We know that we are of God, and the whole world is under the sway of the evil one.  And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding so that we may know the true one.  We are in the true one –
that is, in his Son Jesus Christ.  He is the true God and eternal life.
   I John 5: 19-20 NIV

You’ve gotta love John, St John, the “disciple that Christ loved,” one of the “Sons of thunder,” and the only Biblical writer who tackled a Gospel, an epistle, and a book of prophecy.  (Actually, the case might be made that he dabbled in the poetry genre, too – the prologue to the first chapter of his Gospel, brilliantly conceived as a counterpoint to the first chapter of Genesis, stands as some of the most beautiful language in Scripture.)  In the first of his letters, John used repetition and extremely simple verbal structure in communicating to his friends how they should be living as followers of Christ.  

 Part of the reason for the simplicity of his written expression is John’s awareness that heretics were making inroads into the early churches, and he wanted to be clear about foundational claims of the faith — but I don’t think this is the primary reason for his addressing those reading the letter as “little children.”  The big reason John’s first epistle is part of our Bible has to do with Christian identification.  What does a Christian look like?  1 John answers this.

The five chapters are divided up more or less evenly into three sections that key on “tests” Christian believers are urged to consider when reflecting on their own salvation, and also when listening to what others say in their confession of Christ.  (Again, heresy was spreading like wildfire in John’s final years, and he wanted to leave these epistles as warnings.)  The first test is moral:  we should ask ourselves, are we behaving in obedience to God?  John reminds us that “This is how we know that we know him, if we keep His commands” (2:2), and “…if anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him (2:15b).”  The second test is doctrinal:  do we believe what the ancient creeds claim, and that many say aloud every Sunday?  Or are we being seduced by error that so easily slips in when we’re not getting a steady diet of the Word, not being vigilant in prayer?  John exhorts his readers, “…do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see if they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world” (4:1).

The third test is social, and  John hammered this idea home for the better part of two chapters in his lengthiest letter because he knew that those watching the church would be more convinced by the active love they witnessed than in anything else.  “They’ll know we are Christians by our love.”  Being good, being right are important, but the quality that drew people to Christ more than any other was His loving, inviting, gracious manner.  When we love others, especially those who are unlovely – those who are our enemies – we emulate our Master.  Something truly supernatural is happening in a heart that has been softened by the Holy Spirit:  “Love consists in this:  not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins.  Dear friends, if God loved us in this way, we must also love one another” (4:10, 11).

When I was an undergrad Bible student many years ago, I’d hear this question asked ironically:  “If being a Christian were against the law, and you were hauled into court – would there be enough evidence to convict you?”  Confessing the Lord Jesus Christ as Your Redeemer should demonstrate that you’re different from those who do not know Him. We’re sojourners here in this shadow world; our true home is in Heaven, as St John reminds us:  “…and the world is passing away, along with its desires, but he who does the will of God abides forever” (2:17).

Here, in the spirit of 1 John, is a short list of questions I came up with that all of us could benefit from asking ourselves:

Let’s create space for faith-filled reflection. What stood out to you? What might God be revealing in this moment? Take a moment to share in the comments—your words could be the very encouragement someone else needs today.

Marketing With Purpose. Messaging with Light.