1 John chapter 3 study

I continue in my study of the epistles of the beloved John :

1John Chapter 3 (KVJ)

1Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.2Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.3And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.4Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.5And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.6Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.7Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.8He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.9Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.10In 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.11For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.12Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous.13Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.14We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.15Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.16Hereby 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.17But 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?18My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.19And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.20For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.21Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.22And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.23And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.24And 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.

verses 1-2, the Father loves us so much that He bestowed upon us a manner of love so dear and precious. The purpose of Him bestowing (commit, bring forth, delivering up) was so that we should be called sons of Jehovah. The word bestowed comes from the Greek word "didomi" (Strongs 1325) and means "commit, bring forth,  deliver (up), bestow, make, minister, set, offer.

This manner of love was manifested towards us in Jehovah giving His only begotten Son to die for our sins (John 3:16). Because of this most loving act of the Father, we are sons of Jehovah because we believe that indeed, He gave us His very own Son for our salvation. Those who deny the Sonship of Christ, deny that the Father sacrificed and risked eternal loss in giving His only begotten up for the world. These Sonship deniers cannot be called sons of God because they reject the very thing that was done for them so that they would be adopted into Jehovah's family.

Isn't this good news? We are part of God's family as His sons and daughters. Isn't this better than being adopted by some mysterious Tri theism/Triune Godhead, where there is either no family relationship (tri theism) or there is a mystical family relationship (trinity)?

Brethren, we are truly sons and daughters adopted into a real Godhead Family of Father and Son. John the beloved then says, that while we are awaiting the second advent we don't know what we shall be (meaning how we will look with our glorified bodies). What we can be certain of though, is that when Christ appears we will be like Him having a glorified body. It will be at His second advent that we will see Christ as He really is. In that day, there will be no more false representations of the Son of God on murals, stained glass windows or paintings.

Revelation 1:7 (KJV)

7Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.

The unbelievers will wail when they see the Divine Son of God coming with clouds. He will be coming as a fierce warrior.

Verse 3, those who have the resurrection or translation hope will be purified, even as Christ Jesus is pure. We must be pure like Christ in order to be made like Him at His coming.

Verse 4, sin comes from the Greek word "hamartia" and means to miss the mark. How does one miss the mark? By breaking Jehovah's law. Where there is no law there is no sin (Romans 4:15). All have sinned against the law of Jehovah (Romans 3:23). Jehovah's law is still in effect (Romans 3:31, 7:1).

Verse 5, Christ was manifested for the express purpose of taking away our sins as He has no sin in Him. The word manifested comes from the Greek word "phaneroo" (Strongs 5319) and means "appear, manifestly declare, (make) manifest (forth), shew (self). Christ being manifested somewhat alludes to His pre-existence. He appeared and shew Himself, which could be taken as He already existed being concealed from human view. Let's go to scripture to verify this:

1 Timothy 3:16 (KJV)

16And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

Paul says that Christ as God was manifest in the flesh. His manifestation was in the flesh as a man. His concealed existence (meaning concealed from human view) was a Spirit being who was/is the Son of God and thereby God.

Verse 6, if we abide in the Son of God then we won't sin. This proves that we can overcome sin. Only Christ living in us can keep us from falling. As soon as we choose not to abide in the Son of God we will fall.

Colossians 1:27 (KVJ)

27To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

When we abide in Christ then His words will abide in us (John 15:7). When we meditate on the words of Jesus we will walk in the light, as the word is a lamp unto our feet. When we walk in the light we will not stumble because we are not in darkness.

John 15:5 (KJV)

4Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

Jesus is that vine that we That we need to remain connected to. Not just connected through but actually abide in Him. Jesus says that unless we do abide in Him that we can't bear fruit. We will then just be separated branches with no sap.

The word abide comes from the Greek word "meno" (Strongs 3306) and means "abide, continue, dwell, endure, be present, remain, stand, tarry, thine own".

We need to dwell in the Son of God and continue in Him in order to keep from sinning and to bear fruit. For the Christian, total reliance on the Son of God is a must and it is the only way we can have a victorious life.

The phrase "sinneth not" is in the greek present tense and refers to continuing in sin without repentance. Whoever continues in sin has not seen the glory of Christ nor even known Him. When someone truly knows Christ they are transformed into His image as they behold Him.

2nd Corinthians 3:18 (KJV)

18But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

How do we behold Christ? By abiding in Him through prayer, reading His word, worshipping Him and the Father and obeying their commandments. By doing these things we will be transformed into the Son of God's image. Isn't that what God's purpose is for us?

