I John Chapter 1

Apostolic Testimony

John declares that which he has heard with his own ears, seen with his own eyes and has handled with his hands concerning the word of life (Jesus).

Eternal life was manifested to him by revelation through fellowship with the Father and the Son.

Remember not all who walked with or lived near to Jesus believed that He was the Son of God. Jesus told Peter that his revelation of Christ came from the Father in heaven.

Apostolic testimony has an element of revelation from above. Those who just hung around with Jesus or His followers did not necessarily have revelation.

Invitation to Relationship

John invites his hearers to join in and remain in this relationship through fellowship with them (believers) the Father and the Son.

This fellowship can only experienced by walking in the light. Jesus is the light that has entered into the world and in Him is no darkness at all.

God’s Invitation--Colossians 1: 12-13 “giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love.” NKJV

God has qualified us but we must choose. We can only truly walk in our inheritance as we walk in fellowship in the light.

Benefits of Relationship

Walking in the light, avoiding the stumbling blocks of sin

Enjoying indescribable fellowship with God and fellow believers

Knowing eternal life here and now

Relationship in the midst of sin

We must invite the Light

We do not have to become sinless to walk in the light. When the light reveals sin in us we can confess our sin and He is faithful and just to forgive our sin and to cleanse us.

They that say they have no sin lie and walk in darkness, none of us in our flesh are perfect or sinless. The darkness blinds the eyes or prevents revelation of the Christ.

Remember Judas Iscariot walked with Jesus (The Light) but it is evident that he did not walk in the light. Walking in the light is allowing and even inviting the light to expose those things which cause us to stumble. Judas had a problem with money Jesus even called him a thief. At various times his covetousness was revealed but he refused to bring it to the light or confess his sin that it could be forgiven. He continued to walk in darkness even though he hung out with The Light and sadly the darkness caused him to stumble to his death.

Those who do not hide their sin from the light but confess and forsake it will remain in fellowship with the Father and the Son.

John stresses that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. Those who claim to walk and have fellowship with Him yet refuse to bring their sin to the light are liars because it is impossible for light and darkness to walk together in fellowship.

If we say we have not sinned we make Him a liar and His word is not in us. If our testimony conflicts with God’s, we are literally testifying against Him we are calling Him a liar. If His word were in us our testimony would agree with His and we would confess our sin.