1 JOHN
The book of 1 John emphasizes the importance of living in fellowship with God through Jesus Christ. It opens by affirming the reality of Jesus’ incarnation and His role as the Word of Life, bringing believers into a deep fellowship with God and one another.
John urges believers to walk in the light, confess their sins, and seek forgiveness through Jesus, who acts as an advocate and cleanses from all unrighteousness. The letter contrasts living in the light with walking in darkness, warning against the dangers of loving the world and its desires.
A central theme is the command to love one another, which is presented as a sign of genuine faith. John stresses that true believers will keep God's commandments, and that love for others is a hallmark of those who truly know God.
The letter also addresses the threat of false teachers and encourages believers to test the spirits, holding fast to the truth that Jesus is the Son of God. John reassures the readers of their secure relationship with God, emphasizing that those who are born of God will overcome the world.
Ultimately, 1 John reinforces the themes of love, obedience, and faith in Jesus as central to eternal life, urging believers to remain in the truth and love of Christ.