Choice 4: 1 John 1–3. That Ye May Have Fellowship with Us and with God

1 John 1:8–10

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

We can grow our relationship with God by repenting and asking for help to live our lives in accordance with the gospel.  We can be happy when we repent.

1 John 2:3–6

3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.

 4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

 5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.

 6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so towalk, even as he walked.

We show God that we love him by being obedient to the commandments, and being a disciple of Christ.  As we do this we will progress in the gospel and will prepare to live with Him in the eternities by keeping temple covenants.

1 John 2:9–11; 3:11–19

9 He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.

 10 He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.

 11 But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, andwalketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.

 11 For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.

 12 Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous.

 13 Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.

 14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not hisbrother abideth in death.

 15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.

 16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

 17 But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth hisbrother have need, and shutteth up his bowels ofcompassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?

 18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

 19 And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him

Our relationship with God can increase by serving others, having a positive attitude and loving unconditionally.  We will know God by doing all of these things.

1 John 2:15–17

15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in theworld. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

 17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

We can know God by not being of the world. That means that we don’t succumb to the natural man and we live life like a disciple of Christ and nothing else. Being of the world steers us away from living our lives in accordance to the gospel and its teachings. By making a goal to live our lives centered on Christ, we’ll be on our way to living in righteousness.

1 John 2:20–21, 27

15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in theworld. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

 17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

We will build our relationship with God by following those who have been called as leaders over us and following their counsel.

1 John 3:4–6

4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.

 5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away oursins; and in him is no sin.

 6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoeversinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.

We can not build our relationship with God if we are not following the commandments and if we are sinning and not repenting.  The more we do these things the Spirit lessens and it is harder to hear.

Choose one of the ways to have greater joy and fellowship with God as you described it above, and write a paragraph explaining how you can better implement those principles in your life.

As we serve others and keep the commandments we learn the love of God for us.  We learn to love to serve, and we love those we serve.  We must serve everyone, even our enemies.  This can be and is difficult for myself and all of us, but it will help us humble our hearts and love them as God loves them.  When we do this we will begin to understand how we can accomplish the commandment to love one another as He loves us. If I can remember to do this I will find the positive in the person instead of what they lack.