I John 4:14-16
13 By this we know that we abide in Him and He in us, namely, that He has given us of His Spirit.
14 And we have beheld and bear witness that the Father has sent the Son as the Savior of the world.
15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.
16 And we have come to know and believe the love which God has for us.
God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.
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 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 (faithful witness). In turn, that which loves God and the things that God loves is from God (vertical love).
However last week, John showed us that these same two marks by which spiritual allegiance is identified are also the two central components of the Spirit’s work. Not only that, John also told us that God has given us a direct share in this twofold work of the Spirit.
In our text this morning John turns to show us the concrete ways we share in the Spirit’s work (that/how). Not only that, John also shows us the immense assurance and protection that sharing in the Spirit’s work provides you right now today.
Verse 14
Notice at once, the first way that the believer shares in the Spirit’s work: John says that we have beheld/seen the fact that the Father has sent the Son to save the world. However, there is a problem: it is clear from this epistle that most if not all of John’s readers were not eyewitnesses to Christ’s earthly ministry (1:3). Likewise, it is also clear that the “we” in verse 14 refers to all of John’s readers and not just to John and the other Apostles. Notice then throughout this passage (vs 11-14) “we” clearly refers to believers in general. Therefore, the question remains in what manner have John’s readers (both then and now) beheld (seen for themselves) the validity of Christ’s ministry. Notice the context: remember in verse 13 John just told us that we have been given a share in the Spirit’s work of witness and love. Notice then the very first way that we share in the Spirit’s work is that we have been given the Spirit’s witness. That is, we have been given the Spirit’s testimony about Christ’s earthly ministry in the Spirit’s Word. Not only that, we have come to see/behold/believe the truth of the Spirit’s witness. Finally, we have seen/beheld firsthand the healing and renewal that salvation has brought about both in self and others. Simply put, we share in the Spirit’s work/witness because we have received the Spirit’s witness.
Next, notice John says that we have not only beheld but we also bear witness to the fact that the Father has sent the Son as the savior of the world. In other words, we proclaim the very thing that we have received. Notice then the believer bears witness to Christ saying the same thing about Jesus as the Spirit does (which is the first mark of those who are truly from God). Not only that, the believer bears witness to Christ (makes grace and salvation visible- v11) through the love and changed life that true salvation brings. Notice the result: both inside and out the believer shares in the Spirit’s work of witness. That is, sharing in the Spirit’s work involves both a direct reception of and an active participation in that work.
Verse 15
Next, notice John repeats/reinforces the first mark by which spiritual allegiance is known with certainty. Importance: remember repetition indicates emphasis. In other words, these two marks are vital and John wants to make sure that they and their significance are clear to you. Notice then, John says that whoever confesses (that that is, whoever says the same thing about Jesus as God does) is from God FN#1. However, please note: John not only reminds his reader of what the first mark is, he also reminds us of its value/use. Importance: remember the whole point of this section is to underscore the clarity and assurance that sharing in the Spirit’s work provides. Notice then, John says that whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in Him and he in God. In other words, to share in the Spirit’s witness, to receive, believe, and proclaim the same thing about Jesus as the Spirit does provides both disclosure and protective assurance. That is, this first mark identifies/discloses those who are truly from God (those in whom God actually abides). Not only that, this first mark also provides the believer with much needed protective assurance. As such, the believer does not need the world’s religious speculations or its prescribed manner for one day reaching God. Instead, the one true living God Himself already dwells in and with the believer.
Verse 16
Next, notice the second way that we share in the Spirit’s work: John says that we have come to know the love that God has for us. However, please note this is more than merely a cognitive understanding. Instead, once again John begins our share in the Spirit’s work with our direct reception of that work. Thus, the believer has directly received (knows firsthand) the love that God has for us. That is, the Spirit has applied to us the salvation that God’s love accomplished for us. In turn, the believer has experienced firsthand the ongoing love, nurture, and care that the Spirit provides God’s children. Simply put, the believer shares in the Spirit’s work of love and nurture because the believer has directly received these from the Spirit. However, that is not all. John also says that we have believed the love that God has for us. However, please note: the belief that John has in mind here is far more than merely a static consent to certain facts. Instead, the belief that John has in mind is an active belief. That is, it is a belief that guides our life and actions. Notice then having received the blessing and renewal of God’s love, the believer believes their source, nature, and preferability. As such, the believer seeks to reflect and pursue this very vertical love with others. Notice the result: Just as with the Spirit’s witness, the believer receives and then actively takes part in the Spirit’s love.
Next, notice for the remainder of verse 16 John repeats the second mark (vertical love) along with its value to believers. Notice then, John says God is love. That is, everything that God does, every command that God gives is an expression of the fullness of His love. Notice the result: John says that everyone who abides in love abides in God. That is, everyone who seeks to walk according to or in keeping with God’s love, abides in God. Why? Everything that God does is an expression of His love. Thus, when we love, we are seeking the very things for others that God seeks. Notice then the discernment and assurance this second mark provides. First, the second mark identifies the spiritual allegiance of all we encounter. Thus, those who love God and the things of God are from God. However, at the same time, sharing in the Spirit’s work by doing the very sort of things that the Spirit is doing, assures the believer that he is abiding in God (walking in the manner pleasing to God). As such, he is protected from and less susceptible to the critiques and blind spiritual practices offered by the world. Instead, the believer is walking exactly as God Himself has demonstrated and directed him to walk.
Bottom line: John reminds me that faithful witness (both in what we say and how we live) along with vertical love are the two chief components of the Spirit’s work. As such, they are the two key marks/indicators of the Spirit’s working in those who belong to God. Therefore, when I see my life/work reflecting more and more the Spirit’s work, I have the assurance that that God’s presence and grace are mine; and that I am walking in the manner pleasing to God. As such, these assurances both direct my endeavors and fortify me in the face of the world’s false spirituality.
Footnotes
1] Importance: the notion of saying the same thing as God does is at the heart of the very language that John uses here. In other words, it is not a paraphrase; it is the very essence of what John is saying. Notice then, at its root, the Greek word that John uses here for “confess” (ὁμολογέω) is a compound word. It is made up of the combination of ὁμο (homo– the same) and λογέω (to say, speak). As such, at its core, the word means to say the same thing as another. Thus, those who are from God say the same thing about Jesus as God does.