Proclaiming God’s truth to extend the gospel is seen by testing the spirits to distinguish truth from falsehood, love God and others through the Holy Spirit, pray for sinning brothers to be kept safe from the evil one and idols, walk in Christ’s teaching without welcoming false teachers, and support gospel workers with hospitality and finances.
Test Spirits to Distinguish Truth from Falsehood
They should test the spirits because of many false prophets in the world. God’s Spirit overcame the spirit of the antichrist and acknowledged that Jesus Christ came in the flesh. Those from God listened to truth and the world to falsehood, which distinguished the the Spirit of truth from the spirit of falsehood (1 John 4:1-6). Test spirits to distinguish truth from falsehood whether they say Jesus Christ came in the flesh.
Love One Another Through the Holy Spirit
They could love one another because love came from God. Only those born of God and knew Him could love because He was love. He showed His love by sending His only Son into the world as an atoning sacrifice for their sin so they might live through Him. By loving God, they made His love complete and showed He lived in them. He gave His Spirit to show they lived in Him and He in them. They saw and testified that the Father sent Jesus to be the world’s Savior. By acknowledging Jesus as the Son of God, He lived in them and they in Him. They knew and relied on His love because God was love (1 John 4:7-16). Love one another through the Holy Spirit because God sent His Son as a sacrifice for sin.
Love God and Others Without Fear Because He First Loved You
By living in love, they became like God and confident in the day of judgment. Love contained no fear. Those with fear were not made perfect in love because love drove out the fear of punishment. They loved because God first loved them. Those who said they loved Him and hated their brothers lied. People who did not love their brother whom they saw could not love God whom they did not see. He commanded those who loved Him to love their brothers (1 John 4:17-21). Love God and others without fear because He first loved you.
Obey His Commands Believing in Jesus as the Son of God
Those believing that Jesus was the Christ were born of God loving both the Father and His Son. Those who loved God and carried out His commands proved they loved His children. Loving God meant obeying His commands, which were not burdensome, since everyone born of Him overcame the world. Faith was the victory to overcome the world–believing in Jesus as the Son of God. Jesus came by water and blood with the Spirit of truth testifying in agreement. Believers in the Son of God had this testimony in their heart, but unbelievers made Him out as a liar. The testimony was that God gave them eternal life through His Son. He who had the Son had life and he who did not have the Son of God did not have life (1 John 5:1-12). Obey His commands believing in Jesus as the Son of God to overcome the world and gain eternal life.
The basis for obedience is Jesus coming in the flesh as a sacrifice for sin demonstrating God’s love for you. You obey His commands by believing in Jesus as the Son of God to overcome the world and gain eternal life.
Pray Confidently for Sinning Brothers to Be Kept Safe from Evil One
John wrote these things to those who believed in the Son of God so they would know they had eternal life. They could be confident of answered prayer if they asked anything according to His will knowing that God heard them. Those who saw his brother commit sin not leading to death should pray knowing God would give him life. All wrong doing was sin and there was sin not leading to death. Those born of God did not continue in sin, but were kept safe so the evil one could not harm them. Children of God knew the world was under the control of the evil one. The Son of God came and gave them understanding to know the true God and eternal life so they could be kept from idols (1 John 5:13-21). Pray confidently for sinning brothers to be kept safe from the evil one and idols.
Walk in Christ’s Teaching for Full Reward Without Welcoming False Teachers
John wrote to those with children who lived in truth and love through Jesus Christ. He had great joy to find some children walking in truth as the Father commanded. John reminded them that love was walking in obedience to His commands. Many deceivers and antichrists in the world did not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. John warned them to not lose what they worked for so they could be rewarded fully. Those not continuing in Christ’s teaching did not have God, but those continuing in it had both the Father and Son. Anyone welcoming someone without this teaching shared in their wicked work. Instead of writing additional details, John hoped to talk in person so his joy would be complete (2 John). Walk in Christ’ teaching for full reward without welcoming false teachers.
Support Gospel Workers with Hospitality and Finances
John prayed that his friend Gaius would enjoy good health and for his soul to prosper. He had no greater joy than his children walking in truth continually. Gaius showed love to strangers by sending them on their way worthy of God. They went out for His Name without help from unbelievers. By showing hospitality to strangers, they worked together for the truth, unlike Diotrephes who loved to be first. If John came, he would call attention to his malicious gossiping, refusing to welcome the brothers, stopping and putting those out of the church who did. People who did good were from God and those doing evil had not seen God. Demetrius was well spoken by everyone because he followed truth (3 John). Support gospel workers with hospitality and finances for physical and spiritual prosperity.
Answer the following questions about proclaiming God’s truth to extend the gospel:
1. Are you testing the spirits to distinguish truth from falsehood?
2. Do you love God and others through the Holy Spirit?
3. Are you praying for sinning brothers to be kept safe from the evil one and idols
4. Are you walking in Christ’s teaching and not welcoming false teachers?
5. Do you support gospel workers with hospitality and finances?
