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〃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 whole world。〃 〃If we confess our sins； He is
faithful and just to forgive us our sins； and to cleanse us from all
unrighteousness。〃 The conditions of obtaining mercy from God are simple and
reasonable。 The Lord does not require us to do some grievous thing in order
to gain forgiveness。 We need not make long and wearisome pilgrimages； or
perform painful penances； to commend our souls to the God of heaven or to
expiate our transgression。 He that 〃confesseth and forsaketh〃 his sin 〃shall
have mercy。〃 Proverbs 28：13。
In the courts above； Christ is pleading for His church pleading for those
for whom He has paid the redemption
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price of His blood。 Centuries； ages； can never lessen the efficacy of His
atoning sacrifice。 Neither life nor death； height nor depth； can separate us
from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus； not because we hold Him so
firmly； but because He holds us so fast。 If our salvation depended on our
own efforts； we could not be saved； but it depends on the One who is behind
all the promises。 Our grasp on Him may seem feeble； but His love is that of
an elder brother； so long as we maintain our union with Him； no one can
pluck us out of His hand。
As the years went by and the number of believers grew； John labored with
increasing fidelity and earnestness for his brethren。 The times were full of
peril for the church。 Satanic delusions existed everywhere。 By
misrepresentation and falsehood the emissaries of Satan sought to arouse
opposition against the doctrines of Christ； and in consequence dissensions
and heresies were imperiling the church。 Some who professed Christ claimed
that His love released them from obedience to the law of God。 On the other
hand； many taught that it was necessary to observe the Jewish customs and
ceremonies； that a mere observance of the law； without faith in the blood of
Christ； was sufficient for salvation。 Some held that Christ was a good man；
but denied His divinity。 Some who pretended to be true to the cause of God
were deceivers； and in practice they denied Christ and His gospel。 Living
themselves in transgression； they were bringing heresies into the church。
Thus many were being led into the mazes of skepticism and delusion。
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John was filled with sadness as he saw these poisonous errors creeping into
the church。 He saw the dangers to which the church was exposed； and he met
the emergency with promptness and decision。 The epistles of John breathe the
spirit of love。 It seems as if he wrote with a pen dipped in love。 But when
he came in contact with those who were breaking the law of God； yet claiming
that they were living without sin； he did not hesitate to warn them of their
fearful deception。
Writing to a helper in the gospel work； a woman of good repute and wide
influence； he said： 〃Many deceivers are entered into the world； who confess
not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh。 This is a deceiver and an
antichrist。 Look to yourselves； that we lose not those things which we have
wrought； but that we receive a full reward。 Whosoever transgresseth； and
abideth not in the doctrine of Christ； hath not God。 He that abideth in the
doctrine of Christ； he hath both the Father and the Son。 If there come any
unto you； and bring not this doctrine； receive him not into your house；
neither bid him Godspeed： for he that biddeth him Godspeed is partaker of
his evil deeds。〃
We are authorized to hold in the same estimation as did the beloved disciple
those who claim to abide in Christ while living in transgression of God's
law。 There exist in these last days evils similar to those that threatened
the prosperity of the early church； and the teachings of the apostle John on
these points should be carefully heeded。 〃You must have charity；〃 is the cry
heard everywhere；
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especially from those who profess sanctification。 But true charity is too
pure to cover an unconfessed sin。 While we are to love the souls for whom
Christ died； we are to make no compromise with evil。 We are not to unite
with the rebellious and call this charity。 God requires His people in this
age of the world to stand for the right as unflinchingly as did John in
opposition to soul…destroying errors。
The apostle teaches that while we should manifest Christian courtesy we are
authorized to deal in plain terms with sin and sinners； that this is not
inconsistent with true charity。 〃Whosoever committeth sin；〃 he writes；
〃transgresseth also the law： for sin is the transgression of the law。 And ye
know that He was manifested to take away our sins； and in Him is no sin。
Whosoever abideth in Him sinneth not： whosoever sinneth hath not seen Him；
neither known Him。〃
As a witness for Christ； John entered into no controversy； no wearisome
contention。 He declared what he knew； what he had seen and heard。 He had
been intimately associated with Christ； had listened to His teachings； had
witnessed His mighty miracles。 Few could see the beauties of Christ's
character as John saw them。 For him the darkness had passed away； on him the
true light was shining。 His testimony in regard to the Saviour's life and
death was clear and forcible。 Out of the abundance of a heart overflowing
with love for the Saviour he spoke； and no power could stay his words。
〃That which was from the beginning；〃 he declared； 〃which we have heard；
which we have seen with our eyes；
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which we have looked upon； and our hands have handled； of the Word of life；
。 。 。 that which we have seen and heard declare we unto you； that ye also
may have fellowship with us： and truly our fellowship is with the Father；
and with His Son Jesus Christ。〃
So may every true believer be able； through his own experience； to 〃set to
his seal that God is true。〃 John 3：33。 He can bear witness to that which he
has seen and heard and felt of the power of Christ。
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Chapter 55
Transformed by Grace
In the life of the disciple John true sanctification is exemplified。 During
the years of his close association with Christ； he was often warned and
cautioned by the Saviour； and these reproofs he accepted。 As the character
of the Divine One was manifested to him； John saw his own deficiencies； and
was humbled by the revelation。 Day by day； in contrast with his own violent
spirit； he beheld the tenderness and forbearance of Jesus； and heard His
lessons of humility and patience。 Day by day his heart was drawn out to
Christ； until he lost sight of self in love for his Master。 The power and
tenderness； the majesty and meekness； the strength and patience； that he saw
in the daily life of the Son of God； filled his soul with admiration。 He
yielded his resentful； ambitious temper to the molding power of Christ； and
divine love wrought in him a transformation of character。
In striking contrast to the sanctification worked out in the life of John is
the experience of his fellow disciple；
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Judas。 Like his associate； Judas professed to be a disciple of Christ； but
he possessed only a form of godliness。 He was not insensible to the beauty
of the character of Christ； and often； as he listened to the Saviour's
words； conviction came to him； but he would not humble his heart or confess
his sins。 By resisting the divine influence he dishonored the Master whom he
professed to love。 John warred earnestly against his faults； but Judas
violated his conscience and yielded to temptation； fastening upon himself
more securely his habits of evil。 The practice of the truths that Christ
taught was at variance with his desires and purposes； and he could not bring
himself to yield his ideas in order to receive wisdom from heaven。 Instead
of walking in the light； he chose to walk in darkness。 Evil desires；
covetousness； revengeful passions； dark and sullen thoughts； were cherished
until Satan gained full control of him。
John and Judas are representatives of those who profess to be Christ's
followers。 Both these disciples had the same opportunities to study and
follow the divine Pattern。 Both were closely associated with Jesus and were
privileged to listen to His teaching。 Each possessed serious defects of
character； and each had access to the divine grace that transforms
character。 But while one in humility was learning of Jesus； the other
revealed that he was not a doer of the word； but a hearer only。 One； daily
dying to self and overcoming sin； was sanctified through the truth； the
other； resisting the transforming power of grace and indulging selfish
desires； was brought into bondage to Satan。
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Such transformation of character as is seen in the life of John is ever the
result of communion with Christ。 There may be marked defects