King James Bible Study – [And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. – Mark 8:34]
Date: Friday, December 26, 2025
Chapters: The Books of I, II, & II John
Message: I, II, III John: Our Advocate
Hello My Friend,
I apologize for the delay, I managed to get myself sick and am dealing with a sinus infection that has knocked me down pretty good. As we read through the books of I, II, and III John we learn that those who sincerely receive Christ as their Saviour are made righteous through their faith in Him. The more we walk with Him the more we become like Him. That is not to say that we will never sin again, but it is to say that we are forgiven.
[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. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.]
Those whom have sincerely and honestly accepted Christ as their Saviour are automatically wired to start living their lives in a way that pleases God, and that includes removing sin from their lives. It is the Holy Spirit that lives inside of us that tells us that we need to stop doing something that we learn is sin. We also need to be careful as there are many wolves in sheep’s clothing, just trying to get us out of God’s will.
[1 John 4:1-4 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: 3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. 4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.]
The Book of I John is the twenty-third book of the New Testament, sixty-second book of the Bible, and contains five chapters. The author of this epistle is John (the same John who wrote the Gospel of John as well as Revelation), and it was written to Christians who were falling into satanic deception which was breaking their fellowship with God and other believers. The purpose of this letter was to remind believers how they have eternal life, and our works of Christ are evidence that His lives inside of us, [1 John 5:10 He that believeth on the Son of God- hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.]
John’s Gospel of Christ was written to all believers of God, but out of the four Gospels, Christ’s deity is seen through it more than all of them. These letters that John wrote are no different as you read them it is apparent who is actually speaking. John, begins his first letter with a reminder that all who accept Christ is of the Father enjoy fellowship with Him.
[1 John 1:1,3-7 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; 3 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. 4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. 5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.]
Those of us who are saved today have one of these Apostles or disciples to thank for as they passed it down to all of us. Those who receive Christ as their Saviour have the full assurance that their faith in Him alone not only saves them from the fiery pit of hell, it removes their sin once and for all, and they can stand before God as though they never sinned. How is this possible? We are saved by grace according to the promise that God made that none who believe in Him perish. While our salvation is not the green light to live in sin, we do have the assurance that when we do Jesus will sustain us.
[1 John 2:1-5 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for our’s only, but also for the sins of the whole world. 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.]
[Propitiation; The act of appeasing wrath and conciliating the favor of an offended person; the atonement or atoning sacrifice offered to God to assuage his wrath.] The second that sin was committed by man on the earth that was when it separated God from man, it appalled Him so much that He could no longer look at man. Since He created man and they are actually His most precious creation, He made a way to appease man and for a while He used the sacrifice of unblemished animals as a means to for a sinner to be atoned for their sins. Jesus, changed that with His one sinless sacrifice, [Ephesians 2:15-16 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; 16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:]
It is wise to remember that even though we are no longer under the Law, God, has not changed His stance on sin. His commands to avoid sin are not null and void because we get saved, if anything, they ought to be the drive that keeps us from sin. John, goes on to remind us that we are forgiven and therefore, a new commandment is given.
[1 John 2:12-15 I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name’s sake. 13 I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father. 14 I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one. 15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.]
Our faith alone in Christ cleanses our soul of the sin that covered us in filth that we had gotten from the world. This does not mean that He wants us to continue living in sin, in fact, it is worse on us because we have the Holy Spirit living inside us. Jesus, really does more than just cleanse our soul as we walk in His light, He cleanses our conscience, our mind, our spirit, and our body. Confession of sin is the key to the cleansing, even after we are saved, and we must confess our sins sincerely, and daily in order to keep His light shinning. Besides, following His commands does reveal those who truly do abide in Christ or are impostors, which John warns us of.
[1 John 2:18-22 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. 19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us. 20 But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things. 21 I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth. 22 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.]
Honestly, you can spot unbelievers a mile away, in fact, many of them look demonic and love to be in the crowd among one another. The deceivers are a little harder to find, they do not like being among the crowd, love to be in leadership roles, appear to love God, but give out subtle hints that they are not one of Christ’s.
[1 John 2:24-25,28-29 Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father. 25 And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life. 28 And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming. 29 If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.]
