The Joy: Filled up and overflowing in the Gospel
Although John raises some eyebrows by urging his readers toward fellowship first with us, and then secondarily with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ, the fourth verse of 1 John might be even a bit more curious: “And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete” (1 John 1:4). [...]
The Fellowship: With the Church, with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ
In the opening of 1 John, the Apostle explains that his reason for proclaiming Jesus Christ, the Word of Life Made Manifest, is this: “that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with [...]
The Proclamation: The Word of Life has been Made Manifest
As all the commentaries on 1 John will point out, most New Testament epistles begin with an introduction concerning the author of the letter. The opening of 1 John, however, introduces Someone else: That which was from the beginning, which we have hard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon [...]
How can God be faithful, but still just?
Ever since AWANA, when I memorized “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9), this verse has been an important part of my understanding of the gospel. God forgives us when we confess our sins to him. This [...]
Reforming the Speech of Pharisaical Hypocrites (Like Me)
In 1 John 1:5-2:6, immediately after John lays out his thesis statement for the section that “God is light, and in him there is no darkness whatsoever,” he turns his attention to addressing those who deny their own sinfulness. Three times he addresses those who say that they have no sin: 1:6: If we say [...]
God is Light, and in Him is no Darkness Whatsoever
In 1 John 1:5-2:6, the Apostle John writes about sin, faithful living, our Advocate in Jesus Christ the Righteous, forgiveness, cleansing from sin, and obeying God’s commandments. In some ways, this section is a primer on practical Christianity–what does it actually look like to become a baptized member of Christ’s church? Everything, though, that John [...]
