I John Chapter Three

I John Chapter Three

3:1 ^"Behold" - idete - plural form - Lit. "behold ye" - all should wonder be explained by the apostle!

"What manner of love the Father" - "from what country, race, or tribe - this love is foreign to the human race and can only come from God - cf. 4:7-8,10-12,19

His love has no boundaries or limits, it is not found naturally in humanity but only by the ministry of the Holy Spirit when a person is born again. God showed his love

How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings. Psalms 36:7

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) Eph 2:4-5

"bestowed" to give to someone (pf tense) Lit. "becomes a permanent possession. We are the permanent objects of His love and eternally secure:

In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Eph 1:13

Heb 7:25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. Heb 7:25

To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 1 Peter 1:4-5

Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his... 2 Tim 2:19

"upon us" our part is passive and yet is personal

"that we should be called" - called by Him not us - ina - in order that - Lit. "named"/ naming is done by the parent at birth, often before birth - you had nothing to do with your birth!

"sons of God" - teknon - Lit "born children" - / received not only the name but the character and benefits. Cf. John 1:12; Rom. 8:14-21

"Therefore the world knoweth us not" - because you are given this privileged position the world is jealous and hateful, they don't like it if you have this and they do not have any assurance! Cf. 3:13

"world" - purposes, pleasures, practices and places where God is not wanted. Includes thoughts, opinions, hopes, aims - these all constitute an effective power - also includes the people of this evil system.

Because it knew Him not " - Great Association

In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. John 1:4,5,10-11

We Shall Be Like Him - I John 3:2

"Beloved, now" - nun - primary particle of the present time.

"are we" - esmen - Present Act - have hope, have our being.

"the sons of God"/ tekna - The result after the action of God - meaning fact of birth, direct blood line!

Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God:

1 John 5:1

Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off. Isaiah 56:5

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. Romans 8:14-15

For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. Gal 3:26

And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. Gal 4:6-7

"and it doth not yet appear" - efanerwqh - Aor Pass - Make manifest, visible or known what has been hidden or unknown, realise, expose to view, make manifest, plainly recognized, thoroughly understood. Something unspeakable contained in the likeness of God. We cannot comprehend the greatness of what the Lord has promised for us.

"What we shall be" - esoeqa - Fut Act Ind - shall have or come to pass.

For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Romans 8:18

Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men! Psalms 31:19

But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 1 Cor 2:9-10

For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. 1 Cor. 13:12

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. 2 Cor 4:17-18

"But we know" - oidamen - Perf Act Ind - to perceive with the eyes and senses, discern, discover, examine, knowledge of any fact. Absolute knowledge of this fact. Phil. 3:20-21

"That when He shall appear" - fanerwqh - Aor Pass Subj

When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. Col 3:4

So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. Heb 9:28

"we shall be like him" - omoioi - Fut Ind - resemble in form or nature.

As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness. Psalms 17:15

And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. 1 Cor 15:49-50

Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. Phil 3:21

Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 2 Peter 1:4

"for we shall see Him as he is" - oyomeqa - Fut Ind - look at, behold. esti - Pres Act Ind

And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me. Job 19:26-27

Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. Psalms 16:11

Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Matt 5:8

Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world. John 17:24

I John 3:3 The Fruit of True Hope

THE BASIS FOR GREAT PURITY AND CLEANSING

"And every man that hath" - Ecwn - Pres Act Ptc - to hold in the hand in the sense of wearing, keep, possess, to be closely joined to a person or a thing. Open to every man, each man must receive this hope (Christ) in order to have the hope.

"This hope in him" - elpida tauthn ep autw - Hope resting upon him. The hope of being like Christ! This in turn arouses the determination to be purified now!

For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel; Col 1:5

Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,17 Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work. 2 Thess 2:16-17

That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.

Titus 3:7-8

Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; Heb 6:19

THE PRODUCT OF THIS GREAT HOPE

"purifieth himself - agnizei - Pres Act Ind - Willingness to purify himself, not independent of God, cleanse from defilement, being moral of heart.

Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. Titus 2:14

"A man risked his life by swimming through the treacherous riptide to save a youngster being swept out to sea. After the child recovered from the harrowing experience, he said to the man, ‘Thank you for saving my life.’ "The man looked into the boy’s eyes and said, ‘That’s okay, kid. Just make sure your life was worth saving." That is the message God has for us!