Romans 8;28-29 (KJV)

28And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.29For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

God predestinated and pre determined and preordained us to be conformed to His Son's image. If we are obedient to God and allow ourselves to conformed to His Son's image then we will have the right to be called brethren of Christ and son's and daughters of God.

Sin is the transgression of the law and by continuing in sin we show that we don't know Christ. Infact by not keeping the law we prove that we do not know God or His Son.

1 John 2:4-6 (KJV)

4He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.5But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.6He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

The simple truth is that if someone doesn't keep the commandments they do not have the truth in them, they do not know God and they are liars. Sin eqauls breaking the law, love eqauls keeping the law. The beloved says that those who abide in Christ should also walk as He walked. Christ kept the commandments. Those who truly believe in Jesus will not continue in sin and they will keep the commandments of God.

Back to 1 John 3, lets go to verse 7. John tells the brethren to watch out for deceivers. What will these deceivers tell the flock? That they can be righteous without doing righteousness. They will tell the flock that works mean nothing in regards to righteousness. They will tell them that they don't need to keep the Father's perfect law. Interestingly, this describes most of Christendom's clergy. In order to be considered righteous, you must do righteousness meaning to live a holy life.

Our example of righteousness is Christ and when we live righteously we become as the Son of God is, which is righteous. In other words, we are transformed into His image.

Verse 8, the flipside of righteousness and keeping the Father's commandments is committing sin. While much of Christendom makes excuses for those in the Churches that live sinful lifestyles and say that they have grace, John the beloved actually says this class of people are of the devil. Wow! You never this preached in the pulpits of Institutional Churchianity. Why? Because many Pastor's have become cowards and people pleasers and don't want to offend anyone. These false shepherds tell their congregants that they can still go to heaven living compromised lifestyles.

These people are of their father the devil as they follow his example of sinning as as the wicked one has sinned from the beginning.

It was for this purpose (the devil's rebellion) that the Son of Jehovah was manifested. Again by using the word manifested, John alludes to Christ pre-existence.

Verse 9, "born of God", a new spiritual beginning caused by God creating a new heart in God's righteous image inclined to do righteousness. This is our born again experience:

John 1:12-13 (KJV)

12But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:13Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

Saving faith is resting upon Christ and receiving Christ for all that He had revealed Himself to be (His name, His Sonship). Jesus gives who receive Him as the Son of God the right and power to be sons and daughters of God. We are literally children of God adopted by the Father and given His image.

When God the Father calls us and we receive His Son, then the Father brings about a new birth experience in us. Salvation does not come from being born of the right human lineage (not of blood), nor of man's will in his fallen condition (will of the flesh), nor of a parents decision (will of man), but of Jehovah's grace alone.

John 3; 1-8 (KJV)

1There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:2The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.3Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.4Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?5Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.6That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.7Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.8The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit

It is impossible for people to be converted unless Jehovah works a miracle in their souls. The renewing power of the Spirit is needed for one to enter the Kingdom of Jehovah God. This happens during the born again experience in which water baptism is included. Salvation requires a supernatural work of the Holy Spirit who produces the image of God and Christ in sinners by the new birth (Romans 8:29, 1 John 2:29, 1 John 3:9, 1 John 4:7, 1 John 5:1,4,18).

Verse 10 of 1 John 3.Manifest meaning clearly seen. How do we know whether someone is of God or of the devil? It's very simple, the one who lives righteously is born of God and the one who doesn't live righteously is the seed of the serpent. Not everyone is a child of God. This may be tough to hear but the bible speaks plainly on this matter.

Ephesians 2:1-3 (KJV)

1And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;2Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:3Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

Before we were born again into the Kingdom of God and thereby adopted as His children, we were children of disobedience and wrath. Hence, today's unbelievers are not children of God although they are made by God, but rather they are children of disobedience and wrath and subjects of the prince of this world. All people outside Christ are ruled by satan.

Back to verse 10, if we dont love our brother then we are not of God and are of the devil. What a convicting statement! May we all be mindful of this. This is in reference to those of the Christian brotherhood.

Verse 11, again John reiterates the ancient law of love which comes from the Torah (Leviticus 19:18).

Verse 12, many times the root of hatred is found in jealousy. Cain was envious of Abel's favor with Jehovah. However, this favor was found on Abel not because Jehovah is a respector of persons but because Abel's works were righteous. Cain is not to be our example of how we are to treat our brethren in the faith. When we hate our own fellow Christians, we have the spirit of Cain. Our example of love is the Son of God, and following His example in how he loved when He was here on earth.

