Beloved, I am glad to share with you today the above theme from 1 Jn 1:1 and following. Indeed, “You too will bear witness -the Lord said to the Twelve- because from the beginning you are with me” (John 15:26-27). This is what the apostle John is doing here. Its subject is eternal life first “heard,” “seen,” and “touched” in the Son, now communicated to those who have received by faith the right to be children of God (John 1:10-13). It is necessary to distinguish the relationship itself from the enjoyment of this relationship, called communion. The first is the share of all the Father’s children. The second, the share only of those who walk in the light. Passages 1 Jn 1:6 to 1 Jn 2:2 explain how communion can be maintained, or restored when it is interrupted. On God’s side, an inexhaustible provision responds to all our iniquities: the blood of Jesus Christ, his Son. There is no sin too great that this precious blood cannot erase. He cleanses from all sin, from all iniquity. For our part, only one thing is required: the full confession of each of our failings of which we are aware in order to obtain full forgiveness (Ps 32:1-6). My heavy debt was paid by another and God would not be fair to my Substitute if He claimed it from me again.
A quick simple reading of the first epistle of John is enough to show a strong resemblance to the Gospel of John. The same themes appear in both. In the gospel, they are highlighted, primarily but not exclusively, in the Words of the Lord and by the illustration given by His life. In the epistle, we find them highlighted, the important thing now being that they be manifested in the lives of God’s children. The gospel shows us things that are true in Him, while the epistle speaks of a “new commandment … that which is true in him and in you” (1 John 2:8). This short sentence gives us the key to the whole epistle.
Indeed, this epistle is one of the last to have been written. There were already “antichrists” here and there, as chp 2 indicates. These men prided themselves on superior knowledge. They claimed that their teachings were a step forward, an improvement on what had existed before. But behind the claim of an advance, they were only dragging away from the foundation that had been laid in Christ, and away from the life that had been manifested in Him from the beginning, when He had come among us in the flesh. It follows that the first thing necessary was to show very clearly that there had been a real, true and objective manifestation of eternal life in Christ.
Thus, John emphasizes the immutability and certainty of the Christian message by frequently repeating the phrase “from the beginning.” The personal assurance of faith is evidenced by the multiplied use of the words: “we know” or “we know”. For towards the end of the 1st century, false teachers infiltrated Among Christians: they denied that Christ was the Son of God, did not recognize that the eternal Son had become man (1 John 4:1-3), and considered useless a life of faith in justice and brotherly love.
In the face of these attacks on the Christian faith, John presents the elements of salvation: Eternal Son of God, himself eternal life, Christ came to offer to men who believe in him eternal life and the quality of children of God. At the same time, the apostle sets out the criteria for recognizing whether someone truly possesses the life of God. The purpose of the epistle is expressed in 1 Jn 5.13, with these words: “I have written these things to you so that you may know that you have eternal life, you who believe in the name of the Son of God.
For the sin of a believer does not compromise or reverse the eternal forgiveness he obtains when, as a sinner, he turns to God in repentance. Nevertheless, it compromises its communion with God, as we have just read. Communion will be suspended until He confesses the sin that interrupted it. When we confess a sin, God is faithful and righteous for all that Christ is, and has done, and sin is forgiven, so that communion can be restored. This is what can be called paternal forgiveness, to be distinguished from the eternal forgiveness we obtain when we are sinners.
The following verses have been compiled for your edification and grouped together for your better understanding.
What we heard, saw and touched:
- Knowledge Through experience prepares men for the duties of life
-Allow Israel to understand strangers Ex 23:9 Thou shalt not oppress the stranger; you know how the stranger feels, for you have been strangers in the land of Egypt.
Prepared the demonic to bear witness to Mt 5:19 The one who therefore suppresses one of these smallest commandments, and who teaches men to do the same, will be called the least in the kingdom of heaven; but he who observes them, and who teaches to observe them, will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
Christ’s message is rooted in the experience Jn 3:10-11 Jesus answered him: You are the doctor of Israel, and you do not know these things! 11 Truly, truly, I tell you, we say what we know, and we bear witness of what we have seen; and you do not receive our testimony.
-Made the blind man able to testify Jn 9:25 He answered: If he is a sinner, I do not know; I know one thing, it is that I was blind and now I see.
-Made Paul capable of exercising a ministry of comfort 2 Cor 1:4 that consoles us in all our afflictions, so that, through the consolation of which we are the object of God, we may console those who are in some affliction!
