1 John 1:1-4. Do We Proclaim the Joy in Christ to Others?

The duty that all Christians across cultures and nations share is to proclaim the joy in Christ to others! It is to boldly share the truth that we know and the things we believe in. I am sorry I have faulted on this more than anyone! But John the Apostle wants to rekindle our effort, let’s what he says!

Earlier long, we agreed that we can easily understand almost all Bible verses by considering what is called the ‘context’. To understand the context, we had two things to do; literary context and the historical-cultural context.

Now, I assume I have covered the historical context in our brief introduction to the Letters of John the Apostle, and thus shall concentrate on the literary context here. As a reminder, historical-cultural context is about the background of the author and his audience.

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Concerning this literary context here, we briefly consider the exact meaning or point of a word or group of words in the sentence and also familiarize ourselves with what the author talked about before and after our verses of interest. Well, now, we are good to go.

Proclaim the Joy in Christ (1 John 1:1-4)

1Jn 1:1  That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— 
1Jn 1:2  the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us— 
1Jn 1:3  that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. 
1Jn 1:4  And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete. 

Concerning the genre of these writings, yeah, it’s an epistle or a letter. A letter is usually addressed to someone, right? Well, who is it addressed to? Many scholars agree that John was writing from his mother church in Ephesus to other child churches in Asia Minor!

Purpose of the letter: He was addressing the false teachings of Gnosticism or, to be exact, Docetism (see our introduction), and sharing the truth for the purpose of bringing others into the full Joy of Christ (verse 4).

On verse 1, John writes ‘that which was from the beginning, which we have also touched and heard’. In other words, God or Christ or the word in the beginning (John 1:1; Genesis 1; in the beginning was Word and He was with God and He was or is God). Here, John boldly asserts that actually he himself heard and touched the real flesh of God, the word of life! This is very dogmatic. He is unapologetic!

Christian Today has this: We aren’t called to just share the gospel but to proclaim it even where we aren’t welcome!

In verse 2, he continues and says, the eternal life which was or has always been with the father has been shown. Again, boldly, he (not him alone but also other apostles) confesses that he saw it (the life) or him (Christ) and he is showing or trying to show the same truth to those ‘who have ears’.

In verse 3, the ‘beloved disciple’ continues to say that he is proclaiming the same revelation of ‘God among us in flesh’ to us, to you, so we many accept and share that relationship with him or, to be open, with his father, our God. Whenever people accept the gospel of Christ, the gospel of mercy and love and come to Christ, they become part of us and us all or both become part of Christ’s family or church.

In verse 4, the evangelist continues, ‘and these things I write to you so that your joy may be full’. This is an amazing verse. People have no joy. People have anxiety. People are worried about tomorrow. And it is all because they don’t know Christ, God in flesh who came and lived and died for us. Christ is the true source of true joy (Isiah 9:3). Do we share this message, calling upon the lost to come and join us in this everlasting joy?

The message: Do we share the joy we have in Christ with others? John had met Christ and boldly shared that Joy by stating these dogmatic truths about who Jesus or God is. And we should do the same or, yeah, even better. The questions to answer are: What is John’s purpose for the letter? Do you take time to share your own encounter with Christ?

Supporting Verse: Psalm 107:1-2; ‘O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy’

READ THIS: Introduction to the 3 letters of John the Apostle; who was he?

Proclaim the Joy in Christ: Receiving Christ Jesus

Have you received Christ yet? If yes, praise God and keep proclaiming His love. If no, this is your time to find the only true and full joy that lasts forever in Christ Jesus. Just say, Oh Lord Jesus, I am sorry I have been away for long. I am a sinner. You became flesh and took over my cross, the punishment of death I deserved so I may find life a full joy in you. Yet I haven’t recognized this for a long time and have been your enemy all along. I am sorry. Forgive me and count me among your children. In Jesus name. Amen.

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If you have been inspired by this message, please, share with others so they may be inspired as well. God Bless You.