1 John 1–5
Common Theme
First John presents assurance of genuine faith through right belief about Christ, obedient living, and self-giving love rooted in God’s character. True fellowship with God is marked by walking in the light and abiding in what He has revealed about His Son.
Questions
- How does John connect truth about Jesus with love and obedience as evidence of authentic faith?
- What role does assurance play in a believer’s relationship with God according to this letter?
God Shot
God is light and entirely without darkness, perfectly pure and truthful in all He reveals. God is love, initiating salvation by sending His Son and faithfully giving eternal life to those who abide in Him.
Deeper
1 John 1
The text discusses the Word of Life, emphasizing the tangible experience of witnessing and touching it. It proclaims eternal life through fellowship with the Father and Jesus Christ. It highlights the importance of walking in the light, stating that God is light and there is no darkness in Him. Confession of sins leads to forgiveness and cleansing from unrighteousness.
1 John 2
The text emphasizes the role of Jesus Christ as an advocate for believers, highlighting that He is the propitiation for sins not only for them but for the entire world. It stresses the importance of keeping God’s commandments as a sign of knowing Him, warning against false claims of knowing Him without obedience. The author introduces a new commandment about love, stating that those who hate their brothers remain in darkness, while love signifies being in the light. The text also advises against loving the world, as its desires are not from the Father and are fleeting. It warns of the presence of antichrists, asserting that true believers know the truth and have been anointed by the Holy One. The passage concludes with an encouragement to abide in Christ, ensuring confidence at His coming, and affirms that practicing righteousness is evidence of being born of Him.
1 John 3
The text emphasizes the love of God, identifying believers as His children and highlighting the distinction between those who practice righteousness and those who sin. It states that sin is lawlessness and that Jesus appeared to take away sins. True believers do not continue in sin, as they are born of God. The message encourages love among believers, contrasting it with Cain’s actions against his brother. It asserts that love is demonstrated through actions, not just words. The text concludes by affirming that confidence before God comes from keeping His commandments, which include believing in Jesus and loving one another, with the assurance that God abides in those who obey Him.
1 John 4
The text emphasizes the importance of discerning spirits to determine their origin, highlighting that true spirits confess Jesus Christ’s incarnation. It warns against false prophets and reassures believers that they have overcome these challenges through God’s strength. The passage also underscores that love is central to knowing God, as God is love. It states that God’s love was revealed through the sending of His Son for humanity’s salvation. Believers are encouraged to love one another, as love signifies a relationship with God. The text concludes by asserting that genuine love dispels fear and that loving God necessitates loving others.
1 John 5
The text discusses the relationship between belief in Jesus Christ and being born of God, emphasizing that love for God and obedience to His commandments are essential. It states that faith enables believers to overcome the world. The testimony of God regarding His Son, Jesus, is highlighted, asserting that eternal life is found in Him. The author expresses confidence that God hears prayers aligned with His will and encourages believers to pray for others’ sins that do not lead to death. It concludes by affirming that those born of God do not continue in sin and warns against idolatry, affirming Jesus as the true God and eternal life.