Understanding the background of a book in the Bible and who the author was writing to can be very important for understanding why they are highlighting certain ideas or commands. For the book of 1 John, he was writing to the church after a great split thanks to Gnosticism. A lot of professed Christians had left because they were seduced by false teachers claiming to have secret knowledge and placing themselves over the authority of scripture.
The book of 1 John is all about tests and qualifications to know that you belong to God. It’s about separating sheep from goats. How do we actually know if we’re part of God’s family? John lays it out very clearly!
“Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments” (1 John 5:1-2, ESV).
The most foundational and necessary component in the life of a true child of God is believing that Jesus is the Christ, confessing him as revealed through the witness testimonies in scripture. Jesus is the perfect, final, anointed priest, prophet and king. He is the exclusive way to God the Father and the only means by which we may be saved. This means holding fast to biblical faith and contending for the commands in the Bible without distorting them. This is so important because Christ is the Word and the purpose all of scripture.
John also connects the love of God and belief in Christ with loving those who are born of God. You will love your brother and sister in Christ. You cannot hate the family of God and be a Christian. John links the love of God and the love of our fellow believers all throughout this letter.
Moreover, the God love for his people is expressed throughout all of his commands. When we obey his commandments, we will be loving others well and in ways that honor the heavenly Father. Our affections for God, his Word and his law are the testimony that we are truly regenerated.
Joshua West serves as the Pastor's Network Director at World Challenge helping equip and empower pastors all over the world. Joshua’s desire is to raise up ministers who will correctly and boldly preach the word with passion and integrity. The point of all his work and writings is to preach the gospel, glorify God and to teach sound doctrine.