1 John 5:18-21 (Christ Is Truth)

Chapter 5

Verses 18-21:

"We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him. We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one. And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life. Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen."

I was talking to a man on campus last semester, from the "Holiness" movement (link). If you read the decription on the link you will find that the believe in a thing called "entire sanctification" or "perfectionists." Now these people and others like him (you may know pastor Bob (OSU) or brother Gary (OU)), believe that when the Bible says something like, "we know that whoever is born of God does not sin..." (cf. 3:6), they take this to a very extreme disposition, wherein they believe that once one is born again he never sins again, if he does he has lost his salvation and must get it back (another matter I won't even touch right now).

Looking back over the chapter one would have to conclude that the Apostle is making contradictions if this is the case. Calvin on the matter:

"If you suppose that God's children are wholly pure and free from all sin, as the fanatics contend, then the Apostle is inconsistent with himself; for he would thus have take away mustual prayer among brethren (v.16). Then he says that those sin not who do not wholly fall away from the grace of God; heance he inferred that prayer ought to be made for all the children of God, because the sin not unto death. A proof is added, that 'he who has been born of God keeps himself,' that is, keeps himself in the fear of God; nor does he suffer himself to be so led away, as to lose all sense of religion, and to surrender himself wholly to the devil and the flesh.
When he says, that 'the wicked one does not touch him,' reference is made to a deadly wound; for the children of God do not remain untouched by the assaults of Satan, but they ward off his strokes by the shield of faith, so that they do not penetrate into the heart. Hence spiritual life is never extinguished in them. This is not to sin." (Calvin's Commentaries on 1 John, pg.270-271)

You find that those who believe this will not have the easiest times explaining away verses in this chapter such as: "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us"(1:8), "if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous" (2:1b), "If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death"(5:16a). Though don't get me wrong they have their well formulated proof texting techniques and arguments.

Further, "The present tense of the Greek suggests behavior that is characteristic or usual. In this way John acknowledges, but does not excuse, occasional sin"(Reformation Study Bible).

Verse 19 is admonishment, that the "word lies under the sway of the wicked one." But that "we are of God," so while the world will try to lead us astray from God, we must so highly value or calling that it will not be a hindrance or a distraction. "Under the sway" is the reality of what condition this world lies in, apart from divine intervention there is no hope to defeating the devil's temptations or traps. All are in bondage to their sinful nature (Romans 6:17) and are under the sway of the devil (Ephesians 2:2).

As I said, no one can break lose of their sinful nature or overcome the temptations without divine help. The next verse makes that clear, "we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ." Jesus set us free of that bondage and slavery to sin and has made us to be slaves of righteousness, able to be conformed to His image.

"This is the true God, and eternal life." Once again touching on the fact that there is no eternal life apart from Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ = Eternal Life, you could almost use the words synonymously.

Verse 21, "Little children, keep yourselves from idols." With the preceding doctrines being true, that the "world is under the sway of the wicked one," and that we "know Him who is true," and we are "of God." Then this makes it clear, "keep yourselves from idols," from the world and false hopes and gods, focus your attention always on the Lord Jesus.

He is your calling, He is your Advocate, the Propitiation, the Word, the Truth. He is love, He is eternal life. He has overcome the world, overcome the wicked one, forgiven your sins. He is Son of God, come in the flesh. Because of Him we have all hope, and apart from Him there is no hope.

Trust in Christ, trust in God, confess your sins, love your brothers and sisters. And in the end give all glory to the God of heaven and earth, who has shown us this mercy, "not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son"(4:10). So then:

"Keep yourselves from idols..." and praise God for this love.

"Amen."

Citation:
*Calvins Commentaries on 1 John
*NKJV Reformation Study Bible

Also I want to thank Logan West for his comments while I have been going through this study. They have been encouraging and helpful, thanks alot.

1 John 5:14-17 (Praying As We Should)

Chapter 5

Verses 14-17:

"Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.
If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death, he will ask, and He will give him life for those who commit sin not leading to death. There is sin leading to death. I do not say that he should pray about that. All unrighteousness is sin, and there is sin not leading to death."

I'll seperate this entry into two parts, prayer towards God (v. 14-15) and prayer for brethren (v. 16-17):

Prayer towards God
"Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything...He hears us." I realize I left an important part of that first verse out, I wish to make a point first. That the confidence we have is that we would dare to call upon the God of heaven and earth because of our Mediator, Jesus. "Christ Jesus our Lord...in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him" (Eph 3:11b,12). "For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, 'Abba, Father'"(Romans 8:15).

One thing that comforts us as Christians, is that even though troubles or evils should come upon us, we know that God is our deliverer and rely on His fatherly love towards us.

"If we ask anything according to His will..." (Somewhat briefly mentioned before, cf. 3:22). This expression is interjected by the Apostle into the statement as if to make sure he was not misunderstood when he said this. One does not watch such things as TBN with out quickly getting the impression that expressions like this are perverted much to promote their health and wealth gospel. Seems as though the Apostle knew that sort of thing might happen. I can't word it much better than Calvin does so I'll let him talk:

"Though God has promised has promised to do whatsoever his people may ask, yet He does not allow them an unbridled liberty to ask whatever may come to their minds; He has at the same time prescribed to them a law according to which they are to pray...if it was allowed to every one of us to ask what he pleased, and if God were to indulge us in our wishes, it would be to provide very badly for us...He teaches us by his word what he would have us to ask, and he has also set over us His Spirit as our guide and ruler, to restrain our feelings...We ought also to ask the mouth of the Lord to direct and guide our prayers; for God in His promises has fixed for us, as it has been said, the right way of praying." (Calvin Commentaries on 1 John, Pg. 266)

And so I think that with a bit of your own dicernment this can be applied to the following verse as well. The faithful always regard God's commands in their prayers, they are not loose to pray for all that they desire.

