Remembering that the Epistles are letters that were written to be read in the churches, let's look at 1 John 1:
1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; 2 (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) 3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. 5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
We know from 2 Timothy 3:16-17 that the Word has been give TO the Body of Christ, His Church, so that we can continue to grow up - IN HIM!
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
1 John 1 is instructing us to continue to walk in fellowship with the Lord so that our joy may be made "FULL" (verse 4)! You can easily see here that the Lord our God desires for us to live in obedience to His Word, as led by His Spirit, so that we can have the abundance of HIS life that we hear about in John 10:10: 10 The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).
His #1 desire is to "seek and save the lost" (Luke 19:10) so that none "should perish" (2 Peter 3:9). Let's begin to SEE ourselves being obedient to His Word and see HIM continually confirming that Word, right before our eyes! AMEN! Here is Hillsong Worship with "What A Saviour":
Shalom in Him!
