Thru the Bible in a Year
Today’s reading carries us into the pastoral heart of 1 John, a letter written not to impress the intellect but to steady the soul. John writes as a spiritual father, concerned not only with what believers profess but with how they live, love, and persevere. From the opening verses, he establishes that Christian faith is not an abstract philosophy but a shared life rooted in a real encounter with the living Christ. “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes…concerning the word of life” (1 John 1:1). John grounds fellowship—koinōnia (κοινωνία)—in the historical, embodied reality of Jesus. Fellowship exists because eternal life has been revealed, and that revelation creates a shared participation with God the Father and God the Son. This communion, however, is not casual. John insists that walking in the light involves purity of life, honest confession of sin, and continual reliance on Christ as our advocate. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us” (1 John 1:9). Fellowship is sustained not by denial, but by truth.
As John moves into chapter two, he turns our attention to obedience, carefully dismantling the idea that grace nullifies responsibility. Divine commandments are not burdensome relics; they are assurances of belonging. Obedience becomes the evidence of genuine relationship. “Whoever says ‘I know him’ but does not keep his commandments is a liar” (1 John 2:4). The Greek verb ginōskō (γινώσκω), to know, implies relational knowledge rather than mere awareness. To know God is to be shaped by Him. Obedience produces confidence, strengthens spiritual resilience, and exposes counterfeit faith. John is not promoting perfectionism, but consistency. When love for God is authentic, it expresses itself in obedience that transforms how we walk, speak, and love others—especially fellow believers.
The middle section of the letter addresses conflict—past, present, and future. John affirms those who have already overcome through faith, while warning believers not to fall in love with the world’s systems and values. “Do not love the world or the things in the world” (1 John 2:15). This is not a rejection of creation, but a call to resist disordered desire. John also introduces the reality of antichrist, not merely as a future figure, but as a present spiritual force marked by denial of the Father and the Son and separation from God’s people. False teaching is not always loud or hostile; often it is subtle, persuasive, and relationally disruptive. John’s concern is pastoral vigilance—remaining anchored in the truth first received. As Augustine once observed, “Error is never so dangerous as when it is mixed with truth.”
Chapter three offers a series of contrasts that clarify Christian identity. Believers are called children of God—a status that reshapes present conduct and future hope. “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God” (1 John 3:1). This calling produces confidence, righteous living, and love for fellow believers. John links doctrine and behavior inseparably: those born of God practice righteousness and love. Charity is not optional; it is the visible sign of divine life within. Consecration flows naturally from identity. When believers live to please God, prayer becomes effective, obedience becomes joyful, and God’s abiding presence becomes a lived reality rather than a distant doctrine.
John then issues a sober caution in chapter four: not every spiritual claim originates from God. Believers are commanded to test the spirits. The criterion is Christological—what one believes about the incarnation. “Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God” (1 John 4:2). The Greek term sarx (σάρξ) again emphasizes real humanity. Any teaching that diminishes the incarnation undermines the gospel itself. From this discernment flows one of the letter’s central themes: love. John returns repeatedly to love because it is both the source and the evidence of salvation. God initiates love; salvation is rooted in love; and sanctification is expressed through love that obeys God’s commandments. As John Stott noted, “The loveless Christian is a contradiction in terms.”
The final chapter turns toward conquering faith. Victory is not found in human resolve, but in faith anchored in God’s Word and sustained through prayer. Faith overcomes the world, confronts sin honestly, and remains vigilant against idolatry. John closes with pastoral clarity and reassurance: believers can know they have eternal life. The letter ends not with uncertainty, but with confidence grounded in Christ.
Thank you for continuing this journey through God’s Word. Your commitment to daily Scripture is not wasted effort. God has promised that His Word will not return void, and each time you open it, He is shaping your faith, strengthening your discernment, and deepening your love.
For further insight into the themes of assurance and obedience in 1 John, see this article from The Gospel Coalition:
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/assurance-1-john/
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