Called 4 Jesus

Verse 1 opens with the word “beginning,” translated from the Greek arche, which also means “most important.” What’s so important?

John, the beloved disciple, heard, saw, and looked into the face of Jesus. He touched Jesus, and Jesus touched John. John refers to Him as “the Word” (see John 1:1)—the Word of life.

Moving to verse 2, we learn that the Life appeared when Jesus came into the world. The apostles saw Jesus and now testify about Him. To testify literally means to be charged with a responsibility, carrying a strong sense of personal involvement. John assures us that Jesus is eternal life, emphasizing that Jesus was assigned by the Father and came to earth with this divine mission.

Verse 3 raises an important question: Why do the apostles proclaim this message? The answer is so that others may come to understand and believe. Once again, the apostles assure us that they have fellowship not only with Jesus but also with God the Father.
This leads us to consider: Is there enough evidence to convict you as a Christian? Have you ever thought about how desperately Satan wants the Rapture to occur—perhaps even more than Christians do? Why? Imagine the havoc that will unfold once obedient Christians are removed from the earth. Do we truly understand the parameters that God places on us?

Verse 4 states, “We write this to make our joy complete.” Do you understand that God delights in us? How does this happen? First Peter 1:16 provides the answer: “Be holy, for I am holy.” We are called to be distinct, set apart, and pure. This must be our daily practice.

Consider the passage from Deuteronomy 23:12-14, which instructs: “Designate a place outside the camp where you can go to relieve yourself. As part of your equipment have something to dig with, and when you relieve yourself, dig a hole and cover up your excrement. For the LORD your God moves about in your camp to protect you and to deliver your enemies to you. Your camp must be holy, so that he will not see among you anything indecent and turn away from you.”

The world is full of impurity—like excrement. We must dig a hole and bury it so that God will move freely around us and our homes. Do you think God wants to see or hear what you do in secret? Keep your house and your person holy so that your family can be safe and blessed.

Verse 5 declares: “This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.” The apostles heard this message directly from God as recorded plainly in the Bible. Now they declare it to us: “God is light; in Him there is no darkness at ALL.” Therefore, it is essential that we also be light.

Zephaniah 2:3 reinforces this call:
“Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land, you who do what he commands. Seek righteousness, seek humility; perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the LORD’s anger.”

Verse 6 warns: “If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth.” Scripture is clear that there is no inheritance of heaven for the unrighteous (see 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Galatians 5:19-21; Ephesians 5:5; 1 Timothy 1:9).

However, verse 7 offers hope: “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.” To walk in the light means to pursue the things of God with intentionality.
As your father, I can only point you toward Jesus, strive to be an example, and pray for you—which I do daily. Yet you must choose to read Scripture, pray, and take God seriously.

Verses 8-10 present a sobering truth: “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.”

Do not claim to be sinless—especially before God. It’s time to “take the mask off,” a phrase I often use when sharing Scripture. If we claim sinlessness, we deceive ourselves, and Jesus disqualifies us because the truth is not in us.

Therefore, it is time to confess our sins—not to me, but to God. Ask God to purify you with the blood of Jesus.

Notice that John repeats himself in verses 8 and 10, demonstrating the critical importance of this message. The theme of this entire chapter revolves around the supreme importance of walking in truth, confessing our sins, and maintaining fellowship with God through Jesus Christ.

So, obey Christ and forget the world!

God bless