by Gary L. Evans
(revised 8/2/2023)
Epistles of John — Part 5
1Jn 3:1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
The word “sons” is from the Greek “tek’-non” which means “a child (as produced).” We are all the children of God, but this knowledge is only provided by The Word of God. The word “knoweth” is from “ghin-oce’-ko” which means “to ‘know’ (absolutely).” This is our Father’s loving affection for us, that He should call us His sons. And because of our Father’s love for us, the people of this world do not know us because they did not know Christ and cannot know God.
1Jn 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
We are the children of God in this world. But we do not yet perceive what we will become in the next world. The word “see” is from “op-tan’-om-ahee” which means “to gaze (that is, with wide open eyes, as at something remarkable.” The word “like” is from “hom’-oy-os” which means “similar (in appearance or character).” When Christ Jesus returns to establish His Millineal Kingdom on earth, we will be similar to Him in appearance or character and will be permitted to look upon His Glory with wide open eyes.
1Jn 3:3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
The word “purifieth” is from “hag-nid’-zo” which means “to make clean, that is, (figuratively) sanctify (ceremonially or morally).” For now, let us keep this hope in us so that we continue to strive to grow into the maturity of Christ in God’s Word and to be holy even as our Lord is Holy.
1Jn 3:4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
This is the definition of “sin” as referenced in The Word of God. There is no other definition, and it cannot be made more simply expressed or written. Anyone who transgresses God’s Law commits sin, and anyone who sins transgresses The Law.
Do not let any man deceive you with philosophies or traditions or doctrines invented by men, even those which have been passed down from previous generations before us. To understand what transgressions cause our souls to be in jeopardy of The Second Death, and also to learn of our freedom to enjoy the truly good things in this world, study God’s Law, properly the first five books of The Bible but primarily the books of Leviticus and Deuteronomy.
1Jn 3:5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.
The Only Begotten Son of God was crucified to atone for our sins, and in Him was no sin. Remember, only God is righteous.
1Jn 3:6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.
Everyone who stays in (obedience to) Him does not transgress God’s Law. Anyone who does transgress has never seen Him nor known Him. How do we know that we know Him? By our very obedience to His Word.
1Jn 3:7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.
Do not let any man deceive you. Anyone who does the righteousness of The Law is righteous, even as Christ Jesus was righteous when He walked this earth. Of course, we know that for us to be successful in this endeavor, we must enter into The New Covenant to receive His Heart and Mind. In a sense, our Lord does the work of righteousness through us and allows us to take the credit. That is how much our Father loves us. (But we know that it is only by His unmerited favor toward us through The New Covenant that He considers us to be righteous.)
1Jn 3:8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
Anyone who transgresses God’s Law is of The Devil. The Only Begotten Son of God came to destroy Satan’s work. How? By sealing The New Covenant for all who would believe in Him.
1Jn 3:9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
The word “born” is from “ghen-nah’-o” which means “to procreate (properly of the father, but by extension of the mother); figuratively to regenerate.” It is impossible for anyone of The Regeneration to transgress God’s Law. Because The Heart and Mind of Christ Jesus dwells in them. They cannot sin because they are become The Procreation of God, as Jesus was The Only Begotten. We see in this precept a transformation of believers from being the children of God simply by creation to becoming like The Only Begotten Son of God in appearance and character, even to the measure of living a sinless life in this world.
1Jn 3:10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.
So we clearly see the distinction in this world between God’s Children of The New Covenant and those of The Devil. God’s Children obey The Father and The Son, but Satan’s children obey him by following in his ways.
Whosoever has eyes to see and ears to hear, let him hear.
Epistles of John — Part 6
1Jn 3:11 For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.
This commandment was written in The Law.
Lev 19:18 Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.
Jesus also taught this Law.
Mat 22:36-40 Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
So we see that these two commandments are the very essence of all of God’s Law, which is The Law of Love.
1Jn 3:12 Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous.
Cain certainly did not love his brother, but murdered him.
1Jn 3:13-14 Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you. We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.
As God’s Word matures in our hearts and minds, we learn what true love is for God and for man. We should not be disoriented when the people of this world despise us. Everyone who despises other people dwells in death. Satan is death. But we have overcome the deception of Satan.
1Jn 3:15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.
The word “murderer” is from the Greek “anth-ro-pok-ton’-os” which means “a manslayer.” No man slayer in the sense of criminal homicide can have Eternal Life dwelling in him, neither can anyone who hates another person.
1Jn 3:16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
Our Lord gave His life for us, so we should be living sacrifices if need be for God’s children in this world.
