The convincing content of eyewitness testimony.  In the reading, processing and understanding of this powerful epistle we see John’s Clarion call to understanding one’s position as a Christian.  John, unlike Paul, was not steeped in nuance or pondering difficulties, but spoke plainly with conviction, clarity and complete covenant to truth as guiding principle in the retelling of Christ’s Glorious Gospel.

Chapter 1 vs 1

That 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, of the Word of life; (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us; )  That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship  with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. 

Humble purpose and intention, that of allowing hearers to share in broad fellowship with God, Christ Jesus and fellow believers.  Testifying to the manifestation of God’s Glory in the Body of Christ Jesus because it is right to tell the truth of what we have seen and heard.  These are not the passionate musings of literary genius but the honest and joyous recount of those who saw Christ’s humanity and His Glory.

Chapter 1 vs 3

And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.  This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is life, and in him is no darkness at all.  If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.  If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is no in us.  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just  to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. 

Again humble intention that we might find full joy in testimony.  Now coupled with absolute declaration of two competing positions which remain mutually exclusive in definition.  A series of “if” statements effective separate those who are in Christ from non believers, presenting an unnavigable gap of permanence between the two world views.

My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not.  And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:  And he is  the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.  And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.  He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.  But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.  He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.  Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning.  The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning. 

John appeals to all to do what is right.  But he acknowledges the sacrifice that appeased God’s anger so that all sin may be not only forgiven but cleansed through the life, death and resurrection of Christ.  John further acknowledges the natural similarities that should be witnessed in someone who has been saved, forgiven and cleansed, that being the evidence presented through a Christ like walk in this life.  It is his assertion that this principled living is consistent with existing covenant with God, but to follow are some ideas that may be reflected upon as new covenant principles.

Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth.  he that said his is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.  He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.  But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.

Repeatedly, John brings God’s clarity, understanding and direct simplicity to discern the nature and consequence of man action.  The Holy Spirit seeks discernment, establishing in clarity those things which may be sheltered by enemy deception.  John continues to define those issues that are either associated with light or darkness, in so doing clarifies those safety’s and dangers naturally welded to each position.  He implores believers to abide truthfully in Christ so as to not be “embarrassed” upon his return, suggesting that we may replace potential shame with confidence.

Rejoice

I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name sake.  I write unto, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning.  I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one.  I write unto you, little children because ye have known the Father.  I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from  the beginning.  I have written unto you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abideth in you and ye have overcome the wicked one.  Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world.  If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.  And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever.  Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists whereby we know that it is the last time.  They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.

The word is for all who have been given the eyes to see and the ears to hear.  It is after all, relationship that determines our position within Christ.  He knows us and we have been given the opportunity to know him.  This world is not our home, it passes away, its lustful temptations and its pride go with it, nothing will remain.  We belong to everlasting and have nothing in common with these flesh filled works, rituals or cultural underpinnings.  He has written unto them so that they may become mature in their faith.  Many have departed the clear doctrine of Christianity.  They left us because they too saw the separation between us and knew the gap was too far to traverse.

Chapter 2 Verse 20

But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.  I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth. Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ?  He is an antichrist, that denieth the Father and the son.   Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: [But] he that acknowledgeth the son hath the Father also.  Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning.  If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father. 

John acknowledges the kinship of understanding with them who know the truth  The world knows us not because it does not know him.  John proposed that there is some mystery of what we shall become as the Sons of which at some point will become evident as we meet Jesus.  That hope, that mystery, that understanding based and we act subsequently is based on our current limited understanding of what it means to be “like” Him.  With this expectation of some future transition we aspire to begin our quest toward Jesus emulation.  We now abide in Him and He in us, everything has changed.  We have somehow become mirrors of our relation to Christ.  Those demonstrating righteousness do so because of their kinship to the Most High God and them who continue to sin are simply demonstrating their devil likeness.  Each left to the ramifications of the greatest choice offered in this life.  And the greatest message delivered to Christians is that we simply and assuredly “love”, even when the world hates for that brotherly love becomes evidence of the same salvation granted each believer.

Segment 3:18 to the end of the chapter.

My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.  And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.  For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.  And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.  And this is his commandment, that we should believe on the name of his son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.  And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him.  And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.

If there are great dangers, then a loving Father must convey to us great warning of preparedness and vigilance.  For the enemy cares not about the man who is lost, he is after your blessings, he makes haste to steal your joy and make you impotent for the Kingdom of Christ in hopeful plan of capturing you in pride, sin and debauchery.  Yes there will be false teachers, false preachers, false friends and power mongers.  Even now they reside or seek entry to the Churches, seeking comfort from which to work disruption, deception and disarray.  Why wouldn’t they exist in a world that is being given the opportunity for redemption?  This world is lost, it is winding down and even now begins to trip over itself in a quest to achieve new level of putrefaction.  We should now be reasonably practiced in loving them while asking the Lord to keep us set apart from the spots and slanders of this world’s wickedness.  But are you confident in discernment for that is our weaponry to see through enemy deceit?  If not, I counsel you to write this chapter upon your heart so that you might be warned to readiness.