Weekly Devotional 4-22-24 A Letter of Encouragement
First John is an intimate letter written by the apostle John to those he addressed as his little children (2:1). It was written to encourage them in their walk before the Lord and with one another. John of course had in mind not biological children but spiritual children. In the body of the letter he assures those who have believed on the name of Jesus Christ that they have spiritual life and an eternity ahead of them with Him (Jesus). Even during that first century, there were many who denied that there is life after death. John refuted this belief in the gospel that bears his name and knowing that now, just a few years later many were becoming discouraged, he wrote this letter as an encouragement.
As he began John reminded his readers that he and his companions had been with the Lord Jesus Christ in a very special fellowship. It was John’s desire that his readers experience a like relationship. For that to be possible, he wrote that they needed to understand that sin must be recognized, confessed, and dealt with. Their part was to recognize, confess and turn from their sin. It was God’s part to cleanse them of it. John wrote: 1That 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, concerning the Word of life— 2the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us— 3that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. 4And these things we write to you that your joy may be full. 5This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. 6If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7But 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. 8If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us” (1 John 1:1-10).
In the body of the letter John wrote of several things that identify one who has true fellowship with his/her triune God, and also with other Christians. To have such an identity they must keep His commandments (2:3-6), they must have a compassionate godly love for others (2:8-11), and they must not love the things of the world (2:15-17). Because of that knowledge they were to be on the alert for false teachers, those who denied that Jesus is the Christ, the Savior of the world (2:18-23).
Before John closed his encouragement, He added, “10He who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself; he who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed the testimony that God has given of His Son. 11And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. 12He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. 13These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God” (1 John 5:10-13).
As we consider this letter, we should consider what we believe about Jesus? Have we believed God’s testimony about Him, or the testimony of those who deny that Jesus was (and is) the Christ? If we believe and live according to God’s testimony we will be the happiest of all people.
Steve
stevelampman.com
Transforming Power; the Work of God on Behalf of Man