The objective of this lesson: To stress the meaning of committing to Jesus Christ.
The question everyone asks and answers either consciously or subconsciously is this: "What is the purpose of my life?" Is it to marry and have children? Or to obtain power? Or to devote myself to education? Or to acquire money? Or to obtain possessions? Or to seek personal pleasure? Or to develop status/influence? Or to endure my situation? Or to change my circumstances? Or to provide my children opportunities I never had?
Everyone decides how he or she will use his or her life. The decision made is reflected in the considerations favored by the choices the person makes.
This same writer wrote in his gospel a statement from Jesus: "I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly" (John 10:10). The context of this statement is that of a shepherd and his sheep. Jesus drew a distinct contrast between himself and others who claimed to be God's Messiah in this way: "The others only care about what is best for them; I care about what is best for my sheep. In me, those who follow have life, and they have it to the fullest." Often, when sheep followed the best shepherd, it was necessary for the shepherd to lead the sheep through some of the wilderness' most desolate places to reach lush grazing and still pools. In those times, the sheep must never lose confidence that their shepherd has their best interests at heart.
This fact is beyond overemphasis: As Christians, we must have complete confidence that our Savior (Jesus Christ) is always focused on our eternal best interest. Even in difficult times, the Christian refuses to doubt Jesus' commitment to him or her. The unselfishness of Jesus is central to Christians maintaining constant confidence in Jesus as they endure stressful times and situations.
The context of John's writing (1 John) should be significant to us. Seemly, there were those who affirmed that one had only to love God to belong to God (believing in Jesus Christ was unnecessary), and those who affirmed obedience had nothing to do with belonging to God. Thus, some said that following God had nothing to do with placing confidence in Jesus Christ (you could love God without committing to Jesus Christ). Others said belonging to God had nothing to do with obedience (as long as you acknowledged Him, you did not have to obey Him). There are still those who wish to reduce Christianity to a feeling or an acknowledgment. There are still people who prefer to see Christianity as a convenience rather than a commitment.
The situation John's original readers faced makes John's writing more meaningful to us in our situations. It helps to know he wrote to real people with actual discouragements.
The text of the lesson began by emphasizing two basic facts about spiritual birth: (a) when spiritual birth takes place, the person believes Jesus is the Christ, and (b) when spiritual birth takes place, the one born to God loves others who are also born to God. John did not write "all inclusively" in 1 John, but he addressed the problems confronting the original recipients of his letter. For examples, Jesus spoke of the futility of those who only cried, "Lord, Lord" (Matthew 7:22) and of the wise and foolish builders (Matthew 7:24-27). No one was more meticulous and technically precise in their obedience than were the Pharisees--even when they did wrong things, they had to do them in "the right way."
We often stress "how" a person is born in a new birth, in God's family, in Christ. We too seldom stress "what it means" to yield to the new birth, to be in God's family, to be in Christ. When we place much stress on "how" and little stress on "what it means," it is easy for people to make baptism an impersonal act instead of a personal commitment. When that happens, what is called Christianity becomes an inexpressive Christless religion instead of a following of the Savior.
John stressed two examples. (a) If you love the parent, you love the child of the parent. Thus, if you love God, you love the person born into God's family. (b) Loving God and practicing God's teachings will result in loving people who belong to God. Nothing about loving and obeying God will result in rejecting those who love and obey God.
In John's examples, the first was likely a commonly understood truth acknowledged by most everyone. The second was a truth each Christian needed to understand.
Regarding the first, it is still true that people generally are quite protective of their children. A person's actions toward a child will affect his or her relationship with the parent.
Regarding the second, Christians need to understand that God's influence does not make us hostile toward other Christians. The common denominator spiritually is not a common culture; it is a common God who sent us a common Savior.
Obeying God is not humanly impossible. Jesus said (in comparison to first century Jewish traditions, regulations, and requirements) "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light" (Matthew 11:28-30). Christian opposition came from "the world." "The world" is the last domain of Satan. John spoke of those who committed to Satan's leadership in rejection of God and Jesus Christ as "the world." Those in Christ were assured of personal victory over the anti-God forces that confronted them. The force that overcame the anti-God forces they confronted was faith in Jesus Christ, not power as pursued by the anti-God forces.
Obedience to God is not humanly impossible (consider 1 John 1:5-10). In God's grace and mercy expressed in Jesus Christ (John 1:17), obedience becomes "user friendly."
Our struggle is not with our ability to obey God, but with our desires to be like godless people.
God's forgiveness, even in the Old Testament, involved a cleansing (read Leviticus 16). Cleansing commonly involved water and blood--often a washing and sacrificial blood. In John's emphasis, a cleansing was also involved. There was water involved and the sacrificial blood of Jesus.
If you have a problem with the fact that God forgave before Jesus died, consider 1 Kings 11:7-14 and especially note verse 13; Psalm 51; Romans 3:21-26 and especially note verse 25. Also consider Acts 17:30. (For additional examples, consider Leviticus 4:20, 26, 31, 35; 5:10, 13, 16, 18; Numbers 14:19; 15:25, 26; 1 Kings 8:30, 34, 36, 39, 50; 2 Chronicles 7:11-14; Jeremiah 36:3.) The issue is not who did God forgive or when did God forgive. The issue is what must I do to have access to what God did for me in Christ.
What were the witnesses of this cleansing? First, the witnesses were from God, not from humans. The witnesses of the Christian cleansing included the ancient elements of cleansing--water and sacrificial blood. Additionally, the witnesses also included God's Spirit.
In the past, the witnesses came from the rituals. Now, the witnesses come from what God did in Jesus Christ.
God declared Jesus to be His son (John 1:29-34; Matthew 3:13-17). His son was (is) adequate for human cleansing--Jesus' death is the source of water and blood (John 19:34). Faith in God's son is faith in what God did in Jesus to cleanse us. To the person who trusts what God did in Jesus, the reward is life.
There is no human need for forgiveness that cannot be resolved when a penitent person brings the sin to Jesus Christ.
Possessing the life that God gave involves having Jesus (being in Christ). Apart from Jesus, there is no life. The eternal life God promised in His son does not exist without faith in God's son as the gift the Lord God gave humanity, as God's promised Messiah or Christ.
God's enormous concern for humanity is seen in what God did for us in Christ. Read Romans 5:8 and marvel at God's merciful concern.
For Thought and Discussion
What is the purpose of my life?
"I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly." John 10:10
The examples include the cry of "Lord, Lord" in Matthew 7:22; the builders in Matthew 7:24-27; and the Pharisees.
If you love the parent, you love the parent's child.
Loving God and practicing His teachings will result in loving people who belong to God.
No. Jesus makes obedience possible.
Those who commit themselves to Satan's leadership and reject God and Jesus Christ are "the world".
God's forgiveness always involved a cleansing.
The witnesses are the water, the blood, and God's Spirit.
Link to Student Guide
Lesson 7