-Made the apostles capable of speaking with authority 2 Pet 1:16 It is not, in fact, by following cleverly conceived fables, that we have made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but it is as having seen His majesty with our own eyes.
- Christ is life
-The light of life Jn 1:4 In it was life, and life was the light of men.
-Abundant life Jn 10:10 The thief comes only to steal, slaughter and destroy; I have come that the sheep may have life, and that they may be in abundance.
-Life for the dead Jn 11:25 Jesus said to him: I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even if he is dead;
The way, the truth, and the life John 14:6 Jesus tells him: I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Eternal life Rom 5:21 so that as sin reigned by death, so grace reigned by righteousness for eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Death abolished 2 Tim 1:10 and manifested now by the appearance of our Savior Jesus Christ, who destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.
-The only source of life 1 John 5:12 He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.
- Christ is the light of the world
Isaiah 9:1 The people who walked in darkness see a great light; On those who inhabited the land of the shadow of death A light shines. Jn 1:4 In it was life, and life was the light of men. John 8:12 Jesus spoke to them again, and said, I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but he will have the light of life. John 12:35 Jesus said to them: The light is still in your midst for a little while. Walk, while you have the light, so that the darkness does not surprise you: he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going. 2 Cor 4:6 For God, who said: The light will shine from the bosom of darkness! made the light shine in our hearts to make the knowledge of the glory of God shine on the face of Christ. Eph 5:13, but all that is condemned is manifested by light, for all that is manifested is light. Rev 21:23 The city needs neither the sun nor the moon to enlighten it; for the glory of God enlightens it, and the lamb is his torch.
- The Folly of Own Justice
Pr 20:6 Many people proclaim their goodness; But a faithful man, who will find him? Jer 2:35 Despite this, you say: Yes, I am innocent! Certainly his anger turned away from me! Behold, I will contest with you, because you say: I have not sinned. 2 Cor 10:12 We dare not match or compare ourselves to some of those who recommend themselves. But, by measuring themselves to their own measure and comparing themselves to themselves, they lack intelligence. Rev 3:17 Because you say: I am rich, I have enriched myself, and I need nothing, and because you do not know that you are unhappy, miserable, poor, blind and naked,
From all of the above, we note that only God forgives, but He also purifies from all iniquity. The honest confession of sin by a believer not only ensures forgiveness, but also has a purifying effect. The confession of sin means the judgment in our own hearts and in our thoughts of what we confess. And this means the purification of his influence and the deliverance of his power. But, some may go so far as to delude themselves and say that they “have not sinned”. A test is offered to them on this subject, namely the Word of God. Making such an unreasonable statement puts us in opposition to the Word of God and makes Him a liar. He clearly states that we have sinned, which closes the debate. We cannot contradict His Word, and still have His Word dwelling in us. Autant it is certain that we are in the light, as much as we will know that we have sinned and that sin is still in us. But we will also know the value of Christ’s blood and its purifying power, as well as the restoration that is ours after an honest confession. Thus communion in the light with the Father and His Son is established for us, and also maintained. Our joy being complete on such subjects, we will not feel inclined to run after men who would like to lure us with their so-called improvements and extensions of “what was from the beginning”. The sparks they unfold before us may be very beautiful, but they are the ones who lit them, and they faint in the darkness. We are made capable of knowing the life that has been manifested and of rejoicing in it, and in all that from the beginning has been brought to light in the precious Son of God. Our prayers are with you all.
PRAYER OF ACCEPTANCE OF JESUS CHRIST AS LORD AND PERSONAL SAVIOR
I now invite every person who wants to become a new creation by walking in the truth, to pray with me the following prayer:
Lord Jesus, I have long walked in the lusts of the world ignoring your love for humans. I admit to having sinned against you and ask your forgiveness for all my sins, because today I have decided to give you my life by taking you as Lord and personal Savior. I recognize that you died on the cross of Calvary and rose from the dead for me.
I am now saved and born again by the power of the Holy Spirit. Lead me every day to the eternal life that you give to all who obey your Word. Reveal yourself to me and strengthen my heart and faith, so that your light may shine in my life right now.
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for accepting me into your divine family, so that I may also contemplate the wonders of your kingdom.
I will now choose a nearby waterpoint to baptize myself by immersion, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
All adoration, power and glory are yours, now and forever and ever. Amen!
I would be happy to respond to any questions and comments you may have, before sharing with you tomorrow “he who knows Christ keeps his Word. »
May the Lord Jesus Christ bless you abundantly.
David Feze, Servant of the Almighty God.