Metaphysical Bible Interpretation of I John Chapter 2
Metaphysically Interpreting I John 2:1-6
2:1My little children, these things write I unto you that ye may not sin. And if any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 2:2and he is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for the whole world.
2:3And hereby we know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. 2:4He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; 2:5but whoso keepeth his word, in him verily hath the love of God been perfected. Hereby we know that we are in him: 2:6he that saith he abideth in him ought himself also to walk even as he walked.
January 13, 1929: I John 2:1-6
What relation does Jesus of Nazareth bear to the forgiveness of sin through God as Spirit? Jesus realized His unity with the Father and acknowledged Him in all His ways. In this, as John says, He became “an Advocate with the Father.”
Did Jesus become the propitiation for our sins without requiring any effort or sacrifice on our part? Jesus opened the door of spiritual values, or realities, so that all men may enter who acknowledge Him and keep the divine law as He kept it. “He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also to walk even as he walked.”
Quote some Scripture texts which offer guidance in ways of righteousness through Jesus Christ. “My little children,” John says, “these things write I unto you that ye may not sin.” “Beloved, now are we children of God ... We know that, if he shall be manifested, we shall be like him; for we shall see him even as he is. And every one that hath this hope set on him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. ... And ye know that he was manifested to take away sins and in him is no sin. Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not ... My little children, let no man lead you astray: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous ... Whosoever is begotten of God doeth no sin ... he cannot sin, because he is begotten of God.”
November 2, 1941: I John 2:1-6
What is the “Advocate with the other” that each one who “sins” man live? The “Advocate” is the truth that perfect goodness, perfect love and wisdom, and the power to make these manifest reside within man, and can be reckoned and realized by him when he is inspired by the thought that such things are possible to him. The spirit of this truth must lay hold of him and arouse him to faith in his possibilities before the Advocate can he said to be active.
How can we be sure that our convictions are based on Truth? By keeping the law of right thinking and right conduct, (abiding in Truth) and observing its effects in our life and affairs, we prove our convictions to be true. Putting them to the test in a practical way proves the measure of Truth that they contain.
What is represented by the words “the blood of Jesus his Son”? They represent the life of the Christ Spirit. Blood represents life, and Jesus is Son of God is the expression of the I AM or Christ. Everyone has within himseIf, if only in latent form, the idea of spiritual perfection and the inherent power to make it manifest.
June 20, 1943: I John 2:1-6
In what respect is “Jesus Christ the righteous” our Advocate? An advocate is one who aids us in presenting our case in a favorable light. Jesus Christ the righteous, by showing His followers the Christ way and inspiring them to enter upon it, aids them to obey the divine law or law of life. In so doing He is the supreme advocate.
How is he the “propitiation for our sins” and those of the whole world? To propitiate is to render favorable. When anyone “sins” or goes contrary to the divine law, the Christ consciousness is available to him, and if he enters into it and puts himself again in harmony with divine law he “propitiates” the law. In this universal consciousness the sins of “the whole world” may be swallowed up and done away with.
What proof may we furnish ourselves that we are in God consciousness or “that we know him”? We may prove our knowledge and understanding of God by keeping His commandments or obeying the law of life. “Hereby we know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.”
What other quality in us is perfected by our keeping the divine law? Love. “Whoso keepeth his word, in him verily hath the love of God been perfected.” Love makes obedience easy.
How does anyone “abide” in the Christ consciousness? By thinking the thoughts of the Christ and acting in harmony with those thoughts. “He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also to walk {act} even as he walked.”
Why is the word “walk” used in connection with one’s abiding in God or the Christ? Because abiding in Christ is a positive or constructive work, not a passive or inert condition. To abide in Christ is to progress toward perfection, not to remain in one’s original state.
Metaphysically Interpreting I John 2:7-17
2:7Beloved, no new commandment write I unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning: the old commandment is the word which ye heard. 2:8Again, a new commandment write I unto you, which thing is true in him and in you; because the darkness is passing away, and the true light already shineth. 2:9He that saith he is in the light and hateth his brother, is in the darkness even until now. 2:10He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is no occasion of stumbling in him. 2:11But he that hateth his brother is in the darkness, and walketh in the darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because the darkness hath blinded his eyes.
2:12I write unto you, my little children,
because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake.
2:13I write unto you, fathers,
because ye know him who is from the beginning.
I write unto you, young men,
because ye have overcome the evil one.
I have written unto you, little children,
because ye know the Father.
2:14I have written unto you, fathers,
because ye know him who 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 evil one.2:15Love 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. 2:16For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the vain glory of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 2:17And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
November 3, 1947: I John 2:7-11
What is the “new commandment” that is given us in the text for today? It is the old commandment to love God with our whole heart, mind, soul, and strength, interpreted in a new way to meet the needs of a new age and to include the commandment to love our neighbor as ourselves.
What is the darkness that is said to be passing away? The darkness in our mind that takes the form of distrust, hatred, and suspicion, all of which prevent us from understanding one another and working together toward a common goal.
What is “the true light” that “already shineth”? The light of Truth or divine understanding that causes the darkness to pass away.
Can we make life an expression of the divine will? Yes, by loving others instead of condemning and criticizing them.
Under what obligation does love place us? To be our best, to allow those who love us to see our ideal side. “The darkness is passing away, and the true light already shineth.”
Is it possible to hate another person and at the same time see him as he is in the sight of God? No. Hatred befogs our vision and reduces our power to see a person as he really is. To understand anyone fully is to love him.
How does the creative power of love express itself? Love sees perfection where none is manifest, so that the one who Is loved responds by seeking to be perfect.
Metaphysically Interpreting I John 2:18-28
2:18Little children, it is the last hour: and as ye heard that antichrist cometh, even now have there arisen many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last hour. 2:19They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they all are not of us. 2:20And ye have an anointing from the Holy One, and ye know all the things. 2:21I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and because no lie is of the truth. 2:22Who is the liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, even he that denieth the Father and the Son. 2:23Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: he that confesseth the Son hath the Father also. 2:24As for you, let that abide in you which ye heard from the beginning. If that which ye heard from the beginning abide in you, ye also shall abide in the Son, and in the Father.2:25And this is the promise which he promised us, even the life eternal.
2:26These things have I written unto you concerning them that would lead you astray.2:27And as for you, the anointing which ye received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any one teach you; but as his anointing teacheth you; concerning all things, and is true, and is no lie, and even as it taught you, ye abide in him.
2:28And now, my little children, abide in him; that, if he shall be manifested, we may have boldness, and not be ashamed before him at his coming. 2:29If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one also that doeth righteousness is begotten of him.
Transcribed by Lloyd Kinder on 12-16-2013
