God is Love

Lesson 44: God is Love 1 John, 2 John, 3 John

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What is self-deception?
Self-deception is a process of denying or rationalizing away the relevance, significance, or importance of opposing evidence and logical argument. Self-deception involves convincing oneself of a truth (or lack of truth) so that one does not reveal any self-knowledge of the deception.
How is deception in any way negative to our progression?

Examples:

: Anorexia, Bulimia, Inverse thereof

Body image refers to how people see themselves. Distorted body image (also called negative body image) refers to an unrealistic view of how someone sees their body. Like eating disorders, it is seen most commonly in women, but many men also suffer from the disorder. You begin forming your perceptions of your body’s attractiveness, health, acceptability and functionality in early childhood. This body image continues to form as you age and receive feedback from peers, family member, coaches, etc. Personality traits such as perfectionism and self criticism can also influence the development of a negative internalized image of your body. (Video on self image)

: unrealistic view about ourselves - the good things in life come from our efforts and achievements not God.

: "The average person believes he/she is better than the other average person"

Denial, is a hallmark of the addictive/sinful process. In almost all cases an individual will justify his/her actions rather than recognize their sin.

Finding-Giving Support in Recovery:
Denial, self-deception, and isolation are hallmarks of addictive behavior. These traits make it difficult to achieve lasting and stable progress in recovery without the support and perspective of others.

Self worth - Self Esteem you are a child of God and are of immense worth!

Byu Speeches - Marvin J. Ashton It's No Fun Being Poor

The worst form of defeat is to be conquered by self. Defeat is not pleasant, but nothing is so painful and devastating as self-defeat. Losing our self-dignity and self-respect is the worst form of poverty. When trust in friends and self are both lost, there is not much trust left in life.We should teach, particularly ourselves, that nobody is a nobody. We are someone, and with God’s help we can accomplish all things.

Thomas Carlyle said, “Over the times thou hast no power, solely over one man thou hast quite absolute power. Him redeem and make honest.” An honest conscience is worth more than it costs. Greatness is truly measured by honest self-appraisal. “What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” (Mark 8:36).

Introduction:
In the Epistle of John he provides us insight into why he writes this book and to who: 1 John 1:1-4
1 - We have seen, and held the word of life
2 - the life was manifested and we have seen it - and bear witness of it
3 - That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you

That you may have fellowship with us, and the son and the father

4 - That your Joy may be full

Last week at the very end of the lesson we talked about how a man's calling and election can be made sure, wherein an individual can join in fellowship with God, and Jesus Christ in a very literal manner. John desires those reading to reach this point and that their joy is full. He then begins to teach about one main issue that keeps people from reaching this point. This issue is the concept of Self-Deception which can block an individuals progress in repentance and gaining the characteristics of Jesus Christ in his life.

God is Light - There is no deception in him (John 1:5-7)
5 God is Light
5 In him there is no darkness at all
6 If we say we have fellowship with him

and walk in darkness

we lie
and do not the truth

7 If we walk in light

As he is in the light

We have fellowship with one another
The blood of Christ

7 Cleanseth us from all sin

Standard Pattern throughout this book: 3 part couplet using the following patternsIf Clause - then clause and Whoso - what they should dohe that clause should do clauseNotice the emphasis on self-deception in these verses:

We have no sin
If we say we have no sin - we deceive ourselves (1 John 1:8)

If we we confess our sins - he is faithful to forgive us (1 John 1:9)

If we say we have not sinned - we make him a liar (1 John 1:10)

We know him
If we say we know him - and keep not his commandments we are a liar (1 John 2:4)

Whoso Keepeth his word - God's Love is perfected and God is in him (1 John 2:5)

He that saith He abide in him - Ought to walk as he walked (1 John 2:6)

I am in the Light
He that saith he is in the light - hateth his brother is in darkness (1 John 2:9)

He that loveth his brother - abideth in that light - no stumbling (1 John 2:10)

He that hateth his brother is in darkness - walketh in darkness - blind (1 John 2:11)

