Theme: Letters to the Churches: What is the Lord saying to us?
Topic: Live as Jesus did
Main Text: 1 John 2:1-14
Key verse: 1 John 2:6 – ‘He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked’ (NKJV)
Introduction
In our previous study, we learned that the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin as we walk in the light as He is in the light, and that if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:7-9). Some erroneously interpret that passage almost as a license to sin, but the Apostle John refutes that bluntly by stating that ‘…I write to you so that you may not sin …’ (1 John 2:1). Although Christians must continually acknowledge and confess sin, they are not powerless against it. Sin can, and should, be conquered through the power of the Holy Spirit (see Rom 6:12-14, 1 Cor 15:34, Titus 2:11), since sinless perfection is beyond us (1 John 1:10). John reminds us that we have an advocate with the Father when we do sin. Jesus Christ, the Righteous, is the atoning sacrifice for our sins. He can stand before God as our mediator because His death satisfied the wrath of God against sin, paid the death penalty for our sin, and God imputed His righteousness to us. In Him, we are forgiven, and so is every single person who turns from their sin, receives Christ’s forgiveness, and commits their life to Christ. No one, no matter what they have done, is beyond forgiveness. Even people we know for sure don’t “deserve” forgiveness! These truths form the foundation for living as Jesus did.
Q1. Read Zech 3:1, Rom. 8:34, Heb 4:14-16 (1a) What does the word “Advocate” mean? In what way is Jesus our Advocate? (1b) Explain what you understand by “propitiation”. Why is it essential for a Christian to understand these concepts (advocate, propitiation) even if they are unfamiliar with the words? (1c) Think about a person (or persons) whose character or behaviour offends you most or who has deeply hurt you or people you care about. Would you rejoice if you knew they had given their life to Christ?
Paragraph 2:
The first letter of John presents several tests to determine whether faith is genuine. Chapter 1, verses 1 to 4, test what we believe about Christ, while verses 5-10 test our understanding and confession of sin. The test in 1 John 2:3-6 is about moral character: are our words consistent with our behaviour? Do we practice what we preach? The Apostle echoes Christ’s words from his gospel (John 14:15) by emphasizing that knowing Christ means keeping His commands daily, not just talking (1 John 2:3). To live as Jesus did requires that we pattern our lives after His; this means to obey His teachings and follow His example of complete obedience to God and loving service to people. Jesus did nothing on His own or of His own accord. He always deferred to the Father. Whatever they may claim, the person who disobeys God does not actually “know” God as God. Truly to know God is to love Him; and truly to love Him is to obey Him (John 14:21). The more we obey God’s word, the more we open the doors for His love to accomplish His purpose in our lives.
Q2. (2a) Read John 5:18-19 and John 12:49-50. What do these passages reveal about the life of Jesus? What practical steps can you take daily to pattern your life after Jesus’ example? (2b) Read John 15:5. How does this scripture show you an essential step in living like Jesus did? (2c) Read John 5:4, 5, 10, and 1 John 2:6. Discuss what it means to “abide”, its implications, and benefits to the believer.
Paragraph 2:
The test of living in the light is growing in love for God, and the ultimate proof of that love is in our daily obedience by which our character is transformed into the image of God. Obedience is the way to growth and maturity. Jesus walked in the light through His perfect obedience, and He walked in love towards the crowds of needy lost people whom He encountered daily (Matt. 9:36). It has been rightly said that “walking in the light is not only characterized by the absence of sin but also by the presence of love”. Genuine fellowship with God is marked by increasing consciousness and confession of sin, growing likeness in character to Christ through obedience and genuine love for fellow Christians. Spiritual maturity is not a matter of chronological age; it is about walking in obedience, serving with love, and exhibiting the fruit of the Spirit.
Q3. (3a) Read John 8:12, Matt. 5:14. Discuss these statements in the context of living as Jesus did. (3b) Read 1 John 2:10-11. Discuss the challenge and the warning in these verses. (3c) Read 1 John 2:12-14. Has your Christian growth reached the maturity level appropriate to your stage in life? What steps will you take to grow and live more like Jesus?
Prayer: Our dear heavenly Father, we thank You that You sent Your Son, Jesus Christ, to set us an example of how to live here on earth. We ask to be strengthened to grow daily in abiding in Him and His word, abiding in us, that we may live exactly as He lived. Amen