As you read 1 John, have you noticed that it reads more like a sermon than a letter? That’s because that’s what it is. This sermon/epistle/letter was circulated all around and is therefore addressed to all Christians . . . including us.
John has a purpose as he writes to the church. In chapter 2 John states eight times that he is writing to them, and that’s a cue to pay attention to what he is about to say.
“I am writing . . . that you may not sin.” John has already stated that when we don’t acknowledge our sin it separates us from the truth of God. This is a major issue for us in our lives. Sin is terribly destructive to our relationship with God and with others. John is quick to point out that God has provided a remedy to that problem: “. . . if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only by for the sins of the whole world.”
The propiti-what? Propitiation. The word John used was hilasmos, “the means by which sins are forgiven.” That is John’s first focus. Sin is the problem. Jesus is the solution – the means by which they are forgiven.
This is so important that later, John revisits this theme: “I am writing to you because your sins are forgiven.” “I am writing to you because you know Him who is from the beginning (Jesus).” “I am writing to you because you have overcome the evil one.” The understanding be that he was overcome through Jesus’ cross.
“I am writing you no new commandment . . . .” Love one another. The result of living in Jesus’ forgiveness is love. This kind of love is very different from free love movement of the 60’s and 70’s. This is the deep and abiding Christian care and concern for the wellbeing of other – both physically and spiritually. John says in v.15, “Do not love the world or the things of the world.” So much of what today’s media displays as “love” is either lust or selfishness. These things are passing away and will not last. We are being called to live in the will of God. God’s love turns us outward to care for others. In Jesus’ forgiveness we experience God’s love, and it moves us to love others.
“I am writing to you because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.” John is defining an important reality for us here. In Christ, we are strong. God’s Word – Jesus Himself – dwells in us. And we have overcome the evil one. The messages in the rest of our life would say that we are weak, that we should abandon hope, and that we should just give up. Live in the reality of forgiveness, compassion and the strength of Christ.
Father, thank you for giving me Your love. I have not always held on to it as a source of strength. Help me to be strong in Jesus’ forgiveness and share that hope with other. Amen.
John has a purpose as he writes to the church. In chapter 2 John states eight times that he is writing to them, and that’s a cue to pay attention to what he is about to say.
“I am writing . . . that you may not sin.” John has already stated that when we don’t acknowledge our sin it separates us from the truth of God. This is a major issue for us in our lives. Sin is terribly destructive to our relationship with God and with others. John is quick to point out that God has provided a remedy to that problem: “. . . if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only by for the sins of the whole world.”
The propiti-what? Propitiation. The word John used was hilasmos, “the means by which sins are forgiven.” That is John’s first focus. Sin is the problem. Jesus is the solution – the means by which they are forgiven.
This is so important that later, John revisits this theme: “I am writing to you because your sins are forgiven.” “I am writing to you because you know Him who is from the beginning (Jesus).” “I am writing to you because you have overcome the evil one.” The understanding be that he was overcome through Jesus’ cross.
“I am writing you no new commandment . . . .” Love one another. The result of living in Jesus’ forgiveness is love. This kind of love is very different from free love movement of the 60’s and 70’s. This is the deep and abiding Christian care and concern for the wellbeing of other – both physically and spiritually. John says in v.15, “Do not love the world or the things of the world.” So much of what today’s media displays as “love” is either lust or selfishness. These things are passing away and will not last. We are being called to live in the will of God. God’s love turns us outward to care for others. In Jesus’ forgiveness we experience God’s love, and it moves us to love others.
“I am writing to you because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.” John is defining an important reality for us here. In Christ, we are strong. God’s Word – Jesus Himself – dwells in us. And we have overcome the evil one. The messages in the rest of our life would say that we are weak, that we should abandon hope, and that we should just give up. Live in the reality of forgiveness, compassion and the strength of Christ.
Father, thank you for giving me Your love. I have not always held on to it as a source of strength. Help me to be strong in Jesus’ forgiveness and share that hope with other. Amen.
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