1Jn 3:17-18 But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
We should be willing as we are able to help others in need. What do people need most of all? The Truth of God’s Word if they are able to receive it. By helping them in other ways, in material ways, we may gain an opportunity to share God’s Word with them also. But do not become disoriented if they hate us for trying.
1Jn 3:19-20 And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.
Our Father knows our weaknesses and limitations. We must not be too hard on ourselves. We may have a clear conscience for doing our best in our dealings with other people.
1Jn 3:21 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.
When we recognize that we do obey God’s Will in word and in deed, then we will gain confidence as we approach our Father in prayer.
1Jn 3:22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.
Our Father loves us, and when we ask anything according to His Will, He will give it to us. What is His Will? That we keep His Commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.
Joh 14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
It pleases our Father when we do works similar to what Jesus did when He walked this earth.
Joh 14:13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
Our Father will empower us so that The Only Begotten will be glorified by our works.
Joh 14:14-15 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. If ye love me, keep my commandments.
Our sincere love for Christ is demonstrated by our obedience.
Joh 14:16-18 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
The Holy Spirit, even The Heart and Mind of Christ dwells in us.
1Jn 3:23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.
The Name of The Only Begotten Son is The Word of God.
1Jn 3:24 And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.
Whosoever has eyes to see and ears to hear, let him hear.
Epistles of John — Part 7
1Jn 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
Another term used for antichrists is false prophets or false teachers. We must remain on guard to check every mind we hear speaking to determine whether they are of God. We compare what they say with God’s Word to see if there is some apparent contradiction.
It may help us perceive the “spirit” or “mind” of other people by eliminating their flesh body from our mind’s eye as we analyze. For men, don’t see a man’s face and body but a mind with a voice speaking. And similarly for women, don’t see a woman’s face and body but a mind with a voice speaking. This technique can help us see clearly what type of spirit is speaking to us, either of God or of Satan, because we have a natural tendency to evaluate by the appearance of people. Reading from printed text of what someone has said allows us to perceive more clearly than when face to face.
Remember, no lie is of The Truth, therefore if someone claims to be a Christian but contradicts the teaching of Jesus or the teaching of our Heavenly Father, then they are a liar and an antichrist. Call them what you will, antichrist or false prophet; they are the same thing because they deceive people into believing lies.
1Jn 4:2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
This is how we know The Holy Spirit in other people. Every mind that acknowledges that The Mind of Christ is within us is of God. In other words, The Holy Spirit in one person recognizes The Holy Spirit in another person. And when we know that we speak in accordance with God’s Word, we know that we speak with The Holy Spirit.
1Jn 4:3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
And every mind that does not acknowledge The Mind of Christ within us is not of God. This is the spirit of an antichrist if they also claim to be a Christian. This is important. We do not expect an atheist or an agnostic or someone who practices some pagan religion to perceive The Holy Spirit. But someone who claims to be a Christian, if they do not have The Mind of Christ, then they are an antichrist, a fake, and may be dangerous in their doctrines, and also may be quick to hate us without cause.
1Jn 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
Jesus Christ has come to us and now dwells in us by His Holy Spirit, even by The Comforter He promised to send to us, and He is greater and more powerful than Satan and everyone in this world who follows in Satan’s ways.
1Jn 4:5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.
The unbelievers and the antichrists (who actually are unbelievers) are of Satan’s world, and those of this world listen to them.
1Jn 4:6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.
How do we know that we know God? Because we obey His Law. So we know that we are of God and that God hears our prayers. But those who are not of God cannot understand us. This is the distinction between The Spirit of Truth and The Spirit of Error.
1Jn 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
When we obey God’s Law, then we truly love others. God’s Law is The Law of Love. When the love of God is demonstrated through us, we show that we are of The Regeneration and that we truly know God, by our obedience to The Law of Love.
1Jn 4:8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
Anyone who does not obey God’s Law does not demonstrate the love of God, nor do they know God. God is Love. For example, when someone steals from someone else, they do not demonstrate any love for that person, but show that they actually detest him, having no regard for his well being.
1Jn 4:9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
Our Heavenly Father has demonstrated His loving affection for us by sending His Only Begotten Son into this world so that we could have Eternal Life through Him.
Whosoever has eyes to see and ears to hear, let him hear.
Epistles of John — Part 8
1Jn 4:10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
Before we ever knew about God, before we ever considered we should love God, our Father loved us and sent His Only Begotten Son to atone for our transgressions of The Law of Love.
1Jn 4:11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.
Since our Heavenly Father has demonstrated His loving affection for us, we should also love each other.
1Jn 4:12 No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.
No one in the flesh has ever beheld The Glory of The Most High. But when we obey God’s Law thereby loving each other, God dwells in us by His Holy Spirit and His loving affection matures within us.
1Jn 4:13 Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.
