(Photo by Will Kennard on Unsplash. Berean Standard Bible.)
Welcome to the Hope Bible School verse-by-verse Bible study of 1 John. This is Jeff M Newman. Get a new lesson every other week on Mondays at 12:00 PM Pacific.
In Lesson 99, we are going to study the first part of 1 John 3:14.
Let’s read the verse:
1 John 3:14 We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers and sisters...
Let’s start with the definitions of the words.
We (1473. egó) know (1492. eidó) — means we recognize, perceive, and are certain of this spiritual truth.
That (3754. hoti) we have passed (3327. metabainó) — means that we have crossed over or moved from one state to another.
From (1537. ek or ex) — means moving out of or away from something.
Death (2288. thanatos) — refers to separation from the life God gives and, in the spiritual sense, separation from fellowship with God.
To (1519. eis) life, (2222. zóé) — refers to entering the eternal, spiritual life that comes from God and is sustained by Him.
Because (3754. hoti) — introduces the reason or evidence that demonstrates this change has taken place.
We love (25. agapaó) — refers to a selfless, devoted attitude that seeks the good of others and acts according to God’s will.
Our (3588. ho, hé, to) brothers and sisters (80. adelphos) — refers to fellow believers who belong to God’s family through faith in Jesus Christ.
In other words, we can be certain of this spiritual truth, we have crossed from one state to another. We have moved away from a state of separation from fellowship with God and entered into eternal, spiritual life that comes from God and is sustained by Him. We know this change has taken place because we demonstrate a selfless, devoted attitude that seeks the good of our fellow believers, who belong to the family of God.
John begins by saying “we know.”
John wants believers to have confidence and assurance in their spiritual condition.
He wants them to be certain. He wants them to have evidence of this truth.
In Romans 8:16, we read that the Holy Spirit testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. This shows us that God gives believers assurance of their relationship with Him. In 1 John 3:14, John points to our love for fellow believers as evidence that we have passed from death to life.
Romans 8:16 The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.
John then says, “that we have passed from death to life.”
This means that we have crossed over or moved from one state to another. Before someone comes to Christ, they are spiritually dead in their sins and separated from God.
When you put your faith in Christ, God gives you new life. This is not something you can accomplish on your own. This new life is given to you because of God’s mercy and grace.
When God gives you this new life, it marks a decisive change in your spiritual condition. You have passed from spiritual death to spiritual life. This new life continues as you walk with Christ.
In Ephesians 2:1-5, Paul teaches his readers that they were dead in their sins and walked according to the ways of the world. But because of His great love and mercy, God made them alive with Christ. This passage emphasizes that salvation is the work of God’s grace, not something we can accomplish through our own efforts.
In the context of 1 John 3:14, John identifies our love for fellow believers as evidence that we have passed from death to life. Our love does not earn us eternal life. Rather, it provides evidence of the new life God has given us.
Ephesians 2:1-5 And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, 2 in which you used to walk when you conformed to the ways of this world and of the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, fulfilling the cravings of our flesh and indulging its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature children of wrath. 4 But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in our trespasses. It is by grace you have been saved!
John then gives the evidence of this transition, saying, “because we love our brothers and sisters.”
When you put your faith in Christ, you are born again. You receive new spiritual life. The Holy Spirit dwells in you and produces a growing love for your brothers and sisters in Christ.
Genuine love for God’s people is evidence that you have been born again.
This is more than simply liking people. The type of love in this verse is a selfless, devoted attitude that seeks the good of others and acts according to God’s will.
Your perspective on other people will begin to change. You will recognize that God is at work in their lives, and you will rejoice in His grace to transform them, just as He is transforming you.
In Galatians 5:22, we read that love is part of the fruit of the Spirit. This type of love is produced by the Holy Spirit working in us. It isn’t something we manufacture to earn salvation, but is evidence of the Spirit’s work in our lives.
Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
In order to understand what this type of love looks like, look to Jesus. He is the ultimate example of love.
In 1 John 3:16, we read that Jesus demonstrated His love by laying down His life for us. Through His sacrificial death, He provided the way for us to be forgiven of our sins, reconciled to God, and receive eternal life. As believers, we are called to follow His example by sacrificially loving one another.
1 John 3:16 By this we know what love is: Jesus laid down His life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.
In conclusion, you can know you have passed from death to life by looking at whether you love your brothers and sisters in Christ as Christ has loved you. You can only love in this way because God has given you new life through Jesus Christ.
When you are born again, the Holy Spirit begins to transform you. As a result, you will increasingly demonstrate the fruit of the Holy Spirit in your life. The Holy Spirit also testifies with your spirit that you are a child of God.
Look to Jesus and what He has done for you. Be continually thankful to Him for His sacrifice for you and for your brothers and sisters in Christ. When you recognize that God is also at work in the lives of your fellow believers, this will help you develop a deeper love for them as you mature in Christ.
Here is a prayer to respond to today’s lesson.
Heavenly Father, thank You for giving me new life through Jesus Christ. Thank You for Your mercy and grace and for the sacrifice Jesus made for me. Help me to grow in my love for my brothers and sisters in Christ. Teach me to love them sacrificially, just as Jesus has loved me. Help me to see how You are working in their lives and to rejoice in Your work in them, just as You are working in me. Holy Spirit, continue to transform me and produce Your fruit in my life. Help me to walk in a way that reflects the new life You have given me. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Let’s read this part of the verse one more time.
1 John 3:14 We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers and sisters...
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Thank you and God bless you.
Jeff M Newman
