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December 26th

The bible reading today is in 1 John 1-5.

There is no doubt in the general theological community that the apostle John wrote 1,2,3 John. And I believe that too.

The gospel of John and these three epistles have many similarities...but the main ones that I see are the eternal life that is in Jesus and the love of God that is seen through Jesus and those who believe him.

There doesn't seem to be a particular recipient of 1 John. However, we have reason to believe that this letter was written in the early 90s...about the same time he penned Revelations to 7 churches in Asia.

Some commentators believe that it's possible 1,2,3 John were written to those same 7 churches and some individuals in them.

We will ask John when we get to heaven.

Now to the text...1 John 1:1,2

“That which was from the beginning, Who was that? from the beginning? God...Father Son Holy Spirit...which we have heard.

Who was that? Jesus...which we have seen with our eye.

Who was that? Jesus...which we looked upon and have touched with our hands.

Who was that? Jesus...concerning the “word of life".

Who was the Word of life? Jesus... the “life” was made manifest, and we have seen it.

Who was that? Jesus...and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life.

Who did they testify of? Jesus...who was with the Father and was made manifest to us—Jesus.

‭‭1 John‬ ‭1:1-2‬

Next in the text...John wrote...“that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you”,

What was it that John saw and heard and preached? Jesus...that simple...that profound!

“So that you too may have fellowship with us;" Jesus and I want you to have life eternal and friendship and companionship with us.

“and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.” Awesome!

‭‭1 John‬ ‭1:3‬

And one more piece of the reading...“This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, From who? Jesus that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

There is no sin God the son Jesus..If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.

So what is the hard truth? If one is continuing in sin...with no remorse, and no repentance is evident, that person should examine their faith and immediately beseech God to either save them or restore their faith in Jesus...otherwise, without a life of fellowship with God...there is no light...there is no salvation.

Now let us note these next verses...“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light,” we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.”

‭‭1 John‬ ‭1:5-7‬

Real fellowship with one another in the church comes from walking in the light...doing life with Jesus.

Putting a potluck dinner together and inviting church members over to your house for fellowship doesn't automatically constitute spiritual fellowship for all...only those who are walking in the light...which is desiring the Lord from your heart and confessing your sins to him regularly and thank him for the grace of his forgiveness.

Outside of Philippians, my joy book, 1 John is my love and spiritual assurance book. Enjoy...

Have a great day