Prayer for Brethren
Going into verse 16 the idea of prayer is not lost, but it now extends to our brethren.

Taking this in subcategories more or less, first I'll examine the Apostle's command for praying for the brethren (v. 16a), then attempt to clarify between the two sins: ones leading to death and ones not leading to death (v. 16b, 17).

First, the Apostle's command to pray for sinning brethren:
"If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death, he will ask, and He will give him life for those who commit sin not leading to death"(v. 16a). As I've said our prayers now extend to a brother in sin, that they may as well avail our brothers and sisters. The Apostle here exhorts us to pray for the salvation of one another, and to have us pray for the falls of a brother/sister. "Surely it is iron hardness to be touched with no pity, when we see souls redeemed by Christ's blood going to ruin"(Calvin). Listening to the words of the Apostle, we must at all cost avoid the codemning of our brethren or doubting their salvation, rather than praying fervently for them instead (something of personal application to myself).

Two Sins:
I believe, perhaps, that if I attempt to explain the "sin leading to death," the other type will be whatever is not included in that. Rather than attempting to summarize and put into my own words what the Reformation Study Bible has to say I will just put word for word what they say:

"Some connect this sin with the unforgivable sin mentioned in Matthew 12:31, 32; Mark 3:28-30; Luke 12:8-10. More likely, John is referring to a stubborn refusal to accept the message of the gospel (cf. 1:10, John 8:24)." (Reformation Study Bible)

Most likely this sin is that of apostasy as seen in 1 John 2:19, it is not a transgression of a single commandment, but a total abandonment and alienation of the faith. For the Apostle will add in the upcoming verses that the children of God do not sin, they do not forsake God. In other words those that do commit the sin leading to death, forsake God completely, and turn themselves over to Satan to be his slave. "I do not say that he should pray about that."

In any case it is important to understand that "all unrighteousness is sin..." this does not give one liberty to say something such as "well this is a sin not leading to death so I am going to indulge in it." This is contradictary to everything that has been said so far in this book (cf. 2:3-5; 3:4,6).

I would certainly suggest more study on that, as I will be sure to do.

Citation:
*Calvin's Commentaries on 1 John
*Reformation Study Bible (NKJV)

1 John 5:9-13 (No Salvation Apart From Christ)

Chapter 5

Verses 9-13:

"If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater; for this is the witness of God which He has testified of His Son. He who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself; he who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed the testimony that God has given of His Son. And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God."

This first statement continues from the last couple verses. John now gives from the smaller to the greater of the testimony of Christ coming by water and blood, "If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater..." We do not rely on the testimony of men, who may decieve or lie to us. For men may lead us to think that our salvation is in Jesus Christ but may in fact be deceiving us and not telling the truth, unlinke the Spirit who bears witness and who is truth (1 John 5:6). "I do not receive testimony from man...the Father Himself, who sent Me, has testified of Me" (John 5:34a,37a). The testimony of men is nothing compared to the "witness of God" which "is greater."

"...for this is the witness of God which He has testified of His Son." After saying that God deserves to be believed much higher than men, the Apostle now says that man cannot have faith in God except he believe in "His Son" whom He has sent. Apart from Christ Jesus there is no salvation, this point is very obviously true here and throughout the scriptures.

This is further explained by the statement that "he who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself..." and those whom do not believe that Jesus is the son of God "has made Him a liar." Why? "Because he has not believed the testimony that God has given of His Son." The Father and the Spirit have testified that this indeed is the Son of God there is no dispute, apart from Him you have not accepted that testimony set forth by God, and you have made "Him a liar."

Verse 11: The testimony within us is this "that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son." Through "His Son" we have received the adoption of as sons of God, as such we ought not only to accept the gospel of Christ but to love it. Here is where I do not understand something about the "professors" of today, especially those who constantly and willingly disobey the Lord:
How in the world do you understand this doctrine of eternal life, given to you so freely by nothing more than the grace of God and faith in His Son, and still live as though you owed God nothing?
This of course makes about the least sense to me. I of all people understand that we will never be completely rid of sin until that day we die or Jesus returns, yet there are those who offer no praise, worship, or even care to Christ Jesus, their "professed" Lord and Savior.

Verse 12 actually contributes more to the indisputable fact that apart from Jesus Christ a person does not have eternal life. This is the inspiration for missions and for evangelism, as well as for correct doctrine and teachings which will not deceive persons into a false hope.

Verse 13 shows us the purpose for John writing these things to these people, "that you may know that you have eternal life." He is writing to those "who believe," and writes these things to them so that they can be further assured of their faith in Christ. As there should be a daily progress in faith, not all believers are always 100% assured of their salvation, there are still remnants of unbelief in many Christians. This is the reason for correct doctrine and for teaching, so that people might have a more firm confidence in their eternal life and adoption.

