260 in 2012 DEVOS - Day 231 - Intro & 1 John 1: Relationship with God & Others

Introduction: The book of 1 John is a book on Relationships: Relationship with God, Relationship with the World, and Relationship with Others. It was written by the apostle John in approximately 90 AD to believers living in Ephesus to address false teachings. It is very practical as well as very black & white. Some of the repeated words/phrases and how often they are used are: Love (35), Know (33), World (22), Jesus/Christ/Son (37), Dear children/friends (15), brothers (15), Life (14), Sin (14). John writes to reassure believers in their faith and to teach them to discern truth from error, both in doctrine and lifestyle by presenting a clear picture of Jesus Christ! 1 John 1: Relationship with God & Others Fellowship is an amazing thing. It’s not the same as socializing, but has the idea of sharing in the joys of Jesus with other believers. To do so, you must have Jesus in your life. In the first three verses, John explains how (through our senses) this “Word of Life” is revealed in Jesus (1), experienced by those who trust in Christ (2), is shared by those who know Christ (3) and brings joy (4). And what is this message? “God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.” Then he addresses three false claims that were causing problems: 1st Claim (6): “If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth.” – Translate: “The way I live doesn’t affect my relationship with God.” Truth is, it DOES affect us. Remedy = “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.” 2nd Claim (8): “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.” Translate: “Deep down I’m not that bad.” Ummm…..Yes you are, and so am I! And if Jesus is the truth (Jn 14:6), then Jesus is not in us, and we are not believers! Remedy = “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 3rd Claim (10): “If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.” Translate: “If I’m not a sinner then God’s a liar – take your pick.” Ummmm…..I’m gonna’ go with God on this one! SO WHAT?! *How does knowing that Jesus is “The Word of Life” impact you? How does denying Christ impact our relationship with others? *To confess” our sins means to “agree” with how God sees them. How often do you spend time confessing your sin? Lord, help us to make confession as regular of a practice as we make sin! Help us to keep accounts with you short! *Does JOY describe your relationship with Jesus? If not, what does? How does our intimacy with Jesus (or lack of it) affect our relationship with fellow believers? Lord help us to get right with You regularly so we can be right with others!