4 Powerful Life Lessons from 1 John (and more)

The writings of John take on a different viewpoint than those we have examined from other New Testament writings, including those of Paul. That is not to say that there are contradictions but that these writings complement what we have already studied. 1 John has great lessons for us to grow on. Let’s dive in!

We don’t have to sin

There is a prevailing thought in some quarters that tells us that we sin every day. Some go so far as to say, because we are human we will necessarily sin. But listen to the wording of this verse.

My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.

1 John 2:1 (ESV)

Notice that John says his purpose in writing this letter is so that you may not sin. So, if we follow the leadership of God that is evident in this short letter, we will find we do not have to sin.

Notice also he says, ‘if anyone does sin.’ He doesn’t say when but if. While this is a subtle difference, the meaning is clear: we don’t have to sin. If you can go a minute or two without sinning, which you know you can, you can string endless minutes of sinless life together! Sadly, too often we miss the mark and then rely on the grace of God for forgiveness but let’s not embrace the idea that sin must be inevitable in the life of the follower of Jesus.

No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him.

1 John 3:6 (ESV)

Don’t love the world

1 John addressed the topic of love quite extensively. We can easily fall into a worldly lifestyle. It appeals to our natural tendencies. So, we must use some discipline to remain on the right path.

For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

1 John 2:16–17 (ESV)

The desires of the flesh and the eyes and the pride of life are all aspects of selfishness. We must submit to God, do his will, and follow as closely to Jesus as we can. He leads us in the right path and gives us eternal abundant life – our best possible life! We can trust him.

Love one another

For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.

1 John 3:11 (ESV)

I wrote a little note in the margin of my Bible next to this verse: “It’s clear!” A simple note for a simple concept. But just because it is simple does not mean it is easy.

It can be very challenging to love one another. People who bring joy into your life are easy to love but there are plenty of followers of Jesus who may not bring joy into your life. People are messy – even followers of Jesus. If we keep reading this passage it becomes a little more specific.

By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.

1 John 3:16–18 (ESV)

Meditate on that a while and imagine what that looks like in your life, in your circumstances.

We are overcomers

We need not struggle with the trials of life. Those difficulties will come but we must remember that they have already been overcome.

Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

1 John 4:4 (ESV)

For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.

1 John 5:4 (ESV)

Faith is the essential power to help us realize that we are victorious. Severe struggles are temporary at worst and life is a continual parade of challenges. But even as we work through the challenges of our short lives, we know that the victory is eternal! Keeping our minds and hearts set on the power of God helps us. Knowing that he watches over us and even in the worst of time will never forsake us will help us persevere.

1 John has great lessons for us. But here are a couple of lessons from 2 and 3 John!

The necessity to abide

Jesus called upon us to abide in him in John 15. Here it is laid out even more clearly.

Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.

2 John 9 (ESV)

We do not develop our own lifestyle based on our preferences or what we think God would like us to do. We stay with the teaching of the gospel. We listen to what the Spirit of God has already spoken through his word.

God’s word holds the teaching of the Father and the Son. We can and must rely on that. That is why we must be continually learning from God’s Word. Reading and studying the Bible are not just important, they are essential for every follower of Jesus. A steady diet of Christian radio – music and preaching – may sound like enough but it is not. We must dwell and abide in the word of God. We neglect it our eternal peril!

Consider what the Berean Jews did in response to Paul’s teaching:

Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. Many of them therefore believed, with not a few Greek women of high standing as well as men.

Acts 17:11–12 (ESV)

This is a sound pattern for us to follow. Listen to preachers and teachers, enjoy Christian music and Christian radio but examine the scriptures daily to make sure the things you hear are biblical.

Imitate good

Sometimes we settle for imitations. That is always a compromise. But for the follower of Jesus, finding role models to imitate can be very healthy. In following the example of godly mentors, we learn how we are to live. Finding examples of prayer, Bible study, worship and service to learn from will help you grow.

Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God.

3 John 11 (ESV)

Finally

There is a lot to digest here. There is much to contemplate. God can and will help you to put these lessons into practice in your everyday life. Pray. Then, act!

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