The concerns of John

A summary of John's first letter.

The value of man

God loves man, because He has instilled in him an understanding of the holy through which man takes part in the divine creation.

4:13-14 Hereby know we that we dwell in Him, and He in us, because He hath given us of His Spirit. And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.

4:17<-5:14 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as He is, so are we in this world. And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask any thing according to His will, He heareth us:

The test of meaning

The holy agrees with the law and moves us towards Christ.

5:2-3 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments: and His commandments are not grievous.

1:8-9 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

The test of dearness

Whoever proclaims to have the understanding will love his equally fashioned brother, lest he's found out a liar.

4:11()20 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?

The test of time

The light bestowed on man in his life is prior to the world and cannot be overcome by it. Earthly blessing is only an ingredient in man's development towards a vessel of the light.

2:16-17<-5:4 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

The requirements

Awareness, (social) recognition, union.

5:7-8 And there are three that bear witness, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.

The comforts

The understanding of the holy.

5:19-20 And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness. And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know Him that is true, and we are in Him that is true, even in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.

The omniscience of God.

3:19-20 And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him. For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.