"even as he is pure" - aynoV - Pres Act Ind: Pure, chaste, blameless. Cf. I John 3:5

For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; Heb 7:26

And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. Isaiah 53:9

For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. 2 Cor 5:21

For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: 1 Peter 3:18

WHAT IS TRUE HOLINESS AND HOW DOES IT MANIFEST ITSELF? AW Tozer once said, " Oh God, the Triune God, I want to want Thee; I long to be filled with longing; I thirst to be made more thirsty still."

First, true holiness is "not doing" certain things (Explain). Holiness is greater than us or our desires. It is greater than what do or what we do not do! True holiness is great because it is based upon the God of Holiness. "Be ye holy for I am holy." True holiness is not manufactured by us and our ideals.

True holiness is based upon our deepening relationship to our Savior and desire to be clean continually.

Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Psalms 51:10

True holiness grows when are constantly aware of our accountability to our Savior and a true sense of humility.

Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up. James 4:8-10

True holiness stems from righteous living. Living therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. 2 Cor 7:1

True holiness is evidenced or manifested when we exhibit His character in our lives, by living out the truth. Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. 1 Tim 4:12

Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: I Peter 1:22

Awful Sin, Great Price - I John 3:4-5

THE DEFIANCE OF SIN (3:4)

"Whosoever committeth sin"- poiwn - Pres Act Ptc - to do or perform continually, to cause to make it happen, etc.

hartian - miss the mark, miss or wander from the path of uprightness and honor, to do wrong, to wander or to violate the law of God, a violation of the divine law in act or thought, the complex or aggregate of sins committed either by a single person or by many and not share in the prize.

So Saul died for his transgression which he committed against the LORD, even against the word of the LORD, which he kept not...1 Chron. 10:13

It is true that we must not sin. Our sin will affect other people, and our sin will be a hindrance to our ministries. But there is a greater reason for us not to sin. We must refrain from sinning because sin is first and foremost against the holy and majestic Sovereign of the universe. Sin is against all that is good. Sin is for all that is bad. And John in our passage this morning details why we must not live a life that is given to sin. DM

"Transgresseth also the law" - anomian poiei - Pres Act Ind

To do iniquity, unrighteousness, has a contempt of law, to do wickedness. To act as if there is no law.

But the soul that doeth ought presumptuously, whether he be born in the land, or a stranger, the same reproacheth the LORD; and that soul shall be cut off from among his people.31 Because he hath despised the word of the LORD, and hath broken his commandment... Num. 15:30-31

And Saul said unto Samuel, I have sinned: for I have transgressed the commandment of the LORD, and thy words: because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice.

1 Sam. 15:24

THE DEFINITION OF SIN (3:4) "For sin is the transgression of the law" - amartian estin - Pres Act Ind - Cf. Romans 7:9-13 If Jesus came to remove sin, and we continue to sin, we are sinning not only against the nature of God, but we are sinning against God’s purpose for us humans.

THE PURPOSE OF HIS PRESENCE (3:5) "And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins" kai oidate oti ekeinoV efanerwqh - I John 4:9-14; 1 Peter 1:18-21

And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Matt 1:21

The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. John 1:29

Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. Romans 3:24-26

This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. 1 Tim 1:15

THE PERFECTION OF HIS PERSON
"And in Him is no sin" - Pres Ind - esti - Cf. Hebrews 7:26-28; I John 2:1

Jesus lived a sinless life! Through Christ, God has made every provision for our salvation. Our Lord Jesus Christ is a satisfying, suitable, all-sufficient Savior. The way John writes here gives very clear understanding that He was sinless in eternity past, that He was sinless in His life on this earth, and that He will always be sinless.

Because Jesus was sinless, the devil had no hold on him. Therefore Jesus was able to destroy the works of the devil. And one of the works of the devil is sinning, as is clear in 3:8. Jesus came to destroy sin.

As a sinless person, Jesus modeled the kind of life that is proper for those who abide in him.

For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Heb 4:15

For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. 2 Cor 5:21

Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: 1 Peter 2:22

I John 3:7-10 God’s Purpose For Our Lives

INTRO: The devil’s purpose for mankind: To deceive by any means 3:7) AND To Work at causing us to sin (3:8). He is the Accuser: Mt 4:8-11; Rev. 12:9; 20:10; Job 1:6-11 - Satan, Dragon, Evil One, angel of the bottomless pit, Prince of this world, apollyon, abaddon, belial, beelzebub, Head of evil spirits and the enemy of Christ - Matt 13:25 - he is a murderer and liar from the beginning (Jn 8:44), and falsifies God's Word to deceive God's children.

