And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.
1 John
The Book of 1 John is written to strengthen assurance, protect truth, and define what genuine Christian faith looks like in daily life. Authored by John the Apostle, the letter addresses believers facing confusion caused by false teachers who distorted the nature of Christ and minimized the seriousness of sin.
From the opening verses, John emphasizes the reality of Jesus Christ—fully divine and fully human. He insists that the gospel is not abstract philosophy, but lived experience rooted in historical truth. Any teaching that denies Christ’s incarnation or separates belief from obedience is firmly rejected.
A central theme of 1 John is assurance. John repeatedly states that believers may know they have eternal life. This assurance is not based on emotion or perfection, but on evidence—right belief about Christ, obedience to God’s commands, and love for one another. Faith is revealed through transformation, not mere profession.
The letter speaks plainly about sin. John rejects both denial of sin and hopelessness in the face of it. Believers are called to walk in the light, confess sin honestly, and trust in Christ’s ongoing work as advocate and atoning sacrifice. Grace does not excuse sin; it restores relationship.
Love is the book’s defining hallmark. God’s nature is described simply and powerfully: God is love. Those who know God reflect His love through sacrificial care for others. Love is not optional or theoretical—it is the visible evidence of new life in Christ.
1 John also addresses discernment. Believers are warned to test spiritual claims and teachings, recognizing that not every voice speaks from God. Truth matters, and love must be grounded in truth rather than sentiment.
The book concludes with confidence. John writes so believers may stand firm against deception, remain in fellowship with God, and rest in the certainty of eternal life. Obedience, love, and truth are not burdens, but signs of authentic faith.
The Book of 1 John offers clarity in confusing times. It reassures believers that genuine faith produces real change, and that life with God is marked by truth, love, and confident hope.
1 John 2:29
If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.
1 John 2:3
And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
1 John 2:4
He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
1 John 2:5
But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.
1 John 2:6
He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
1 John 2:7
Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning.
1 John 2:8
Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth.
1 John 2:9
He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.
1 John 3:1
Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
1 John 3:10
In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.
1 John 3:11
For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.
1 John 3:12
Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous.
1 John 3:13
Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.
1 John 3:14
We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.
1 John 3:15
Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.
1 John 3:16
Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
1 John 3:17
But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
1 John 3:18
My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
1 John 3:19
And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.
1 John 3:2
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
1 John 3:20
For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.
1 John 3:21
Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.
1 John 3:22
And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.
1 John 3:23
And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.
1 John 3:24
And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.
1 John 3:3
And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
1 John 3:4
Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
1 John 3:5
And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.
1 John 3:6
Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. Reflection 1 John 3:6 is a profound declaration about the transformative power of abiding in Christ. The verse emphasizes that genuine union with Jesus results in a life that is increasingly oriented away from sin. Abiding in Him is more […]