1 John

Hey there! Have you ever read the book of 1 John in the Bible? It might seem a bit confusing at first, but it’s actually a super important letter full of love and encouragement for us.

So, What’s 1 John About?

Imagine getting a letter from a wise old friend who loves you very much. That’s kind of what 1 John is like. It was written by a man named John (yep, the same John who was one of Jesus’ closest friends!), and he wrote it to remind Christians about the most important things in life.

The Big Ideas in 1 John

1. God is Love: This is the central message of 1 John. John tells us over and over again that God is pure love, and that His love is the source of everything good in our lives. When we understand this, it changes everything!
2. We are God’s Children: This is another huge idea in 1 John. John calls us “little children” because we belong to God’s family. Just like a good parent loves and cares for their kids, God loves and cares for us. We can trust Him completely and always go to Him for help.
3. Walking in the Light: This is a metaphor John uses to describe what it means to live like Jesus. When we walk in the light, we’re honest about our sins, we try to obey God’s commands, and we love others the way Jesus loves us.
4. Watch Out for False Teachers: John also warns us about people who try to twist the truth about Jesus. He encourages us to stick to what we know is true from the Bible and not get tricked by lies.

Questions to Think About

1. What does it mean to you that God is love? How does that change the way you see Him?
2. How does knowing that you’re God’s child make you feel? What are some ways you can show your love for Him?
3. What are some practical ways you can “walk in the light” in your everyday life?
4. How can you be sure that the things you believe about God are true? How can you avoid being fooled by false teachers?

Challenge

Take some time this week to read 1 John for yourself. As you read, think about how John’s words can help you live a life filled with love, joy, and confidence in God. Remember, you’re not alone on this journey – God is with you every step of the way!

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John’s readers were confronted with an early form of Gnostic teaching of the Cerinthian variety. This heresy was also libertine, throwing off all moral restraints. Consequently, John wrote this letter with two basic purposes in mind: (1) to expose false teachers and (2) to give believers assurance of salvation.

This epistle is a discourse upon the principles of Christianity, in doctrine and practice. The design appears to be, to refute and guard against erroneous and unholy tenets, principles, and practices, especially such as would lower the Godhead of Christ, and the reality and power of his sufferings and death, as an atoning sacrifice; and against the assertion that believers being saved by grace, are not required to obey the commandments. This epistle also stirs up all who profess to know God, to have communion with him, and to believe in him, and that they walk in holiness, not in sin, showing that a mere outward profession is nothing, without the evidence of a holy life and conduct. It also helps forward and excites real Christians to communion with God and the Lord Jesus Christ, to constancy in the true faith, and to purity of life.

Matthew Henry