Good morning,
This week we begin a study of 1 John. John wrote to counter the false teaching of his day. He used word pictures to contrast light/darkness and good/evil.
He explains that we need to be in fellowship with God through Jesus Christ. He explains that we all sin and if we say we do not, we are liars. Then he explains how we can get right with God.
1 John 1
The purpose of the letter: to bring you into a relationship with God (1:1-4)
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;2 (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)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.
John’s message from God: dealing with sin and maintaining relationship (1:5-10)
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.8 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.
THINGS TO THINK ABOUT
John was an eyewitness to the ministry of Jesus
John bears witness to what he has seen and heard
John challenges others to have fellowship with Jesus
John states that we all sin
John tells us how to restore our relationship with God
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001
Leave a Reply