If you have never taken the time to sit down and read 1 John as a whole, this is the week to do it.
1 John is a 5 Chapter book that probably will take you less than 15 minutes to read. While it certainly has some challenging sections, the overall theme is very simple and can be encapsulated in two words: we know. What does John tell us we can know?
- We can know God (1 John 2:13).
- We can know that we know God if we keep his commands (1 John 2:5–7).
- We know God has anointed us (1 John 2:20). We know the truth (1 John 2:21).
- We know we will be like Jesus (1 John 3:2).
- We know love (1 John 3:16–18).
- We know God abides with us (1 John 3:24).
- We know we have eternal life (1 John 5:13).
- We know that God hears our prayers (1 John 5:15).
This is just a sampling of the 32 times that John uses the word, and reading through this list, it is easy to see the encouragement he is giving us. To “know” in this context means that we can be confident in these things because they are facts. We don’t have to worry or doubt about our salvation, our connection with God, or what the truth is, because God has confirmed for us time and time again through his actions and promises that he abides with us. If we have doubts, there is a simple test – we know these things are so if we keep his commands. Imperfect though we are, if we look at our lives and our trying our best to keep God’s commands, then we need not worry about our eternal home. God has promised and we know that his promise is true.
If you need comfort, encouragement, or to be lifted up from your doubts this week, read 1 John and know that God is with you.
Andrew (Gif) Gifford
Dalraida church of Christ is a congregation of Christians that meet in the mid-town area of Montgomery, Alabama. Our goal and purpose is to seek and follow God and His Word in everything that we do in life.