We should strive to teach believers correct doctrine so that their faith grows and that the "Son of God" remains the object of that faith.

1 Peter 1:10,11:
"Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."

1 John 5:6-8 (The Witness)

Chapter 5

Verses 6-8:

"This is He who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not only by water, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is truth. For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness on earth: the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree as one."

For this first line, there are actually quite a few interpretations of the phrase: "by water and blood." Some suggest that the water signifying baptism and the blood to the cruxifixion, though John in his gospel does not make any reference to that. Others believe that it refers to the two sacraments (baptism and the Lord's supper), but this is probably unlikely as well since John does not talk of those in his gospel (John 19:34). The most likely meaning is that Jesus was the real substance of those shadows of the Old Testament. That "water and blood" alludes to the ancient rites of the law. So that we may know the old ceremonial laws of Moses were abolished and now fulfilled by the death of Christ.

The "water" signifying the washing away of filth, so that we are approach God pure and clean. And the "blood" signifying the atonement and reconciliation with God through the blood of Christ.

"No only by water, but by water and blood..." not that only half of our salvation or some of it is found in Christ, but that all of it is found Him.

"It is the Spirit who bears witness..." The Spirit testifies and makes certain Christ within the believer, by the knowing and feeling the indwelling power of Christ. "And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you" (John 14:16-17). A real and firm stability of assurance is produced by the Spirit who "is truth." "The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God"(Romans 8:16).

In verse 7, some manuscripts omit the passage "For there are three that bear witness." If left in though it helps to point out that there are three that testify to our faith in Christ, "The Father, the Word (or Jesus, John 1:1), and the Holy Spirit."

And now a very important thing is acknowledged next, "and these three are one." I'll go ahead and use the Westminster Confession here:

In the unity of the Godhead there be three Persons of one substance, power, and eternity: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost. The Father is of none, neither begotten nor proceeding; the Son is eternally begotten of the Father; the Holy Ghost eternally proceeding from the Father and the Son" (Westminster Confession of Faith, Ch. II).

Simply put three in person, one in essence. God is one (Deut. 6:4), no mistake about it, and He has chosen to reveal Himself in three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. And while this much is known, one cannot try to explain it (while some like to use an egg, or a pretzel, or water), it would be impossible for our finite minds to comprehend the Trinity in its fullness.

Verse 8, "there are three who bear witness on earth..." To all mankind, these three bear witness to all men. These being "the Spirit, the water, and the blood..." As John had pointed out earlier it is testified by the Spirit that Jesus "came by water and blood." To the believer these things bear witness to his faith in Christ, the Trinity "in heaven bear witness" and these three things "bear witness on earth." The Spirit is the placed first in this list for without the Spirit the blood and water would have no benefit to the souls of men. It is the Spirit that seals the on our hearts the testimony of the "water and blood." In Romans Paul makes it clear that without the seal of the Holy Spirit the benefits of Christ's death would have no benefit, "Jesus Christ our Lord...declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness" (Romans 1:3b, 4). The Spirit is the one who effects the cleansing of our spirits by the blood and water of Jesus. "These three agree as one..." that the water and the blood concur with the Spirit.

1 John 5:1-5 (Obedience)

Chapter 5

Verses 1-5:

"Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?"

Here, John draws a link between faith and brotherly love. "everyone who loves Him (The Father) who begot (The brethren) love him (The brethren) who is begotten of Him (The Father)." Or a more literal translation would be, "Every one who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been begotten by God; and every one who loves the begetter loves also the begotten by him" (Calvin Commentary).

The first truth here is that all that are "begotten" or born of God believe that "Jesus is the Christ." So then here is the faith.

Secondly, those who are "begotten" of God, love the "begotten." Thus, there is the link between faith and brotherly love in this first verse.

There is no doubt as a Christian we love all without exception, but that is not exactly what is being spoken of in this passage, it is aimed directly at the love of those who love God, and "believe that Jesus is the Christ...born of God."

For verse 2 I will refer to Calvin:

"He briefly shews in these words what true love is, even that which is towards God...He teaches us that men are rightly and duly loved, when God holds the primacy. And it is a necessary definition; for it often happens, that we love men apart from God, as unholy and carnal friendships regard only private advantages or some other vanishing objects...his purpose is to shew that mutual love ought to be in such a way cultivated that God may be honoured" (Calvin Commetaries 1 John, pg.252).

As my esteemed roommate has notedly pointed out at times, in todays Church we are much too often concerned with people, people, people, and never God. For example, we are more concerned with supposedly bringing in the lost than worshipping God in right manner; more concerned about how comfortable people feel than about giving them the Truth, the Word, Christ. But as Calvin points out well, "men are rightly and duly loved, when God holds the primacy." I think this a very important thing to note in light of this passage.

In verse 3 John says, "For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments." If we look back at John's gospel Jesus makes it clear that: "If you love Me, keep My commandments." (John 14:15). Honestly, it doesn't get much more black and white for the antinomianist, if you neglect it you neglect scripture, and you are not born of God. "And His commandments are not burdensome." His law is wonderful for those seeking righteousness and it is not burdensome, whereas for a non-believer it seems so. Its interesting here to point out a almost apparent contradiction about the Law of God. That being between Paul and David.