Verse 13, we are not to be surprised when the world hates us. In today's mainstream Christian Church, the pulpit preachers teach the opposite. They say that if we are a true Christ like Christian, then we will be loved by unbelievers. That's what is being taught in today's pulpits, is that being loved by the world is one of the evidences of being a true Christian. Unfortunately for these deceivers are their followers, the bible says the exact opposite!

 The mark of true Christianity is being hated. The false preachers and denominations say the opposite in that if you are truly a Christian, most people will like you. These false teachers say that if you are hated then "you must not be Christ like".

Mark 13:12-13 (KJV)

12Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death.13And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

True Christian's are hated by the world not loved by them. If you are loved by everyone then you need to examine yourself to see if you are really living a Christian life. We will be so hated that even family members will betray us causing us to be put to death. This already happens in other countries. The modern American professed Christian has become so like the world that they are not an offence to them and thereby looked at as one of their own.

Verse 14, How do we know that we are born of God? When we love our fellow brother's and sisters in the faith. This is how we know we are no longer in our sins. Without loving our brethren we are spiritually dead.

Verse 15, it's a serious offence to Jehovah to hate our brother or sister in the faith. This makes us murderers according to John. Those who hate their brother do not have eternal life abiding in them and they will be cast into the lake of fire on judgment day.

Vesre 16, the most obvious evidence that God loves us is the giving of His Son at calvary. This is how the saints can perceive that God loves them. We know that the Father loves us because He sacrificed His beloved Son in whom He was well pleased. We know that the Son of God loves us because He gave up His position in heaven to come and bear our iniquities and be hated, stricken, mocked beaten and ultimately killed so that we can be reconciled to His Father.

Verse 17, love is more than mere words but it is also action. How can we say we are followers of Christ yet neglect the needy brethren in our midst. John basically says that if we neglect the needy brethren in our midst then we do not have the love of God in us "how dwelleth the love of God in him?".

Verse 18, John encourages the brethren to go beyond words and to show their love in deeds and also in being true to the brethren.

Verse 19, it is in loving the brothers and sisters in the faith that we can be assured that we are in the truth. Moreso than head knowledge, love will prove who is true in the faith and who is not. Self denying action for others will give us a settled assurance that we are saved.

Verses 20 and 21, while we can fool people with outward displays of piety, God knows our heart and if our heart condemns we cannot hide it from God. He knows all things because He is Sovereign. However, if our heart condemn us not then we will have confidence before Jehovah. How can we have confidence before God? By loving our brother which shows that we are true in the truth. Hatred towards the brethren will condemn our heart and then we can expect judgment.

Hebrews 10:26-27 (KJV)

26For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,27But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

Once we have come to the knowledge of the truth, there is no excuse for walking in hatred towards our brethren. By sinning wilfully we then are fallen into the fearful expectation of judgment. If we love the brethren then eternal life abides in us and our hope is in being translated or resurrected to be with Christ and the Father forever.

Verse 22, many will misuse this passage to say God will give us the desires of our heart. Yet there is a condition to this verse. We must keep His commandments  and please Him in our actions. We have been told lies by the pulpit preachers of Christendom who teach that we don't have to keep the commandments and that works don't matter. James said it best:

James 2:24 (KJV)

24Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

Most preachers avoid this scripture like the plague. Why is this? Because it contradicts their false doctrines that works don't justify us. It goes against their lukewarm version of Christianity that teaches an easy type of grace where obedience is not required.

Verse 23 of 1 John 3 -  What is the Father's commandment for believers? That we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ. The Father's will for us is to believe in the glory of His Son's person and work. The Father wants us to have faith in Christ and to love the brethren. Believing on the name of His Son Jesus Christ  doesn't merely include the wording of His name but also who He is in identity. The scripture here gives away Christ identity as God’s Son. We are to believe that Christ is indeed the Son of God. This part of believing in His name.

The word name comes from the Greek word "onoma" (Strongs 3686) and means "a name, character, authority, called, surname"

Inherent in a name of a person is their character and authority. When John says Jehovah's commandments is for us to believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ, it means more than the wording of the name but also the character and authority of the name. Inherent in Christ's character is His identity of who He is. His identity is also what gives Him authority.  Who is Christ in identity? His identity forms a big part of His character (name). Let's go to scripture to see what Christ's identity is:

Matthew 16:13-20 (KJV)

13When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?14And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.15He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?16And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.17And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.18And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.19And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

Jesus being the Son of the living God is the rock that the Christian Congregation is built on.