GOD'S PURPOSE AND DESIGN FOR OUR LIVES

*That you be born of God - 3:9; John 3:5-6 - see "little children" (teknon) past completed action - cf. 2 Pet 1:3-4

*that we do not habitually commit sin (3:9) Some use this verse to teach sinless perfection. They teach that our sin nature has been removed, enabling us to not sin anymore in this life. Others use this verse to teach that if a believer sins even once he will fall from grace, lose his salvation, and have to be saved all over again.

It is clear that neither is the case. John uses the present tense to show continuous, habitual practice. He gives a clear progression of sin. In 3:4 he shows sin as lawless, and rebellion against God. In 3:5 he shows that sin is incompatible with Christ. In 3:6 he shows that sin is incompatible with anyone who lives in Christ. And now in 3:8 he shows the diabolic nature of sin. The source of sin is the devil who has been sinning from the beginning.

*that His seed remaineth in us (3:9) Cannot sin because we are born of God. I Pet 1:23-25

In 3:6 John already said no one who lives in God can practice a life of sin. Here he adds that no one who is born of Him can continue to sin.

"…for his seed remaineth in him…" What is the seed that remains in us? It is that divine nature we are given when we are born again. Just as the physical seed of our parents brought us into existence and remains in us as is evidenced by our physical nature, so the seed of our Heavenly Father remains in us and is evidenced by our spiritual nature.

John makes it so very plain, that believers must abide or "live" in God. The Father in turn must dwell in the believer. If God and I live together, I am not under the dominion of Satan. If God lives in me, then my life will be His life, and I will live even as He lived.

*that we are righteousness, in our actions, character, conduct

This verse is the heart of this section! Here is a very plain and simple statement as to how the children of God and the children of the devil can be discerned.

Anyone who does not habitually do what is right is not a child of God. And that habitual unrighteousness is not loving his brother. Love for one’s brother is the true test of righteous behavior. And this requirement of love helps explain the requirement that those who are born of God cannot go on sinning. (3:6, 9). For if God is love, and if God lives in us and we in him, then love for the brethren will occur as an expression of righteousness without exception.

Satan’s children can not love those who are a part of God’s family. God’s children are to love those in Satan’s family and want to see them won to Christ. However, God’s children are not to love the ways of Satan’s children.

Verse 10 is a very powerful statement. There is no substitute. There is no excuse for violation. There can be no compromise. There is no gray area. Either we love our brother and are proved to be God’s child, or we do not love our brother and prove we belong to the devil.

3:11-13 Three basic reasons why we are to love with a godly love:

1. To demonstrate to one another that this love is real. 3:14

2. To demonstrate to ourselves that this love is real. 3:16-21

3. To demonstrate to the world that this love is real.

John 13:34-35

3:13 "Marvel not" - stop marveling. They were astonished that people of the world should hate them!

"Hate" - Our business is not to be hated by the world but to commend Jesus to it and to win it!

The Logic of Love - I John 3:16-18

INTRODUCTION: 3:14-15 gives some background for understanding I John 3:16-18.

FROM DEATH TO LIFE - 3:14 - 3:14 "we know" - oidaamen - Pres Act Ind - absolute knowledge - regardless of the world’s position and knowledge.

"passed from death unto life" - metabebhkamen ek tou qanatou eis thn zwhn - Pf Act Ind - notice the order! it is not life unto death. We have passed over permanently which shows eternal security. The article before death and life shows two distinctly different conditions of all men! Eph 2:1-7 - Lit translation- "out of the death, into the life."

FROM HATRED TO LOVE - 3:14-15 - "Because we love the brethren" - the test for knowing is not their hatred, but our love. LOVE is that divine spirit of compassion which is produced in the life of a believer by the Spirit of God! Cf. 3:23; 4:7,8,12,21

This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. John 15:12

"he that loveth not his brother abideth in death"menei - Pres Act Evidence of a saved condition is that the person is habitually loving Christians with a love that impels him to deny himself for the benefit of the fellow Christian. 2:9-11; 4:20

EXAMPLE OF AN UNCHANGED CONDITION - 3:15 "Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer" - miswn - Pres Act Ptc - pursue with hatred, detest. Cf. 2:8-11 - love-hate, light and darkness, righteousness and unrighteousness. One who habitually hates his fellow man is. a potential murderer

"No murderer hath eternal life" - there is a great contrast between the living and the dead.