We should never be ashamed of what we are doing when the lights are off, and it appears that no one is looking. If we are, then repentance is the best option because there is always someone watching, and our sin will be found out publicly if we are doing something that we are ashamed of, [Genesis 4:7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.]
This is the thinking of the majority of people who know of Christ, but do not receive Him, they want the blessing of God with their halfhearted offerings. Do you want to know what is worse than a halfhearted unsaved person? A halfhearted saved Christian, who willfully commits sin. The truth is, there is no joy in worldly living. What they end up with is a sad, wasted life, with nothing to show for it. While we are all sinners saved by the grace of God through Christ, we are a work in progress until the day God takes us home or Christ returns. When we walk with Him daily, He literally transforms us into His likeness, and reveals to the world that we are the children of God.
[1 John 3:1-4 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. 2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. 4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.]
Jesus, who has no sin, became sin for us so that He could take all our sins to the cross with Him. Our faith in Him does so much more than save us from hell, we are accepted of God as one of His children and that is something that we ought never take for granted. John, goes on to point out that those whom have sincerely accepted Christ and are faithful to Him do not want to willingly commit sin, but those who are content to remain living in sin need to check their salvation.
[1 John 3:7-10 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. 8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. 9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. 10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.]
Now, this is actually referring to sin that is knowingly committed, and not repented of, using ones salvation as a cloak for their sin. While we all still sin, Jesus, will help us overcome it through obedience, If there is no shame, if there is no admission of sin, then perhaps they are not saved to begin with and need to reassess their salvation.
What John is referring to here is those who knowingly commit sin without seeking repentance after they are saved and have been saved a while.
[1 John 3:13-16 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 his brother 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.]
The Holy Spirit inside of us gives us a conscience to stop doing what we are doing before something worse happens. Jesus, will help us overcome all sin through obedience, but if there is no shame, if there is no admission of sin, then perhaps they are not saved to begin with.
[1 John 3:18-22 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. 20 For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. 21 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. 22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.]
Do you understand that, if you are saved, Christ lives in you? The fact that He lives in you means that you have overcome the greatest battle you will ever face in your lifetime, death. That alone should be the drive that leads us to live a life that is pleasing to God. People should be able to tell if Christ is in us because we truly are different. If they do not see Christ in us, than we are obviously not walking with Him. We can live in this world and not be of it, we can enjoy this life with some integrity, and we can enjoy a life of fellowship with God. We are going to mess up, sometimes several times a day, but living our lives with Christ makes us more like Him as we learn His ways and mimic them.
[1 John 4:6-9 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the Spirit of truth, and the spirit of error. 7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. 8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. 9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.]
Satan, may knock us for a loop once in a while by sending his demons to deceive us, but eventually the truth comes out, then we repent and come out better than we were before. We need to understand that we are going to mess up, sometimes several times a day, but as long as we are repentant, God’s mercy and grace endure, and that is the greatest proof of His love toward us.
[1 John 4:12-15,17-19 No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. 13 Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. 14 And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. 15 Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. 17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. 19 We love him, because he first loved us.]
There is nothing to fear when we fear God because He will lead and protect us one way or another. God, is with all who have receive His Son, He always will be, and all one needs to do order to feel His presence is to simply remind themselves just how much He loves them, and that He will take care of everything. We must never waiver in our faith, and never forget that we have the witness of Christ within ourselves through the Holy Spirit that lives within us.
[1 John 5:1-4 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. 4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.]
I have overcome the world with Christ! What gives me such confidence? His witness lives inside of me. Those whom have accepted Christ as their Saviour are one with Christ and God through the Holy Spirit who lives inside. The clearest explanation of the Godhead is written here by John.
[1 John 5:6-10 This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth. 7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. 8 And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one. 9 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son. 10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.]
God, is with all who have receive His Son, He always will be, and all one needs to do order to feel His presence is to simply remind themselves of just how much He loves them, and that He will take care of everything. People should be able to see Christ is in us because we truly are different, even if they do not know that it is Christ until we we tell them. The greatest gift that we can give anyone is to tell them of why we are different.
[1 John 5:11-15 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. 13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. 14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: 15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.]
