1 JOHN 1

JESUS, THE WORD ALIVE + THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD

John introduces his case for Jesus by testifying that he has known Jesus in the flesh, seen Him with his own eyes, touched Him with his own hands, and heard Him speak. John refers to Jesus as God’s Word manifest, attesting that Jesus has been with God from the very beginning. These words emulate John’s opening verses of his gospel account where he calls Jesus the Word become flesh. (John 1:1-5) John’s purpose in writing is to unify people with God, encouraging them to have fellowship with the Father through Jesus.

Stating his first major theme of the letter, John writes that God is light and in him there is no darkness. Followers of Jesus are called to walk in light and leave behind sin and darkness. John states that the blood of Jesus has cleansed believers of sin. John argues that everyone needs a Savior because everyone has sin. Whoever says they are without sin has deceived themselves and has not believed the truth of Jesus. John urges believers to confess their sins and trust that they are forgiven by God.