Comiteth sin
Whoso comitteth sin - transgreth the Law ( 1 John 3:4)

Whoso abideth in him sinneth not (1 John 3:6)

Whoso sinneth hath not seen him or known him (1 John 3:6)

he that doeth righteousness Is rightetous (1 John 3:7)

He that comitteth sin is of the devil (1 John 3:8)
Devil sinneth from the beginning

Son of God destroys works of the devil (8)

Whoso is born of God - doeth not commit sin (9)

His seed remaineth in him

He cannot sin - he is born of god

Children of god manifest (10)
And children of Devil (10)

Whoso doeth not righteousness

Is not of God
Neither he that loveth not his brother (10)

Rich man - without compassion
Whoso hath this world's goods - and seeth brother in need (1 John 3:17-18)

And have no compassion - How dwells love of god in him?

Let us not love in word, neither in tongue

But in deed and truth

Perfect love casteth out fear
​There is no fear in love (1 John 4:18)

Perfect love casteth out fear

Fear hath torment
He that feareth

Is not made perfect in love

Love god and not brother
If a man say I love God (1 John 4:20)

Hateth his brother

He is a liar

He that loveth not his brother

that he hath seen

How can he love god

whom he hath not seen

Emphasis that It is through Christ that we are saved: The beginning of each chapter
I write these things that ye sin not - If any man sin - Jesus Christ can save us (1 John 2:2)
We can be called the Sons of God for we shall be like him (1 John 3:1-3)

Every man that has this hope purifieth himself even as he is pure

Try the spirits - if they confess not Christ they are of the devil (1 John 4:1-3)
Whoso believe in Jesus Christ is born of God - and keeps his commandments (1 John 5:1-5)

God is Love - Ought we not to love as he does

it is his work and glory to perfect us - imperfect self deceiving individuals!

His love made perfect in us (1 John 4:7-17)
7 Let us love one another

Love is of God

Everyone that loveth is born of god

Knoweth God

Loveth Not

Knoweth not God

God is Love

9 Love of God Manifest

He sent his only Begotten

That we might live through him

10 Herein is Love

Not that we loved God but he loved us - Sent his son

To be the propitiation for our sins

11 If God so Loved us

Ought we also to love one another

12 No man hath seen God at any time

Except them that believe

If we love one another

God dwelleth in us

His love is perfected in us

13 we dwell in him and he in us

He hath given us his spirit

14 We have seen and do testify

The father sent the son

To be the savior of the world

15 Whoso confess Jesus is Son of God

God dwelleth in him
He in God

16 We have known and believed the Love God has for us

God is Love

He that dwelleth in love
dwelleth in God
God in him

17 Herein is our love made perfect

Boldness in the day of judgement

As he is
So are we in the world

Poems:
1 John 2:12-14
12 I write unto you little children

Your sins are forgiven

13 I write unto you Fathers

You have known him that is from the beginning

I write unto you Young Men

ye have overcome the wicked one

13 I write unto you little children

You have known the Father

14 I have written unto you Fathers

Ye have known him that is from the beginning
I have written unto you young men

Ye are strong word of god in you
Ye have overcome the wicked one

1 John 2:15-17
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

16 all that is in the world

lust of the flesh
lust of the eyes
pride of life
is not of the father
but is of the world

The world passeth away

and the lust thereof

17 The will of God abideth forever

Conclusion:
Self Deception is a means by which the devil can deceive an individual and lead them slowly down to hell. Nephi said it very plainly in the following verse:

21 And others will he pacify, and lull them away into carnal security, that they will say: All is well in Zion; yea, Zion prospereth, all is well—and thus the devil cheateth their souls, and leadeth them away carefully down to hell. (2 Nephi 28:21)

We need to not be complacent in our current state... but rather be constantly improving/learning and becoming the types of people that God would want us to be. John was clear and plain in his warnings concerning self deception. This book is pertinent to us in our day and provides a pattern of piety whereby we can if we are careful watch ourselves, our thoughts, and our deeds and become true Saints. Remembering always that is is through Jesus Christ and his atonement and it alone that we are saved!