Paul makes such comments about the Law as:
"For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions which were aroused by the law were at work in our members to bear fruit to death (Romans 7:5)...The law brings about wrath; for where there is no law there is no transgression (Romans 4:15)... by the law is the knowledge of sin (Romans 3:20)."

And David says things such as:
"Oh, how I love Your law! (Psalm 119:97)...Sweeter than honey to my mouth! (Psalm 119:103b)." And that the law "is perfect, converting the soul (Psalm 19:7b), rejoices the heart (19:8d)...More to be desired are they than gold"...and again "sweeter than honey (19:10a-b)."

To those perishing the law is nothing but "burdensome" and death, as Paul makes very clear because the Law is spiritual, but we are of flesh (Romans 7:14). So then the Law in itself is perfect and altogether beautiful, and the believer sees it as such (like David), but for those perishing it is death and nothing more but codemnation.

Verse 4, "For whatever is born of God overcomes the world." For this I would like to use the verse that describes the name of my blog John 16:33: "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."

For where comes this victory? "And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith." In Christ, those begotten of Him are those who overcome the world. "Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?" Or as Paul puts it in 1 Corinthians 15:57: "But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."

1 John 4:17-21 (No Fear)

Chapter 4

Verses 17-21:

"Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him because He first loved us. If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also."

Here in verse 17 I bring to mind adoption as children of God as I have before. "Love has been perfected among us in this..." In two senses, one that we are conformed to the image of his son or in other words "because as He is, so are we in this world." Secondly, that in "our love...we may have boldness in the day of judgment..."

Taking the former firstly: "Because as He is, so are we in this world." This "love has been perfected" in that we are united to God in Christ, and as "He is" so we shall strive to be (Matthew 5:28), and one day will be. This hope to be conformed to the image of the Son is a seal of our adoption in our heart. As a believer we have no greater desire to be as our Father is in heaven.

Then the latter: "We may have boldness in the day of judgment..." By nature we tremble at the presence of God, as He is the Judge of the world, our sins hold us accountable before Him. But because of this "love" we have confidence in the "day of judgment" (cf. 1 John 2:28). The Christian looks forward to the day of Judgment when we go to be with our Lord eternally, our fear is not like that of the reprobate who will tremble and fear in that day.

So then in verse 18, "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment." There was fear of eternal "torment" and damnation. which without the "perfect love" of God there would be no deliverance from, we would be hopelessly headed towards that end. But now "there is no fear in love" because this "perfect love casts out" this "fear" of "torment." We now have peace with God in this love, understanding our adoption we cheerfully and patiently wait upon the Lord's return. But because we are not instantaneously made perfect we may still have a remnant of fear in a sense, as the Apostle says, "he who fears has not been made perfect in love." Though I am no expert commentator so if anyone has anythoughts on the end of verse 18 let me know what you think.

Verse 19, "We love Him because He first loved us." Very similar to 1 John 4:10, but following that is somewhat of a parallel to the verse that follows verse 19. "Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another" (1 John 4:11). And as verse 20 says, "If someone says, 'I love God,' and hates his brother, he is a liar." The knowledge of God's love upon us is really, whether or not we love our brother/sister. As John says, "for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?" In other words if you do not love those who bear the image of the Almighty who you can see, how then, can you love God whom you cannot? And so it logically flows this way.

Verse 20 gives the commandment that we have heard from Jesus and it is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself' (Matthew 22:39).

Citation:
*NKJV Reformation Study Bible
*Calvin's Commentaries on 1 John

1 John 4:12-16 (Seeing God)

Chapter 4

Verses 12-16:

"No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him."

Verse 12 "No one has seen God at any time..." is much like in John 1:18, except when said in John 1:18 it denotes a different meaning. Speaking in John it speaks of God as not being seen or known, except as He has revealed himself in Christ. Here in 1 John he takes that truth further by saying that the power of God is comprehended by us by faith and by love. "If we love on another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us." Basically it is quite evident that "God abides in us" if by His Spirit we are given the ability to have brotherly love, so then we cannot sincerely have love for the brethren if God's Spirit does abide in us. Referring back to 1 John 3:10b we see, "Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother." Know that this is a evidence of God's indwelling if you love the brethren if you love fellowship with the brethren and if when you see a brother/sister in need you would lay your life down (or show charity) for that person (1 John 3:18).

Verse 13 gives the same connotation but reversing it from "God abides in us" to "we abide in Him," and making the same point.

In verse 14, going back to what I mentioned earlier about the difference in "seeing God" as mention in John 1:18, now John brings up the other side of the knowledge of God, in that He communicated Himself through His Son. "We have seen and testify..." Through this faith and this love we now "see" (not in the literal sense of seeing with your eyes, though John did), but we "see" the Son through our faith in Him. That Jesus really dwells in us and makes Himself visible in us by His power.

"Savior of the World..." (cf. John 3:17), the word "world" of course is an interesting word in the Bible that I would like to go into deeper at some point. But for now we must not consider this to be the literal translation of "every single person on the face of the planet," for it is obvious that not all are saved. It must be accepted here and in many other places in the Bible as all tounges, tribes and nations with no partiality (to Isreal, as it was).

