We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. 1 John 1:3
John, the beloved disciple, was the last living disciple of the original twelve. It is believed that he wrote 1st, 2nd, and 3rdJohn, and Revelation in addition to the Gospel of John. In 1st, 2nd, and 3rdJohn, he is addressing believers, some of whom have left the fellowship for various reasons. He speaks with truth – boldly. He has known Jesus personally, walked by His side and sat at His feet listening. His wants the church to carry on the name and teachings of His savior.
John knows his time is running out. He is speaking with urgency to tell them all the important things they might not have retained from previous teaching, and to reaffirm important key theological truths. It reminds me a little of myself when I finally get my 18-year-old son’s undivided attention. A single conversation turns into an explosion of everything my mama’s heart feels like I need to drive home – again. After all, I may not have this chance again for a long time! John was giving them all kinds of information, including these seven tips on how to walk as Jesus walked:
· Walk in the Light – 1John 1:6-7 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.
· Confess Your Sins – 1 John 1:8-9 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
· Obey His Commandments – 1 John 2:4 - Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him…
· Act Like Jesus –1 John 2:6-Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.
· Love Like Jesus 1 John 2:9-10 - Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness. Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling.
· Do Not Love the World –1 John 2:15- Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
· Never Deny the Father or Son –1 John 2:22- Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son.
John hit the high points in this letter with very practical and valuable tools for us to follow.
Scripture to Claim:
For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. 1 John 5:3
For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. 1 John 5:3
