From the recording John I, II & III An Intimate Review
Lyrics
Letters of Apostle John – I, II & III John
An Intimate Review
Pt 1
By Lawrence DeMetrius
The Witness of the Apostles of Jesus Christ
In [I Jn 1:1-4] Apostle John reiterates why Matthew, Mark, Luke and himself wrote their letters about Jesus Christ. Their primary reason for doing so was to assure future generations that Christ was a real Person, Who they personally experienced. In addition to their letters are credible reports of non-Christian historians who lived during the time of Christ, and could also attest of His character, teaching and works. All such writings, especially those of the Original Apostles of Christ, are not random allegories, fairy tales or fables, which many perceive them to be. [Jn 1:1-4, 14; 20:30, 31; 21:24, 25; I Cor 1:18, 24; II Cor 4:3; 10:4, 5; II Tim 2:24-26] The Original Apostles wrote their letters so that future believers would experience the same fellowship and joy they did with Yahweh through Christ. Indeed, this is also the chief desire of Jesus Christ, Who is GOD’S Word incarnate. [Jn 15:11; 17]
The Report of Jesus Christ Declared
In [I Jn 1:5] Apostle John states that Yahweh is LIGHT and that in HIM is no DARKNESS. THE LORD wants every mortal to know how they can be restored to fellowship with HIM, and secure eternal salvation. [Jms 1:17; Acts 17:30, 31]
*light Gk #5457 phos (foce) it is luminousness or that which provides enlightenment
*darkness Gk #4653 skotia (skot-ee-ah) it is dimness, obscurity and that which keeps one from being fully enlightened
In [I Jn 1:6, 9; Mt 6:22-24; I Jn 2:15-17; St Jn 3:19-21; I Tim 6:6-10; Jms 1:8] Apostle John notes that one must beware of doublemindedness. He states that anyone who SAYS they have FELLOWSHIP with Yahweh but WALK in DARKNESS, is a LIAR and disobeys divine TRUTH.
In fact, whoever fails to believe the insight given of Yahweh through Christ, makes HIM a LIAR, namely those who SAY they have no SIN. The proof of one’s restoration to FELLOWSHIP with Yahweh, is the quality of their daily WALK or living with HIM.
*say Gk #2036 epo (ep-o) it means to speak or say verbally or in writing
*fellowship Gk #2842 koinonia (koy-nohn-ee-ah) it is partnership, participation, social intercourse or pecuniary benefaction
*walk Gk #4043 peripateo (per-ee-pat-eh-o) it means to tread all around, walk at large especially as proof of one’s ability and to live, deport oneself or follow as a companion
*darkness Gk #4655 skotos (skot-os) it is shadiness and obscurity
*lie Gk #5574 pseudomai (psyoo-dom-ahee) it means to utter an untruth or an attempt to deceive by falsehood
*truth Gk #225 aletheia (al-ayth-ee-ah) it is truth meaning reality
In [I Jn 1:7] Apostle John presents a TWO-FOLD PROMISE to those who WALK in divine LIGHT. First, they have and maintain FELLOWSHIP with THE LORD. Second, the BLOOD of Jesus Christ cleanses them from all SIN. When one WALKS in divine TRUTH, they inherit this TWO-FOLD PROMISE. In fact, this is the only way one can worship Yahweh, which is the whole duty of mortals. [St Jn 4:23, 24; Eccl 12:13]
*blood Gk #129 haima (hah-ee-mah) it is the atoning Blood of Jesus Christ
*sin Gk #266 hamartia (ham-ar-tee-ah) it is offence
In [I Jn 1:8] Apostle John notes that no one is exempt from the SIN flawed mortal nature. He writes that anyone who SAYS they are without SIN, DECEIVES themselves and divine TRUTH is not in them. Thus, all mortals, be they redeemed or not, are infected with the SIN flawed nature. [Rm 3:23; 7:14-25; 8:5-8; Phil 3:19]
*deceive Gk #4105 planao (plan-ah-o) it means to cause to roam from safety, truth, or virtue
The strength of Jesus Christ active within in each born-again believer, is the only means of mortifying the deeds of the SIN flawed nature. [II Cor 12:9; Jn 15:5; Mt 26:41; Rev 3:8; Jn 8:31, 32, 36] In [I Jn 1:9] Apostle John notes another promise bestowed upon born-again believers. It is FORGIVENESS and CLEANSING of personal SINS, when they CONFESS them to GOD. [I Jn 5:17, 18]
*confess Gk #3670 homologeo (hom-ol-og-eh-o) it means to assent or agree to, covenant with or acknowledge
*forgive Gk #863 aphiemi (af-ee-ay-mee) it means to send forth
*cleanse Gk #2511 katharizo (kath-ar-rid-zo) it means to make clean, purge, or purify
THE LORD SENDS AWAY from HIS FACE the SINS of HIS children when they rightly CONFESS them to HIM, along with the residue thereof. This gratuity is consistent as long as they practice FORGIVING others for the TRESPASSES they commit against them. [Mt 6:12, 14, 15]
Jesus Christ The Advocate and Propitiation
In [I Jn 2:1, 2] Apostle John notes that Jesus Christ is the only means of Yahweh’s FORGIVENESS and PURIFICATION from SIN. THE LORD has made Christ the ADVOCATE and PROPITIATION for the SINS of all mortals. [I Tim 2:15]
*sin (2) Gk #264 hamartano (ham-ar-tah-no) it means to morally err or miss the mark and so not to share in the prize [I Jn 1:8-10; Rm 3:23-26; 7:14-25; 8:5-7]
*advocate Gk #3875 parakletos (par-ak-lay-tos) it is an intercessor and consoler
*propitiation Gk #2434 hilasmos (hil-as-mos) it is an atonement and an expiator
Obedience Proves Allegiance to Christ
In [I Jn 2:3-6] Apostle John notes that anyone who proclaims that they KNOW Christ, yet does not KEEP His COMMANDENTS is a LIAR.
