1 John 3 Commentary
Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God. Verse 1. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John is full of simple equations. You cannot know the Father without knowing the Son. If the Father is not known, the sons (us) cannot be known. But the simplicity ends here. Look further and see the complex concept behind the simple equations.
John knows Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Without Jesus, there is simply no way to the Father.
No one who lives in Him keeps on sinning. A career sinner is a member of the Sin club. He drives into the club premises unhindered. He has free access at all times. The saint lands at the club accidentally or arrogantly ignores the road signs and finds himself at the club. He is ejected immediately. He regrets this mess in tears; he repents.
John describes the gospel perfectly: it is simple. Righteousness isn’t a big word. We all can define it. It means doing the right thing. Verse 7.
John seems to suggest that Cain was evil not because he killed his brother; he killed his brother because he was evil. The saint knows the difference.
Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer. Verse 15. This doesn’t look like a simple equation!
Evil has fruits, murder, and hatred…, likewise, love has its own fruit – pity in action.
What is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? Psalm 8. Or, “Who am I, Sovereign Lord, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far?” 2 Samuel 7.
Of course, John echoes the above words as he marvels at the wonder of God’s love. This love wasn’t in words only. He so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.
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LOVING SCRIPTURE 