Content related to 1 John

Comments and Observations When I read this passage, I hear the Beatles’ famous song, “All You Need Is Love.”  But I don’t hear John agreeing with John, Paul, George, and Ringo–not completely.  Though he insists on the absolute importance of love, John has more important things to say about love than “all you need is…

Comments and Observations Rarely is taking a test a joyful experience, but the author of I John has woven four tests into his letter/sermon designed to bring his readers joy.  “We write this to make our (yours and mine?) joy complete.”  (I John 1:4) The way to complete joy, he says, is to be sure…

Comments and Observations As I meditated on these words, two pictures from my last church came to mind.  I saw 50 fresh faced, neatly dressed girls, ranging in age from 8 to 13, sitting behind me in the choir loft as I preached from this text.  This was on a Sunday that honored those girls. …

Comments and Observations All of the readings from the epistles for the season after Easter are from I John.  That’s an interesting choice, since the theme of I John is certainty, assurance of salvation.  “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know…