*know Gk #1097 ginosko (ghin-oce-ko) it means to perceive, be sure, have knowledge of, understand and know absolutely
*keep Gk #5083 tereo (tay-reh-o) it means to…
• guard from injury or loss by keeping the eye upon
• fulfill a commandment
• maintain or withhold for personal ends
• keep unmarried
*commandment/s Gk #1785 entole (en-tol-ay) it is an injunction, order and authoritative prescription
In [I Jn 2:7-9; II Tim 2:26] Apostle John directly addresses born-again believers, as they are the only people who can receive and obey divine directives. He then expounds upon The New Commandment, which is in conjunction with The Old Commandments given to Yahweh worshipers. It is THE COMMANDMENT TO LOVE, which is the practice of right doing. [I Jn 2:9, 11; Rm 13:8-10; I Cor 12:31; Mt 5:44-48; 7:12; 22:37-40] Those who KEEP this COMMANDMENT abide in divine LIGHT. Those who profess to abide in divine LIGHT but HATE his BROTHER or fellowman, are BLIND and remain in DARKNESS.
*light Gk #5457 phos (foce) it is luminousness [I Jn 1:5-7; Jam 1:17, 18; St Jn 1:12, 13]
*hateth Gk #3404 miseo (mis-eh-o) it means to detest, persecute and love less
*brother Gk #80 adelphos (ad-el-fos) it is a brother near or remote [Acts 17:26; Rm 2:11]
*blind Gk #5186 tuphloo (toof-loo) it means to make blind and obscure
In [I Jn 2:5, 10; Rm 14:10, 13; Mt 7:1-5] Apostle John teaches that there is no OCCASION OF STUMBLING in one who abides in Yahweh, WHO is all divine LIGHT and LOVE. [I Jn 4:8] Because they KEEP HIS instructions, HIS LOVE is PERFECTED in them.
*occasion of stumbling Gk #4625 skandalon (skan-dal-on) it is a trap-stick, bent sapling or snare figurative of a cause to displeasure and sin
*love (1) Gk #26 agape (ag-ah-pay) it is benevolence, a love feast or charity event
*perfected Gk #5048 teleioo (tel-i-o-o) it means to complete, accomplish, finish, fulfill, consecrate, make perfect and consummate in character
In [I Jn 2:15, 16; I Jn 5:21; Mt 6:24; Exo 20:3] Apostle John notes what Yahweh worshipers are not to LOVE the WORLD or the elements thereof.
*love (2) Gk #25 agapao (ag-ap-ah-o) it means to love in a social or moral sense
*world Gk #2889 kosmos (kos-mos) it is an orderly arrangement, decoration and the world including its inhabitants
Anyone who practices SOCIAL or MORAL devotion to the WORLD and its ungodly elements, have no room in heart to LOVE Yahweh. These elements are inclusive of the following.
1. The LUST of the FLESH. [Rm 8:7]
*lust Gk #1939 epithumia (ep-ee-thoo-mee-ah) it is a longing, especially for what is forbidden
*flesh Gk #4561 sarx (sarx) it is…
1. flesh as stripped of skin as the meat of an animal for food
2. the body as opposed to the soul and spirit
3. a symbol of what is external and means of kindred
4. the human nature with its physical and moral frailties and passions, and humans as such
2. The LUST of the EYES. [Mt 6:19-24; Jam 1:8; Rev 3:16]
*eyes Gk #3788 ophthalmos (of-thal-mos) it is literally the eye, vision and envy as from the jealous side-glance in regard to idolatry
3. The PRIDE OF LIFE.
*pride Gk #212 alazoneia (al-ad-zon-i-a) it is braggadocio, which is empty boasting, bragging and one who does this [Pro 3:5-10]
*life Gk #979 bios (bee-os) it is life as the present state of existence and means of livelihood [Lk 12:15; I Tim 6:6-13, 16-19]
In [I Jn 2:17; Heb 1:8-12; Rev 21:1; II Cor 4:18] Apostle John notes that the WORLD and its elements PASS AWAY. But those who do Yahweh’s WILL ABIDE forever.
*passeth away Gk #3855 parago (par-ag-o) it means to lead near, go along, go away or depart
*will Gk #2307 thelema (thel-ay-mah) it is determination, choice, decree, purpose and inclination
*abideth Gk #3306 meno (men-o) it means to stay in a given place, state, relation, or expectancy [Jer 29:11; Rm 8:28-30]
Yahweh’s WILL has everything to do with the spiritual salvation and perfection of all who are predestined to worship HIM forever and ever. Jesus Christ said,
For I came down from heaven, not to do Mine Own will, but the will of HIM that sent Me.
And this is the Father’s will which hath sent Me, that of all which HE hath given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.
And this is the will of HIM that sent Me, that everyone which seeth the Son, and believeth on Him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
[Jn 6:38-39]
For whosever shall do the will of God, the same is My brother, and my sister, and mother.
[Mk 3:27]
Apostle Paul writes,
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to HIS purpose.
[Rm 8:28]
For it is God which worketh in you both to will and do of HIS good pleasure.
[Phil 2:13]
Yahweh said through Prophet Jeremiah,
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith THE LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
[Jer 29:11]
*********************<Time 10m15s>*********************