1 John 1
This devotional is written by Matt Coombs.
1 John 1
The incarnation of the Word of life
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched - this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. 2 The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. 3 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. 4 We write this to make our joy complete.
Light and darkness, sin and forgiveness
5 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. 7 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, purifies us from all sin.
8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched - this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. 2 The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. 3 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. 4 We write this to make our joy complete.
Light and darkness, sin and forgiveness
5 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. 7 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, purifies us from all sin.
8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.
Reflection
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched - this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. (1)
John uses some interesting language to start his letter. Heard. Seen. Looked at. Touched. John wants to make it clear that what he wants to talk about in his letter is not just something we read about. He wants us to know that he is telling his readers about something he has lived, known and experienced.
What have they experienced?
The Word of Life. That same Word who was there at the beginning of his gospel. Jesus is the Word of God. Jesus who is one yet distinct with the Father, who existed before the creation of the world has entered creation. This is who John has experienced.
John has seen, and heard, and touched Jesus - have you?
The experience of Jesus, the Son of God is not limited to his first disciples but is an ongoing and active reality for those who follow him.
When did you last see God at work? When did you last hear God speak to you? When did you last experience God in prayer?
Dear God, we invite your Spirit to come and fill us again. May we hear your voice today and experience your presence with us. May we know Jesus as closely as John did. Amen.
John uses some interesting language to start his letter. Heard. Seen. Looked at. Touched. John wants to make it clear that what he wants to talk about in his letter is not just something we read about. He wants us to know that he is telling his readers about something he has lived, known and experienced.
What have they experienced?
The Word of Life. That same Word who was there at the beginning of his gospel. Jesus is the Word of God. Jesus who is one yet distinct with the Father, who existed before the creation of the world has entered creation. This is who John has experienced.
John has seen, and heard, and touched Jesus - have you?
The experience of Jesus, the Son of God is not limited to his first disciples but is an ongoing and active reality for those who follow him.
When did you last see God at work? When did you last hear God speak to you? When did you last experience God in prayer?
Dear God, we invite your Spirit to come and fill us again. May we hear your voice today and experience your presence with us. May we know Jesus as closely as John did. Amen.
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