Matthew 26:63-64 (KJV)

63But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God.64Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said:

Jesus confirmed to the High priest that indeed He (Jesus) was the Son of the living God. The Jewd knew their coming Messiah would be a pre existent divine being who would be God's eldest Son.

Acts 9:19-20 (KJV)

19And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus.20And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.

Paul's first sermon after his conversion and the scales being removed from his eyes, was that Jesus was the Son of God.

Acts 8:36-37 (KJV)

36And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?37And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

The requirement for baptism is to believe and confess that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

John 3:16-18 (KJV)

16For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.17For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.18He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

The most well known passage of scripture tells us of God's immense love for us which was shown in that He gave his only begotten Son to die for our sins. Jehovah sacrificed His most precious commodity. Liars have tried to deny this truth of God giving us His only begotten Son making God a liar in the process:

 1 John 5;10 (KJV)

10He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: HE THAT BELIEVETH NOT GOD HATH MADE HIM a LIAR; BECAUSE HE BELIEVETH NOT THE RECORD THAT GOD GAVE OF HIS SON.

John 3:18 says that those who don't believe that God gave His only begotten Son to die on the cross are condemned. Notice that this verse says that those who don't believe in the name (character, authority) of the only begotten Son of God. Believing on the name of Jesus and believing that He is the only begotten Son of God goes hand in hand and you can't have one without the other. If you say you believe on the name of Jesus but deny His literal begotten Sonship then you don't believe on the Jesus of the bible and you have "another Jesus".

So we see that believing on the name of Jesus is believing in His literal begotten Sonship. What about His authority, is it tied to His Sonship?

John 3:35-36 (KJV)

35The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.36He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

Here John the Baptist says that it is because the Father loves His Son so much that He (God) has given all things into his (Jesus) hand. It is the Sonship of Christ that gives Him authority over all things. Again, believing on the Son gives us everlasting life. Remember, that it is not believing in Jesus solely but believing in His name (character, authority) which gives us eternal life. As already shown, Jesus name (character, authority) is inherently connected to His literal begotten Sonship of the Father.

Those who don't believe Jesus don't have everlasting life but the wrath of God abides on them. Let's go to a verse that trinitarian's and tri theists deny:

John 17:3 (KJV)

3And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

Trinitarian's and Tri Theists deny Jesus words that the Father is the one true God. They basically are saying that Jesus is a liar because they teach that there ar three gods (tri theism) or that God is three persons in one substance (trinitarianism). Believing that the Father is the one true God goes hand in hand with believing that Jesus is the Son of the living God.

John 10:36 (KJV)

36Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?

Many today in Christendom deny Jesus own word's that He is the Son of God. Unintentionally these Sonship deniers stand in the same place as Jews of old.

Matthew 28:18-20 (KJV)

18And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.19Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:20Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Jesus Himself says that all authority is GIVEN to Him. Obviously, only the Father can give Jesus this authority. When Jesus lived on earth He didn't have all authority over heaven so this authority that He speaks of in heaven alludes to the authority He had in His pre-existence. It also would be a future authority as He was about to die and be resurrected and ascend into heaven.

John 5:18-23 (KJV)

18Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.19Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.20For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel.21For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.22For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:23That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.

It is Christ's Sonship that makes Him eqaul with God the Father. Christ could never be eqaul with God if He wasn't His (God's) Son. The Jews of that time understood that when Christ said He was the Son of God that He meant it in a literal way not as some metaphor or role play or adoption. Otherwise, they wouldn't have been enraged enough to want to murder Him. The Jews of that time understood that their coming Messiah would be God's preexistent divine Son. This is why they knew Jesus claim of Sonship was also a claim to His eqaulity with the Father. This is because God's Son was not a created or a adopted Son but a begotten Son from the Father's very divine substance.

The Son can do nothing of Himself but learns all things from the Father. This shows Christ's dependence on the Father.  When Jesus makes this statement He doesn't qualify it as a temporal earthly reliance on the Father. It's the Father's love for the Son that He (The Father) shows Him (the Son) all things.

In verse 22, it says that the Father hath committed all judgment unto the Son. It is the very Sonship of Jesus and that His Father loves Him that is the reason He (Christ) is given the authority to be the judge of all things. It is Jesus Sonship that gives Him authority over all things.

