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.
(ESV)
STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?
- What is the writer saying?
- How do I apply this to my life?
In John’s gospel, he begins with “In the beginning…” and “the Word”. In his gospel, he is speaking about the beginning of creation and Jesus Christ as the Word. In this letter “from the beginning” refers to the beginning of the gospel, the message of eternal life (this is seen again in 1 John 2:7, 24; 3:11). What John and the other apostles were proclaiming was what they originally heard and witnessed when they were present with Jesus. John’s readers were being presented with a different gospel. John wanted his readers to know that what he taught was based on historical reality. In this letter, the word of life is most likely speaking of that gospel message, the message of life. As he continues, it becomes clear that John personifies “life” as Jesus rather than the word—“the life was made manifest.” That eternal life which became man in Jesus Christ and who lived and had fellowship with the apostles, that is the life they have proclaimed to us so that we might have fellowship with the apostles and with the Father and the Son, Jesus Christ. In these opening verses, John reveals his purpose for this letter. He is writing to believers (1 John 2:12-14) so his purpose is not for their conversion—they are saved. His purpose is to bring believers into fellowship with the apostolic circle and with God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. The readers were facing false teachers who would deny their salvation, this would lead to them doubting God’s guarantee of their salvation and that would jeopardise their fellowship. Their fellowship, our fellowship, is founded on walking in the light (1 John 1:7). This letter will reaffirm the basic truths of the word of life so that our fellowship with God can be sustained. John was happiest when those he ministered to were spiritually healthy (3 John 4).
How would you rate your fellowship with God the Father and his Son Jesus Christ? Jesus came as a man in order to restore fellowship between us and Him and the Father. Jesus did everything needed to allow for that fellowship. He died in our place and then rose again to show that he had conquered sin and dealt with the barrier that keeps us separated from God. The first step to fellowship with God is to believe (John 5:24; 11:25-26), the next step is to walk in the light as He is in the light—more on that tomorrow.