The Word of life

The purpose of John writing this letter was to combat false ideas about Christ, and to increase the awareness of Christian communities in spiritual and social matters. There was mis-teaching and false teaching going on, much like today, and John wants to warn members of his community that there are indeed ways to tell who is a true follower of Christ and who is not. Much like the book of James, John is insistent that true belief and good works are inseparable and that error in one, affects the other.

What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we looked upon and touched with our hands concerns the Word of life- for the life was made visible; we have seen it and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was made visible to us- what we have seen and heard we proclaim now to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; for our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ. We are writing this so that our joy may be complete.  1 John 1: 1-4    (NAB)  

John gives us the perfect starting point in searching/discovering truth; the beginning! As he was with Jesus, at the beginning of His ministry, so he wants us to be, so that you too may have fellowship with us; for our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ.

Though similar with his gospel intro, the emphasis is not on the preexsistent Eternal Word, but the apostles’ personal witness to the “Word made flesh.” 12 times in these four verses, John uses the words,”we”, “our”or, “us”. The seeing, hearing and touching the Word of life, makes it possible for them to testify to it.

 Likewise, the acceptance of their testimony, brings not only fellowship with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, but also the with the community of Faith, so that you too may have fellowship with us.

As Paul would write to the Ephesians;  I, then, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love, striving to preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace:  one body and one Spirit, as you were also called to the one hope of your call; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.    Eph. 4:1-6 

Oneness in unity, that’s the essense of the Trinity. That’s also what we are called to.

Amen.