Perhaps you might be wondering why there are so many books of the Bible with the title of “John.”
Already we have looked at the book of John near the beginning of the New Testament. Now, here at the end of the New Testament, there are three more books with the titles of: “1st” , “2nd” , and “3rd” John.
What is the difference??
All of these books were written by the same author: the Apostle John. John was one of Jesus’s closest friends and followers. As one of the 12 Disciples, John was personally selected by Jesus to spend a concentrated 3-year internship under Jesus’s instruction.
John personally witnessed innumerable miracles performed by Jesus. John listened firsthand as Jesus debated with the greatest minds of the day. John saw Jesus care for the marginalized, the weak, the hurting, the poor, the sick and the suffering.
John was at the scene when Jesus was arrested. John was present when Jesus was unjustly tried and convicted. John was there at the cross when Jesus was crucified and died.
John was one of the very first to step into Jesus’s empty tomb after Jesus had risen from the dead!
John spent time with Jesus during the 40 days Jesus was on earth following His resurrection. And John was present when Jesus was taken up into Heaven.
John wrote a biographical account of the life of Jesus Christ. This is the Gospel of John (found near the beginning of the New Testament).
The Gospel of John answers the question: Who is Jesus? – Jesus is God!
The Gospel of John further answers the question: What does it mean to be a Christian?
* Everyone has sinned!
* Because of our sin, we are separated from God.
* God loved us so much that He sent His only Son, Jesus, to take the punishment for our sin!
* If we believe in Jesus, God will forgive us of all our sins and give us eternal life!
(John 3:16)
John also wrote three short letters to instruct followers of Jesus how to live the Christian life. These three short letters are entitled: 1st John, 2nd John, and 3rd John (these are found near the end of the New Testament).
The book of 1 John answers the question: How do I live the Christian life?
God is Light. The Christian life is lived by walking in the Light. – 1 John 1:5-7
– If we are walking in the Light … we will not continue to live in habitual sin.
(1 John 1:7; 1 John 3:9-10; 1 John 5:18)
– Of course we will make mistakes, mess up, and sin. That’s part of being human. But if we are walking in the Light … we will confess our sin to God.
(1 John 1:8-9)
– If we are walking in the Light … Jesus Christ is our Advocate. When we mess up, make mistakes, and sin, Jesus stands in our defense before God the Father.
(1 John 2:1-2)
– If we are walking in the Light … we will not hate other people.
(1 John 2:9-11; 1 John 4:20-21)
– If we are walking in the Light … we will not love the worldly system of beliefs and values.
(1 John 2:15-17)
– If we are walking in the Light … our life will be characterized by a love for others.
(1 John 3:18; 1 John 4:7-8; 1 John 4:11-12; 1 John 4:19)
– If we are walking in the Light … we will have the Holy Spirit living within us, empowering us to do what is right.
(1 John 3:24; 1 John 4:4; 1 John 4:13)
– If we are walking in the Light … we will obey God’s commands. (1 John 5:3)
– If we are walking in the Light … we will believe that Jesus is the Son of God.
(1 John 4:15; 1 John 5:1; 1 John 5:5; 1 John 5:10-12; 1 John 5:13)
Jesus Christ in 1 John
Jesus is the Word of Life – 1 John 1:1
Jesus is eternal … existing before time; and having come to earth. – 1 John 1:2
Jesus is our Advocate, speaking in our defense before the Father. – 1 John 2:1
Jesus is the Atoning Sacrifice for the sin of the whole world. – 1 John 2:2
Jesus is Love – 1 John 3:16 Jesus is God come in the flesh. – 1 John 4:2
Jesus brings eternal life to those who believe. – 1 John 5:20
