1 John 2:5-8 - We will know by our obedience

Key: Keep His word.
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Vs. 2:5-6: "but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him: the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked" -

God’s love perfected in us. Not “perfect" as “without flaw or defect”, but more to be “made complete”. No doubt God’s love is perfect, and in us it will be “without flaw…”, but until we see Him face to face, we will know we are getting closer to Him by how well we keep His word.
Yoda may have said, “There is no Try, only Do or Not Do.” But we always need to Try as well as Do.
“By this we know – (in vs. 6) – we will walk (or, live) as he lived, if we abide in him.
"Walk” – regulate one’s life, to conduct one's self, to pass one's life, to live.
Abiding in Him: is it positional (place) or state (condition)? "Abide” – (in reference to place) to sojourn, tarry, not to depart but to continue to be present, to be held, kept continually. – or, (in reference to state or condition) to remain as one, not to become another or different. See Col. 1:10, 2:6.
Both senses work – if we are present in Christ, if we are kept continually in Him – we will live thus and so. If we are “one” with Christ, if we are not different than Him, then we will live thus and so.
If you say it, then live it. – That is how you will know and God are on the same “page”.

Whoever keeps word will:    “Walk”    “Abide”

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Old and New Commandments

Vss. 2:7 - "Beloved, I am not writing a new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning; the old commandment is the word which you have heard." - An old commandment as compared to a new Commandment – What is the old commandment? Perhaps it is Deut. 6:4,5 "Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one! You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might..  Or perhaps it is “Believe and you will be saved.” Or perhaps “Obedience is better than sacrifice” 1 Sam. 15:22.

What is the new commandment – It could be “If you are His, then live your life abides in Christ”, or perhaps even “love your brother.”
All of those are possibilities, but I think the old commandment is as follows: Love the Lord, love your neighbor. The word from the beginning – obey and trust the Lord, Love the Lord…

The following are samples of following God's commands (or not...):
    Gen.12:4 – Abram did as God commanded.
   years wandering because they would not obey. Exodus – 40
    Love God - Deut. 6:4-6
    “we will serve the Lord” - Josh. 24:14,15
    generation that did not know the Lord. - Judg 2:11
    God will not abandon; but fear and serve. - 1 Sam. 12:20-24
    Because you have not kept the commandment - 1 Sam. 13:14 –
Or,
    Because they did not obey. -  Gen. 3:14, 17
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Abiding Him, means living like Him.

Vs. 2:8 – "On the other hand, I am writing a new commandment to you which is true in him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining."

“On the other hand…” Now, in this verse – a new commandment. The old commandment a “Word” they have heard. The new commandment – 'which is true in Him and in you' is a little obtuse. There seems to be no direct reference. However, it is implied believers will know, non-believers will not have a clue. We can love, because He did. That kind of love is incomprehendable. The "normal" view of God (esp. the OT God) is one of wrath and commands, demands of obedience. This command is LOVE. Love God, love your neighbor, love your fellow believers. Love is the emphasis, not obedience. (Obedience was never for obedience sake, but in response to God). Remember, Jesus is called the light of the world John 1:3-9. Jesus was obedient, to the point of death Phil. 2:5-9 The "old" commandment is "Love the Lord your God." The "new" commandment is "Love others as Jesus loved you." That is, love God, love neighbors, love strangers, love enemies. LOVE!

New commandment    True in Him    True in you Why? –darkness passing away

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Look at some of the references to “light” – and that Jesus came to quench the darkness. Satan is the lord of darkness. Jesus came to destroy the works of the Devil.

    John 1:5 – darkness did not comprehend light
    John 3:19 – men loved the darkness rather than light.
    John 12:35,36, 46 - in darkness you don't know where you're going
    John 13:34 – love one another, as I have
    John 15:12 – ditto
    Rom. 5:8 – God demonstrates His love…
    Eph. 5:1,2 – walk in love…
    Acts 13:47 - a light for the Gentiles
    Rom 2:19 - a light to those in darkness
    Rom 13:12 - put on the armor of light
    1 Cor 4:5 - God will bring to light the things hidden
    2 Cor. 4:4,6 - Light will. Shine out of the darkness
    2 Cor. 6:14 - fellowship of light with darkness?
    Eph. 5:13 - visible when exposed to light
    Col. 1:12 - inheritance of the saints in light
    1 Thess 5:5 - sons of light and day.
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1 John 2:1-4 - So That - You May Not Sin ...

