The Strand Study Bible

I JOHN

I JOHN

2123

dwelling on the deity of Christ necessary for salvation, it is necessary for our sanctification as well. 5:13 b This word ( know ) is the Greek word HLGKτH ( eidate ), which comes from the same root as οLGD ( oida ). It means “ to see ; to have fullness of knowledge and absolute assurance .” God wants every Christian to have the absolute assurance that once they are birthed into the family of God (via the Gospel - Jn 3:3), they will always be family. NOTE - Assurance of one’s salvation ( that ye may know that ye have eternal life ) is a result of continued study of the deity of CHRIST ( that believe on the name of the Son of God ). Broken fellowship with God, due to not focusing on the deity of CHRIST , results in quieting the voice of the HOLY SPIRIT within us, loneliness, and the lack of assurance that we are saved (Rom 8:16 and I Jn 3:24). . The Apostle Paul said in II Timothy 1:12: …for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. THE ADAGE IS TRUE: If you could have salvation and not know it, then you could lose it and not miss it 5:13 c The Bible was written for one reason - that ye may know that ye have eternal life . No one gets out of this world alive. So knowing where you’re headed when you die is the most important question you’ll ever answer. Question – “If you died right now, are you sure you would go toHeaven?”The Scriptures were written to answer that very question. The requirements for eternal life in Heaven are not based on what you can do , but on what CHRIST has done . According to Genesis 22:8, John 5:24, Romans 5:6-8 and II Corinthians 5:21, Christ is more than willing to exchange his perfection for your imperfection. 5:14 The “limitation” we are given concerning prayer ( according to his will ) is gracious on God’s part because His will is always best for His children ( II Cor 12: 7- 10 ). Be careful what you demand from God, because He may just give you what YOU want ( Isa 38:5 ). NOTE - The Bible speaks of divine healing. However, the test for divine healing should never be equated with the testimonies ofthose who profess to have been healed. The test for divine healing is always “according to His will,” not according to our will or the claims of men. The Bible speaks of divine healing, not “divine healers” who make claims which are contrary to the clear teachings of the Scriptures. Any group can produce so-called “testimonials.” James 5:14 gives us the pattern for healing. It says,:“Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders (pastors) of the church.” The Bible says to call on local pastors for healing, not call on faith healers. 5:16a According to the Bible there are three kinds of sins: 1. Sins committed “knowingly,” called “besetting sins” ( Heb 12:1 and Lev 4:2 & 5:2-4 ) 2. Sins committed “unknowingly,” called a “weight” ( Heb 12:1) and/or a “trespass” ( Lev 5:15,17-18 ) 3. Sins committed “against great light,” called a sin unto death (I Jn 5:16) This sin is not determined by what you sin, but rather why you sin what you sinned. In other words, when the people of God sin (such as, the Israelites – Num 14:23,29 , Achan –Josh 7:19-26, Eli – I Sam 3:13 , King Saul –I Sam 15:35-16:1, the people of God during Ezekiel’s day –Ezk 14:12-21, and Ananias and Sapphira –Acts 5:1-11), after having been given great light, it puts God to an open shame ( Heb 6:4-6 & 10:26-31 ), and sets that person up for an early grave (I Cor 11:28-30). Elmer Towns in Tithing is Christian notes: The premature deaths of Ananias and Sapphira indicate that they had sinned a “sin unto death” (I John 5:16). 2 NOTE – The “ sin unto death ” is not the same as “ blasphemy against the Holy Ghost ” (the unpardonable sin - Mt 12:31-32 ). Whereas saved people are the only ones who can commit the “ sin unto death ,” unsaved people are the only ones who can commit “ blasphemy against the Holy Ghost .” 5:16b Brethren have always been encouraged to intercede ( pray ) for other believers who have sinned (I Sam 12:23 and Ezk 3:17-21), as long as that sin is not the “ sin unto death ;” for there is no allowance for prayer ( I do not say that he shall pray for it ) whenever a believer sins after having been given great light (I Sam 15:10–16:1, Ezk 14:12-20 and Heb 10:26-31 ). 5:18 While I John 1:8-10 states unequivocally, that all believers can and will sin, I John 3:6-9 & 5:18 seems to indicate that believers who do sin, cannot be saved. However, this word ( sinneth not ) is the Greek word DPDUτDQHL ( amartavei ). Amartavei is in the present tense and means “ to continue to practice sin as a way of life .” NOTE - While it is true that every believer will sin, from time to time ( I Jn 1:8 & 3:9 d), no believer can continue to sin habitually, because the HOLY SPIRIT (new nature) within every believer will prevent that believer from enjoying his sin. READ NEXT - II John 1

1 Smyth, J. Paterson. How We Got our Bible , NY, NY, Harper & Brothers Pub., 1899. Print 2 Towns, Elmer. Tithing is Christian , Lynchburg, VA, Church Growth Institute, 1985. Print