1 John Lesson 5

Living in the Light of God's Love

1 John Lesson Five-1 John 3:11-24 As Children of the Heavenly Father, You Live in Love 1. You don’t want to be like Cain 2. You have Jesus’ supreme love 3. You want greater confidence

Introduction In summer the hills of California turn golden as the wild oats and other grasses dry up. It is easy to spot the places where there is water. Green live oaks and sycamores give evidence of water in the rocks and streams. They stand in striking contrast to the crackling-dry grasses. Christians are like the live oak trees. We give evidence of Jesus' love by our loving actions toward others.

Read John 13:35. Would you agree with the statement “We are justified before God by the merits of Christ but justified before people by the acts of love we show”?

John 13:35 “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Studying God's Word You don't want to be like Cain Read 1 John 3:11-15 11

This is the message you have heard from the beginning: Love one another. 12Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the Evil One and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him?

Because his own works were evil, while those of his brother were righteous. 13Do not be surprised, brothers, if the world hates you. 14We know that we have crossed over from death to life, because we love our brothers. The one who does not love remains in death. 15Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life remaining in him.

1. How does Christian love differ from simply following what many call “the Golden Rule”? (3:11; John 13:34.)

2. Why did Cain develop such fierce anger toward his brother Abel? (3:12; note also Romans 8:6-8.)

© 1997 Northwestern Publishing House. Reprinted by permission.

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3. What can we expect from the world if we live a righteous life? (3:13)

4. What is the evidence that you have passed from death to life? (3:14; compare this to what Jesus said in Luke 7:47.)

5. What does hatred for a brother indicate? (3:15; see also Genesis 4:6,7.)

Passage List John 13:34 “A new commandment I give you: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, so also you are to love one another.”

Romans 8:6–8 Now, the way the sinful flesh thinks results in death, but the way the spirit thinks results in life and peace. 7 For the mind-set of the sinful flesh is hostile to God, since it does not submit to God’s law, and in fact, it cannot. 8 Those who are in the sinful flesh cannot please God. Luke 7:47 “Therefore I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven; that is why she loved so much. But the one who is forgiven little loves little.”

Genesis 4:6–7 The Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why do you have that angry look on your face? 7 If you do good, will you not be lifted up? If you do not do good, sin is crouching at the door. It has a strong desire for you, but you must rule over it.”

His Word in My Life “I love you” means . . .

You have Jesus' supreme love Read 1 John 3:16-20 This is how we have come to know love: Jesus laid down his life for us. And we also should lay down our lives for our brothers. 17 Whoever has worldly wealth and sees his brother in need but closes his heart against him—how can God’s love remain in him? 18 Dear children, let us love not only with word or with our tongue, but also in action and truth.

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This is how we know that we are of the truth and how we will set our hearts at rest in his presence: 20 If our hearts condemn us, God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.

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1. What is the supreme evidence that one person loves another? (3:16) Name some practical ways this kind of love is displayed in our lives. (John 12:24,25)

2. How does a Christian feel when he or she sees someone in need? What if these feelings are not there? (3:17)

3. What must accompany friendly talk and promises of generostiy to those who are in need? (3:18) When has it been hardest for you to put this into practice?

4. From what John has told us about the love Christians have for each other, it becomes clear that we have fallen far short of perfect love. Why is verse 20 very comforting? (Note also Romans 8:1.)

Passage List John 12:24–25 “Amen, Amen, I tell you: Unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it continues to be one kernel. But if it dies, it produces much grain. 25 Anyone who loves his life destroys it. And the one who hates his life in this world will hold on to it for eternal life.”

Romans 8:1 So then, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

His Word in My Life A man and his wife were visiting the pastor for help with their marriage. At the close of the hour, the pastor asked the man, “Would you be willing to die for your wife?” He said yes. The wife responded the same. Then the pastor asked, “Would you be willing to live for her?” How does this question relate to our lesson for today?

You want greater confidence Read 1 John 3:21-24 Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God. 22 We also receive from him whatever we ask, because we keep his commands and do what is pleasing in his sight. 23 This then is his command: that we believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and that we love one another just as he commanded us. 24 The one who keeps his commands remains in God and God in him. This is how we know that he remains in us: We know it from the Spirit, whom he has given to us.

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1. When we are forgiven, our hearts do not condemn us. Of what can we be confident? (3:21,22; see also Hebrews 4:16.) How will this confidence show itself?

2. What is God's command, or God's will, for us? (3:23)

3. What evidence do we have that we live in Christ and he lives in us? (3:24; see also John 14:26.)

Passage List Hebrews 4:16 So let us approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

John 14:26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and remind you of everything I told you.

His Word in My Life What can we do in our homes to foster the life of faith and love John is talking about?

Summary Join together in your group to say or sing the following hymn verse: Come, O Christ, and reign among us, King of love and Prince of Peace; Hush the storm of strife and passion; Bid its cruel discords cease.

By your patient years of toiling, By your silent hours of pain, Quench our fevered thirst for pleasure; Stem our selfish greed for gain. (CW1993 492:2) In this chapter you have seen the importance of living as dear children of your heavenly Father by loving each other as Jesus loved you. As love increases, so does joy. Our love also gives a powerful witness to the love that Jesus has for all people.

Write down areas where you want to show greater love to people living around you.

Life with God Throughout the week: Read Colossians 3 several times in your personal devotions.

Read 1 John 4:1-12 in preparation for the next lesson.