Topic: First John

Key Verses:
First John 1:9, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

First John 3:6, "No one who abides in Him sins; no one who sins has seen Him or knows Him.”

First John 4:4, "You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.”

First John 5:13, "These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.”

The key word is "knowledge," occurring at least 13 times in the Book of First John.

False spiritual teachers were a big problem in the early church. There was not a completed New Testament that believers could refer to; therefore, many churches fell prey to pretenders. John wrote this letter to set the record straight on some important issues, particularly concerning the identity of Jesus Christ.

Because John’s letter was about the basics of faith in Christ, it helped his readers reflect honestly on their faith. It helped them answer the question, are we true believers? John told them that they could tell by looking at their actions. If they loved one another, that was evidence of God’s presence in their lives. But if they bickered and fought all the time or were selfish and did not look out for one another, they were betraying that they, in fact, did not know God.

That did not mean they had to be perfect. In fact, John also recognized that believing involved admitting our sins and seeking God’s forgiveness. Depending on God for cleansing from guilt, along with admitting our wrongs against others and making amends, was another important part of getting to know God.

If we take the words written by John and apply them to our daily lives, we will know we have eternal life.

See you Sunday!

Dr. Scott Kallem