In verse 23, Jesus says that all men must honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. This scripture clearly shows that Jesus has all authority and that it is His very Sonship that gives Him this. Also, not only are we to worship the Father who is the one true God but we are to worship the Son who is the only begotten of the one true God. In fact, it is Christ's Sonship that gives Him the right to be worshipped. Without being the Son of God, He couldn't be honoured the same way the Father is honoured. If Jesus isn't really the literal Son of God then our worship of Him would be in vain and it would be idolatry as He would simply be an independent God and thereby a false god. If He really isn't the Son of God then that would mean He doesn't have the authority over all things. It is precisely because Jesus is the Son of God that the warning is given that if we don't honour Him then we don't honour the Father. The same is true on earth. When you honour a man's son it's the same as honouring the man, the reverse is also true. Any parent can relate to this.

John 5;26-27 (KJV)

26For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;27And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.

Jesus is given authority to execute judgment by the Father not only because He is the Son of the Father but also because He is the Son of man. It was Jesus victory over sin that gave Him the Preistly ministry of Melchisedec. It was feeling of our infirmities that makes Him a faithful High Priest as He knows what we are going through due to the temptations of the flesh. We have a merciful High priest.

Hebrews 4:15 (KJV)

14Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.15For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

What a beautiful scripture, while certain religious institutions try to pass of mere men as preists that can forgive sins, we as believers in Christ have the very Son of God as our High Preist!

When we go through the struggles of the flesh, our High Preist the Son of God can feel our struggle. The encouragement is also, in that just as Jesus was without sin we can have the same victory!

 Righteousness by faith!

Jude 24

24Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,

John 14:13-14 (KJV)

13And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.14If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.

Jesus name has authority and when we ask anything in His name the Son of God will do it according to the Father's will. Remember, the authority of Jesus is inherently tied to His literal begotten Sonship. Jesus name is more than the actual verbiage of His name when it is written or spoken but it is connected to who He is in identity. We know that He is the Son of God and we can only exercise the power of His name when we believe this without explaining it away.

We can only go to God through the Son which is another example of His authority which is rooted in His Sonship.

John 14:6 (KJV)

6Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

The Father requires that we go through His Son to get to Him. Jesus is our mediator, High Priest, comforter, advocate, intercessor, counselor, our elder brother and our God.

Isaiah 9:6 (KJV)

6For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Now back to 1 John chapter 3, verse 24 - those who keep the Father's commandments dwell in the Father and He in them. The context directly deals with loving our brethren as noted in verse 23. The commandments are about love. If we love God and love our brethren then we will keep all the commandments summed up in the decalogue. This includes the Sabbath day. What does this say about most of Christendom? Being that they believe that the commandments were nailed to the cross it begs the question, does the Father dwell in them?

How do we know that the Father dwells in us? This is a very revealing verse concerning the identity of the Holy Spirit. The text says that the Father dwells in us via the Holy Spirit. When the Holy Spirit is in us, we actually have the Father living in us. The Father gives us the Spirit. The Seventh-day Adventist version of triune Godhead would contend that the Father sends us a third being to dwell in us. Let's go to scripture to verify whether this is true or not:

John 15:26 (KJV)

26But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:27And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.

Jesus tells the disciples that He will send the Holy Spirit to them that comes from the Father. Jesus uses two designations for the Holy Spirit here, the Spirit of truth and the comforter. Remember, Jesus is called the way, the truth, and the life and He is also called our advocate (same greek word that comforter is rendered from). However, I want to highlight the source of where the Holy Spirit comes from.

In verse 26, Jesus says that the Holy Spirit (Spirit of truth) proceedeth from the Father.

The word proceedeth comes from the Greek word "ekporeuomai" (Strongs 1607) and means "to depart, be discharged, proceed, project: - come (forth, out of), depart, go (forth, out), issue, proceed (out of), pour (out of)".

This one passage with the word "proceedeth" should once and for all dispel the false doctrine that the Holy Spirit is a being. Jesus who speaks no lies says that the Holy Spirit literally pours, discharges and issues out of the Father Jehovah.

Do we really want to teach that the Holy Spirit is a being, a third god that literally  continually pours out of the Father's very own being?

Just as the Holy Spirit is breathed out by Jesus very own being, the Holy Spirit issues out of the Father's very own being.

John 20:22 (KJV)

22And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:

Crystal clear isn't it? The Holy Spirit is not a being but rather is the very breath, power, mind and presence of the Father and Son.