John also tells us that God’s love is perfected in us if we love one another. Every Christian thinks that they love one another, but just read my true story parables based on some of my own experiences with Christian people.

No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and His love is perfected in us. ~1 John 4:12 KJV

In fact, John continues to explain how we know our love is made perfect:

[16] And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. [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. ~1 John 4:16-18 KJV

Imperfect Christians tell the world that we have nothing to fear (because they believe their salvation is already perfect), but if they’re using the scripture above, John is referencing love, not the fear of the Lord and working their own salvation out. We must fear God while working out our salvation.

Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. ~Phillippians 2:12 KJV

“For all those things hath Mine hand made, and all those things have been,” saith the Lord: “but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at My Word.” ~Isaiah 66:2 KJV

Imperfect Christians are telling the world that “we could never be perfect,” but perfection in Christ is to be without spot and blameless—meaning without sin. John tells us that Christians can be without sin:

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. ~1 John 5:18 KJV

Remember the first paragraph and the scripture I explained about “saying we have no sin”? Well, John is claiming that we do not sin.  Notice that John says those “born of God” and “begotten of God” do not sin. Sounds pretty perfect.  I think this a hard saying for many Christians because if they are still doing things like doubting God, watching pornography, fornicating, striving to become famous, or are simply lazy in the doctrine, they struggle with believing this could be true because it shakes their comfortable foundation.   As you read further, you will discover that John says they also cannot sin.

Many imperfect Christians also believe they could never know God, John tells us again, as he did in the above scriptures, that we can know God.

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. ~1 John 5:20 KJV

Jesus became our Savior so that we could know God when He comes to live inside of us to help us.

John also tells us that everyone who has the hope that Christ will return, and that we shall be like Him, purifies himself. This means that Christians cleanse themselves unto Christ.

[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. ~1 John 3:2-3 KJV

Today’s end-time, false doctrines have blinded many of whom call themselves imperfect Christians, into believing that because Christ’s blood has covered us— as long as we say that we are Christians who are kind to all— this is as far as we can make it. This is the mentality that destroys the urgency to work out one’s salvation with fear and trembling. However, John makes it very clear again that a Christian must be without sin.

[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 our sins; and in Him is no sin. [6] Whosoever abideth in Him sinneth not:whosoever sinneth hath not seen Him, neither known Him. [7] 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. [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. ~ 1 John 3:4-12 KJV

Notice that John references how Cain hated his brother Abel because Cain’s works were evil, but Abel’s works were righteous. Usually, the people who believe false doctrines do not support you, nor love you, which brings me to the next point.

John points out that the world hates us. Certain Christians do not understand this hatred. In fact, they will teach that if a Christian doesn’t have many friends, it is their fault.  However, they forget– especially lately–   that not every church member is truly practicing the doctrine of Christ.

Now imagine for a moment how many times this generation of Christians have been encouraged to despise the “legalist” (who surely is a modern day Pharisee—* sarcasm *)

A legalist follows the law and this has been a false doctrine to make the majority believe that it is wrong to adhere to a diligent doctrine. This is why the Christians who warn people to “be perfect” are hated. In fact, as John says later, “we know that we love the children of God when we love God and keep His commandments.” If Christians are wrapped up in hating those who follow Christ’s doctrine, then they are not of us.

[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 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. ~1 John 3:4-15 KJV

[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. ~1 John 5:2-3 KJV

Remember, the only way we can be a Christian is to abide in Christ, which means to abide in the doctrine. Notice the warning in this scripture:

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. ~1 John 2:28 KJV

If you have been taught that we no longer follow the doctrine that Paul brought, you must read the next section.

John gives a reminder in the next chapter,

[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. [6] And this is love, that we walk after His commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it. ~2 John 1:5-6 KJV

Remember, we know of the two most important commandments, but you probably never knew that there are mini commandments that support those two commandments. This is why the Apostle Paul was ordained to bring us the foundation of Christ. Here is an example of Paul telling us that his gospel is for all nations for obedience to the faith,

[25] Now to Him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, [26] But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: ~Romans 16:25-26 KJV

Here is an example of Paul explaining that what he writes are God’s commandments.

If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. ~1 Corinthians 14:37 KJV

But if you are still not yet convinced, read this,

According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon.  But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. 11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. ~1 Corinthians 3:10-11 KJV

Paul is telling us clearly that he has laid the foundation and none other can be laid.  Christ’s doctrine begins at Paul’s teachings.

This is important because John reiterates who is in Christ and who is not.

[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. ~2 John 1:8-9 KJV

Then, he warns us not to receive those people who don’t bring this doctrine. (Context: Keep in mind that we should always try to convince new people to help them to believe God, but never invite any one into your home who brings heresy and do not wish them well.)

[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. ~2 John 1:10-11 KJV

John just told us we can know that we love one another by the fact that we love God and follow His commandments. He also tells us more about how we can know if we have life.

[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. ~1 John 5:12-15 KJV [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. ~1 John 5:12-15 KJV

Again, John points out that those who are Christian do not sin.

[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. ~1 John 5:17-18 KJV

In my own experience, after being born of the baptism that comes by fire, the prior mental convictions from the Holy Spirit immediately also became physical warnings that hindered me from saying or doing something. This is how I learned to keep myself from sin because the Holy Spirit would blatantly point it out and if I missed it, I would get punished in a way in which I learned to fear God because it is the fear of God that keeps you from returning to sin. Those who are born-again know this physical conviction because He comes to live inside of us, becoming one with us, to help us.

[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. ~1 John 5:19-20 KJV

Many imperfect Christians also fear pointing out sin in the body of Christ and they often recite scriptures like “judge not” and “we all fall short.” John not only gently exposes a man’s sin to the congregation, he remembers and explains what this one man, who loves those of higher rank around him and rejects others, has done.

[9] I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. [10] Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church. [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. ~3 John 1:9-11 KJV

The book of 1 John squashes many of the imperfect Christian beliefs that are false doctrines. These false doctrines greatly hinder people from believing and accepting the authentic doctrine of Christ, which Paul brings as the foundation of Christ.

1. The imperfect Christian movement sometimes says that “we cannot know God,” but John gives us several examples that show us we can.
2. The imperfect Christian movement says that “we are sinners who will never be perfect,” but John says that Christians, who know God, do not sin.  They also cannot sin because His seed remains in them.  Those who sin do not know Him.
3. The imperfect Christian movement also says that “Christ has done it all” so we just confess we believe in Him and be kind to all without becoming “legalistic,” but John says that we must abide in the commandments of the doctrine of Christ, purify ourselves, note those who are evil doers in the faith, and especially love one another.
4. Imperfect Christians often say that we have nothing to fear because His blood and grace covers us continually upon acceptance, but John warns us that we must abide in Christ so that we will not be ashamed at His return. John explains that this “abiding in Christ” means to abide in the doctrine and in the commandments because anyone who does not have this doctrine does not have God.
5. Lastly, the imperfect Christian tends to use the “imperfect Christian” label as a fallback. In other words, if you catch them sinning or making a mistake, they can point to their “I told you I’m imperfect” to justify it. It is better for Christians to understand that accidentally putting on the wrong socks is not a sin. Moreover, recognizing you have sinned is not a badge of “never being perfect,” and claiming imperfection means you believe you could never work out your salvation to perfection. What’s worse is you are saying that in front of the entire world who really wants to see what holiness looks like and if this Jesus is the real deal who sanctifies people.

These false doctrine beliefs support many Christian churches that are continuously preaching the topic of grace in the wrong context. Do not be deceived by them, but work out your salvation with an urgency and be ready. No one is promised tomorrow.