Yesterday at church, we backtracked just a bit to get a big picture look at 1 John by looking at the four stated purposes of why John wrote the book.

First, we read in 1 John 1:4 “We are writing these things so that our joy may be complete” (CSB). Joy is what’s deep down in our soul, not a happiness based on what’s happening around us, but a contentment and a peace that passes all understanding.

Second, in 1 John 2:1 we read “I am writing you these things so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ the righteous one” (CSB). Sin is what we ought to be aiming to avoid. Yes, we are sinful humanity, but we serve a Savior who saves by His grace, and that means when we do sin we have an advocate with the father for the forgiveness of those sins.

Third, in 1 John 2:26 John said “I have written these things to you concerning those who are trying to deceive you” (CSB). Yes, false teaches arise to counteract against God’s truth teaches, but don’t be deceived. Stay in the word of God and fortify yourselves with the promises of the Bible.

Finally, we read in 1 John 5:13 that John wrote “I have written these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life” (CSB). If you rest in Jesus and His assurance of eternal life, all the worries and cares of those world will lose their grip. They won’t go away, but at least you’ll know that whatever this world throws at you it can not take away your assurance of eternal life.

This coming Sunday, before we move on to chapter 2, we will take a look at 1 John 1:9 and what we are to do when we sin.