Scripture

We proclaim to you what we ourselves have actually seen and heard so that you might have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son.

Observation

John has seen and heard and touched the one who existed from the beginning. He is the Word of life. John has seen the one who is life itself.

He proclaims what he has seen and heard so that we can have fellowship with him and share in his joy.

The message is that God is light. We cannot claim to be in the light and continue to do the deeds of darkness. If we confess our sins to God, He is faithful and just to cleanse us from our sins.

Application

John is one of the first apostles, the Twelve who walked closely with Jesus and continued to carry authority, the authority of Christ, in the early church. His authority came from this close relationship. He saw and heard and touched Christ. He continues to have fellowship with the Father and the Son.

Spiritual authority does not stem from knowledge about God. You can have a dozen degrees in theology and still not know God. It is about fellowship or relationship with God.

We cannot touch or see the Word in the same way that John did. But we can have fellowship with God through the grace of the Holy Spirit.

Fellowship with God is something that we pursue over many years. It comes from humble obedience, in prayer, in listening to the Spirit, and through reading and obeying Scripture.

Prayer

Thank you, Lord, for the wonderful privilege of fellowship with you. Come and dwell in me, fill me and direct my paths. Amen.

Scripture

Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God’s Son does not have life.

Observation

We believe human testimony, so how much more should we believe God’s testimony? God has testified about His Son, If we know the Son we know God’s testimony is true. Those who don’t believe call God a liar.

God’s testimony is that He has given us eternal life in the Son. If we have the Son we have life, and if we don’t have the Son we don’t have eternal life.

Application

Jesus is life. If we have Jesus then we have life. If we don’t have Jesus we don’t have life.

Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. If we want to come to the Father to receive eternal life, we must go through Jesus. There is no other name by which we may be saved.

We cannot go through Mohamed or Buddha, through the Torah or through living a good life.

There is one way to the Father and that is Jesus.

If we have Jesus our eternal life is assured. We don’t have to do anything to make ourselves right with God. There is no law that can add to what Jesus did on the cross.

That’s good enough for me.

When I am tempted to doubt my salvation, I need to remember that God has declared that I am righteous. His judgement is all that counts.

Prayer

Thank you Lord for this assurance of my salvation. I don’t need to impress you with my good deeds. All I need is Jesus. Thank you for making it so simple. Amen.

Scripture

Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son does not have life.

Observation

We believe human testimony, but how must more should we believe God’s testimony. God has testified concerning His Son, and all who believe in Christ know that this testimony is true. Those who don’t believe in the Son call God a liar.

God’s testimony is this: He has given us eternal life through His Son. Whoever has the Son has eternal life, but those who don’t know Jesus so not have eternal life.

Application

It is our relationship with Jesus that brings eternal life. Life is in the Son, and only if you are one with Him will you have eternal life.

Theology does not save.

Attending church does not save.

Bible knowledge does not save.

Good deeds do not save.

Being nice does not save.

There is only one Person, one Name, one Way to salvation- a right relationship with Christ,

Prayer

Thank you Lord for the gift of salvation in Christ. Amen.

Scripture

Loving God means keeping his commandments, and his commandments are not burdensome.

Observation

If you believe in Jesus, you are a child of God and you will want to love God’s children.

If you love God, you will keep His commandments, but this is not a burden because we obey from our love of God.

Every child of God defeats the world through faith. In fact, only those who have faith in Christ will defeat the world.

Application

Following Jesus involves a change in our lifestyle because of our love for God. I love the Lord and do not want to displease Him and so I do what He wants me to do, I do this from a motivation of love and so this is not a burden.

The people of the world cannot defeat the power of the world, but those who follow Jesus will. It is our faith- our unwavering trust in Him- that allows us to live in victory over sin and temptation.

Prayer

Lord, my sins and failings a re always before me. Thank you for the assurance that as I trust in you I will become more like you. Amen.

Scripture

God showed how much he loves us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love- not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.

Observation
We must continue to love one another. If we do not love we do not know God. God’s love for us is seen in His Son. He loved us and sent His Son to die for our sins.

If we confess that Jesus is the Son of God we live in God. God is love. As we live in God our love grows more perfect. His command is that those who love God must love their brother and sister.

Application
God’s love is as big and as perfect as God Himself for God is love.

When Jesus was asked to summarise the whole of the Jewish Law, it came down to two thing- love God and love your neighbour.

Now John tells us that if we do not love others we do not know God who is love. Of course, like all of life, this is a growth process- our love becomes more perfect as we grow closer to God.

Prayer
Lord help me to know you more and to grow in your love. Amen.

Scripture

If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?

Observation

Jesus is our example in love. He laid down His life for us so we should do the same for our brothers and sisters in the Lord. If we have possession but have no pity on our brother who has nothing then we don’t have the love of God in us. Our love must be not just words but active love.

If our hearts are at peace with God then we can have confidence before God. We can ask Him for anything because we obey Him. God’s command to us it to believe in Him and to love our brothers and sisters.

Application

Love is the mark of the true follower of Jesus. Jesus loved us to the point of laying down His life for us. Our love for our christian brothers and sisters should be the same kind of love.

Real love is practical and not just a theory. Whatever we have that can be shared with our fellow believers must be shared freely. If we have spare cash let’s share with those who have none. If we have skills and talents let us share with those who can use our help.

Love directs our focus outwards from ourselves and our immediate circle to all who need the love of Christ.

Prayer

Father please show me who needs a practical expression of your love today. Amen.