Verse 15, "Whosoeve shall confess..." This is not to say that all men who confess are children of God, there are many who would profess their faith in Christ, such as about 90% of my university and probably about the same anywhere you go in America. Everyone has their idea of who Christ is, except more times than not it isn't the Biblical Christ, the only one that has the power to save your soul. "Confession" and "faith" go hand in hand here, in Romans 10:9 Paul states something similar, "That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved" (emphasis added). That emphasis isn't exactly something to be taken lightly, this isn't just a few words and a walk down an aisle.

From verse 15 one gets the idea that to have faith in Jesus, or to "confess that Jesus is the Son of God..." causes God to "abide in" you and you "in God." And if this is true then "God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him" (vv.16). So then love must ought to reign in us, since God unites himself to us.

Citation:
*John Calvin commentaries on 1 John
*NKJV Reformation Study Bible (1 John)

1 John 4:7-11 (The Love of God Manifested)

Chapter 4

Verses 7-11:

"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another."

With that first sentence "Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God..." I think it might be appropriate to qualify the meaning of the term "love." When John talks of love here, he is not talking about some kind of romantic mushy love that wears off over time, nor is he talking about a love that is just accepting to all sorts of people living in all sorts of deadly and unrepentant sins, as some today seem to think is Christianity's intent. That being what "love" is not, perhaps I should attempt to define what love is, though I think I will have to make another blog about this some other time. Dealing with the passage above though, John says "let us love one another," reminiscent of Jesus's words to the Pharisees:

Matthew 22:35-40:
Then one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, and saying, “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?” Jesus said to him, “ ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”

In other words the Law can be broken down into two categories really, the love of God and the love of your neighbor/brethren.

But more than that we have been shown a perfect love by God the Father:
"In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him." Looking over the life of Jesus as He walked this earth, the believer reading the bible sees example after example of someone who showed more generosity and compassion and charity than we could ever hope to match. But above all, above all other things He did, there is one thing that Jesus has done that is entirely unfathomable to our minds. And it is that statement above.

Take a second to dwell on that point, and understand what this means for a minute. What is being said here is more powerful than anything in this world, it is something that no other religion can offer. It goes on, "In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He love us and sent His son to be the propitiation for our sins." One thing I know and the rest of believers, is that we did not love God, we did not seek God, we did everything to deserve the hatred and condemnation of God and deserving of nothing but eternal hell. But as mentioned above, "God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might Live Through Him" (emphasis added).

"God is love" which to a mind set on God is not too difficult to understand. We did not love God and yet He sought us out and found us (Isaiah 62:12), opened the eyes of our heart (Ezekiel 11:19), enabled us to have faith to repent and believe in His son (Mark 1:15), then justified us for nothing in ourselves but by His grace (Ephesians 2:8), and adopting us into a family that we can never ever be divorced from (Galatians 3:26).

"Beloved, if God so love us, we also ought to love one another." We are His followers and as such we attain to be perfect as He is (Matthew 5:48).

1 John 4:1-6 (Two Spirits)

Chapter 4

Verses 1-6:

"Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world. You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. They are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them. We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error."

This beginning of chapter 4 has a lot of parallels with chapter 2 verses 15-23. It could be useful to break down this section of this chapter into four seperate parts. The first thing to consider is that the apostle gives a warning to the faithful that he has given before in chapter 2, warning them of "many false prophets" that "have gone out into the world," in order to preach a false gospel and serve their own errors (v.1b, 3b) Secondly he prescribes how they are to beware, by "test[ing] the spirits" in order to make a distinction between a spirit of truth and a spirit of error (v.1a, 5). Next, John gives an example and points out a particular error, those who do "not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh..." (v. 2-3, 5). Lastly, I will conclude with the last three verses.

Let's consider them closer:

1. The Warning

"...many false prophets have gone out into the world..." It is well known that Satan attempts to pollute and pervert the gospel of Christ, and as I've mentioned before he will do what he can to distract the church and attempt to lead people astray, even the elect (Matthew 24:24), through the use of false prophets. John has now given two warnings about this thus far in this epistle, knowing full well that the problem that plagued the church, even at that time, would continue to plague the church. As he says a few verses later, "this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world." Giving all of those who preach the false gospel, the title of "Antichrist," because they teach something against Christ. Even if it is a half gospel it is a false gospel altogether. So then John admonishes the church to be aware and to know the difference between a spirit of truth and a spirit of error. Discussed in the next part...

2. The Counsel

"Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God." The first thing to consider from this verse is the first part, namely, "Do no believe every spirit..." As a believer we should not be so quick as to accept any doctrine carelessly or thoughtlessly, without any discrimination.
So then we are to "test the spirits, whether they are of God." (spirits being the prophets) How do you "test the spirits" though? John Calvin answers in his commentary:

"They who answer, that the word of God is the rule by which everything that men bring forward ought to be tried, say something, but not the whole. I grant that doctrines ought to be tested by God's word; but except the Spirit of wisdom be present, to have God's word in our hands will avail little or nothing, for its meaning will not appear to us; as, for instance, gold is tried by fire or touchstone, but it can only be done by those who understand the art; for neither the touchstone nor the fire can be of any use to the unskilful. that we may then be fit judges, we must necessarily be endowed with and directed by the Spirit of discernment." (John Calvin, commentaries of 1 John, pg.230)

And so with every preacher or church this rule should be applied that the Word of God is the determinant on all matters when used with the Spirit's discernment and wisdom.

