All right, so we're in 1 John chapter 5, and we'll be looking at verses 13 through 21 this evening. Last time we looked at the first 12 verses of chapter 5, and we saw that anyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and that those who are born of God and who love him will love others who are the children of God. And we know that we really love the children of God when we love God and keep his commandments. And his commandments are not grievous to us. They're not burdensome. We saw that those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God overcome the world. We are presently overcoming and are not under the power or dominion of this present evil world. Christ delivered us from it, and we're experiencing that in our lives as we walk by faith after Christ. We considered that there are three witnesses in heaven who bear record that Jesus is the Son of God, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost, and that they are one, and that the witness of God by those three distinct persons is far more reliable than that of men. John shared that there are also three witnesses in earth that are agreed—the Spirit, the water, and the blood. And I tried to explain what that meant, but I'm still not totally subtle on that. I know what we said is the truth, no question about it. I just don't know if that's what John was trying to communicate. Lastly, we considered how that if we believe on the Son of God, then we have the witness of the Spirit within ourselves, and we have eternal life. On the other hand, those who reject the witness that God gave of his Son make God a liar and do not have life. So, looking at verse 13, John continues and he says, Now what are the things that John has written to them? Please bear with me as we quickly run through quite a few of them. I enjoyed going back and looking, going back to the first chapter. Jesus Christ is eternal life. We know and have fellowship with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We have forgiveness of sins and cleansing from sin by Christ. We have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. We know that we know him if we keep his commandments. If we keep his word, the love of God is being perfected in us, and by that we know that we are in him. We have overcome the wicked one. If we do the will of God, we abide forever. We have the Spirit of God and know the truth. God has promised us eternal life, and we know that we'll be like Christ when we see him at his appearing. Christ was manifested to take away our sins. That we practice righteousness proves that we have the righteousness of Christ. The Son of God was manifested that he might destroy the works of the devil. The one who is born of God doesn't habitually practice sin. We know that we have passed from death unto life because we love the brethren. We know that we're of the truth and assure our hearts before God because we love in deed and in truth. Whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments and do the things that are pleasing in his sight. We know that we are dwelling or abiding in him, because we keep his commandments and because we have his Spirit. We are of God and have overcome any antichrist who rise up, because they are of the world. And Christ who dwells in us is far greater and has overcome the world. Those who are of God hear us. Love is of God, and his love was manifested towards us by sending his Son into the world so that we would live through him. We know that God abides in us, and we in him, when we love one another and continue in that love. We'll have boldness in the day of judgment, and we can live without fear now because we continue in love for God and for one another. The one who confesses that Jesus is the Son of God proves that God dwells in him and he in God. The one who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God. Everyone who is born of God and who loves God will love others who are born of him, the children of God. We know that we love the children of God if we love God and keep his commandments. And his commandments are not grievous to us. We read that at the beginning. Those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God have overcome the world. Then there are three witnesses in heaven and three witnesses in earth that testify that Jesus is the Son of God. And finally, the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God has the witness of the Spirit in himself and proves that he has eternal life. I know it took some time, but I really enjoy just looking through all of these proofs that John has given throughout the book. That last statement takes us right back to the very first thought that John expressed in the beginning of the Epistle. That Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Word, is eternal life. And that he was with the Father before he was manifested. And we can only have fellowship with God and with one another because of that truth. Everything that John has expressed in this epistle revolves around it. John says in verse 13, the verse we're starting with this evening, and I know I've already read it, but, "'These things have I written unto you that' —and I want to insert the word already— "'you that already believe on the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may' —I want to put this in there— "'continue' to believe on the name of the Son of God. We've discussed in previous studies how our love can and should grow and be strengthened as we exercise it. And faith is the same way. Our faith increases and grows stronger as it's tested, but also as we grow in the knowledge of Christ, who he is, what he's done, and what the results of his work are. Isn't that what John has been communicating in this letter? Doesn't it help your faith, giving you more confidence and assurance? That's why God moved John to write these things. And, of course, that was John's desire for these dear children of God to whom he was writing. He said in chapter 2, verse 24, "'Let that, therefore, abide in you which ye have heard from the beginning. The Apostle Peter also had a great concern for those he wrote to. They knew the truth, But he was concerned about reminding them, so that their faith would be strengthened. Turn just a few pages back to 2 Peter 1, and we'll read verses 12-15. He says, "'Wherefore,' I know we're breaking into the thought, but he said, "'Wherefore, I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though you know them, and be established in the present truth. Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle," speaking of his body, "'to stir you up by putting you in remembrance, knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ has showed me. Moreover, I will endeavor that you may be able, after my decease, to have these things always in remembrance.'" So back to our verse in 1 John. He wrote to them so that their faith would be strengthened. so that they would continue to believe with greater confidence. Verse 14, he says, and this is the confidence, or boldness, that we have in him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us. We know we have eternal life in Christ. We're confident of that. And we also have confidence that he hears us. This assumes that we are loving the children of God in deed and in truth. If we're not doing that, then we don't have the confidence that he hears us. Look at that in chapter 3, verses 18 through 22. He says, My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue, but in deed and in truth. 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. Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. So, John says that we have this confidence that if we ask anything, and this is important, according to his will, he hears us. You know, there are many things that we know are the will of God for us. Jesus said in Matthew 6, 8 that the Father knows our needs before we even ask him. But we're still to ask. Many times, we start our prayers by praying the Lord's Prayer. And we ask for our daily bread, for forgiveness of sins. We ask for him not to lead us into temptation, but to deliver us from evil. These are all right things for us to pray for. And they're according to the will of God. We also know that we should be growing in grace and in the knowledge of Christ. We know that we should be bearing fruit to the glory of God. If we have a gift, we all have something, right? We know it's the will of God for us to use it in service to Christ, to minister to the children of God somehow. We know that it's the will of God that we be conformed to the image of Christ, and that we walk as he walked. We could go on and on with these examples. If we're abiding in Christ and keeping his word, our desires will be aligned with his revealed will for us, as shown in his word, right? John 15.7, in John 15.7, the Lord said, Conversely, if we're not abiding in him, which means we're out of fellowship with him, right? And in consequence of being out of fellowship, we're walking according to the flesh, Our desires and what we pray for are going to be self-serving and carnal, without concern for the will and glory of God. And we can expect that our prayers will not be answered. James deals with this in his epistle. Let's read the first few verses of chapter 4, and let's see if it sounds like those to whom he was writing were abiding in Christ. James 4, verse 1. We'll read through verse 3. He says, And he goes on, Clearly, they were not abiding in Christ. They were out of fellowship with God and with one another. And they were not asking according to the will of God. They're asking for things to fulfill their lusts. And I think we've all been there, haven't we? But if we're abiding, we'll ask according to his will and he hears us. Verse 15, he continues and says, And if we know that he hear us, Whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him." Now, obviously, those are the petitions that are according to his will. In John 14, verses 12-14, the Lord said, 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. And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask anything in my name, I will do it." Wow, is that misused in our day. But I believe this had to do with their ministry as apostles. And it was for the glory of God, these things that they would ask him. Philippians 4, verses 6 and 7, Paul says, What is he saying there? Don't be anxious. Ask God for the things we need, both physically and spiritually. Commit our concerns to him with those requests, and then trust him to meet those needs according to his will, and he'll give us great peace as we do that. It glorifies God when we go to him in faith asking, and then afterwards, leave our prayer closet with great peace and confidence in him. Look at Romans 8, verses 26-28. He says, likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities, our weaknesses. For we know not what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. As I understand the Scriptures we've just read, there are things that we know to be the will of God for us, and we pray confidently for them. There are other things that are good and right, but that we're not sure are the will of God for us, so we still ask, believing —I'm sorry if that's confusing— being confident that he hears us, and that he can do all things, but it may not be his will to give us those things at that time. And as we pray, the Spirit of God is making intercession for us according to the will of God. And then, of course, the will of God is done and works for our good. All right. Verse 21. It's hard to believe we're already at the end of the chapter here. Oh, verse 16. I'm sorry. There have been times I've been sitting out there waiting for the preacher to get to this particular verse. And not that that's happened here. But all of a sudden, we read it and keep going, and I'm like, wait, you've got to explain that. So here we go, verse 16. And this is just difficult. If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death, I do not say that he shall pray for it." I've gone over and over this. But John has been… It seems like this section here, he's been proving, demonstrating to them that they can know they have eternal life. That's the subject. And if we have eternal life, if we believe on the name of the Son of God, We know that he hears us. We have the petitions that we ask of him. And now, we're told to pray this when we see a brother sin a sin which is not unto death. We're told to intercede for a brother who's fallen into sin. In this verse, it seems like we see the brother's sin. I mean, it says that. But we're aware of it. And there isn't a resolution, so it must continue for some time. But John says that it's not a sin unto death. Now, how can we discern that? In several other Scriptures, we're told to go to those who have been offended, or who have been overtaken by a fault, or who have been ensnared by the devil, and to try to recover them. And when we do this, we may get that answer. Now, I'm going to read these verses, and they're not going to help us so much with this sin unto death. But let's look at these verses about going and talking to a brother. Galatians 6.1, Galatians 6.1, Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such in one in the spirit of meekness, considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. those which are spiritual, strong