1 John 1:1-4

Extinguishing a fraud with the truth.

Before the first century was complete, a cultic doctrine made strong stirrings among the people — doctrine that claimed to have a special elitest knowledge concerning Jesus which the apostles supposedly had hoarded for themselves.

In his first letter John emphatically wants to share, rather than hide, what he witnessed in the life of the Lord Jesus. This is significant for these falsehoods he was attempting to defang and for the power he brings to our own Christian worldview.

Eternal life, in the person of Jesus, was with the Father and came to live among those who walked with Him during his earthly ministry.

We can join them in eternal life if we will know what John knows and if that knowledge will lodge in a heart of faith. John has fellowship with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit while not being greedy or elitest about it.

He wants everyone else to join him in having the blessing of eternal life, which is the essential outcome of knowing God. Indeed John is thoroughly overjoyed when that happens, and he writes to assist that eventuality. (John 17:3)

This false doctrine he wishes to suppress denied the true identity of both Jesus and the Father, presenting a false spirituality that was inordinately focused on the connection between evil and its manifestation in the physical world.

It was a demonic creation of subtle delusion which was appealing to those of a philosophic bent, and there was a real threat that it might overwhelm the true message of the gospel. Many might be prevented from finding life in Christ and love and hope therein. Christians might be disheartened, robbed of their confidence in Jesus by the strange things that were said of Him by these heretics.

John writes his letter to draw a portrait of eternal life so that believers will recognize the great power which the gospel has already unleashed in their lives.

His hope is that this would build within them the confidence that by meeting the Lord Jesus they have come face to face with the ultimate reality of the universe and have satisfied all the essential needs of the human soul.

Eternal life brings permanence, significance, safety and satisfaction to life. It overflows with love for people that is supernaturally unselfish and vibrates with power to actually live a pure life — not a fake imitation that tries hard to comply but the real thing in the power of God.

Eternal life does not end, otherwise it’s not eternal. For a believer eternal life is a present possession. When we stand in glory, things will be unimaginably more wonderful, nonetheless we have passed out of death into life even now. Eternal life brings a change of state to our souls. It is a vibrant, wriggly, effervescent force in life. It brings holiness that will not be supressed and signals that cannot be denied. (John 5:24)

Eternal life brings us into a close fellowship with God. He is our close companion, guide, and support. Things are right between us because the blood of Christ cleanses us from all sins and empowers us to avoid sinning in the first place.

Eternal life fills our lives with love enacted by daily service. It brings a freedom from self-centeredness and pride.

Eternal life brings a firm assurance of knowing that the blessing will never end, that we will dwell in peace with the Lord forever, doing His bidding with delight for ages without end.

For a believer, reflection upon John’s teaching will bring at least two blessings. We can grow in our sense of confidence that we have eternal life. And we can yield more to God and let eternal life have a greater effect on how we live.

The grace of God has the power to make it a reality, if we will get past thinking we are responsible to do it on our own without Him.

Previous Scripture Notes

You can find notes that were published earlier on this page.

Pursuit of wisdom for today from the Ancient of Days

Join us for:

iumbic notes

Fortnightly newsletter with stabilizing truth and peace of mind from the Bible.

free copy of Flourish

Put down roots and thrive by God’s word.

Send my book