3. The Example

Next John gives an example of a distinction between the spirit of truth and the spirit of error, and that is, "Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that does not...is not of God." John gives an example of Christ coming in the flesh. Christ being where every false prophet or heretic stumbles. John uses the word "come" as in Jesus is eternal and was with the Father even before creation, "in the flesh," in that He took on flesh and becoame a real man, the same nature as us, but without sin or corruption. And of course we must understand why it is that Christ came in the flesh and who He is, because the life, sacrifice, death, and ressurection of Jesus and His office depends on that. Those who are of the false spirit get this wrong.

4. Concluding Remarks

And knowing all of this, John says, "You are of God...and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world." He gives all believer a very hopeful promise, that all believers might boldly resist false prophets. He tells them that they are already conquerors over those antichrists that are in the world, because Jesus has overcome the world (John 16:33), and the victory has been won.

"They are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them" (John 15:19, 17:14). Many today have made it quite obvious that they are preaching a false gospel because they wish to please the world, many seeker-sensitive mega-churches fit this description frighteningly well.

"We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not...By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error." Most likely referring to John and the rest of the apostles preaching the Word. Though this could be to those who faithfully preach the true gospel of Christ.

And thus the two spirits are to be distinguished, the spirit of truth which leads to eternal life, and the spirit of error which leads to destruction, and so I say with all sincerity..."Test the spirits!"

1 John 3:16-24 (Love?)

Chapter 3

Verses 16-24:

"By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?
My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him. For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment. Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us."

The last blog was verses 10-15, which was the love of the brethren. Now though, John shows us what true love is, by giving the perfect example of Jesus (John 10:11). This is the mark to which John wishes for all Christians to strive for, though unattainable for us to show this kind of love that Chrsit did, we are to follow the example. And so he says, "we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren." In John's gospel Jesus says, "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends"(John 15:13).

But our love for one another may not always require us to make such a costly sacrifice, "But whoever has this world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?"(v.17). What is required is decision and action as well. As he says in verse 18, "let us not love in word or in tounge, but in deed and in truth." This as well is true for a Christian who professes love for God, but does that "Christian" show it in deed and in truth?

Continuing in verse 19, "by this," meaning by the love of the brethren that he has been speaking of "we know that we are of the truth..." Though keep in mind this is not the foundation on which our salvation rests, it is not as sure as the adoption which is sealed on our hearts by the Spirit (Romans 8:16). The apostle further explains: "by this" we also "assure our hearts before Him." A genuine assurance before God we cannot have unless His Spirit produces in us the fruit of love towards our brothers and sisters.

Verse 20, "If our heart codemns us..." Those who profess Christianity do it in vain if they do not have the testimony of a good conscience, and if their "heart codemns" them when love of the brethren is brought to their attention. "God is greater than our heart, and knows all things," (Speaking of judgment) how much more will God, who searches deeper and more severely, codemn those whose "heart codemns" them (1 Cor. 4:4-5, Proverb 16:2).

On the other hand, "if our heart does not codemn us, we have confidence toward God." As we know that no heart will be pure before God, but if we bring before Him a testimony of a heart conscious of what is right and honest, "we have confidence toward God" (Eph 3:12).

In verse 22, "whatever we ask we receive from Him..." Now there are of course some out there that will use this verse and others (John 14:13-14) to say, "pray for anything and you'll get whatever your [fleshly] heart desires." Do note though that it says later in this same epistle, "Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us" (1 John 5:14-15 emphasis added). Also to finish off the rest of the verse it continues to say, "because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight." This is for those who rightly worship and fear the Lord that will be heard in their prayers, the prayers of the ungodly and reprobate are not heard by God.

Then John gives what the commandment is, "that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment."

And lastly verse 24, is a reoccuring theme throughout (1 John 2:3-6), for the sake of not making this blog much longer, I will leave you to either check out my blog on that or get a good commentary on it.

1 John 3:10-15 (Love of the Brethren)

Chapter 3

Verses 10-15:

"In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother. For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another, not as Cain who was of the wicked one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his works were evil and his brother’s righteous. Do not marvel, my brethren, if the world hates you. We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death. Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him."

In verse 10 it uses this word "manifest", to be evident or known. So drawing from the previous verses, verses 7-9 John draws the conclusion that "in this" or "by this" the "children of God and the children of the devil are made [evident and known]." Then the apostle repeats what he has basically been making very clear throughout the epistle, that, "whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God." Thus making it very clear that righteousness and walking in His commandments as far as human weakness is able, is clear evidence of our divine adoption.

Then adding to this, John says, "nor is he who does not love his brother." Not that this is some new thing that has just come up as he says it, but it "is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another." Jesus says...

John 13:34-35:
"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."

John 15:12-13:
"This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends."

Which sounds alot like John in this epistle when he talks about laying down your life for the brethren (v.16).

This was nothing new, Christians have known this from the beginning, the whole law is based on the love of God and the love of your neighbor (Matthew 22:37-39, Luke 10:27). But I will speak of the outworkings of love and what love for the brethren is in the next blog, Lordwilling.

Verse 12, "not as Cain who was of the wicked one..." The reprobate, or unbelievers, are children of the devil (Ephesians 2:2-3), as Cain was, and hatred reigns supreme in their heart. John gives this example to further his point in the next line "Do not marvel, my brethren, if the world hates you." John says Cain's "works were evil," the same as "the world," and that his brother's (Abel's) were "righteous," or that he was a child of God. Thus, Cain hated Abel = The reprobate hate the children of God.

