I John 4:13
13 By this we know that we abide in Him and He in us,
namely, that He has given us of His Spirit.
Introduction
Our text this morning continues our study of John’s first Epistle
Now remember, the Apostle John is writing to a group of churches under his care in order to counter the threat of false teachers who are troubling his flock.
As such, John opened this current section of his letter by reminding us that a large part of what is needed to abide in and faithfully follow Christ is an ever vigilant testing and scrutiny of all spiritual claims.
Notice then, John has given us the two definitive marks by which we can distinguish with certainty that which is from God and that which is not. John says that any teaching which says the same thing about Jesus as God does is from God. In turn, that which loves God and the things that God loves is from God.
In our text, this morning John turns the scrutiny of this two-fold test from the unbelieving world to believers themselves. That is, John turns to show us the advantage (the assurance and protection) this same test provides those who are genuinely from God.
Verse 13
Notice at once John opens verse 13 by saying “by this we know” That is. John begins by pointing to something concrete by which believers can know with certainty something vitally important for their walk with God. Notice then what John says this concrete reality allows us to know with certainty. John says by this we know that we abide in Him and He in us. That is, John points to something concrete that assures believers that they are walking with God in the manner that is pleasing to God. Not only that this same concrete reality also assures believers that God is with them and in them. Why? Of course it is always nice to be reminded that you are walking with God and that God is with you. However, the question here is, what specifically does this assurance have to do with John’s conversation about testing every spiritual claim. Remember, the false teachers who are troubling John’s flock claim to have the true and accurate understanding of God. Not only that, they also claim to have the true pathway by which a person might one day, in the end, reach and please God. Therefore, John opens verse 13 by pointing to a concrete indicator by which we can know for certain that God already dwells in us and that we are waking in the manner that God Himself has directed us to walk. Simply put, John opens verse 13 by pointing to a concrete reality that completely and utterly negates the speculations and claims of the world’s false teachers.
Next, notice the concrete reality to which John points and by which the believer is assured: John says that we know with certainty that we abide in (are walking with God) and that God abides in us because God has given us of His Spirit. Importance: over and again throughout this Epistle, John has told us that the gift of the Holy Spirit assures the believer of God’s abiding favor and presence (3:24). However, please note: John is not simply repeating the same idea here in verse 13. Instead, John is applying the already familiar notion, showing it to us from a different angel. Notice then John does not simply say (as he has before) that God has given us His Spirit. Instead, what John actually says here is that God has given us of His Spirit.
Importance: remember when God seals the believer it is with the fullness of His Spirit. That is, God does not portion out His Spirit among believers nor does He give the Spirit by degrees. Instead, every believer is given the fullness of God’s Spirit, salvation, and commitment. However, here in verse 13 John inserts a partitive preposition (“of”) FN#1. In other words, John says we have been given a part of the Spirit. Notice the result: it is clear that John is not talking about the fullness of the Spirit’s indwelling presence, His irrevocable sealing of believers, or His ongoing guidance. Instead, John is pointing to a concrete, objective and identifiable fruit/result of the Spirit’s indwelling presence.
Simply put: John says that those who truly belong to God (who have been sealed by His Holy Spirit) have been given a share of or a part in the Spirit’s work. Not only that, John tells us in this very epistle that witness and vertical love are central to the Holy Spirit’s work FN#2. Think about it: it is the Spirit who has breathed out God’s Word thus preserving God’s witness/testimony about His own Son. Not only that, it is the Spirit who directs and empowers the believer’s witness. In turn, it is the Spirit who applies the salvation accomplished by God’s love and manifests God’s presence with/in us. Notice then it is no surprise that the Spirit’s work of witness and love are also the two key marks by which those who are truly from God are identified. Why? Faith in Christ and vertical love are what the Spirit works in every believer. Notice the result: as grace changes us, our lives, efforts, and actions reflect more and more the work that the Spirit is doing in us. In turn, as we begin to pursue more and more with our lives (outwardly, towards others) the very things that the Spirit pursues, we are actually taking part in the very work that the Spirit Himself is doing (His witness, His nurture, and His love) FN#3. Not only that, over and again Scripture assures us that the Holy Spirit fills, equips, and directs our ministries. In other words, the faithfulness of God’s people is one of the chief means/ways that the Holy Spirit accomplishes His work FN#4.
Notice then John’s point: it is this direct agreement with and share in the Holy Spirit’s work (along with His blessing, empowering, and use of our endeavors) by which the believer knows for certain that he is walking in a manner that is pleasing to God and that God’s presence, salvation, and grace abide in him. Simply put, God has saved us, changed us, and has given us the blessing of making us fellow laborers in His work FN#5.
Bottom Line: verse 13 reminds us that our share in the very work that the Spirit is doing (His witness and love) provides the certain assurance that we are walking with God and that God abides in us. However, notice the point: notice how verse 13 contributes to the conversation about testing every spiritual claim: the assurance of sharing in the Spirit’s work fortifies us against the claims and critiques of the world’s false teachers. Thus, when we reflect more and more (inside and out) the very love and witness that the Spirit is pursuing, we have no need for and are less susceptible to the supplements, practices, or speculations that the world’s empty spirituality offers. Instead, we know with certainty that God is already present in us and that we are already walking in the manner that is pleasing to God.
Footnotes
1] A partitive preposition denotes something that is a part of a greater whole. We use partitive prepositions the exact same way in English. For example, when someone says, “I took a bite of the sandwich” or “I had a piece of the cake” they are indicating that they did not eat the whole thing. Instead, they simply had a part of the whole.
2] Notice then I John 5:7-8 expressly tell us that a large part of the Spirit’s roll in the work of the Godhead is to witness to Christ. In turn, the love and new life that has been manifested in us (4:9) is the work of the Spirit who applies God’s love and grace to us.
3] Notice then, this follows exactly with what John has been telling us throughout this section of His letter (4:9-12). Think about it, over and again in this section John has told us that the salvation manifested in us is to be manifested through us and by us to the world (v 9). That is, our faith in Christ and our vertical love are to be shared with and offered to others who don’t know/see God (v 12).
4] Notice this is not a new concept nor is it one that is unique to John. Instead, over and again Scripture tells us this very thing (II Cor 1:3-4; Eph 4:11-12). Not only that, we have seen countless times in our own life the way that God has comforted, corrected, and encouraged our walk through the Spirit filled ministry of those He has placed around us.
5] Notice at once what has just happened: John has taken the two marks by which we are to test the spiritual allegiance of all we encounter and he has turned them in on the Church. John says that when we find these two central marks at work in our own lives (inside and out; what we believe and do) we have the certain assurance that we are walking with God and that God’s presence and grace abide in us.