#1JohnChallenge : Can I get a period?

For the last 15 days, I have been reading 1 John.  It was something that Pastor John MacArthur mentioned one time, so I thought it would be a good thing for my daily devotion for a month.  So each morning, I begin with 1 John 1, and the first three verses in the ESV or one sentence.  It is a long sentence!  I'm sure my academic friends and anyone who uses Grammarly who be looking to split the one sentence into two or three, but this is how the Holy Spirit inspired John and moved him along (1 Peter 1:21) as he wrote.  Here is the one sentence:

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. (1 John 1:1-3)

Whew!  One sentence!

But if you get past the looooong thought and take the time to break it down, John is pouring out some real truth for those Christians in Asia Minor.  So let's break it down.

1. That which was from the beginning.  This is Jesus, he is God, and he has always been.  There never was a time when he was not. (John 1:1)  But moreover, this is he who the Christians first heard about from the beginning of the preaching of the gospel.

2. which we have heard, seen, and touched.  John, as a chosen disciple of Jesus Christ, had walked with him, talked with him, heard his teaching, and saw his miracles AND he had seen the risen Lord.  He had a first-hand account.

3. concerning the word of life- Jesus! is the word of life and his gospel brings true life eternally.

.....still going....one sentence.... :) 

4. the life was made manifest, we have seen it, testify, proclaim.  Later John would speak of antichrists that were going out among them stating that Jesus was not from God, but John emphatically writes that he is, and he himself has witnessed it.

5. the eternal life which was with the Father and has been made manifest to us.  Jesus is from God.  He is the Son of God that has always been and will always be.  And this Son has been given to us as payment for eternal life.

6. we proclaim to you...so that you too may have fellowship with us.  not just hanging out and having a good time.  Fellowship, in this sense, is a commonality. 

7. our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.  the commonality is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.

Period.  Finally!  John wraps up this extended sentence with a much shorter one:

And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete (1 John 1:4).

1 sentence with 116 words comes to a conclusion stating that all of the words point to a joy that is unattainable in this world outside of a relationship with Jesus Christ.  The world and its pleasures and things cannot bring joy (1 John 2:16), but Jesus can.  Joy now, and joy complete at the time we stand before him after this life.

If you have never found this eternal joy, I would love to chat with you.  Drop me an email here.

Pastor Walt Troup

Philemon 6

#1JohnChallenge : Truth vs. Lies

John is rather bold in his letter known as 1 John.  He calls out false teachers and calls them antichrists (1 John 2:22), he states that those who do not love the brothers do not love God (1 John 3:14), and he makes it very clear to point out those who truly know God.

"And by this we know we have come to know him, if we keep his commandements.  Whoever say 'I know him' but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected.  But this we know that we are in him" (1 John 2:4-6).

That is pretty bold.  Throwing out a word like liar and a statement like the truth is not in him.  But this came as a reality check for those early people that are part of the congregations in Asia Minor (Turkey today).  I'm sure just like today, there were those in the church that was only there by association.  In other words, their friends might have followed Jesus, their family, or maybe for some, it was looked at as a good social connection in the day.  But whether in boldness or meekness in his speech, the truth is still spoken.  You can't identify as a follower of Christ and be flippant with his commands and expectations.  

So what are his commandments?  In the simplest form:  Love God, Love People.  Jesus told the lawyer when we accomplish those things, all of our obedience to Him will fall into place (Matthew 22:36-40).  When we first love God, we will love what he loves: people.  And in that, "the love of God is perfected" (1 John 2:5).

How can you love people today?  As you begin your day, think about a person you know outside of your friend's circle with who you will come in contact today.  Pray.  Ask God to show you how you can love them thru him. 

If the idea of loving God and following his commandment is foreign to you, it can only begin with a relationship with his Son Jesus Christ?  Have you ever done that?    Do you know him?  If not, I would love to chat with you.  Drop me an email here.

Pastor Walt
Philemon 6

#1JohnChallenge : Get Ready

The Apostle John wrote these words to the churches in and around Asia Minor, present-day Turkey, between 85-95 AD.  Passing along several bits of encouragement and reminders, in chapter 2 he writes,

"Little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming" (1 John 2:28).

John addresses his readers as "little children" many times, but don't think he is looking down on them.  And from their side, it is not an insult.  After all, he was a respected Apostle, one who had heard, seen, looked, and even touched the risen Jesus (1 John 1:1).  They were happy to receive this letter and the instruction with it.  One of the bits of instruction that John pointed to was their readiness.  It was a fact, Jesus was coming back.  At some point, he would appear again like he left (Acts 1:10-11).  When will this happen?  Only God the Father knows (Matth 24:36). We, those who live in the time until he does, simply need to be ready (Matt 24:44).  

How are we to be ready?  Continue in prayer (1 Peter 4:7), watch out for the misleading of false prophets (Matthew 7:15), ground yourself in the word of God (2 Timothy 3:14-17), and always be prepared to share the hope that you have (1 Peter 3:15).

Lastly, John uses the word abide several times throughout this letter.  Abide points to agreeing with a discussion or judgment.  So, in this case, when we abide in him, we are loving the way he loves, caring for others like he desires, presenting ourselves as different people, holy, righteous, and blameless at his coming.

This all begins when we have a relationship with God's Son, Jesus Christ.  If you would like to know more about how you can have that relationship, email me here.

Pastor Walt
Philemon 6