*1 John 1:1-10
The Apostle John affirms the eyewitness account of Jesus Christ and emphasizes the importance of fellowship with God and confessing sin.
- Introduction of the Word of Life:
- The letter begins with John asserting the tangible reality of the “Word of Life” — Jesus Christ. This assertion is based on personal experience: seen, heard, and touched by the author and his companions.
- He emphasizes the historical and physical presence of Jesus to establish the credibility and direct eyewitness testimony.
- Purpose of the Proclamation:
- John explains that the proclamation of the Word of Life is meant to share fellowship with others. This fellowship is not only among believers but also with the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.
- He writes so that the joy of the believers may be complete by sharing in this fellowship.
- God is Light:
- The epistle declares that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all, setting up a fundamental theological assertion about God’s pure and holy nature.
- Conditions for Fellowship:
- If believers claim to have fellowship with God yet walk in darkness, they lie and do not live out the truth.
- Conversely, walking in the light, as God is in the light, ensures mutual fellowship among believers, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies them from all sin.
- Confession and Forgiveness:
- John addresses the human condition concerning sin, asserting that claiming to be without sin is self-deception and a false claim that contradicts God’s truth.
- However, if believers confess their sins, God is faithful and just to forgive the sins and to cleanse from all unrighteousness.
- Claiming to have not sinned is equivalent to making God a liar and shows His word has no place in one’s life.
1 John 1:1-10 reminds us that walking with God means living in truth and honesty. If we make mistakes, we don’t have to hide them—God is ready to forgive us when we admit them. We can apply this by being open about our struggles, asking God for forgiveness, and striving to live in a way that reflects His light. Instead of pretending to be perfect, we should seek to grow in faith and encourage others to do the same. Living in God’s light brings peace, joy, and a closer relationship with Him.
1 John 1:1-10 (WEB)
1:1 That which was from the beginning, that which we have heard, that which we have seen with our eyes, that which we saw, and our hands touched, concerning the Word of life 2 (and the life was revealed, and we have seen, and testify, and declare to you the life, the eternal life, which was with the Father, and was revealed to us); 3 that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us. Yes, and our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. 4 And we write these things to you, that our joy may be fulfilled.5 This is the message which we have heard from him and announce to 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 the darkness, we lie and don’t tell the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son, cleanses 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 righteous to forgive us the sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we haven’t sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.