October 13
1 John 1
Today's Reading
1 John 1
Reflection
Pray: "Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law."
Intro to 1 John:
Although the author does not mention his name, most scholars agree that the apostle John wrote 1 John. His audience is also a bit of a mystery, but scholars all agree it was written to believers. As an apostle, John had been with Jesus, walked with Him, and spoken with Him often. He knew Jesus and had a close personal relationship with Him. However, just as our relationships with the people in our lives can vary depending on the time we spend together and our dedication to the person, so too can our relationship with God. As you read this letter, you will see he wants his readers to have the same fellowship and intimacy with God that he has experienced. He challenges them to walk in fellowship with God and to be aware of the false teachers who want to lead them astray.
- 1
What do you learn about God (the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) from this chapter? His thoughts, ways, or actions toward us as His creation? How can you respond to God in prayer and praise?
- 2
In verses 1-4, what evidence do you see that John was sharing an eyewitness account of the Word of life? What kind of life is John referring to? Who was the Word of life with? Who does John want the audience to have fellowship with? Why is he writing?
- 3
How does John describe God in verse 5?
- 4
According to verse 6, if we have fellowship with God, what can we not do? If we walk in darkness, what do we do?
- 5
According to verse 7, if we walk in the light, what do we get to experience? What cleanses us from sin?
- 6
According to verse 8, what is the result if we say we do not sin?
- 7
According to verse 10 (yes, I know I skipped 9; hang with me), what is the result if we say we have not sinned?
- 8
In verses 8 and 10, John is saying you are going to sin, you have sinned, you will sin. Now look at verse 9! When we sin, what is our responsibility? And then, what two things does God do? Oh, God's amazing grace! Do you see it?
- 9
Ponder: Did you feel there was a contradiction in this chapter? In verse 6, John tells us we cannot say we walk in fellowship with God and at the same time walk in sin. But in verses 8-10, he says we are going to sin; it is inevitable! So which is it: can we have fellowship with God as sinners? The answer hinges on the words fellowship and walk. First, the Greek word for fellowship is koinōnia, and it means communion and intimacy. It is a closeness, not just a casual relationship. The Greek word for walk is peripateō and means the state in which one is living. It is the idea of a continuing, habitual life of sin; a practice of sinning. So, if we are to have a close relationship with God, we cannot live in a habitual state of sinning. However, God also knows we will still face temptation and sin even if we are walking close with Him. So, He gave us 1:9: if we confess, He is faithful to forgive and cleanse! Think about it this way: if I argue with my spouse and speak in a harsh way, I have sinned against him. Our relationship may suffer a temporary distance until I seek forgiveness and we make amends. I don't cease to be married, but there is distance between us. However, if I am secretly having an affair, I cannot be in a close relationship with my spouse because my sin (the affair) has created an ongoing distance between us. There is the opportunity for forgiveness and repairing the closeness in the relationship, but not until I have repented and ended this sinful relationship. I don't know about you, but I am so grateful for our forgiving and cleansing God! He does not expect our perfection, but He does want our heart of repentance. He is ready and willing to forgive; just turn to Him. How does this lead you to pray?