1 John 1:1-10

John begins his letter by directing attention to Christ’s divinity, incarnation, saving death, and intercessory ministry. He also stresses God’s ineffable brilliance. As we read this first section, take not to the plural references, “we”, “us”, “our”, which is used to signify and highlight the concept of a multitude of eye-witnesses. This message is not just something John thought up, but truly a testimony of John and the other early Christians.

The Word of Life

¹ That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— ² the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us— ³ that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. ⁴ And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete. – 1 John 1:1-4 ESV

“From the beginning” could refer to the time of Jesus’ birth or the beginning of his ministry. It more likely refers to the predawn of time (see John 1:1), which is also like the Septuagint uses the same expression.

In the beginning… – Genesis 1:1

In the beginning was… – John 1

This foundational beginning is most likely directed to give clarity that the Lord existed “from the beginning”.  He also makes it clear that this was no vision. The eyewitnesses actually heard what Jesus said, they seen Him in the flesh; they touched Him and He touched them, physically.

we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.  – 1 John 1:3

The excitement they have about their experience with Jesus propelled them to write and serve in His Kingdom, in His Father’s Business, to share the hope and opportunity with others.

What stirs and propels you to serve in the church today? What gives you the energy to share the Gospel (good news) with others? What gives you strength to come along side someone that you don’t expect anything in return from?

John concludes verse 4 with an interesting statement. He does not say that we are writing this letter to you to make “your joy” complete, or that “you may experience joy”, or that “you may learn what joy is”. He claims that the writing and sharing of this letter/message is so that “our” joy may be complete. Now this could be an inclusive statement, meaning John and the audience. By giving away what you have received, you get blessed as well as those that receive it.  Paul gives similar analogy in 2 Corinthians chapter 1.

Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, because it is by faith you stand firm. – 2 Corinthians 1:24 NIV

Do you get joy in serving? Do you feel more whole when you give away what you got? What is your feelings or thoughts when someone you have shared with or spent time with catches on fire and gets excited about what they have received?

Walking in the Light

⁵This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. ⁶If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. ⁷But 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 cleanses us from all sin. ⁸If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. ⁹If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. ¹⁰If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. – 1 John 1:5-10 ESV

John begins this section by describing what true Christian Fellowship is. We talked a bit about it last week when we reviewed the WMOG calling. Christian Fellowship has to do with centering around Christ. There is a big difference in friendships and Christian Fellowship. We cannot have Christian Fellowship without Christ. Our foundation is in Christ. Verse 7 makes it very clear:

 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 cleanses us from all sin. – 1 John 1:7 ESV

The practical application is direct and straight forward for us. The concept of light and dark are experienced in all of our lives.  We can relate to physically being in the dark and struggling to see, and then we can apply this concept to our spiritual walk.

This section is also used as a sharp knife to those perfectionist that were probably in the audience. The ones that were most likely pointing fingers and judging their brothers.  The ones that feel they are chosen and self-righteous.

Witness Warning

There may be times when you are sharing your faith or in fellowship with someone and they stand in self-righteousness, using part of 1 John chapter 1.  It has been common practice of some to claim that Jesus cleanses us from all unrighteousness and we don’t have any more issues once we become a Christian.  That is someone proclaims to be a Christian, but continues to struggle or have sin in their life they are not truly a Christian, that they need to ‘get right’.

Wonderful John provides this section for us to use some plain truth and understanding for such situations. John knows that there is controversy and situations that are causing turmoil.

⁸If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. ⁹If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. ¹⁰If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. – 1 John 1:8-10 ESV

He states the truth once (v.8), literally saying that to claim to be sinless is self-deception. He clarifies that we should confess our sin. Own it, get out of denial, bring it into the light, not hide it. (v.9) Then John reiterates with even stronger words the same point. (v.10) In other words the claim of sinlessness is not only self-deception; it is also blasphemy. The sentence, “I am without sin,” amounts to the sentence, “God is a liar.”

Foundational Truth: God is Light

What does John mean when he claims “God is light”?

If we look at verse 6, we can get the hint that John is leaning towards.  He states…when we walk in the darkness we have no light. But that is not what he said. He says when we walk in the darkness we have no “truth”. God is truth.  We will also see this later in chapter 5.

In other words, God is light means that God is the source and measure of all that is true. Another way to put it would be that nothing is truly understood until it is understood in the light of God. This is why the Old Testament says,

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge – Proverbs 1:7

The use of light is more hopeful than the word of truth. It is not so judgmental.

What is the value of light?

Two approaches can be taken in this answer. It can help avoid danger, as well as, help us reach what we are after. When we walk in the darkness, we may stumble over a log, or step on a rattlesnake, or fall off a cliff, or hit our head on a low-hanging branch. Darkness is full of threats. It frustrates our ability to attain our goal. But light changes all that. It exposes dangers and frees us from their lurking power. It opens the way to our goal. It is full of hope and promises the glad attainment of our goal.

No Hidden Agenda

The picture of God that John wants to put before us is this picture of God as light. “God is light and in him is no darkness at all.” It means that if we draw near to God, we do not find a dark and foreboding truth. We find freedom and hope and joy.

In God the stumbling logs and rattlesnakes and cliffs and low-hanging branches are all exposed and we are made safe from them. Our goal of ultimate and eternal joy is secured in God because there is no darkness in God. That is, there are no lurking shadows in God. There is no hidden agenda, no small print. He is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

What does it mean to “walk in the darkness”?

We will get a little more clarity in Chapter 2, where it says that he who hates his brother is in the darkness and he who loves his brother abides in the light. Walking in the light means being a loving person and walking in the darkness means being a person of hate.  It is more than just love and hate. It is the foundation of our motivation. Where is our desires, our needs our focus and where do we get our approval and adoration?

John Piper concludes that “walking in darkness means being controlled by desires for this world instead of desires for God”.  This is a statement that can really be used to test our own walk.  Who is controlling our actions? Who is dominating our thoughts, motivations and desires.  From personal experience, I know when it is all about me and this world, the light gets dim and I tend to turn towards the shadows and inevitably the darkness.

Apostle John has used the concept of light before in his Gospel.

this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. – John 3:19 ESV

Fellowship with God means that we see things the way He sees them and have the same desires He has. If we are controlled by desires for the world instead of desires for God, it doesn’t matter whether we say we have fellowship with God or not; we don’t have it. Instead we walk in darkness. That really is the warning and the negative part of the analogy. But there is also the good, encouraging part of his message.

 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 cleanses us from all sin. – 1 John 1:7 ESV

Walking in the light is the opposite of walking in darkness. It means seeing things for what they are and being controlled by desires that align with God’s light. If God is light, and in him is no darkness at all, then He is the bright pathway to the fulfillment of all our deepest longings. He is the deliverer from all dark dangers and obstacles to joy.

Do you find your journeys simpler sometimes, even during difficult times? What is the difference in your mindset? How do you attempt to stay in those seasons?

Have you ever noticed that it is difficult to have joy, peace or truthful love when you are in the dark?

This week, let us walk in the light and pay attention to the shadows and dangers of this world. Let us seek the light and the fellowship that can manifest joy, peace and love.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2001). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
The New International Version. (2011). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.