Verse 14, "We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death." The love of the brethren or the people of God is one clear sign that you are an adopted child of God and vice versa.

John then says something that could be shocking to many, "Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him." John is not saying anything that hasn't already been said (Matthew 5:21-22). Hatred of the brethren is linked to murder.

"Envy, malice, ill-will and bitterness
of spirit are the very reverse of the
real essence of Christianity.

Love is the sum and temper
and spirit of Christianity.

An envious Christian, a malicious
Christian, a cold and hard-hearted
Christian, is the greatest absurdity
and contradiction."

-Jonathan Edwards-

1 John 3:4-9 (Anti-Antinomianism)

Chapter 3

Verses 4-9:

"Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin. Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him. Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God."

"Antinomianism means to be 'opposed to law.' These views deny that God's law in scripture should directly control the Christian's life...A 'spiritual' antinomianism puts such trust in the Holy Spirit's inward prompting as to deny any need to be taught by the law how to live. Freedom from the law as a way of salvation is assumed to bring with it freedom from the law as a guide to conduct...Another kind of antinomianism begins from the point that God does not see the sin in believers, because they are in Christ, who kept the law for them. From this they draw the false conclusion that their behavior makes no difference, provided they keep on believing." (Reformation Study Bible, cf. 3:7)

Seems contradictory to what 1 John has been saying so far, but for the sake of correct doctrine and truth, I think it's very important that I acknowledge this subject. Especially in light of how it is a growing idea in a lot of churches and amongst many dispensationalists.

From the passage above from verses 4-9 we see the word "lawlessness" as opposed to "righteousness" throughout. The inference here is that the perverse life of those who wish to indulge in their own pleasures and sin, are hateful to God, and are not born of Him, because this is contrary to God's law. To "commit sin" in this sense is not to say that the believer is pure and perfect, this would be to fall into the opposite ditch of the one I am attempting to refute, but it is in this case one who persistently sins (John 8:34), one who is a slave to sin (Romans 6:17). The believer on the other hand desires to obey God's law, and abhor their own sins. "Whoever abides in Him does not sin."

In verse 7 it continues to make the point pretty obvious, "He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is rightoues." Then continuing to verse 8, "He who sins is of the devil...". As John Calvin very wisely puts it on verse 6 (but I believe it works well for 6 and 7):

"He, therefore, immediately draws this inference that they sin not who remain in Christ. For if [Christ] dwells in us by faith, he performs His own work, that is, he cleanses us from sins...not perfectly renewing us at once, or in an instant, but He continues our renovation throughout life...In the meantime [believers] are designated according to the prevailing principle, that is, they are said to be righteous and to live righteously, because they sincerly aspire to righteousness." (Calvin Commentaries on 1 John, pg. 209)

Verse 8 tells us that "he who sins", including those who believe that they can be saved and live lawlessly, "is of the devil, for the devil has sinned (practiced 'lawlessness') from the beginning...".

For further defense we only have to look back a couple verses (1 John 1:6, 2:3-5, 3:4-9). Where when we look closely at the verses it is abundantly clear that those who live lawlessly and who shun obedience and the Lordship of Christ are deceivers and false teachers. In the past I have attempted to look around using harsh words to describe those who teach it and to continue to count them as brothers, but the more and more I read over the Bible and especially 1 John I can not but describe them in that way, such as John does.

I do pray that those who teach it would repent of their error and submit to Jesus as their lord and their savior.

For more on antinomianism, check out my roommate's blog:
http://jmounts.blogspot.com/2007/01/defense-against-antinomianism.html

1 John 3:1-3 (Children of God)

Chapter 3

Verses 1-3:

"Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure."

Verse 1 the use of the word "behold" is significant in the fact that throughout scripture when this word is used it signifies an importance, and it is followed with a great truth or something that must be known. "What manner of love the Father has bestowed on us..." later in this epistle that love is shown in these words:

1 John 4:9-10:
"In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins."

While we deserved the hatred of God, He showed us love. The importance of this doctrine is the furthering the truth that we are not justified by our works, but by the "love the Father has bestowed on us."

"That we should be called the children of God!" We are made the children of God by His grace alone. See note on verse 2 for more reference to this.

"Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him." As Jesus says in John 15:18: "If the world hates you, you know that it hate Me before it hated you." The point is to the world may not look at us as the sons of God, and we may be opressed by the world, still our salvation remains safe and secure.

Verse 2 "Beloved, now we are the children of God..." Adoption is what occurs after our justification, we are then deemed the children of God, John 1:12 says this: "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name." Meaning this Romans 8:16-17, "The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together." So then we become "joint heirs with Christ" in the Kingdom of Heaven.

"It has not yet been revealed what we shall be..." not knowing the whole fruit of our adoption yet, for it is in heaven we will be heirs but while we are on earth we cannot imagine heaven. For the rest of the verse I want to refer to Colossians 3:3-4, " For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory." And so our call is to wait patiently for the return of Christ and for all things to be revealed to us.

"We shall be like Him..." Is not to say that we will in any way be equal to Him, but we will be conformed to His image, He will make our sinful body to be comformed to His glorious body

Philippians 3:21:
"Who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself."

Verse 3, "This hope..." The promise of His appearing fills believers, not with apprehension, but with confidence.

