Meeting 11/19/11
Why 1 John? So we "may know we have eternal life" (1Jn 5:13). What is this eternal life? "That they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent" (John 17:3). This is Jesus praying to His Father! So, "to know" Him is eternal life. This is that intimate connection with Christ that He so wants for us. He wants it so bad, He came to Earth and took care of the sin problem so it could be possible. He's done everything He needs to do. He fixed the sin problem so that we might have life. This is where the marriage picture comes in. It portrays the intimacy of two becoming one. This connection is where true life happens. This is unity being created. A people connecting with the Christ, that they may have intimacy with Him forever. A beautiful thing to say the least! So 1John is about giving us confidence that we have this amazing life; that we have this intimate connection with Christ; that we are indeed His disciples. Returning to 1John 1, notice the first topic they introduce to support these claims: "God is light". This is the first important truth the author wishes to testify to after he has given discipleship credentials as being eye witnesses to Jesus life and messages. There is no darkness in this God that we are following. He is totally and purely good. He cannot act apart from love. He wants nothing but good for us. He loves us beyond imagination. Will we believe this when something bad happens in our lives? I remember in "The Shack" when God pointed out to Mack a major issue in that he really didn't believe God was good, since He had not saved his baby girl from tragedy. An interesting point: as parents, we don't wish bad for our kids. We don't "set up" or "orchestrate" tragedies to develop character or punish for wrong doing. So where do we get the idea that our God acts that way? No, our God is all light and He is all right! We must walk as Jesus did, walking in the light, being in the good, being in the right. This is a sign that we are indeed His disciples. If we are to be men of truth, we will walk in the light, as He did. Then we will have fellowship with Him and with other disciples. It's community! Unity with each other! At this point, the author introduces the reality of sin. He understands its reality and its effects on fellowship. He understands the healing power of forgiveness. He knows that forgiveness is something to participate in. It's a verb and a state of mind. It's offense and defense. It's a way of this life. It's for us. It's for all parties involved. Surely, it must directly relate to the Garden of Eden, sin entering into the world, human decisions, mistakes, etc. Jesus steps in and fixes the problem. He provides a way out. He brings the solution to our great need. He is making everything new. That is forgiveness. Walk in it.
