The first epistle of John speaks of the relationship between God, Jesus, and man. In 1 John Chapter 1, it tells of the blessings that true followers receive and the joy in fellowshipping with each other, which provides a connection to the Lord.
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The Power of Honesty
One of the main themes of 1 John Chapter 1 is honesty. John wrote about following the doctrine of Christ and believing in Him as Lord and Savior. He spoke about being honest with yourself, too, by comparing darkness and light. If you claim to be living in the light, John said, you can have nothing to do with the darkness without making yourself into a liar.
Examining Yourself
John’s epistle asks readers to reflect on their actions. It asks them to look in their hearts and minds for pure thoughts and good intentions. If those who claimed to be true Christians were really believers in Christ, they would love one another and commit selfless acts.
This did not mean that Christians were expected to be without fault. In 1 John Chapter 1, John said that if you commit a sin, acknowledge that you were wrong and repent. John acknowledged the fact that human beings are flawed and would struggle to stay on the path to righteousness. Yet, on their journey to know God, the act of seeking forgiveness was one of the most important tasks of true believers.
1 John 1 (King James Version)
1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;
2 (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)
3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.
4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.
5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.