"Abiding in him." - Pres Act Ptc - And Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing wherewith his father blessed him: and Esau said in his heart, The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then will I slay my brother Jacob. Gen 27:41

Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him.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. Lev 19:17-18

And when it was day, certain of the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul.13 And they were more than forty which had made this conspiracy. Acts 23:12-13

EVIDENCE OF HIS GREAT LOVE - 3:16

3:16 "Hereby" - en toutw - in this

"Perceive we" - egnwkamen - Pf Act Ind - to learn to know, come to know, get a knowledge of perceive, feel, knowledge by experience, and we experienced the love of God in salvation. John 15:13; Rom 5:8

"The love of God because He laid down" - eqhke - Appoint, Appointed, Bow, Commit, Purposed.

"His life for us" - hper hmwn thn yuchn - soul 58, life 40, mind 3, heart 1. Breath, the breath of life, the vital force which animates the body and shows itself in breathing, living being,

cf. I John 4:9

Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. Matt 20:28

As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. John 10:15

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. John 15:13-14

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: 1 Peter 1:18-19

For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: 1 Peter 3:18

HIS EXAMPLE IS EVIDENCED IN HIS CHILDREN -

"And we ought" - ofeilonmen - Pres Act Ind - be bound by

one’s duty, be a debtor.

"To lay down our lives for the brethren - tiqenai - Crucified ego - Romans 9:1-3; 10:1

Absolute Confidence and Assurance

Intro: Council of Trent stated, "Believer’s assurance of pardon of his sins is a vain and ungodly confidence." Cardinal Bellarmine calls it "a prime error of heretics."

It is the right and portion of every believer to live in the assurance that he is reconciled to God, that God loves him, and that he is God’ child, and if he doth not so live he has himself only to blame. If there be any starving at God’s table, it is because the guest stints himself, for the feast is superabundant. CHS

"If Jesus had not paid the debt,

He neíer had been at freedom set."

LOVE IN DEED AND TRUTH BASED ON INTEGRITY (3:18)

3:18 "...but in deed"- cf. 3:14 - ergw - What we do

"And in truth" - alhqeia - what we say

ABSOLUTE ASSURANCE IS STRENGTHENED BY LABOR FOR CHRIST (3:19)

3:19 "Hereby we know that we are of the truth" - ginwskomen -

Lit. out of the truth

"and..shall assure our hearts. before Him" - absolute confidence in - Lit."face to face" - persuade

And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever. Isaiah 32:17

For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.11 And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. Heb 6:10-12

And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. Romans 4:21

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39

For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. 2 Tim 1:12

GOD IS GREATER THAN OUR SIN (3:20)

3:20 "For if our heart condemn us, (kataginwskh) Lit. Against this knowledge - God is greater than our heart"

"God is greater than our heart" -

When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more. John 8:10-11

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. 1 John 4:4

^{"and knoweth all things" - by our
actions. He knows that actions should match our words!}

Behold, in this thou art not just: I will answer thee, that God is greater than man.13 Why dost thou strive against him? for he giveth not account of any of his matters. Job 33:12-13

My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.30 I and my Father are one. John 10:29-30

For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself,14 Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee. Heb 6:13-14

If we have forgotten the name of our God, or stretched out our hands to a strange god;21 Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart. Psalms 44:20-21

O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me.2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.3 Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.4 For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether. Psalms 139:1-4

...I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings. Jer 17:10

Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD. Jer 23:24

But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men,25 And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man. John 2:24-25

Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. Heb 4:13

A CLEANSED HEART ISSUES IN CONFIDENCE TOWARD GOD (3:21)

3:21 "Beloved, if our heart condemn us not" - no unconfessed sin, clear conscience.

"then we have confidence toward God" - boldness, freedom of speaking without fear, no hindrance to courage, assurance

I John 2:28; 4:17

My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go: my heart shall not reproach me so long as I live. Job 27:6

Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, Heb 10:22

3:22 The Conditions of Answered Prayer

Psalm 34:15 The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.

Psalm 145:18 The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth. He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them.

Prov. 15:29 The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.

Matt. 7:7 ¶ Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

Matt. 21:22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

John 9:31 Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.

John 14: 13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

John 15: 7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

3:23 Specific Commandments To Obey For Answered Prayer - *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.

John 6: 29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

John 13: 34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

John 15:12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

Eph. 5:2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

I Pet. 4:8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.

3:24 The Confirmation of Our Obedience - 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.

John 14: 23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

John 15:10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.