Background
1 John 1 was written by John the Apostle, one of the twelve and is thought to be the disciple that was closest to Jesus. It is likely that he was one of the two disciples of John the Baptist who followed Jesus when he was pointed out to them at the Jordan River where John the Baptist was baptising.
John 1:35-40 speaks of two disciples, Andrew the brother of Simon Peter is one of them, the other is un-named but is likely to be John. He was certainly present at the wedding of Cana a few days later because he wrote about it. John had a brother James and their Father was Zebedee. He worked in Partnership with Andrew and Simon (Peter)
John is first named as a follower of Jesus in Matthew 4:18-22, and Luke 5:1-11 where Jesus calls them as they are repairing their nets beside the Sea of Galilee. John with his brother James, had a reputation as a Son of Thunder, and they were more than happy to call down lightning on people as punishment. However he was very loyal to Jesus and was his closest friend. Whenever Jesus just wanted a few people with him, it was always Peter, James and John.
It was John who followed Jesus to the high priests house with Peter and who was acquainted with the High Priest and so was allowed to go further into the courtyard. John 18:15 (Peter had to stay outside.) And John was at the cross. John 19:25-27
After Pentecost it was Peter and John who went to pray and who, in the name of Jesus, raised the lame man to walk (Acts 3:1-6) and afterwards appeared before the Jewish Council and spoke boldly of Jesus.
His writings
He is responsible for the Gospel of John; 1 John; 2 John; 3 John and the book of Revelation. Much of what he writes is about God’s love. He was transformed from a man of reactive inclinations – Son of Thunder- to a man who totally understood the amazing love and grace of God and its importance to living as followers of Christ. These books were written later in his life from Ephesus and from Patmos.
John spent most of his ministry life in Ephesus. It is believed that of all the apostles, he is the only one who actually died a natural death. He was exiled to the island of Patmos for preaching the word of God and for his testimony about Jesus. Revelation 2:9 (Patmos is a small island in the Aegean Sea).
Chapter 1
1 John 1
“We proclaim to you the one who existed from the beginning whom we have heard and seen. We saw him with our own eyes and touched him with our own hands. He is the Word of life.”
John is an eyewitness to the life of Jesus. The first chapter of 1 John spells out clearly who Jesus is. John wants to make sure that those who read or hear his words understand exactly who Jesus is, what he has done and how we are to live in response. There are many truths in this small chapter.
Truth 1
Jesus existed in the flesh and is the one revealed by the Father - 1 John 1:2. This is very clearly designated in this Scripture and elsewhere in his writings. The Gospel of John Chapter 1 is a prime example.
John 1:1-5
New Living Translation (NLT)
Prologue: Christ, the Eternal Word
1 In the beginning the Word already existed.
The Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
2 He existed in the beginning with God.
3 God created everything through him,
and nothing was created except through him.
4 The Word gave life to everything that was created,[a]
and his life brought light to everyone.
5 The light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness can never extinguish it.[b]
John the Apostle makes it very clear that Jesus is the one expected – he is the Messiah - he is God in the flesh.
John 1:10-14
New Living Translation (NLT)
10 He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. 11 He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. 12 But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. 13 They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.
14 So the Word became human[a] and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness.[b] And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.
To all who believed – to those who accepted who he was/is – they have the right to be become children of God. Our new life in Christ is based squarely on who Jesus is. And the Apostle John, writing the Gospel and writing his letters, late in his life – puts it clearly. Jesus is the one that was expected.
Challenge 1
Do we believe Jesus is the Son of God?
This is a truth that must be answered by each one of us. Our salvation relies on it.
Truth 2
God is light – there is no darkness in him.
"If we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in darkness we are lying;" –1 John 1:5-6.
This is a tough statement. Our lives are to reflect the light of God. We cannot continue to live the old way, once we have experienced God's life in our life. Jesus himself said that He is the light of the world, and in him we too are the light of the world.
John 8:12
New Living Translation (NLT)
Jesus, the Light of the World
12 Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”
Matthew 5:14
New Living Translation (NLT)
14 “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.
WE are to be a beacon of light in a lost community. The way we live will be a reflection of how well we understand this. We are not perfect, but we can choose to live in a way that reflects the grace of God, the love of God and the Holiness of God.
Challenge 2
Does my life – the way I live- show that I have chosen to live in the light of God’s grace?
Truth 3
God’s forgiveness is available when we ask for it. We all Stuff up and need forgiveness. John says that we are all sinners, 1 John 1:8. We are saved by grace and our lives are to reflect the light of God. But we will make mistakes – not if – but when - and when we do, God forgives when we ask.
John says that none of us can say we are without sin. To do so is not living in the truth. In fact it says that we deceive ourselves if we think we have no sin. The great news in this chapter is that God forgives us and we can live in the light of God because of his forgiveness.
He cleanses us from all unrighteousness.
He makes us right and holy.
He gives us a robe of righteousness that is in Christ.
There is therefore an expectation that we will choose to live in forgiveness; that we will choose to confess our sin and not to hide our sin. There is an assurance that if we will have the courage to confess to God, we will be forgiven.
Challenge 3
Will I take responsibility for my mistakes and my stuff and seek God’s grace and forgiveness?
I’ve heard so many people say – "I’m not good enough to go to church, I’m not good enough to come to God." That is the whole point. None of us are good enough. But the grace of God is more than able to make us right with God if we accept it.
People tend to pull away from God when they stuff up; instead, we are supposed to seek him out when we stuff up. God's promise to us is acceptance, love and forgiveness.
So: Be the person who is confident in God, in his love, grace and forgiveness, and live as a light of that grace in our community.
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