1 John 4:17:
"Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world."

1 Thessalonians 5:2,4:
"For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night...But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief."

So the believer has no fear of the return of Christ like the wicked do (and don't know it yet), but we await that day patiently.

1 John 2:24-29 (Let Truth Abide in You)

Chapter 2

Verses 24-29:

"Therefore let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father. And this is the promise that He has promised us—eternal life. These things I have written to you concerning those who try to deceive you. But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him. And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming. If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him."

In verse 24 John begins by telling them if what they have "heard from the beginning," the true gospel of Christ, continues to "abide" in them then they "also will abide in the Son and in the Father." John points out to them the fruit they would receive from obedience.

Verse 25, and if we "abide in the Son and in the Father," then what follows is the promise that many professors seem to forget, "This is the promise that He has promised us—eternal life." As though this life now were of better value than of the one to come. It almost seems as though glorification and eternal life are lost subjects to some, to many it is the pursuit of cars, clothes, popularity and selfish gains, rather than a pursuit of Christ and the life to come to fellowship eternally with Him.

In verse 26, I like what John Calvin writes on a part of this in his commentary:

"When we hear that he wrote concerning seducers, we ought always to bear in mind, that it is the duty of a good and diligent pastor not only to gather a flock, but also to drive away wolves: for what will it avail to proclaim the pure gospel, if we connive at the impostures of Satan? No one, then, can faithfully teach the Church, except he is diligent in banishing errors whenever he finds them spread by seducers." (Commentary on 1 John, pg. 199)

Verse 27, "you do not need that anyone teach you." Of course like many scripture passage when completely taken on its own, this one liner right here could have many/ and did have many false prophets saying that there is no need to minister to anyone. But in context of the Bible it is that believers have an illumination from God through the ministry of the Holy Spirit. "It is no contradiction that we should listen receptively to other believers, especially when they admonish and instruct us. The also have the Spirit..." (Reformation Study Bible v.27). So then believers here are not being taught something that they didn't already know, because in order for them to be believers they had to have come to a knowledge of the truth. It is a call to an examination of the Spirit, who is the only correcteor and approver of doctrine, "...the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie..."

Verse 28, is almost self-explanatory, if we "abide in Him," by continuing to trust in the gospel message, then those who do "abide in Him," will have no fear of codemnation when Christ comes at the end of the age, and will "have confidence and not be ashamed before Him."

Then the last verse of chapter 2, verse 29, "If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practice righteousness is born of Him." Once again the apostle links faith to obedience, they are inseperable, in that faith will bring about obedience to the Christ that you say you love and cherish. And so to conclude the chapter, it brings us back to the point of the beginning of the chapter, verses 3-4, "Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, 'I know Him,' and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him."

1 John 2:18-23 (Antichrists)

Chapter 2

Verses 18-23:

"Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us. But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things. I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and that no lie is of the truth. Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son. Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either; he who acknowledges the Son has the Father also."

Once again similar to verses 12-14 when John refers to "little children" he is not referring to actual little children in the church, but to the whole church (just figured I'd get the obvious out of the way).

"It is the last hour" This last hour is not specified as to an amount of time, no matter how long this hour extends to it is the time between Christ's 1st and 2nd coming. So then John is not writing to them because they were living in the last days (though they could have been), at least knowing what we do in this day Christ obviously didn't come again in their life time. But John did intend that Christ's coming was imminent, there was chance of it happening at any moment. John's warning here is that in this "last hour" Satan would be attempting to cause confusion with "antichrists", and to not be distracted by this and to always be looking attentively for Christ in the case He should come upon them(us) suddenly.

"...the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come..." This is seen by many as many "antichrists" throughout history followed by a final "Antichrist". Though it would be better to assume that John was already referring to the "Antichrist" of that time and of the times to come (cf. vv.22 and 4:3). 1 John 4:3 states, " and every spirit that does not confess thatJesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world." So then,"Antichrist" may be more of a title or a name and better understood as anyone who fits these descriptions.

In any case it is a clear warning from all of the apostles that there will indeed be "antichrists" in the last hour, and so there is no room for ignorance for any who go astray and follow these "antichrists" and their teachings.

Verse 19, "They went out from us, but they were not of us." Visible membership in the Church doesn't guarantee salvation. False teachers and converts reveal their hostility towards the gospel not just by leaving the church, but by how they leave. Because they go out to oppose the gospel and to teach a false one. "They went out from" the Church because they were never of the Church, so then these that go out are not believers to begin with.

From verse 20 to 21, the apostle explains to them that "you have an anointing" so that these believers may not think that John was speaking of them, but to instruct them of the way to discipline thier church and reprove. They are "anointed" by Christ for this duty to be on watch for false christs.

Verse 22, "who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ?" This is the "antichrist", and this is not just someone just outright says it but someone who leaves out certain details, such as Christ being fully God and fully man. Those who deny His offices of Prophet, Priest and Prince.

Verse 23 makes it abundantly clear that those who "deny the Son does not have the Father either," and so the Jew and the Muslim and others all worship a god but it is in vain apart from the knowledge of Jesus the Christ Son of God. As Jesus says himself in John 14:6 states, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."

And with that I'll leave you with a good quote by a good man,

"As the light of the sun comes to us by its rays, so the knowledge of God has been communicated through Christ." -John Calvin-