament, here these things<\/em><\/strong>, is referring to what he has just written.<\/p>\n

so that you might not sin.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 One possible conclusion of the teaching John has just given is that it is ok to sin; after all we can always seek forgiveness.\u00a0 Paul realized this as well after giving similar teaching to the church at Rome.\u00a0 Thus in Romans 6:1-2 Paul rhetorically asks, \u00a0What should we say, then? Should we go on sinning so that grace may increase? Of course not!<\/em><\/strong> Likewise, here, John points out that forgiveness of sin is not a license to sin, and this would run counter to the teaching of God\u2019s Word.\u00a0 We do not have forgiveness so that we can sin.\u00a0 We have forgiveness of sin, so we can have relationship with God.<\/p>\n

Having clarified that this is not a license to sin, John proceeds on to Counter – Teaching #3 :<\/p>\n

Yet if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father\u2014Jesus, the Messiah <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The word for advocate <\/em><\/strong>(\u03c0\u03b1\u03c1\u03ac\u03ba\u03bb\u03b7\u03c4\u03bf\u03bd) here is the same word as in John 14:16 referring to the Holy Spirit.\u00a0 It literally means to call alongside, to encourage, to exhort.\u00a0 It is one of those words for which there is no single English word.\u00a0 It can refer to a lawyer, but the concept here is far more than just legal counsel.\u00a0 It refers to someone who really cared for you well-being.\u00a0\u00a0 It can refer to a counselor, or a comforter, or helper, but these are likewise too limited.\u00a0 You can think of this a as dear friend who is your lawyer, who counsels, comforts and helps you. In the context here, the lawyer\/advocate part has the primary the focus.\u00a0 As Jesus will argue for our forgiveness before the Father<\/p>\n

one who is righteous<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Jesus can take this role because he is righteous<\/em><\/strong>. We are unrighteous and have no basis upon which to ask forgiveness, but Jesus can ask on our behalf.\u00a0\u00a0 Jesus died for our sins, and yet remains righteous because he is infinite.\u00a0 Regardless of how many people will have ever lived, or how much sin they have committed, it will in the end be finite amount.\u00a0 When heaven and earth pass away, there will have been a certain number of people who committed a certain number of sins.\u00a0 However big it will be, it will be finite, but Jesus is infinite.\u00a0 However big humanities sin, his righteousness will overwhelm it as drop of black ink, dropping in a white ocean the size of the universe. \u00a0Thus he can bear our sins and still be righteous.\u00a0 It is on this basis that he will ask for our forgiveness and we can be assured that we will be forgiven.<\/p>\n

Next week will pick up with 1 John 2:2.<\/p>\n

If you have question or comments about the class, feel free to send me an email at elgin@hushbeck.com<\/a> and be sure to put \u201cEpistles of John\u201d in the header.<\/p>\n

See here for references and more background on the class<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible: International Standard Version\u00ae<\/sup>. Copyright \u00a9 1996-2008 by The ISV Foundation. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY. Used by permission. www.isv.org<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Note: Some places I have modify the text from the ISV version. Passages that I have modified have been noted with and * by the verse number and the ISV text is included in a footnote.<\/em><\/p>\n

\n

Footnotes:<\/p>\n

1 2:1 Or Christ<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Week 16: \u00a0Jan \u00a08, 2012 We return to the study of First John. Having refuted the second claim, John now turns to the correct teaching. Study ii.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Three Proposition Refuted (1:6-10) 1:9 \u2013 \u00a0If we make it our habit to confess our sins, in his faithful righteousness he forgives us for those sins and cleanses […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[5,17],"tags":[45,369,512,579,638,713,799,805,808,854,1317],"class_list":["post-815","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-bible","category-faith","tag-1-john","tag-darkness","tag-fellowship","tag-gnostics","tag-holy-spirit","tag-jesus","tag-light","tag-living-in-truth-and-love","tag-love","tag-messiah","tag-truth"],"yoast_head":"\nThe Epistles of John: Living in Truth and Love. 1 John 1:9-2:1 - Politics and Religion<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/hushbeck.com\/blog\/2012\/01\/the-epistles-of-john-living-in-truth-and-love-1-john-19-21\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"The Epistles of John: Living in Truth and Love. 1 John 1:9-2:1 - Politics and Religion\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Week 16: \u00a0Jan \u00a08, 2012 We return to the study of First John. 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