Worship XII Day 14 Hark! The Herald Angels Sing!: Digging Deeper
Discover the original intent of Scripture. Make good application to our everyday lives.
Become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!
1 John 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— 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— 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. 4 And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.
5 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 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 cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
5 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 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 cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
The Original Intent
1) Why is there an emphasis on experiencing with the senses? What is being experienced?
John begins with a bold statement, “That which was from the beginning”. The object of John’s focus is the timeless, ageless God in the person of Jesus Christ and John is making the point that Jesus is God and has always existed.
The person of Jesus was never simply a “good man”, He was God in the flesh. John builds his credibility with his audience for everything else he will discuss in his letters by emphasizing that this Jesus, was personal and everything John learned from Him was up close, tangible, and very human. Hence the incredible juxtaposition of Jesus being both God and man!
The Everyday Application
1) Why is there an emphasis on experiencing with the senses? What is being experienced?
These verses are all about telling John’s experience with Jesus. Ladies, John is telling his story in these letters! He is telling you that because of Jesus, here are the things he knows to be absolutely true about God, us, and the world around us.
As you read through 1, 2, and 3rd John, you’ll notice the common phrasing of “that you may know”. John experienced Jesus and passed on what he knew to others. What have you learned about God in your own faith journey? Who have you told lately? Have you considered sharing your story, just like John? Check out Faces of Grace for an easy way to share your story!
The Original Intent
2) What is the motivation for “proclaiming”?
John’s motivation to boldly proclaim what he had discovered about the eternal life found in life Himself, Jesus Christ, is two-fold.
First, he longs for others to find delight in the sweet gift of fellowship that he has known. That fellowship refers to the encouragement and love found within the Body of Christ, the Church, as well as deep intimacy with God through Jesus Christ.
The second reason is also quite revealing as John simply claims that it makes his own joy complete.
The Everyday Application
2) What is the motivation for “proclaiming”?
These 2 reasons should encourage us to share boldly! Not only do we gain a new level of intimacy with God and the Church by sharing the gospel and testifying of what Jesus has done in our lives, but there is a deep sense of joy, a “completed” joy that comes from sharing!
If your spiritual life is lacking, reflect on the incredible goodness of God in your life. Note His radical transformation in you, and tell someone about it!!
The Original Intent
3) What danger is there in lying in this context?
There are 3 specific ways mentioned where the potential for lying exists.
1. We make our lives look religious. We go to church, do all the right things, but our hearts, inside, are still walking in darkness.
2. When we can look at ourselves and think, “Ah, I’m a pretty good actually. I don’t really struggle with any sin,” deception has already taken a firm root. This attitude stems from justifying our actions and refusing to give voice to the conviction of the Holy Spirit
3. Saying we have never sinned is slightly different in verb form than #2, meaning that this self-declaration means we don’t believe we are in need of a Savior.
In essence, everything the Bible teaches about our desperate, sinful state, we hold to be a lie. We make God out to be a liar, a truly dangerous position for our soul.
The Everyday Application
3) What danger is there in lying in this context?
Note that each of these 3 instances of lying involves deceiving ourselves. We aren’t fooling the people around us, and we certainly aren’t tricking God into thinking we are more righteous than we are.
Theses verses have stern consequences for lying to ourselves in these areas: the light and the truth are not in us. Meaning, me don’t truly have the salvation of Jesus. If your heart doesn’t pull away from sin, have the longing to be more like Christ, find delight in fellowship with other believers and time with God, perhaps your heart has never been remade.
Ask the Spirit to pull back the blinders on your own eyes and reveal anew your desperate need for a Savior. Examine whether your heart truly yearns for His salvation and delight in the gift of eternal grace and mercy afforded us at the cross!
If you have questions about salvation, we know what that feels like! Send us an email and share your thoughts!
The Original Intent
4) In what ways do we walk in “darkness” and “light”?
“Light” in this context carries the meaning of purity, flawlessness, and without blemish. In other words, perfectly righteous. We are to “walk in the light as He is in the light.” We are called to live like Christ, to be righteous.
But oh how can this sinful being live as a blameless and righteous one?!
John’s sentence does not even pause before He gives the remedy, “The blood of Jesus, His Son, cleanses us from all sin.” (verse 7) Walking in the light means recognizing our sin, allowing the Spirit to convict our hearts, asking forgiveness, and drawing close to the Lord God!
Walking in “darkness” is living in the lies of deception and refusing to acknowledge our sinfulness, instead justifying it to ourselves and, hopelessly, to the Holy God.
The Everyday Application
4) In what ways do we walk in “darkness” and “light”?
It doesn’t get more practical than this, examine your day up to this moment, pray over it, and ask the Holy Spirit to bring conviction.
Where are you choosing to allow Christ’s rich grace to cover over your choices and letting His love lead your body language, your voice, your thoughts, and your actions? Where have you chosen to lie to yourself and give an excuse for how you acted without love? Does your heart grieve over sin?
The Father does not bring conviction in order to condemn us. No! He convicts to melt our hearts, sweep us up in His grand redemption, and bless us richly with grace upon grace of His lavish love! Surrender to those waves of mercy today!
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