UNROLL
A small clay oil lamp still burning on a low stone wall in the courtyard of a Greek house as morning light floods in through the open doorway.

The Book of

1 John 1

An old eyewitness writes to the churches he loves: what we saw and touched, we tell you, so you can share our life and joy.

10 verses≈ 3 minBSB

Images are artistic interpretations.

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Where we are

  1. 1–2:27In the lightGod is light; confess and obeyChapter 1
  2. 2:28–4:6Children of GodBorn of Him, doing what is right
  3. 4:7–5:12God is loveLoved by Him, we love each other
  4. 5:13–21Knowing for sureEternal life in the Son

The Word of Life

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our own eyes, which we have gazed upon and touched with our own hands—this is the Word of life.

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And this is the life that was revealed; we have seen it and testified to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us.

We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us.

And this fellowship of ours is with the Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ.

1 John 1:3

We write these things so that our joy may be complete.

From eyewitness to fellowship

so thatand soHeard, seen,touched“with our own hands”The Word oflife“the life that wasrevealed”We proclaim“we proclaim to you”Fellowship withus“you also may havefellowship”With the Fatherand Son“His Son, JesusChrist”Joy complete“our joy may becomplete”

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John starts with what he and the other eyewitnesses heard, saw and touched. They didn’t keep it to themselves. They passed it on so that others could share their fellowship, which is really fellowship with God Himself. And when that happens, John says, “our joy may be complete.”

Question

Quick question

John opens his letter with what he knows firsthand.

Why does John tell his readers what he has seen and heard?

Walking in the Light

And this is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you: God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.

1 John 1:5

Morning sun pouring through the open doorway of a dark stone house and lying bright across its floor.
John
Freshly washed white linen spread to dry on a flat rooftop in bright morning sun.
A man kneeling on the stone floor of a plain room at dawn, seen from behind, head bowed and hands open, the doorway ahead filling with light.

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make Him out to be a liar, and His word is not in us.

0:19

Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 1:9

“If we say…”

insteadinsteadFellowship, yetdark“we lie”If we walk inthe light“cleanses us from allsin”“we have nosin”“we deceive ourselves”If we confessforgiven and cleansed“we have notsinned”“we make Him out to bea liar”

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Three times John says “If we say,” and each claim hides the truth about sin. Twice he answers with “if we,” and each answer is a promise. The way back to God is never pretending. It is walking in the light and owning our sin, because “He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins.”

Pray

Into the light

You don’t have to hide anything from God. Take a quiet moment to tell Him honestly where you have gone wrong; you can write it here, for your eyes only. Then thank Him with John’s words: “He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Ask Him to help you walk in the light today.

You’ve experienced

1 John 1

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A verse to carry with you

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 1:9

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