Vs. 2:1 – "My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; " - This could be the answer to the verse 6, 8 and 10 problem. In those verses we were warned not to convince ourselves we had not, or did not sin. If so, we deceive ourselves, we make God a liar because He said we have sinned. However, John is encouraging us to not lose heart.
If we belong to Jesus we will not live in sin. We may fall into it, (I do not mean 'accidental sin') but it will not be habitual. When sin happens there is an answer – we are not abandoned. John sent this letter is to help us not sin. We don’t have to blunder through life. We can live life intelligently, with purpose.

“So you may not sin.” - That’s the goal, to live a life for Jesus without sin.
If we do sin, if we don’t make it to the goal, we are not lost. We have an advocate. This is a “legal term” indicating someone who argues a case before a judge, someone who steps forward in my place. If I sin, I do not have to face the wrath of God on my own. I have someone to argue my case before the Judge. The Advocate is none other Jesus the Messiah, the Savior, God the Son. Not some second rate lawyer, or underpaid legal aide. I have the best there is. Jesus Christ the righteous.

If anyone sins (implied: “and they will”) there is a solution. See verse 1:9 – He (Jesus) is faithful and righteous (that word again). We are cleansed and forgiven. We are defended before the Judge, the Father. Jesus is the only one who can stand before the Judge. He paid the price. None of us can come close to meeting the requirements. The Advocate can and does. To say that Jesus argues for us, puts too much emphasis on our adversarial court system. Jesus only needs say, "He is mine." God the Father can say, "That is sufficient." Our adversary is Satan, not God. The Devil is the accuser. He has no answer for Jesus's declaration, and the Father's approval.

Vs. 2:2 – "and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world." - And this is how the Advocate meets the requirements. He himself (i.e., Jesus Christ) is the propitiation. “Propitiation” – an atoning sacrifice. A sacrifice is required to meet the penalty for the sin, according to God’s law. Go back to Passover. A sacrifice – the lamb – was slain, the blood was placed on the door jam (lintel). See the day of Atonement in the Law of Moses. And Jesus' death on the cross. If Christ had died for the few only, the believers only, it would seem to be such a high cost. Face it, not every one will take advantage of the atoning sacrifice. 

It has been said that if I were the only person in the world God would have paid the same price – Christ’s death as a payment for the sin. Still, Almighty God, giving Himself for one – seems highly unreasonable. On the other hand, what is few more (believers only) - still the price is too high. What about the whole world? Price still too high. Yet, it was done, paid, finished.

Unfortunately – that is the case. Only God himself can pay the price required. If God is completely holy, if we cannot come into God’s presence if we have sin, if the only payment in full means a perfect sacrifice – that means only a perfect God can meet the perfect cost. Therefore – Jesus HAD to die to pay the penalty. Why could not God forgive without payment? Wouldn’t that be perfectly merciful? But that kind of mercy would flaunt God’s perfect justice. Justice without payment is not justice at all. It is not a matter of being found “not guilty” – that cannot happen.

He Himself - For our sins For the whole world’s sins.

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How we know

Vs. 2:3 – "By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments." - This is a change of subject, sort of. This is how we KNOW we know Jesus. Previously, we were claiming (falsely) that we were sinless, past and present. John shows that we have the absolute best Legal Advocate when we do sin. God Himself.

But how can you and I know if we are on the right track? Many times people are committed to a course of action, based on faulty information. Their intentions are good. When you start with a faulty premise, you cannot reach a proper solution.
John lays out a relatively simple test. This is how we can understand, know, perceive, have knowledge. We can be sure we know Jesus. Again, to understand, to perceive, to have knowledge of Him. This is the test: do we keep His commandments? Yes, or no.

