v1-4
The reality of Jesus Christ; the Word of life, that eternal life, the Son
of God. Seen and heard by men; and seen and heard by “us,” John and others.
John was an eye-witness to the life of Christ (John 19.35). Jesus Christ was
visible, audible, tangible; God manifested on the earth. The eternal word was
manifested to us, as word became flesh.
John wrote to bring joy, to encourage Christians, helping them to cope
with the ordinary trials of life. Such fullness of joy comes through knowing God
in Christ. We enjoy fellowship with God and with each other; here is the purpose
of the gospel, and Christ’s blood was shed to ensure this (v7).
He exposed the Gnostic
heresy, with his three tests of faith;
-
right behaviour, answering the view that a
believer can live how he likes (anti-nomianism);
-
right belief; answering attacks on the person of
Christ;
-
right brotherhood; answering claims of spiritual
pride and exclusivity.
There are indications
that John was a Levite, see John 18.15-16. He was therefore familiar with the
priestly offerings. In the Burnt Offering, the skin was removed to ensure the
inside was pure; in Lev 1.3, the animal was brought first to the priest to check
it was without defect, “we have looked upon,” or scrutinised. In the Grain
Offering the priest took handfuls of the flow, “our hands have touched
(handled).” John’s conclusion, as the priest, was that this One was without
fault, the perfect Son of God.
V5
Our message; from God; divine origin, not human invention.
First, God is light, perfect in righteousness and holiness, without
fault, defect, or weakness; seen supremely and totally in Jesus Christ; that
light has come into the world (John 3.19). In Him is no darkness, James 1.17;
there is no failing in Father or Son.
“God is light” must precede “God is love.” To declare one without
the other is to be untrue to Scripture.
V6
Our lives must be consistent with the message, that we might adorn the
doctrine of Christ.
If we walk in darkness, yet claiming to have fellowship with Him;
–
we lie, we deny our claim to belong to God;
–
we do not practice the truth, see 3.10.
v7
If we walk in the light,
-
we enjoy fellowship with each other,
-
and we enjoy continuous cleansing.
Thus, we promote
fellowship with others, and our fellowship with God.
Christ is our example here, “as He is in the light.”
The phrase “as He” occurs throughout the letter; see 2.6; 3.2; 3.3;
3.7; 4.17.
V8
Do not claim perfection in character;
-
we deceive ourselves;
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the truth is not in us.
Some claim to be
without sin; such claims are clearly false.
V9
We must confess our sins, not cover them, Prov 28.13. This balances any
claim to be without sin; there is no shame in confessing sins, the shame is in
denying them.
The promise here, based on God’s faithfulness, is that He will forgive
and cleanse, Rom 3.25-26; Heb 10.17.
V10
Do not claim sinlessness in living;
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we make God to be a liar;
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and His word is not in us.
This links with 3.9, which is more to do with a settled habitual attitude of sin and rebellion against God.