Week 26: \u00a0Apr 15, 2012<\/p>\n
John expands on the concept of abiding in God, to once again bring it back to the underlying purpose, which is our relationship with God.<\/p>\n
Study<\/p>\n
28 \u2013 Even now, little children, abide in him. Then, when he appears, we will have confidence and will not turn away from him in shame when he comes.<\/strong><\/p>\n –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The use of \u201clittle children\u201d here marks another transition. This is not at all unexpected given the very clear ending of the last section that was marked by the double inclusio in the last two verses and then the \u201cEven now<\/strong><\/em>\u201d at the beginning of this verse.\u00a0 Just as there was a main or starting section followed by two expansions, leading into the central section, John now finishes the first major part of the letter with two more expansions, and a concluding exhortation.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 abide in him<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Picking up on this from the last verse, John begins to expand on abiding in Christ. This is parallel \u00a0to section c which expanded on loving one another.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Then, when he appears.. when he comes<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 John\u2019s reference to the second coming of Christ here uses two Greek words:\u00a0 \u03c6\u03b1\u03bd\u03b5\u03c1\u03c9\u03b8\u1fc7 – (phaner\u014dth\u0113)\u00a0 to be reveals or become visible,\u00a0 and \u03c0\u03b1\u03c1\u03bf\u03c5\u03c3\u03af\u1fb3 – (parousia) \u2013 coming<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 we will have confidence and will not turn away from him in shame<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 After the second coming there will be the judgment seat of Christ and we must stand before him.\u00a0 When this happened will we stand there with confidence <\/strong><\/em>(\u03c0\u03b1\u03c1\u03c1\u03b7\u03c3\u03af\u03b1\u03bd \u2013 parr\u0113sian) the Greek word referring to boldness, openness, or courage, knowing we have been faithful servants?\u00a0\u00a0 Or will we stand there in shame <\/strong><\/em>(\u03b1\u1f30\u03c3\u03c7\u03c5\u03bd\u03b8\u1ff6\u03bc\u03b5\u03bd \u2013 aischunth\u014dmen) the word is passive and means to be ashamed or embarrassed with the sense of disappointment or disillusioned?<\/p>\n \u00a029 \u2013 Since you know that he is righteous, you also know that everyone who practices righteousness has been fathered by God.[1] <\/strong><\/p>\n –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 While some see a break at this verse (Barker) I see this as tying together the concepts of remaining in God to the primary theme of the letter, which is dealing with those who left.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Since you know that he is righteous<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 John set forth his premise, that God is righteous,\u00a0 which is reminiscent of the starting premise of this section in 1:5 God is light, and in him there is no darkness\u2014none at all!<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 everyone who practices righteousness<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The context here is very important to avoid misunderstanding.\u00a0 The context of this section has been a contrast between the faithful and those who left. What does it mean to \u201cpractices righteousness<\/strong><\/em>?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 It means to love as\u00a0 John wrote in verse 2:10\u00a0 (the parallel to this section)\u00a0\u00a0The person who loves his brother abides in the light.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n What about the atheist who loves his brother?\u00a0 First, for John, Love and Truth are inseparably linked. In addition a major part of loving someone is sharing the truth and not leading them astray.\u00a0\u00a0 Finally, it should be mentioned that there are, in fact, a number of studies that show that religious people give more to charity than secular people.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 has been fathered by God<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 John now \u00a0recasts \u201cabiding in him\u201d in terms of spiritual birth as he will develop this more shortly. \u00a0\u00a0So just as he did earlier in the letter, John continues to contrast those who left with his readers, while he builds up their faith by reminding them of their position.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n 3:1 \u2013 See what kind of love the Father has given us: We are called God\u2019s children\u2014and that is what we are![2] For this reason the world does not recognize us, because it did not recognize him, either. <\/strong><\/p>\n –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 John now continues encouraging them by stressing God\u2019s love, and their position. \u00a0God\u2019s love not only removed our sin, it made us children of God. \u00a0\u00a0The mention of children here is important, for again John is pointing out that the purpose is not merely to follow the rules. Rather the purpose of all this is to have fellowship with God, the fellowship of a father and child.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 and that is what we are!<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Note John\u2019s changed to \u201cwe\u201d in this verse. \u00a0This is not just theology, this is reality! What does it mean to be a child of God?\u00a0 Is that how you think of yourself?\u00a0 Is it reflected in the way you live your life?\u00a0 If not, then perhaps the question to ask is, are you abiding in him, as verse 2:28 encourages us to do.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 For this reason the world<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 One effect of all of this is that the world does not recognize us. \u00a0They not only will they not recognize us, they will hate us (John 15:18).\u00a0 It is very likely that this is a reference to the current situation that John\u2019s readers found themselves in, and the church split also split friendships and families. There may even have been some persecution form the group that left.<\/p>\n –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 But even today this is a difficult message.\u00a0 It is so much easier to be loved by the world that we live in.\u00a0 But while it may be easier, it is not a good thing.\u00a0 This is why gathering together for fellowship with other Christians is so important. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n If you have question or comments about the class, feel free to send me an email at\u00a0elgin@hushbeck.com<\/a>\u00a0and be sure to put \u201cEpistles of John\u201d in the header.<\/em><\/p>\n See here for references and more background on the class<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 ii.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The righteous are God\u2019s Children(2:29-30)<\/h5>\n