in their minds, they're supposed to go to this one, being very careful, considering themselves, that they not be tempted in this sin. Look at 2 Timothy 2, verses 25 and 26. In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves, and this is talking to pastors, If God, peradventure, will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth, and that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will." And then look at Jude, verse 21. We'll look at 21 through 23. He says, "'Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life, and of some have compassion, making a difference, and others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garments spotted by the flesh.'" So, there is a going to these brethren in error and sin, and trying to turn them from that. If the brother did not repent immediately, then we would have to put him out of the church, delivering him unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that he might repent, as Paul instructed the church at Corinth to do with the brother who was a fornicator. 1 Corinthians 5.5. We put them out so that the sin is not in the body. If we do not follow this, the whole church is guilty and liable to be judged by God. But when all of this goes on, we're commanded to pray for this one that God would give him life. I think referring to granting repentance, renewing his fellowship, and causing him to walk in the path of life again. I really enjoyed this verse. Proverbs 12.28 says, Now John says that God will hear us and give life for them that sin not unto death. It may not be as quickly as we'd like or hope, but he says he'll do it. Then he says there's a sin unto death. I do not say that he shall pray for it. I wish there were other passages that used some of this. There just aren't. Most likely there's something we're overlooking. But he talks about a sin unto death. Now, maybe it's implied, I go back and forth, but John never says that a brother can sin a sin unto death. This seems to be one who appeared to be a brother and who engages in an obstinate and rebellious course of sinning and despising of Christ after coming to a knowledge of the truth and professing faith in Christ. These have dropped their profession, and gone back to the world and back to the filthy sins from which they had temporarily escaped. And perhaps they've gone so far as to prove themselves to be reprobates, who dwell in darkness and in death by rejecting the truth that Jesus is the Christ or the Son of God." You know, that's a big part of what John has been talking about in this epistle. Let's consider three passages that show this sort of thing. First, let's turn to Hebrews chapter 6. And we'll read verses 4 through 9. Hebrews 6, verses 4 through 9. He says, "'For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the world to come, if they shall fall away to renew them again unto repentance, seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh and put him to an open shame. For the earth, which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God. But that which beareth thorns and briars is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing, whose end is to be burned. But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak." And then flip over just a few pages to Hebrews 10, verses 26 through 29. I don't know, let's back up to verse 23 actually. Paul says, "'Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering.'" This is what John is talking about in the passage we're looking at. "'For he is faithful that promised. And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is, but exhorting one another, and so much the more, as you see the day approaching. For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins. but a certain fearful looking-for of judgment and fiery indignation which shall devour the adversaries. He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses. Of how much sore punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy who hath trodden underfoot the Son of God and hath counted the blood of the covenant wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? Now, let's look at 2 Peter 2, starting in verse 18. And this is speaking of false prophets to start with. It says, For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, these false teachers, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped, their hearers, that were clean escaped from them who live in error. While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption. For of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world, through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. But it has happened unto them according to the true proverb, the dog is turned to his own vomit again, and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire." If we see this sort of thing taking place, we can stop praying that these will be recovered and have life. It's not going to happen. You know, sometimes we have those in our membership who profess to know Christ who later turn away and do this sort of thing. John had mentioned some in chapter 2 who had left and proved that they were antichrists. And Paul mentioned some in Philippians 3 whom he had written about often who had later proved themselves to be enemies of the cross of Christ. Now, I don't know that they were antichrists. They may not have come out and denied the truth concerning Christ, but their lives showed this to be the case. A life of sin was their practice, and it proved that they were not the children of God." Now, you might disagree with what we've said about this verse, and that's fine. No problem there. But I would say, it's easy to disagree, but would you take the time to look into it? See if you can get settled, if you can prove something else, if you do disagree. I'd love to hear. I'm definitely open to hearing that from you. Now, verse 17. He says, all unrighteousness is sin, and there is a sin not unto death. I think John says this to help ease the minds of the readers of his epistle. They might suddenly be concerned that they would commit a sin unto death. Now, it's true, as John just said, all unrighteousness that we commit is sin, no question about it. And it's deserving of everlasting punishment and the second death. But Christ delivered us from that. Now, I think John will help him a little more in the next verse. He says, we know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not. We know, we're confident, that those who are born of God don't live in and continually practice sin. We've looked at that throughout the epistle. He's reminding them of what he already told them, especially in chapter 3. He said, "'But