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More I John commentaries
I John 1:1-4
Is your fellowship grounded in God’s Word?
I John 1:5-7
What effects your relationships?
I John 1:8-10
Sins’ reality and remedy
I John 2:1-6
Tests of true knowledge
I John 2:7-11
God’s people are to love one another
I John 2:12-14
Three categories of believers
I John 2:15-17
Worldliness is a matter of the heart
I John 2:18-22
The opponent of Christ
I John 2:23-25
Jesus and God are one
I John 2:26-29
Twisting the Scriptures
I John 3:1-3
A clear description of God’s Children
I John 3:4-8
Reasons why Jesus died on the cross
I John 3:9-12
I have two dogs living in me
I John 3:13-15
Don’t be surprised if the world hates you
I John 3:16-18
Love is an action, not a feeling
I John 3:19-24
Doctrine and love are both needed
I John 4:1-3
Don’t believe everything you hear
I John 4:4-6
Sure tests for true teaching
I John 4:7-12
Love is an action
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Is your fellowship grounded in God’s Word?
I John 1:1–4
» View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway)
I once heard the story of a little boy who was taken to a new Sunday School class by his parents. His mother told him, “They will play some games, sing songs and then you will be introduced to Jesus.” When he came home his father asked him how he got along in Sunday Sch … More
In contrast to this story we find John had a message he wanted all to hear. He would not be guilty of withholding vital information from the child of God (vv. 1-2). There are three key words found in this message of I John. They are life, light and love. There are those who tell us that Jesus was a man but was not God. John makes no mistake in his identification of Jesus Christ. Jesus is the Son of the Father, the son of God (v. 3). If a man is wrong about Jesus Christ, he is wrong about God, because Jesus Christ is the complete and final revelation of God to men.
In the very beginning of this chapter John writes down his objective in writing to these people. The first thing he wants to do is produce fellowship with men and fellowship with God (v. 3). John had been an eyewitness to Jesus ministry while the readers of this letter had not seen or heard Jesus themselves but they could trust that what John wrote was accurate. Though we have not personally seen, heard or touched Jesus, we have the new Testament record of His eyewitnesses.
The second thing he wants to do is to bring joy to his people (v. 4). The simple fact is that if men are ever to have true joy as they seek fellowship with God and man, they must find it in Jesus Christ. It is not possible for us in our natural life to have fellowship with God. We cannot fellowship with God unless we have God’s life. The major thrust of this epistle is that Christ really exists and that believers can really have fellowship with Him. Some Christians appear to live as if Christ doesn’t exist.
Application
John writes about having fellowship with other believers. If I am to have true Christian fellowship it must be grounded in God’s Word and through a living relationship with Jesus Christ.
I John 1:1-4 (English Standard Version)
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. And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.
View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway) »
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