Page 72 - General Epistles (James through Jude) Textbook

known it from the outset of their Christian life (cf. 2:24; 3:11 and 2 John 6 for this meaning of since the
beginning).
153

How can one know that the commandment John is discussing is brotherly love? 1 John 2:9 confirms that.
If one claims that he is in the light (belonging to God or is in fellowship with God the Father and God the
Son) but hates his/her brother, he is still in darkness (does not belong to God the Father or he/she is not
in the fellowship with God the Father and God the Son).

The fourth confirmation that one is in the fellowship with God the Father and God the Son is the
continued expression of brotherly love (vv10-11). Anyone who continues to love their brother and sister
belongs to God, that is he/she is in fellowship with God the Father and God the Son. As a result, that
person cannot stumble. He/she cannot fall into sin. But anyone who continues to hate a brother or sister
does not belong to God, that is, he/she is not in fellowship with God the Father and God the Son. Just
like that house full of darkness where you cannot know where you are going, so is that person who is
not in the fellowship with God the Father and God the Son. He/she is blinded. Are you loving
(continuously) your brothers and sisters in God’s family? Are you continuing to love your biological
brother and sister? If you do not do so, why? Are you continuously hating your brothers and sisters in
God’s family? Are you continuing to hate your biological brothers and sisters in Christ? If so, why?

Assurances to Different Groups among John’s Audience that they are in the Fellowship with
God the Father and God the Son (vv12-14).
He wrote to his dear children to confirm that their sins were forgiven. How did he know that? Well, John
had already appealed to the bestowal of God’s faithfulness and justice to those who honestly
acknowledge that they are sinners (or have sinned). To those (including his audience), God promises
them that He would forgive them. Therefore, his audiences’ sins were forgiven on that basis. He wrote
to fathers. Possibly, these were those who were advance in years than John himself. He wrote to them
because they had known Jesus Christ who is from the beginning. To young men, John assured them that
they overcame the evil one. The “evil one” is possibly referring to the devil based on 1 John. They
overcame him through their resistance against false teaching brought by the secessionists (see 1 John
2:18-19). Not only were the sins of dear children forgiven, but they know God the Father. Therefore,
they are in fellowship with God the Father and God the Son. Not only did young men overcome the evil
one, but they were strong and God’s Word lived in them. As a result, they overcame the evil one. What
assurance do you have that shows that you are in the fellowship with God the Father and God the Son?
What is the source of those assurances?

Safety Measures for the Preservation of the Fellowship with God the Father and God the Son
(1 John 2:15-28).
The first measure John addressed to his dear children (or dear friends) was that they needed to shun
away from loving the world (vv16-17). He does not mean that they needed to abstain from the use of
materials in the world. If that was the case, they would be required to cease existing in this world. I think
John wanted his dear children to shun away from attitudes and values (or anything) that would stand
opposed to God Himself who is the foundation of fellowship. Those attitudes and values include the lust
of the flesh, the lust of eyes, and the pride of life. If they needed to live forever, they needed to shun
away from those attitudes and values because those would pass away when time is ripe.

The second safety measure for the preservation of the fellowship with God the Father and God the Son
is remaining in the faith (vv18-19). John warns them that this is the last hour. How does he know that?

71