_Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God _ THE USURPER DEPOSED AND THE CONQUEROR VANQUISHED I. The important doctrine here asserted. “Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin.” 1. This doctrine is implied in all... [ Continue Reading ]
_In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother _ TWO CLASSES OF MEN I. Men are divided into two classes, the children of God and the children of the devil. This assumption is very cont... [ Continue Reading ]
_Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother _ THE WORLD’S HATRED OF THE GODLY I. A reference to the example of Cain. 1. His character--“he was of that wicked one.” He inherited his disposition. He was under his influence. He did his will. Had anyone warned Cain of the danger to... [ Continue Reading ]
_Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you _ THE WORLD’S HATRED--GOD’S LOVE The world’s hatred; God’s love; these are what are here contrasted. And yet there is one point at least of partial similarity. The affection, in either case, fastens in the first instance upon objects opposed to itse... [ Continue Reading ]
_We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren _ PASSING FROM DEATH TO LIFE BY LOVE I. What we are to understand by death and life. II. What we are to understand by the privilege of having passed from death to life. 1. This privilege implieth in it a change of co... [ Continue Reading ]
_Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him _ SIN MEASURED BY THE DISPOSITION, NOT BY THE ACT These are harsh words, some will say, and many will deny that they are just. “I hate such a one, it is true, but I would not harm him for the... [ Continue Reading ]
_Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren, _ LOFTY IDEALS PERILOUS UNLESS APPLIED Even the world sees that the Incarnation of Jesus Christ has very practical results. Even the Christmas which the world keeps is f... [ Continue Reading ]
_But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?_ RIGHTEOUSNESS ESSENTIAL TO THE ANSWER OF A GOOD CONSCIENCE IN OURSELVES AND BEFORE GOD The lesson here is sincerity. Beware of self-deception.... [ Continue Reading ]
_And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before wire _ THE CONNECTION BETWEEN FAITH AND THE STATE OF THE HEART I. There is a certain blessing or privilege here spoken of--“then have we confidence toward God.” Confidence, literally fulness of speech, because this is... [ Continue Reading ]
_And whatsoever we ask, we receive of Him, because we keep His commandments _ THE CONDITIONS OF POWER IN PRAYER I. The essentials of power is prayer. We must make a few distinctions at the outset. I take it there is a great difference between the prayer of a soul that is seeking mercy and the praye... [ Continue Reading ]
_And he that keepeth His commandments dwelleth in Him, and He in him._ And hereby we know that He abideth in us, by the Spirit which He hath given us OUR ABIDING IN GOD BY OBEDIENCE 1. In the keeping of God’s commandments there is this great reward, that he that doeth so “dwelleth in God, and God... [ Continue Reading ]