We have the proof right inside of us, the Holy Spirit, which is why the second you doubt yourself, He is right there to remind you of your joy. Again, the devil robs us of our joy of our salvation, and anything else from Jesus that brings us joy.
[1 John 5:16-20 If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it. 17 All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death. 18 We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not. 19 And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness. 20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.]
If they do not see Christ in us, than we are obviously not walking with Him as we ought to be. We can live in this world and not be of it, but those continue to do so after they are saved without repentance will suffer a great deal of pain until they repent or are sent home in their pain, [James 1:14-15 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.]
The Book of II John, is the twenty-fourth book of the New Testament and sixty-third book of the Bible. 2 John was an epistle (letter) written by the Apostle John to the elect lady and her children. The purpose of this letter was to caution believers to be faithful to sound doctrine and to warn them against false teachers. What we are to learn from the letter is that we must remove ourselves from false teachers who cause us to follow and live by the wrong doctrine, [2 John 1:7 For 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.]
We are saved by grace through our faith the second we believe in the immaculate birth, sinless death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and receive Him as our Saviour. Do not let go of what you have been taught. John, begins this letter by addressing it to the elder unto the elect lady. The lady elect is not a woman, but a body of people, the body or the Church of Christ to be exact.
[2 John 1:1-5 The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth; 2 For the truth’s sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever. 3 Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love. 4 I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father. 5 And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another.]
We are saved by grace through our faith the second we believe in the immaculate birth, sinless death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and receive Him as our Saviour. We are to never not let go of what we have been taught.
[2 John 1:7-11 For 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. 8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. 9 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. 10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: 11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.]
While we will never lose our salvation should we get caught up in sin, we may lose out on earthly blessings as well as a crown or two when we stand before Jesus and give an account for the life we lived after we got saved. God, really does have a purpose for the things that He allows, keep in mind that He never allows sin, that is all on us and our freewill to choose to do so. What He does allow is for us to choose how we handle sin, and should we fail, give us an escape route, [1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.]
The Book of III John is the twenty-fifth book of the New Testament and sixty-fourth book of the Bible. It was written by the Apostle John to a man named Gaius. The purpose of this letter was to commend Gaius for his faith and hard work, but also rebuke some of the people causing trouble in the church. What we are to learn from the book is that our lives are examples of what others follow, whether it be good or evil, [3 John 1:11 Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.]
John’s third letter is addressed to someone named, [Gaius; a Christian], so, this is written to all faithful Christians and explains exactly why we are not to receive those into our lives do cause us to question or against our faith. Because greater is He that is in you, our soul is saved, meaning it is sinless and righteous before God, and if we want God’s blessings to continue it is important that we continue walking in the truth.
[3 John 1:1-5 The elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth. 2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. 3 For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth. 4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. 5 Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers;]
Because greater is He that is in you, our soul is saved, meaning it is sinless and righteous before God, and if we want God’s blessings to continue it is important that we continue walking in the truth. Do you see who is actually talking through these chapters? It is not John, it is God, and He finds no greater joy than to see His children walking in His Word. And because greater is He that is in you, He has the power to lead us away from any sin, [James 1:12-14 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. 13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: 14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.]
Today’s Prayer: Jesus, The sacrifice You made for us is still something true believers cannot comprehend, to give Your life for us and even want to fellowship with us after all we have done is truly amazing. Lord, I want to walk in Your Light, lead me and guide me, give me Your power and the strength that only You can give me to be able to shine Your Light through me. Fill me with Your grace and knowledge to discern the liars from the true, and keep me in Your Light, that I may not walk in darkness. I ask this in Your name, Jesus. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Are You 100% Sure You Are Going To Heaven?: https://imfollowingjesus.com/Biblestudy/ready-to-follow-jesus/
Read Previous Devotions: https://imfollowingjesus.com/Biblestudy/
Read The Bible: http://kingjamesbible.imfollowingjesus.com/
Visit I’m Following Jesus: https://imfollowingjesus.com/Biblestudy/welcome/
Like I’m Following Jesus On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/byhisstrength
Copyright © 2025 I’m Following Jesus, All rights reserved.
