A simple study on love shows that it is the chief mark of grace or evidence of conversion. It is communicated at conversion, uniquely unites us to Christ, and assures of eternal life. Here is how it may fade, and how it should be revived.

As unbelievers we thought unbelief was ‘innocent’. Surely it was for Christians to demonstrate God’s reality to us. But here is God’s viewpoint – the depths of wilful unreasonableness in our rejection of Him. And here also is what we owe to Him for His mercy.

The apostle describes seven solid evidences of the work of salvation in the true believer (different from the ‘marks of grace’ usually described). All provide either strong assurance, or a profound challenge in the case of those who have not yet experienced conversion to Christ.

From the warning against false teachers, the apostle turns again to the great duty of love to fellow believers, providing fourteen compelling reasons (with benefits) for honouring this obligation. Here love is defined, its actions and activities listed, and the reasons surveyed.

Full chapter _____________ 1 John 2 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the … Continued

The apostle John describes five aspects of love, in the church, at the same time showing that each one is evidence of true conversion. Here love, helpfulness to fellow believers, and the promised greater instrumentality in prayer, are seen as bulwarks of assurance.

In five verses John describes three major aspects of the spiritual life, the word ‘abide’ appearing six times. Here is how we should make use of the body of Christian doctrine, maintain close union with Christ, and keep alive the illumination of the Spirit.

The apostle John provides the facts about the emergence of antichrist, what exactly antichrist will do, and the twin means by which believers will discern ‘many antichrists’. These two, the unction of the ‘Holy One’ and the test of truth, are here explained.

In three famous verses, John shows that love for the world cannot coexist with love for God, then defines worldliness, shows its offensiveness to God, and describes how it passes away to judgement before our eyes. What believers do, however, lasts forever.

John’s words to little children, fathers and young men seem repetitive and puzzling at first sight, but they are a call to think of the considerable changes brought about in those who are converted, and to stir assurance and zeal. Here are the triumphs of grace.

After extolling Christ and exhorting to holiness, the first topic of the epistle (showing its importance) is mutual love in the congregation. Here are the grounds of solid ties, and the blessings and helps, along with the Apostle’s warnings about opting out of this precious duty.

The aged apostle speaks out of concern for believers everywhere, urging all to avoid spiritual lifelessness by keeping in full view: 1) The campaign for personal holiness; 2) The price Christ paid for us; 3) All His commands to serve Him; 4) Our love for Him.

Christ is extolled by the aged apostle as truly man and God, who is holiness and truth, genuine believers being identified by their sensitivity to sin and concern for biblical obedience, and false Christians by their relative indifference to one or the other.

John looks back sixty years recalling with amazement how the apostles listened to Christ, and watched Him through His earthly ministry, constantly convinced of His redeeming work, and by the wonder of personal fellowship with God. Here is the basis and joy of such fellowship.

Are we truly saved? Do we need a jolt to examine our status before God, or do we need reassurance that we are saved? In a single study, here are two major signs from 1 John: our commitment to the Gospel, and our changed relationship with sin and the world