he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.'" In John 17, verse 15, the Lord prayed, and he's praying to the Father. "'I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.'" Christ prayed for his people. And Peter says in 1 Peter 1.5 that we are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation. We are secure. And nothing Satan does can cause us to sin unto death and perish eternally. There are some things that we need to do as Christians, though, to keep ourselves in the love of God, as Jude says. We keep ourselves, and that means we reserve or preserve ourselves, by maintaining fellowship with Christ, by abiding in him, by depending on and yielding to the Spirit of God, and using the Word of God to resist the devil, and by laying hold of the promises of God by faith, and by conforming our lives to the Word of God. Satan That wicked one that John is referring to can't touch us, and I think particularly that new man within us. But he'll sure try to hinder us and cause us to fall and to ruin our testimony before the world, and I think try to keep us from receiving the rewards that we might have had. In 1 Peter 5, verses 8 and 9, Read, "'Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour, whom resists steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.'" And then, right close to there, in James 4, verse 7, he says, "'Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.'" Let's look at Ephesians chapter 6. Ephesians chapter 6, and we'll read verses 10 through 18. Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore, take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness, and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. Above all, take in the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints." Go back in 1 John. Let's read verse 19. He continues and says, And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness. John has given so many proofs throughout his epistle, so we can know that we know God, that we're of God. We love God and keep Christ's Word or his commandments. We love the children of God. We have the witness of the Spirit. We understand the truths of Christ. We know that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God manifested to take away our sins. We no longer practice Him, but rather we keep ourselves pure, love Christ's commandments, and do the will of God. In John 8, 12, it says, Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world. He that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. And then in 1 John 2, it says the whole world lies in wickedness. John had told us, Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that's in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof. But he that doeth the will of God abideth forever." There is, or should be, a marked difference between the children of God and the unbelieving world. John says that the whole world lieth in wickedness. I don't know that I'd ever thought of it this way, but those in the world without Christ are immersed in it. Like that sow in the mire that we read about in 2 Peter. They love it. They're under the power of the wicked one, and enslaved to sin. Unlike the children of God, they are touched by the wicked one, and he moves them to do whatever he pleases. Verse 20, "'And we know that the Son of God has come and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.'" We know that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, has come into flesh, as John said in 4.3, chapter 4, verse 3, and that he's given us an understanding. And by understanding, I believe he's talking about a spiritual mind, a renewed spirit, right? In Ephesians, it says that the unregenerate Gentile's understanding was darkened. And that's how it used to be with us. But it says that now the eyes of our understanding have been enlightened. That's also in Ephesians. So, we were given a spiritual mind by the Spirit in regeneration, so that we can understand the things of God and know him that is true, God the Father. And we are in him that is true, Christ his Son. This is the true God, and to know the Father through the Son, and to be in the Son is to possess eternal life. And this is the point of this epistle. John said in verse 13 of the last chapter, I think it was the last chapter of this chapter. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God, that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. We started out with that verse this evening. Now we're at verse 21. And he ends with this statement. Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen. It seems like John is telling them, You know the true God. You have eternal life. Keep yourselves from loving the world and the things in it, from being involved in idolatry and covetousness. You know, it says in Colossians 3.5, covetousness, which is idolatry. Don't allow yourselves to slip back into the things having to do with your former manner of life before you knew Christ. and the wickedness all around you related to idol worship. The Apostle Paul warned the Corinthian church about these things in both epistles. He said in 1 Corinthians 10.14, Peter warned the saints in his first epistle as well, telling them not to fashion themselves according to the former lusts, when they were living in ignorance. but rather to be holy in all manner of conversation, every part of their lives. And in Romans 13, 14, Paul said, But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ. What does he mean by that? Trust him, imitate him, walk as he walked, abide in him. Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh to fulfill the lusts thereof." Now, we should know this. It's not impossible for us to fall into terrible sin. But it would be far better if it were not once named among us as becometh saints. As Paul says in Ephesians 5.3, So, keep yourselves from those things. Don't allow yourselves to be drawn to be near them, or to have close relationships with those who would try to draw you into them. And put away anything else that would draw you away from abiding in and serving the true God. Brother Pink said this, Arthur Pink, If any occupation or association is found to hinder my communion with God or my enjoyment of spiritual things, then it must be abandoned. Anything in my habits or ways which mars happy fellowship with the brethren or robs me of power and service is to be unsparingly judged and made an end of. Whatever I cannot do for God's glory must be avoided. Now, let me read one last verse from 1 John, as a closing thought. 1 John 2.28, And now, little children, abide in him, that when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming. Thank you for your attention. I really appreciate it.