1 John Study
Lesson # 14
Confidences In
Christ
Introduction
John has tried to instill his faith in Jesus into those he writes too. He personally witnessed Jesus in the flesh & although those he wrote had not, he wants them to know the certainty of this Jesus becoming a man & dying for their sin. Throughout his book he has used the thought of confidence & assurance as he talked about the Christians faith & lifestyle. Knowing Jesus changes many things attitudes, actions, lifestyles etc. As he finishes his thought he continues to discuss several things we can have confidence in as we approach God.
1. Eternal life is in Jesus vs.11,12
a. He who has the Son has life not have the Son = no life
b. Life is only in Jesus apart from Jesus there is only existence
1) God created man in His image capable of possessing many of the
qualities of God which includes living eternally.
2) However, apart from Jesus that means just mere existence
3) Only in Jesus is there any real life
2. Eternal life its characteristics
a. Means far more than lasting forever
1) A life that just lasted forever might well be a curse, not a blessing
2) Eternal life is more about a quality of life than it is duration of life
b. Eternal
life God offers has certain characteristics
1) Serenity a life liberated from fear & frustration. God gives us victory
over the circumstances of life & temptations of sin.
2) Purity in God there is holiness which means we have victory over sin
& the soiling infections of the world.
3) End of bitterness & hatred in God there is love & therefore we can
rise above bitterness & hatred.
4) Life victory over death, which means having a life that is
indestructible.
3. How we can know that we have eternal life
a. If we believe in the name of the Son of God deliberately trusts in Him
1) No salvation apart from Jesus Jn.14:6
2) Not casual mental assent prepared to suffer
James 2:19;
Heb.10:32-37
b. Jesus is honored as Lord in your life keep His word
1) 1 Jn.2:3-5
2) Jn.8:31,32,51
3) Jn.14:21,24; 15:9-14
2
c. When
we are walking after the example of Jesus
1) 1 Jn.2:6
2) Jn.8:12; 14:12
d. When
we love the Father & His will & not the world 1 Jn.2:15-17
e. When
we habitually practice righteousness - 1 Jn.2:29; 3:8-10
f. When
we love the brethren 1 Jn.3:14-19; 4:8-16; Jn.13:34,35
g. The consciousness of the indwelling Holy Spirit 1 Jn.3:24; 4:13; 5:10
1) One can fool himself into thinking this is real unless he possesses the
other evidences which John cites. It is mere presumption if we are
not manifesting the previous evidences.
2) Not every inner witness is authentic. There is a real danger of being
deceived by
ourselves & deceiving spirits 1 Tim.4:1; 1 Jn.4:1
3) No fellowship with God is possible when we walk in darkness.
1. Confidence we have in prayer
a. Confidence originally meant freedom to speak boldly
1) In Jesus we have confidence to speak boldly to God Heb.10:19ff
2) God is ready to listen more ready to listen than we are to pray
3) Never need to force our way into His presence or compel Him to pay
attention. He is waiting for us to come into His presence.
b. For
prayer to be answered, it must be according to His will
1) 1 Jn.3:22 we receive what asked because we keep His commands
2) Jn.15:7 must remain in Jesus closer we are to Him the more we will
pray right
3) Jn.14:14 in His name (for His sake)
4) 1 Jn.5:14 (His will be done not His will be changed)
5) Prayer rightly done is not something whereby we seek our desires, but
where we seek to redirect our minds to seek His will.
2. Gods will for us
a. That we
have the fruit of the Spirit Gal.5:22,23
b. That we have the necessities of life Mt.6:31-34
c. That we
be protected & delivered from the trials of temptation 1 Cor.10:13;
Heb.13:6
d. That we
be delivered from the fear of condemnation & death Jn.5:24;