In chapter one of the Apostle John’s first epistle to the church we find several lessons being taught by the Lord through the apostle. The first and foremost lesson to be learned is that we must live by and will be judged by “… every Word that proceeds from the mouth of God”–the Holy Bible (Mat. 4:4/ Jn. 12:48). Let us remember that God said that all Scripture was spoken by Him and carried to holy men who spoke and wrote what He said to them. Their Spirit-spoken Words were then preserved “for our (the body of Christ’s) instruction upon whom the ends of the world have come” (1 Cor. 10:11). The “generation” who would receive God’s “instruction” consists of all those who have lived, are living and will live during the time between Pentecost 31 A.D. and the return of Jesus Christ. See Acts 2:1-20 for proof that we are the last generation of this age. Note Peter’s explanation of what was happening on the Day of Pentecost 31 A.D. “THIS IS THAT which was spoken by the Prophet Joel: ….” (vs 16). Then Joel stated what would happen “IN THE LAST DAYS ….” “THAT” referred to the Day of Pentecost 31 A.D. which marked the beginning of the “last days” of this age.
In verse one John tells us that Jesus of Nazareth presented Himself as the Word (of God in human flesh). The “Word” in Greek means “spokesman”–one who speaks for another. Jesus’ Words, acts, etc. “spoke” to man, telling him how he must conduct his life in order to be saved at His return. In the spiritual realm the Lord’s spokesman presents the total picture as commanded in Isaiah 28:9,10 and does not deviate from that picture either to the right or to the left, neither adding to nor taking from the Truth. Jesus said that He was THE way, Truth and life. The apostles and prophets present to salvation seekers a living picture (Jesus) whose life we must duplicate in order to inherit eternal life. This is made more clear in 2:6 where we are told that if we call ourselves by His name we must “walk (live) as He walked.” In 3:6 God adds that we must make ourselves as pure as He is pure by obeying God as did He. Jesus Himself sums up the “walk” we must walk in Revelation 3:21 where He tells us that in order to join Him in the Father’s eternal kingdom we must overcome Satan (the call of sin) as He overcame him.
In verse two the apostle tells us that Jesus of Nazareth was eternal life in human form in that he manifested “THE” (only) eternal life. John calls Jesus “THAT” eternal life which was manifested to the apostles who recorded His life to be used as our “roadmap” that leads to salvation. “THAT” life/roadmap/walk is “THE” (only) way, “THE” (only) Truth that leads to “THE” (only) life.
In verses three, four and six we find John writing about having “fellowship” with God the Father, the Lord Jesus Christ and the apostles. In verse six John said that those who say they have fellowship with God and do not obey Him are liars and His Truth (light) is not in them. Sinning church members are liars in that they admit to sinning while claiming to have fellowship with the Lord. He says that they do not have His light in them.
Recall that Jesus called Himself “THE light of the world.” He also called His disciples “THE” light of the world” (Jn. 8:12/ Mat. 5:14). If we are to join them in paradise, we must also be “THE” light of the world, meaning that we must walk (obey) the Word of the Lord as did Jesus and emulate Jesus as did His apostles. God calls the those who do so (Mat. 7:13,14) His Very Elect. These are the minutely few who manifest Christ’s Word/Truth/light in their daily lives–they “walk as He walked.” L.J.
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