We have come to know Him By this…keep His commandments Keeping commandments: know we are in Him, abiding

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Other verses re: commands -
Mrk 7:8 - neglecting God's commands
Mrk 12:28-31 - most important command
Eccl. 12:12-14 - fear God and keep his commands
John 8:31,32 – if you abide in His words, then truly are His disciples, know the truth!
John 13:34 - new commandment - love one another
John 14:15 - love = obey (keep commands)
John 14:21, 23 - love = obey (keep commands)
Jam. 2:14 - faith without works?
Jam. 1:22-25 - hearing without doing
1 Sam. 15:22-23 – “better than sacrifice”
Deut. 5:29 – “Oh, that they would…”
Deut. 6:1-3 - profound reverence of God produces followers

If "I know Him," but do not obey...
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V. 2:4 - The one who says, "I have come to know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; -

verses 3, 5 and 6 are all positives to 4’s negative. Verse 4 echos chapter 1:6, 8, and 10.
Basically, an “If..then” statement – “If” we say we know, but don’t live it – “then” we are a liar without the truth.

1 John 1:6-10 - How to Avoid Hypocrisy

Verses 1:6-2:2 are a discussion on how we as believers see ourselves. Either we are honest about our relationship to sin, and deal with it correctly. Or we are not honest, having a much too positive view of ourselves (see the movie 'Talented Mr. Ripley' for this side of it) and live a life of hypocrisy.

There is a pattern to these verses –

"If we say” – "but"…display (i.e., live out) problems, -
We can see that "If we say…” is used three times. The “but” is understood in two of the verses.

John has setup a logical pattern in the sentences and verses (remember: verse numbers were added by monks or priests many centuries later.)
Vss 6, 8, and 10 are coupled together with vss 7, 9, and 2:1.
Vss 6, 8, and 10 – lists the problem…
Vss 7,9, and 2:1,2 are antidotes.

An example of the pattern is:
    Vs. 6: beginning of “If’ statement
    Vs. 7: completion of the “then” statement

The following is sort of an outline of the verses, a summary:
   If we say “no sin” – then we are self-deluded, untruthful.
   or, if we Say “have not sinned” = we are calling God is a liar, His word is not in us.

These words and phrases are packed with imagery and meaning:
   'Lie' = do not practice truth, not just a one-time Oops
   'Deceived' (self-deception) = without truth, there is truth, but you do not have it in you
   'Liar' = without God’s word.
   'Cleansed' = by Christ’s blood
   'Confession' = leads to cleansing
   'Advocate' is “propitiation for our sins”

IF we say…But we walk otherwise, we lie.
However,
  IF we Walk in light (note: He is light) - our lives match our claims.
  Then: fellowship
  And: cleansed by His blood, i.e., Cleansed from SIN
Conclusion: If Truth is not in us, that is, not practiced, then the word is not in us.
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Vs. 1:6 - "If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth;" - (This the first of three "If...Then" statements.) 

If we say we have fellowship – i.e., to claim intimacy with Jesus, the Lord. I claim to share a life. I claim that my life is an embodiment of Christ living in me. (Gal. 2:20 – no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me). YET… walk in darkness.
God is light, with no darkness at all. How can I be sharing my life (which is darkness, because I am practicing it) and be one with Jesus who is Light? It cannot happen. Therefore, if I claim to be so, I am lying. God cannot lie "God [is] not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do [it]? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?" (Num 23:19). It is not God who is mistaken.

"We do not practice"… literally translated is “we do not truth” – not exactly a well turned phrase in English.  To do rightly, to carry out, to do well.  

Fellowship vs. darkness Fellowship vs. lying, or untruthfulness Not accidental straying; but is NOT practicing the Life

vs. 1:7 - "but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin." - This is the last half of the first "if...then" statement. Part of this is: actions are proof of fellowship with Jesus. You can say you are a Christian, but if you don’t live it, you are either fooling yourself, or are an out-and-out liar. See the letter by James, especially chapter 2. If I say I know Christ (personally, not just intellectually) then I will live it out.  I will have fellowship, shared experience, with other Christians.
Wait, there’s more: we are cleansed from sin. Note: first time sin is mentioned in this letter. Darkness, deception, lying – but not sin. Sin is the cause of darkness in us. If we are in fellowship with Jesus, we are clean – no deception, no lying, no darkness.

