The Pulpit Commentary — 1 John — Section 36

will thereby increase (cf. John vii. 17). As a summary, moreover, of the command- ments of our Lord Jesus, we may take th_e sermon on the mount, in which the only life thi\t will be of worth in his kingdom 1s set forth, and that too on his own Divine. authority. II. THE COMMANDMENTS OF TIIE Lonn JESUS ARE BUMMED UP BY THE APOSTLE rn TWO. Tho Lord Jesus summed up Old Testament commanrls in two (Matt. xxii. 37, 38). John sums up his Saviour's commands in two (eh. iii. 23): (1) Believin.,. in the Name of Jesus Christ, i.e. confiding in him and following him. (2) Loving one ;nother. How much stress the apostle lays on this we shall have abtmclant occa~ion to see in after homilies. III. CAREFUL REGARD FOR AND TIIE PRACTICAL FUJ.FIL)IE)'l'T OF THESE WILT, F.VER RE LETTmG us MORE AND MORE INTO THE SECRETS OF TilE LOVE OF Goo. There are two phrases-"Keeping his commaudmeuts," and "keeping his ·word;" the former (so Westcott) being an observance of definite instructions, while the latter is the orserv- ance of a principle which is ever taking a new embodiment in the very process of life. This course of conduct will disclose to us the love of God. How? Thns our life will be a life of growing love. This love we have learnt of Jesus. Jesus is the perfect copy of the invisible Father. Hence we learn, practically, "God is love!" IV. THUS WE COME TO KNOW THAT WE HAVE CO:l:IE TO A KNOWLEDGE OF Goo.' The Father's love is revealed through the Son. The Son by the Spirit reproduces his own love in our hearts. Thus a new world of love is ever opening up before our eyes. If ony man be in Christ, there is a new creation disclosed to his view. .A verification this of the glorious love of God, which brings with it a certitude of unspeakable worth and matchless glory ! V, Tms IS THE SEAL OF' OUR UNION WITH CHRIST. Hereby know we that we are in him. 'l'he growing conformity of our nnture to his likeness, and the ripening fellow- ship with him, are seals to our union with the Lord Jesus that cannot be mistaken. In conclusion: The .Apostle John makes use of all this to ward off and overturn the heresies of his day. We should likewise make use of it now. Not, however, by setting one speculation over against another; but by showing that the certitude of the believer is gained through taking the lowly pathway of duty, and that in the close following of him whom he believes and loves will be found the true secret of the highest know- ledge-a knowledge which will develop from moment to moment in the actual course of life. Ver. 6.-Great professions involve great obligaeions. Conneding link: In the fifth verse the apostle had just declared that a. life of obedience to God certifies to the believer that be is in Christ. In this verse that thought is as it were turned round: not only is it true that, if a man diligently obeys, he has in that fact the proof of a. living union with Christ, but it also follows that, if a man avows to others that he is living in union with the Son of God, he is bound to justify that avowal by a. life in entire harmony therewith. Hence we get the following theme-The avowal of a Christian life demands a Christ-like wallc. 'l.'wo lines of remark are here su~gested. I. HERE IS A GREAT DECLARATION SUPPOSED. "He that saith he abideth in him." It has been not unfrequently remarked that old words and phrases which had long been employed in pagan terminology have to put on a new meaning alto_gether when used in Christian teaching. Not only is this true, but much more. There are in Christian teaching absolutely new phrases used. This is one of them: "in Christ." It is entirely new, (1) because no one ever sustained such a loving relation to the human soul as Christ sustains to it; and therefore (2) never could human souls be so related to any other being as they are to the Lord Jesus, specially when knit to him by a living faith and drawing their Tery life from him. If, e.g., we speak of being in Isaiah or in Moses, who is there that would not turn away in disgust from the absurdity? And yet the Christian knows and feels it to be perfectly natural thus to speak of his relation to his Saviour. Yea, more; so close, so real, so vital, is that rnlationship, that no weaker phrase would adequately express it! Fur wha.t does he moan by it? Certainly not less than sevon things. 1. That be worhips him a..~ tho ideal and real Head of the entire human race. 2. That he recognizes the supremo I riv~•(TKO},IEV ~TI l-yvC:,Ka.,«EV "~'TOY. 3'.l THE FIRST EPISTLE GENERAL OF JOHN. [en. u. 1-20,