BibleWare/BibWare.bin/bibref/mhc.exe/1JO.TXT

Text File | 1996-06-12 | 33KB | 571 lines

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** This epistle is a discourse upon the principles of
Christianity, in doctrine and practice. The design appears to
be, to refute and guard against erroneous and unholy tenets,
principles, and practices, especially such as would lower the
Godhead of Christ, and the reality and power of his sufferings
and death, as an atoning sacrifice; and against the assertion
that believers being saved by grace, are not required to obey
the commandments. This epistle also stirs up all who profess to
know God, to have communion with him, and to believe in him, and
that they walk in holiness, not in sin, showing that a mere
outward profession is nothing, without the evidence of a holy
life and conduct. It also helps forward and excites real
Christians to communion with God and the Lord Jesus Christ, to
constancy in the true faith, and to purity of life.

* The apostle prefaces his epistle to believers in general, with
evident testimonies to Christ, for promoting their happiness and
joy. (1-4) The necessity of a life of holiness, in order to
communion with God, is shown. (5-10)

#1-4 That essential Good, that uncreated Excellence, which had
been from the beginning, from eternity, as equal with the
Father, and which at length appeared in human nature for the
salvation of sinners, was the great subject concerning which the
apostle wrote to his brethren. The apostles had seen Him while
they witnessed his wisdom and holiness, his miracles, and love
and mercy, during some years, till they saw him crucified for
sinners, and afterwards risen from the dead. They touched him,
so as to have full proof of his resurrection. This Divine
Person, the Word of life, the Word of God, appeared in human
nature, that he might be the Author and Giver of eternal life to
mankind, through the redemption of his blood, and the influence
of his new-creating Spirit. The apostles declared what they had
seen and heard, that believers might share their comforts and
everlasting advantages. They had free access to God the Father.
They had a happy experience of the truth in their souls, and
showed its excellence in their lives. This communion of
believers with the Father and the Son, is begun and kept up by
the influences of the Holy Spirit. The benefits Christ bestows,
are not like the scanty possessions of the world, causing
jealousies in others; but the joy and happiness of communion
with God is all-sufficient, so that any number may partake of
it; and all who are warranted to say, that truly their
fellowship is with the Father, will desire to lead others to
partake of the same blessedness.

#5-10 A message from the Lord Jesus, the Word of life, the
eternal Word, we should all gladly receive. The great God should
be represented to this dark world, as pure and perfect light. As
this is the nature of God, his doctrines and precepts must be
such. And as his perfect happiness cannot be separated from his
perfect holiness, so our happiness will be in proportion to our
being made holy. To walk in darkness, is to live and act against
religion. God holds no heavenly fellowship or intercourse with
unholy souls. There is no truth in their profession; their
practice shows its folly and falsehood. The eternal Life, the
eternal Son, put on flesh and blood, and died to wash us from
our sins in his own blood, and procures for us the sacred
influences by which sin is to be subdued more and more, till it
is quite done away. While the necessity of a holy walk is
insisted upon, as the effect and evidence of the knowledge of
God in Christ Jesus, the opposite error of self-righteous pride
is guarded against with equal care. All who walk near to God, in
holiness and righteousness, are sensible that their best days
and duties are mixed with sin. God has given testimony to the
sinfulness of the world, by providing a sufficient, effectual
Sacrifice for sin, needed in all ages; and the sinfulness of
believers themselves is shown, by requiring them continually to
confess their sins, and to apply by faith to the blood of that
Sacrifice. Let us plead guilty before God, be humble, and
willing to know the worst of our case. Let us honestly confess
all our sins in their full extent, relying wholly on his mercy
and truth through the righteousness of Christ, for a free and
full forgiveness, and our deliverance from the power and
practice of sin.
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* The apostle directs to the atonement of Christ for help
against sinful infirmities. (1,2) The effects of saving
knowledge in producing obedience, and love to the brethren.
(3-11) Christians addressed as little children, young men, and
fathers. (12-14) All are cautioned against the love of this
world, and against errors. (15-23) They are encouraged to stand
fast in faith and holiness. (24-29)

#1,2 When have an Advocate with the Father; one who has
undertaken, and is fully able, to plead in behalf of every one
who applies for pardon and salvation in his name, depending on
his pleading for them. He is "Jesus," the Saviour, and "Christ,"
the Messiah, the Anointed. He alone is "the Righteous One," who
received his nature pure from sin, and as our Surety perfectly
obeyed the law of God, and so fulfilled all righteousness. All
men, in every land, and through successive generations, are
invited to come to God through this all-sufficient atonement,
and by this new and living way. The gospel, when rightly
understood and received, sets the heart against all sin, and
stops the allowed practice of it; at the same time it gives
blessed relief to the wounded consciences of those who have
sinned.

#3-11 What knowledge of Christ can that be, which sees not that
he is most worthy of our entire obedience? And a disobedient
life shows there is neither religion nor honesty in the
professor. The love of God is perfected in him that keeps his
commandments. God's grace in him attains its true mark, and
produces its sovereign effect as far as may be in this world,
and this is man's regeneration; though never absolutely perfect
here. Yet this observing Christ's commands, has holiness and
excellency which, if universal, would make the earth resemble
heaven itself. The command to love one another had been in force
from the beginning of the world; but it might be called a new
command as given to Christians. It was new in them, as their
situation was new in respect of its motives, rules, and
obligations. And those who walk in hatred and enmity to
believers, remain in a dark state. Christian love teaches us to
value our brother's soul, and to dread every thing hurtful to
his purity and peace. Where spiritual darkness dwells, in mind,
the judgment, and the conscience will be darkened, and will
mistake the way to heavenly life. These things demand serious
self-examination; and earnest prayer, that God would show us
what we are, and whither we are going.

#12-14 As Christians have their peculiar states, so they have
peculiar duties; but there are precepts and obedience common to
all, particularly mutual love, and contempt of the world. The
youngest sincere disciple is pardoned: the communion of saints
is attended with the forgiveness of sins. Those of the longest
standing in Christ's school need further advice and instruction.
Even fathers must be written unto, and preached unto; none are
too old to learn. But especially young men in Christ Jesus,
though they are arrived at strength of spirit and sound sense,
and have successfully resisted first trials and temptations,
breaking off bad habits and connexions, and entered in at the
strait gate of true conversion. The different descriptions of
Christians are again addressed. Children in Christ know that God
is their Father; it is wisdom. Those advanced believers, who
know Him that was from the beginning, before this world was
made, may well be led thereby to give up this world. It will be
the glory of young persons to be strong in Christ, and his
grace. By the word of God they overcome the wicked one.

#15-17 The things of the world may be desired and possessed for
the uses and purposes