vs. 1:8 - If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. - (Second of three “if statements” - first vss 6 &7, third: vss. 10, 2:1,2). Continuation of sin subject. In verse 7, we are cleansed from sin.  If I claim that I am not in a condition of sin (i.e., have no sin) – this is not past tense, it is 'now'. OK - We have been cleansed from sin by Christ’s blood, but if we try to claim there is no sin in us, then we have deceived ourselves. Obviously, as long as we live here on earth, we have the chance to sin (not only the opportunity, but we will do it). Because I am cleansed does not mean that I am sinless – forever and ever. John is writing to believers. Don’t be naïve, don’t be uninformed – you will sin, it is part of you.  Don’t be disobedient, don’t be stupid – lying about your condition. The truth is I am a sinner, saved by Jesus’ sacrifice.
If we say…“No sin” – we are deceiving selves, there is no truth in us. (this seems to be in the present tense). "Have not sinned" – this says we are implying no missing the mark, ever – appears to be past tense – to include all past action

"Have no sin" – claiming none at all - We deceive ourselves

vs. 1:9 – "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." - The action verse of this pair (vss. 8 & 9). Verse 8 is the proclamation verse, verse 9 is the action verse. In vs. 8, we deceive ourselves because we do not admit, acknowledge that we are sinful. So, what to do if I understand that sin is in me, and it separates me from God?
The proof that I am God’s is that I get the sin taken care of. Note: it is not me that handles it. By agreeing with God, He steps up to solve the problem. This is a two-fold solution – forgiveness and cleansing. 'Confess' is not just agreement. Agreement is, "Yes, Lord, you are correct, that was a sin", but it does not stop there. 'Confess' also includes repentance - regret, and choosing to not do it again.  
 - The first, forgiveness, removes the penalty of sin.
 - The second, cleansing, provides a new start.
It is kind of like getting an old car repaired. (forgiveness – the old problem is fixed), and getting a new engine and drive train (cleansed – no old parts to break right away).  – O.K., maybe this is not a great analogy. Forgiveness treats us as if the sin was not there. Cleansing removes the guilt. We are fresh and clean - not just a new paint job.

“He is faithful and righteousness” – This is a response to our confessing. Note: if we confess, He will forgive and cleanse. This sounds like a “contract”. Throughout the O.T. and N.T. God has promised He will forgive if we confess. “Faithful” – always there for us. “Righteous” – will act rightly, it is His nature to do as He said He will do.

Action - Confess!

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Vss 1:10-2:3 – is one paragraph, another 'If we say that' statement

vs. 10 – "If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us" - There are two If-Then statements in this one verse
First we “make God a liar”, second, God’s Word is not in us. God has said we are sinners (we sin because we are sinners, not vice versa). So if we disagree with Him, and claim we have not sinned. Either God is telling the truth or we are not telling the truth. If we insist we are correct, then God must be wrong – He’s lied to us. 

Secondly, if we disagree with God, then obviously we haven’t been paying attention – “His word is not in us.” We have not accepted the premise that we have sinned.

(1) If we say…then we make ... (2) If we say then His word is not...

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There is a downward spiral, a spiritual descent of refusing to acknowledge our sin. I don’t know if this is a stretch or not – here goes:
–
Vs.6 – We are in darkness, we lie, do not practice truth. To,
Vs. 8 – we deceive ourselves, do not have truth. To,
vs.10 – God is a liar, and we do not have His word.

There is a three step progression:
One – we are in darkness, (uniformed);
Two – we fool ourselves (actively involved in our deception);
Three – we lash out at God.

Another view of the  three step progression:
One -  we do not practice the truth, even though we know it;
Two – the truth is not in us, don’t know it;
Three – His word is not in us.  We don’t live it, we don’t have it, We don’t have His revelation.

Also it goes from
One - claiming fellowship (6), to
Two - claiming sinless condition (present tense) (8), to
Three - claiming to have never sinned (all of our lives) – escalating claims of holiness.

Note in verse 1:6 – we lie and do not tell truth; in verse 1:8 – deceive self and no truth.
The opposites:
(vs.3) - we know when we keep the commandments.
(vs.5) – keeps the word – know we are in;
(vs.6) – Abiding means walking as he walked.