This is how we know that we dwell in (obedience to) Him, and He in us by His Heart and Mind, because He has given us His Holy Spirit.
1Jn 4:14 And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.
Jesus, The Messiah, was sent into this world to offer Salvation to all of God’s children in this world.
1Jn 4:15 Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.
Anyone who acknowledges that Jesus is The Only Begotten Son of God has The Heart and Mind of Christ dwelling in him, and he dwells in (obedience to) God.
1Jn 4:16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
We know and believe the loving affection that God has for us. God is Love. Anyone who dwells in (obedience to) The Law of Love also dwells in (obedience to) God. And God dwells in him.
1Jn 4:17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
This is how our love for one another is made mature, so that on The Day of Judgment we may have confidence, because as He is Love, so are we in this world.
1Jn 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
The word “fear” is from the Greek “fob’-os” which means “alarm or fright.” The word “torment” is from “kol’-as-is” which means “penal infliction” which is the application of punishment. When we practice loving God and loving others, we no longer have anything to fear. Fear is for those who practice disobedience and who await their coming punishment. Those who suffer from fear cannot become mature in loving God or in loving one another.
1Jn 4:19 We love him, because he first loved us.
Why do we learn to love God? Because He first demonstrated His loving affection for us.
1Jn 4:20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?
No man in the flesh has seen The Glory of God. So how can any man in the flesh claim to love God if he does not demonstrate that he loves others? He cannot except by lying.
1Jn 4:21 And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.
Jesus taught us the two most important Commandments in The Law, that we love God and that we love one another.
Whosoever has eyes to see and ears to hear, let him hear.
Epistles of John — Part 9
1Jn 5:1 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.
Anyone who believes that Jesus is The Messiah is of The Regeneration. And everyone who loves The Father also loves The Only Begotten Son. In that we are of The Regeneration by The Holy Spirit that dwells in us, we are become in the image of The Only Begotten of The Father, therefore we also love those who are of The Regeneration, because The Heart and Mind of The Only Begotten dwells in us.
1Jn 5:2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.
How do we know that we love God’s children? Because we love God and obey His Law of Love for one another.
1Jn 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
Our Father’s loving affection for us was demonstrated when He gave us His Law, so that we would obey His Law. The word “grievous” is from the Greek “bar-ooce’” which means “weighty, that is, (figuratively) burdensome, grave.” Our Father’s Law is not burdensome or grave. Instead it is The Law of Liberty or Freedom.
1Jn 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
Everyone of The Regeneration overcomes the deception of Satan in this world, and therefore is freed from sin and death. Our very faith in Jesus is our victory over Satan’s deception and over all of the distractions in this world. Our faith is proof of our victory.
1Jn 5:5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
Who overcomes the deception of Satan in this world? He that believes that Jesus is The Only Begotten Son of God.
1Jn 5:6 This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.
This verse has a double meaning. Adults understand that every baby comes into this world through the bag of water in his mother’s womb. And through God’s Word we understand that his spirit, which comes from God, enters into the blood of his newly forming flesh body while in the womb. Our Lord came in the flesh and dwelt among us, therefore He also, just as we, came in the bag of water and in the blood of His flesh body.
Joh 19:32-34 Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him. But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs: But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.
The second meaning refers to the blood and water that came out of our Lord’s body on the cross when He paid the price for our sins, as The Passover Lamb of God. By His sacrifice, when we place The Blood over the doorposts of our minds, The Death Angel has no power over us. Satan is death.
Joh 19:35 And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe.
The water and blood that came out of Jesus’ body was recorded in writing so that we would believe in these Last Days.
Joh 19:36-37 For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken. And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced.
All these things were accomplished so that we would believe in Him.
1Jn 5:7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
The Father, The Only Begotten Son Whose Name is called The Word of God, and The Holy Spirit bear record in Heaven. And these three are One Mind.
1Jn 5:8-9 And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one. If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.
The Holy Spirit that was in Christ, and the water and blood of His flesh body, bear witness of The Testimony of God through His Son.
1Jn 5:10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.
Anyone who believes on Jesus, The Messiah, has The Witness dwelling within him by The Holy Spirit given to us through The New Covenant. But anyone who does not believe, in effect calls God a liar, because he refuses to believe The Testimony of God through His Son. The Holy Spirit and the evidence of the water and the blood are God’s Testimony of The Holy Lamb of God.
1Jn 5:11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
And God’s Testimony is also that He has given us the Eternal Life which is in The Only Begotten Son.
1Jn 5:12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
Anyone who believes in Jesus has Eternal Life. Anyone who does not believe does not have Eternal Life.
Whosoever has eyes to see and ears to hear, let him hear.