Click or tap book name
Use <control> drag to
scroll
Bible Notes - Tabernacle Commentaries
About
Links
Home
"
Navigator
1 John 3:24
Comments
John provides us with a strong motivation for obedience. The believer does not resent God’s commandments but gladly submits to them and recognises his right to command. By obeying he takes his proper place before God and the result will be that he enters into the closest possible relationship that he can have with his heavenly Father. Obedience is not irksome to him, for he no longer obeys as a slave but as a willing son. As a result he dwells in God and God is happy to dwell in him.The evidence that he dwells in us as well as the way in which he dwells in us is by his Spirit, given to us at the new birth. But how does the Spirit show his presence in our hearts? Not by a great strong wind, nor by earthquake, nor by fire, but by a still small voice. The Spirit does not take over our thought processes or our personality, but works gently alongside us, persuading us of the truth of the incarnation, and of the grace of God revealed in the gospel. Before John can go further with his teaching about love, he must deal with the subject raised by this last statement: the discernment of spirits.
Application
Answers are in response to prayer; prayers require confidence before God; confidence is dependent on sincere love; love and faith are commandments, and the keeping of commands ensures we abide in God and he in us. John goes on linking one practical truth after another, teaching us the close relation between these practical elements of the Christian life and what beautiful harmony these doctrines of Scripture have with each other.
Questions
Outline
Purpose
Introduction