That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us— 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 his Son Jesus Christ. 1 John 1:1-3
This morning, I continue my study of 1,2,3 John using the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for these books. My study today focuses on a commentary-assisted review of 1 John 1:1-4.
Per the commentary for this text:
Main idea: "Jesus Christ is the God-man who is the one basis of true Christian fellowship and eternal life."
Highlights from the introduction:
- The incarnation and resurrection Jesus Christ is core to Christianity, so John makes an effort to ensure we know He is real. John saw this as an essential question to put this to rest.
- John also wrote other letters including his gospel account and Revelation; "He wrote the Gospel of John to convert sinners. He wrote the epistles of John to confirm the saints. And he wrote the book of Revelation to coronate the Savior."
- "Three important themes are linked to the four purposes that open the doors to the wonderful truths we discover in this letter: (1) right belief in Jesus; (2) right obedience to God’s commands; and (3) right love for one another."
- John seeks to refute false teachers about Jesus, and to confirm to believers the truth of Jesus and about their salvation.
Divisions:
- Have a Passion to Know This Life (1:1-2): Jesus is like no other, as He has always existed. He was from the Father and with the Father. As the incarnate Son of God, Jesus became "real and genuine humanity." John emphasizes how he saw, heard, and touched Jesus. In fact, many did. John was attempting to refute Gnosticism (including two camps - those following Cerinthus and the Docetists) in which all matter is evil and that "salvation is by a mystical, even secretive, knowledge." The commentary seeks for us to avoid what John Piper is the stumbling block for many regarding faith: "This is the stumbling block of the incarnation—when God becomes a man, he strips away every pretense of man to be God. We can no longer do our own thing; we must do what this one Jewish man wants us to do. We can no longer pose as self-sufficient, because this one Jewish man says we are all sick with sin and must come to him for healing."
- Have a Passion to Share This Life (1:3): Believers are urged to share the joy that we have in our faith and to invite others into the fellowship of faith. "We Christians must never forget that we have more in common with a Chinese Christian, an African sister, and a brother in South America than a next-door neighbor who does not know Christ. And never forget that this eternal life that has transformed us is the eternal life we must proclaim to our neighbor here and among the nations in order that they might become family. We continually want to add more!"
- Have a Passion to Enjoy This Life (1:4): We glorify God when we experience joy in Jesus Christ. We should strive to live a life like Jesus "not out of obligation, but gratitude," as "Jesus died the death we should have died (2:2) and He lived the life we should have lived (2:6). This life of holiness is marked particularly by joy, by keeping Christ’s commands (2:3), and by loving one another (2:10)....John does not want us to wonder if we are saved. He wants us to have assurance that we are saved."
Comment and discuss this post.
My Prayer: Lord Jesus, I KNOW You are real, that You have always existed and always will....and that You became flesh, died and rose again so that I can have life now to the full and forever...with You. Thank You Jesus for these amazing blessings that my words can never fully describe. I am not deserving of the rich blessings You pour out for me daily. My sin is great...and it continues...daily. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.
