1 John 2:5
The sermon explains that keeping God's word is evidence of sincere love, and that being in Christ is known by fruits such as keeping God's word.
John Gill emphasizes the significance of keeping God's word as a demonstration of genuine love for Him. He explains that true love for God is perfected in those who embrace and adhere to His commandments, reflecting sincerity rather than mere verbal affirmation. This love is not a result of human effort but is a manifestation of God's grace, leading to obedience as evidence of one's relationship with Christ. Gill clarifies that being in Christ is not just a nominal association but a profound spiritual reality evidenced by one's actions and adherence to God's teachings.
Text
Ver. 5. But whoso keepeth his word,.... Either the word of the Gospel, and the truths of it, who receives it in love, cordially embraces and retains it, and will by no means part with it, but holds it fast, and stands fast in it; or the precepts and ordinances of the word, who loves these, and esteems them above fine gold, and concerning all things to be right, and observes them as they should be:
in him verily is the love of God perfected: not the love wherewith God loves him, for that is perfect in himself, and admits of no degrees, and cannot be more or less in his heart, and is entirely independent of the obedience of men, or any works of theirs; it is true indeed the manifestations of this love to the saints are imperfect, and may be more and greater, and greater manifestations of love are promised to such that love Christ, and keep his commandments, Joh 14:21; but here it is to be understood not actively, but passively, of the love wherewith God is loved by his people; and intends not the absolute perfection of it in them, in whom it often waxes cold, and is left, or the fervour of it abated, but the sincerity and reality of it; for by keeping the word of God, both his truths and his ordinances, it is clearly seen that their love to him is without dissimulation, and is not in tongue only, but in deed and in truth:, now it is not the keeping of the word of God that causes this love, or makes it perfect or sincere, for it is a fruit of the Spirit, and is owing to the grace of God; but love, on the other hand, is the cause of keeping of the word; and the latter being a consequent and an effect of the former, is the evidence of it, of the truth and sincerity of it:
hereby know we that we are in him: in Christ, not merely nominally, or by profession, as all that name the name of Christ, and are in a Gospel church state, may be said to be; but really, first secretly, through the love of Christ, the election of God, and the covenant of grace, and then openly, in conversion and the effectual calling, through believing in Christ, when the saints appear to be in him as branches in the vine; and which is known by their fruits, as here, by keeping the word, and doing the commandments of Christ, which do not put a man into Christ, but only show that he is there; for a man's being in Christ is owing to the grace of God; this is the first thing done in grace, 1Co 1:30.
Sermon Outline
- I. Keeping God's Word
- A. Love for God's truth and ordinances
- B. Evidence of sincere love
- C. Consequent of genuine love
- II. The Love of God Perfected
- A. Not the love wherewith God loves us
- B. Sincerity and reality of love
- C. Fruit of the Spirit and God's grace
- III. Being in Christ
- A. Not merely nominal or by profession
- B. Real union through love and election
- C. Known by fruits, such as keeping God's word
Key Quotes
“in him verily is the love of God perfected” — John Gill
“hereby know we that we are in him” — John Gill
“love, on the other hand, is the cause of keeping of the word” — John Gill
Application Points
- We should examine our love for God's truth and ordinances to see if it is sincere.
- Keeping God's word is a fruit of the Spirit and God's grace, not the cause of love.
- We can know if we are in Christ by examining our fruits, such as keeping God's word and doing the commandments of Christ.