Pastor Lowell Nelson continues his study through First John with the Calvary Chapel Milwaukee audience, focusing on 1 John chapter 2, verses 3 through 14. Building on the theme of "proofs of fellowship," Pastor Lowell emphasizes that John's epistle provides a "litmus test" to assure believers of their eternal life and full joy. It's not merely what we say about our faith, but the actions we take that truly demonstrate our devotion and produce genuine confidence.
The core of this week's teaching revolves around knowing God by keeping His commandments. Pastor Lowell highlights that to say "I know Him" without obeying His commands is to be a liar, and the truth is not in that person. The greatest evidence of knowing God and seeing His love "perfected" in us is demonstrated through our actions, aligning with the truth that love is defined by what we do, not just by passion or emotion.
Pastor Lowell delves into the "old and new commandment":
• The old commandment, found in Leviticus, is to "love your neighbor as yourself". This is exemplified by the natural way we care for ourselves (like daily hygiene), urging us to extend the same gracious, loving care and "cleansing with the water of the word" to others without judgment.
• The new commandment from Jesus in John 13:34 adds a profound dimension: "love one another as I have loved you". This calls us to imitate Christ's sacrificial, other-centered love, as perfectly defined in 1 Corinthians 13. It means dying to our self-will, putting others' well-being first, and choosing to build them up, even when we have the "liberty" to do otherwise. This kind of love removes any "cause for stumbling".
The sermon also addresses the consequences of rejecting this love: "He who says he is in the light and hates his brother is in darkness until now". Such individuals are "blinded" and don't know where they are going, despite perhaps believing they are "in the light".
Finally, Pastor Lowell examines the three stages of Christian maturity described by John:
1. Little Children: These are believers whose "sins are forgiven" through Jesus, granting them the freedom to love.
2. Fathers: These are those who have "known Him who is from the beginning," having experienced God's grace repeatedly. This experience should lead to forgiving others and ministering to them with the Word, rather than judging.
3. Young Men: These are believers who are "strong" and have "overcome the wicked one". Their strength comes not from themselves, but from the Word of God abiding in them and the "grace of God" empowering them, allowing them to overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony, not loving their own lives unto death.
Pastor Lowell concludes by reiterating that true strength and confidence come from walking in God's word and surrendering to His Spirit, enabling us to love others as Christ loved us, and thereby truly knowing Him.
1 John 2
3 Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. 4 He who says, "I know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. 6 He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.
The New Commandment
7 Brethren, I write no new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you heard from the beginning. 8 Again, a new commandment I write to you, which thing is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining. 9 He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. 10 He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. 11 But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.
12 I write to you, little children,
Because your sins are forgiven you for His name's sake. 13 I write to you, fathers,
Because you have known Him who is from the beginning.
I write to you, young men,
Because you have overcome the wicked one.
I write to you, little children,
Because you have known the Father. 14 I have written to you, fathers,
Because you have known Him who is from the beginning.
I have written to you, young men,
Because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you,
And you have overcome the wicked one.
