Master's Prayer Network

Comments: John addresses Christians with the term beloved, and warns them not to believe everything they hear that is presented as spiritual truth. Those who belong to Christ must put to the test the motivating thoughts and purposes behind the message, of those who will try to influence beliefs about Christ. False prophets and Antichrists are present in the world and are distorting the truth of the gospel of salvation. There is no more dangerous threat, since a false gospel cannot provide eternal life to anyone.

John’s statement that many false prophets are in the world is in agreement with the words of the Lord as he used a metaphor to emphasize the threat for loss of life. Matthew “7:15 Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves.”

The apostle Peter in his letter agrees with John about the false prophets, as he also clarifies that God’s truth must first come by the power of the Holy Spirit as is the case with all scripture. 2 Peter “1:20-2:2 knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of private interpretation. For no prophecy ever came by the will of man: but holy men of God spoke, being moved by the Holy Spirit. But false prophets also arose among the people, as false teachers will also be among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, denying even the Master who bought them, bringing on themselves swift destruction.”

John provides the key for testing the spirits as he says that the Antichrists (antichristos) will deny that Jesus has come in the flesh.

Comments: John urges Christians to actively show their love for each other as a response to the great love shown by God when he sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. God took the initiative to love us before we loved him as he sent his Son as the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and surely this should be an example for us to take opportunities to initiate demonstrations of love to others. Though we have not seen God, we know that his love remains in us because he has given us of his Spirit. That Spirit should then produce characteristics within us that would reflect the manner of Christ’s love even toward those who are least in the kingdom of God. We do that not by our own strength, and certainly not for credit to ourselves, but that all glory will go to the Lord.

Comments: John underscores the absolute necessity of confession of faith in Christ Jesus as the Son of God. Paul certainly was in agreement with John as he wrote to the church at Rome, “that if you will confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart, one believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” (Romans 10:9-11). The scripture passage Paul makes reference to is in Isaiah 8:14. And Isaiah makes it very clear in another passage that God is the Savior, and there is none else! “Declare and present it. Yes, let them take counsel together. Who has shown this from ancient time? Who has declared it of old? Haven’t I, Yahweh? There is no other God besides me, a just God and a Saviour; There is no one besides me.” (Isaiah 45:21-23).

Mary knew that her Savior is God. “Mary said, ‘My soul magnifies the Lord. My spirit has rejoiced in God my Saviour, for he has looked at the humble state of his handmaid. For behold, from now on, all generations will call me blessed.’” (Luke 1:46-50). Jude provides a very appropriate verse to close this section. Jude “1:25 to God our Saviour, who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen.”

Comments: The phrase “made perfect” above is the same in the Greek as the “perfected” in chapter two of this letter representing God’s love being completed or fulfilled in the Christian. Therefore, our boldness as Christians is because we have Christ Jesus as our great high priest to represent us before the LORD God. Those who have this high priest also have a responsibility to encourage each other to love and good works. Hebrews “10:19-25 Having therefore, brothers, boldness to enter into the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by the way which he dedicated for us, a new and living way, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; and having a great priest over the house of God, let’s draw near with a true heart in fulness of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and having our body washed with pure water, let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering.”

We would do well to take note of those characteristics John has brought to our attention with the phrase “as he is,” in this chapter and in previous chapters. The foolish ones who reject Christ Jesus have not accepted the fact that the proper fear leads to humility before God, and it results in the Lord’s perfect love that then casts out all fear. Proverbs “1:7 The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of knowledge; but the foolish despise wisdom and instruction.” The Lord Jesus gave this warning, “I tell you, my friends, don’t be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will warn you whom you should fear. Fear him, who after he has killed, has power to cast into Gehenna.” (Luke 12:4-5 WEB).

What a tremendous love we have from our Savior, that his love for us casts out the greatest fear that can be anticipated by anyone. If we have been made complete in God’s love for us, then we should openly demonstrate our love for others as John presents the logic that loving those around us is the evidence that we can truly love God whom we have not seen. The apostle Paul reminds us of the great extent of God’s love toward us, and those who have God’s love should have the same love for one another. Romans “8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who don’t walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.”