1 John

Lesson 6 w/Answers1 John Chapter 4:1-21

Bible

We continue our study of 1 John by exploring the fourth chapter.

We will be examining the nature and characteristics of both God and Christ.

Please read 1 John Chapter 4, and then consider the following:

  1. Who is John referring to in 1 John 4:4 when he refers to "the one who is in you?"
    1. ANSWER: For a believer, the source of all knowledge, wisdom and power is God. In 1 John 4:4, John is speaking of the Holy Spirit—God, living in us. How do we know this? Read the following [NIV]:
      1. 1 John 4:2: Refers to "the Spirit of God."
      2. 1 John 4:13: Indicates that God has "given us of his Spirit."
      3. 1 John 3:24: Asserts that "...we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us."
      4. 1 John 5:19: John states, "We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one."
      5. Romans 8:9: Paul writes, "You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ."
  2. In 1 John 4:8, John tells us that God is love. Since we know from earlier lessons that we are adopted as sons into His family, let us take a closer look at God’s nature by making a list of the characteristics that make up God. For each of the passages below, identify what "God is _____."
    1. Deuteronomy 6:4
      1. ANSWER: The Lord is one.
    2. John 4:24
      1. ANSWER: God is spirit.
    3. John 17:1-3
      1. ANSWER: He is the one true God.
    4. 2 Corinthians 13:14
      1. ANSWER: He engenders grace, love, and fellowship.
    5. 1 Kings 8:27
      1. ANSWER: He is not confined to heaven.
    6. Isaiah 57:15
      1. ANSWER: He is the high and exalted One, he lives forever, his name is holy, he lives in a high and holy place and he lives in with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit.
    7. Jeremiah 32:17,27
      1. ANSWER: Nothing is too hard for God. He is all powerful. He is the maker of the heavens and the earth.
    8. Psalm 139:7-12
      1. ANSWER: God is present everywhere, i.e., He is omnipresent.
    9. 1 John 3:20
      1. ANSWER: God knows everything, i.e., He is omniscient.
    10. Isaiah 48:3-5
      1. ANSWER: He foretells what is coming. His prophecies are accurate and will occur.
  3. In 1 John 4:17 John tells us that, as Christians, if we have love in our heart, we will have courage; because our life in this world is the same as Christ’s was. Accordingly, let’s make a list of Christ’s characteristics from the following verses:
    1. John 1:1
      1. ANSWER: He was with God from the beginning.
    2. John 1:2-3
      1. ANSWER: He was with God from the beginning, and all creation was made through him.
    3. John 1:4
      1. ANSWER: He was life and the life of all mankind
    4. John 1:15
      1. ANSWER: He was before John, meaning Christ existed from the beginning of creation and therefore was before John.
    5. Matthew 28:18
      1. ANSWER: He asserted that "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me."
    6. Matthew 18:20
      1. ANSWER: He is also everywhere, i.e., omnipresent.
    7. Colossians 2:3
      1. ANSWER: Hidden within him are "treasures of wisdom and knowledge."
  4. Read John 15:1-12.
    1. Who is the vine?
      1. ANSWER: Jesus.
    2. Who are the branches?
      1. ANSWER: People, believers, and non-believers.
    3. Who is the gardener?
      1. ANSWER: God.
    4. What are we commanded to do?
      1. ANSWER: Bear much fruit in Jesus’ name, and "Love each other as I have loved you."

Bonus Questions:

  1. In 1 John 4:17, John refers to Christians as having boldness in the day of judgment.
    1. What will we be judged on? (See 1 Cor. 3:11-15)
      1. ANSWER: We will be judged on our works. (See also 2 Cor. 2:5-10)
    2. Is it possible that at that judgment seat we could lose our salvation? (See Romans 11:29)
      1. ANSWER: NO. See also prior verses Romans 11:34-37. You cannot lose your salvation. You may, however, lose rewards as a result of your lack of works; but never, ever, your salvation.
    3. What is the difference between our judgment and that of the lost which will occur at the end of Christ’s millennial reign? (See Rev. 20:11-15)
      1. ANSWER: Note that the "dead were judged according to what they had done..." The lost are also judged on their works. This judgment, referred to as the White Throne Judgment, is the judgment of the lost, not the saved. We, the saved, have our names written in the Book of Life. The eternal lake of fire is the destination of the lost, whose names are not written in the Book of Life, following the Great White Throne judgment at the end of Christ’s earthly reign. See also:
        1. Psalm 69:28
        2. Philippians 4:3
        3. Revelation 3:5
        4. Revelation 13:8
        5. Revelation 17:8

Have a great week everyone.

In Christ,

Wes

[2021]

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