The Apostle Paul says it SO MUCH better than I. See Romans, chapter One...
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,
19 because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them.
20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.
21 For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
22 Professing to be wise, they became fools,
23 and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures.
24 Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them.
25 For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
26 For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural,
27 and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in [fn]their own persons the due penalty of their error.
28 And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper,
29 being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips,
30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents,
31 without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful;
32 and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them.
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Note: In general, in these notes, and the following ones, the scripture verse is shown in italics, with the notes following...
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1 John 1:1-5 - We were Witnesses!

Why John wrote this letter:

v. 1:1 - What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of Life

— “And the life was manifested” is the center part of these first three verses. “The eternal life was manifested…” The Word of Life was from the beginning.

What we have: heard/seen/handled - Word of Life We have: seen/bear witness/proclaim manifested (2x) What we have: seen/heard - We proclaim First hand account – not hearsay

v. 1:2 - and the life was manifested, and we have seen and testify and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was manifested to us

— "Manifested" – made known. See John 1:1 – In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
(See the following definition: to make manifest or visible or known what has been hidden or unknown, to manifest, whether by words, or deeds, or in any other way
  a) make actual and visible, realized
  b) to make known by teaching
  c) to become manifest, be made known
  d) of a person expose to view, make manifest, to show one's self, appear
  e) to become known, to be plainly recognized, thoroughly understood)

“What was…”, “What we have…”, all of these point to the Word of Life. John has heard the Word of Life speak. John has seen the Word of Life work. John has “beheld” – (How is that different from seeing, or hearing - definition of 'to behold' = look upon, view attentively, contemplate (often used of public shows) a) of important persons that are looked on with admiration; 2) to view, take a view of a) in the sense of visiting, meeting with a person 3) to learn by looking, to see with the eyes, to perceive).
John has touched, handled the Word of Life. Hear, see, touch, all experiencing the phenomenon personally with the senses. John uses the “we” rather than “I”. Not sure that is being humble. Think that John is including all of the apostles and disciples – all the witnesses.

Proclaim for fellowship

v. 1:3 - what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ.

And he is speaking up as a witness. “Proclaim”. (To make known openly, to bring a report, to tell) All that has been experienced by John and all the other witnesses – is being told to the reader. It is told for one reason – that you may believe and have fellowship. And why is fellowship so important? What is meant by fellowship. (To share - the share which one has in anything, a gift jointly contributed, a collection, a contribution, as exhibiting an embodiment and proof of fellowship, intimacy). To be intimate with God, the Lord. God will share all that He has. What can I provide to produce as a contribution to the fellowship? “So that…” – Everything John has done is to bring us into fellowship with God, and Jesus, and other believers.

So that – fellowship    - with us    - with faithful,    - with the Father (God)    - with His Son.

Vss 4-5 – This is the message

v. 1:4 - These things we write, so that our joy may be made complete

First John proclaims, then he writes. Another “so that” statement. “we write” joined to “completed joy”. Whether it is “our joy” or “your joy” (depending manuscripts used). John’s joy is complete, made full – because the believers to whom he is writing are saved. The believer’s joy is complete because they are saved. The “these things” are the things John has witnessed. Also, the things John writes about are to follow – the truth that God is light, etc.

Vs. 1:5 - This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.

“And this is the message” – John is proclaiming what he has witnessed, what he heard. John is not making this up – it is not John’s message, it is God’s. John is the conduit. He heard it. He is announcing it. It is one of “these things” he is writing about. God is light.

This is also a “transition” verse. Moving from proclaiming and writing to “darkness” and “light”. John moves to hypocrisy – that’s not what he calls it, but the message is you can’t say one thing, do another, and call yourself a light bearer.

The theme of "God is light” is a major one in OT and NT. God made light and pushed back the darkness. God lead Israel from Egypt with a pillar of fire. God’s words are a light for my feet and path. Those who sin do not want the light to reveal their actions (John 3:19). Without God, we are like a blind man stumbling on a rocky trail. (see Isa. 59:10) Even at noonday – at the brightest time of the day – we are as though blind. We are in darkness. James 1:17 echoes this theme. God provides light to guide me. He does not leave me to stumble along my path. He provides a light. See also Col. 1:13 – he has delivered out of the domain of darkness …Also Acts 26:18