Friday, December 14, 2012

Fifty Two Weeks / 1 John 1


First Person

Much of the Bible is written in the first person. It is somewhat curious that in his gospel John never refers to himself directly but by the pseudonym “the disciple whom Jesus loved”. Nevertheless, there can be little doubt that he is reporting first hand. In his first epistle John seems to be referring to his earlier writings and his ministry as he shares his life. “What we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and our hands have touched.” 

John also states the reason for sharing his experiences; for sharing the gospel. “We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We write this to make our joy complete.”

We share the gospel because we want others to become part of the family to which we belong. This isn’t so that the family might grow stronger and our side will win. Our side is going to win regardless of who does or doesn’t join up. We want them to be with us, with the Father and Son, so that joy may increase.

God is Light

Noel Stookey (“Paul” of Peter, Paul, and Mary) wrote a song many years ago titled The Means are the End. That song has stuck with me not only because is has a catchy melody but also because it contains a great truth. In a culture where we have largely bought into the notion that in order to combat evil we may occasionally have to (in the words of Dick Chaney) “embrace the dark side”, let it be clearly stated that such a concept is unmistakably ungodly.

Read this sentence out loud: “If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth.”

It is a lie to think that we overcome darkness with darkness. All that does is create more darkness. As John wrote in his gospel, “The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.” Light is the only thing that defeats darkness.

What, me sin?

Some people practice the delusion that once we become Christians we no longer commit sins. This is an asinine idea on too many levels to innumerate but even more importantly it is a deadly dangerous idea for three specific reasons.

  • “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.” Such an idea removes truth from our lives.

  • “If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.” Such an idea causes us to value our knowledge above God’s and causes us to be incapable of functioning in the clear light of His Word.

  • “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” I am not trying to unravel the mystery of our salvation here. I don’t think we have to get “saved” over and over, but I do believe that to walk in righteousness requires a life of confession and cleansing. No cleansing without confession. No confession without the realization that I have sinned.

At least this has been my experience in the first person.

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