John begins to wind down his letter by reminding his readers of the critical victory won at Calvary. This was the event that changed everything. This was the conflict the entire story of Israel had been leading up to. The rightful King had landed and the new world had begun as love conquered the final enemy

How do you know that God lives in you? Or that you live in Him? John gets to the heart of that question in the simple, yet extraordinarily profound truth that “God is love.” For John this isn’t just “true”.. it’s a fundamental reality with all kinds of implications

Getting to the heart of the letter, John returns to the theme of "loving one another" for the final time with a determination to ensure that we don't overlook the obvious or minimize that which is both profoundly simple and humanly impossible

John gives wise insight, as well as a surprising reminder, as he addresses his “dear children” who are seeking to understand how to discern what is true and of God in the midst of the tension of disagreements and differing voices among them

In a day when you never really knew where you stood with the gods and given the prevailing questions dividing this early community of believers, John gives reassurance to all those - then and now - who wrestle with feelings of guilt and shame, wondering if they're doing enough to remain in God's love.

John gives a brilliant commentary on what it means to be human and invites us to welcome a disruption at the core of our being in order to more fully experience the love of God flowing in us and through us

According to John, love for one another is the evidence of our being part of the life that is the real life.

In chapter 3, John moves into a direct, but somewhat odd discussion about sin and seems to draw some equally odd conclusions.

John addresses some of the sources of tension within his community and reminds them of who they really are in Christ

Learning to live in the life that Jesus keeps insisting is available through Him, requires that be aware of certain - and sometimes subtle - dangers found in this life