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Whoever keeps his
commandments abides in God, and God in him. And by this we know that he abides
in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us.
THE STUDY:
In
this verse John introduces the third person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit.
How does God dwell in the heart of the believer? Through the work and testimony
of the Holy Spirit. No believer can ever say that he does not know whether God
lives within him. The Spirit of God testifies in the heart of the Christian and
gives him this knowledge and assurance.[1]
The crowning evidence of this
mutuality of life is that God gives the Spirit. Obeying God’s commands
and doing what pleases him (v 22) demonstrates faith in God’s Son,
Jesus Christ (v 23). God demands that we love one another (v 23).
Our obedience to this and, indeed, all God’s commands means we live in him
(v 24). The Spirit he gave us (v 24) bears witness to the intimacy of
this relationship. It is this Spirit of faith and love who enables us to
believe and to love, thus enabling us to know that God lives in us. So God
(Father), Jesus Christ (Son), and the Holy Spirit all are affirmed
together in this portion.[2]
WHAT WE CAN WALK
AWAY WITH ….
- We walk away this morning with the understanding that we can rest assure that the love that pours from us bears witness to the one who dwells inside us. Our actions, attitude, and words will demonstrate what and who dwells inside our hearts.
CONCLUSION:
One
summer a man spent some time at Mount Robson, British Columbia, where he camped
and lived with fellow mountaineers of the Alpine Club of Canada. On a rainy day
a group of them were drinking tea in a tent, when a discussion arose about
religion. A young scientist turned to the man with a patronizing air and said,
“But you don’t really believe, do you, that Jesus is the Son of God?” he said.
“How do you know it is true?” The man simply did what any other
convinced man would have done: He looked him straight in the eye and said: “How
do I know that Jesus is the Son of God? I know it, because I know Him personally.”
For at least a half-minute their eyes locked. Then he turned away. The argument
was over.
I pray this
morning you understand that if you have: asked, believe, and have confessed,
You then have the fullness of the Holy Spirit. Not a portion of Him but ALL.
Why? Because you know Him personally!
Blessings my friends
Pastor Rod
[1]
Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953-2001). Vol. 14: New Testament
commentary : Exposition of James and the Epistles of John. New Testament
Commentary (319). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.
[2]
Williamson, R. (2010). 1, 2, & 3
John: A Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition. New Beacon Bible Commentary
(129–130). Kansas City, MO: Beacon Hill Press.
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