Three Reasons for 1 John - Equipped for Battle

Some people might wonder, “Why should I read the Bible?” or “What difference will it make if I read the Bible or not?” Although there is great benefit to reading all of the books of the Bible, not all of them give the reasons they are written as clearly as the book of 1 John. In this small, five chapter book, the Apostle John who is near ninety years old, has suffered through being boiled in oil and exiled to an island called Patmos, gives three reasons for why this book is written: That your joy may be full; that you sin not; and that you may know that you have eternal life.

First, that your joy may be full. In 1 John chapter one and verse four John writes:

And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.

Who among this nation could use a little joy right now? Joy is different than happiness in that it is not contingent upon circumstances. For example, a person might be happy if he or she received a check for ten million dollars, but if when they go to the bank to deposit or cash it they find out the check is no good, their happiness will disappear. Joy isn't like that. Joy is a fruit of God's spirit living within a person, and it does not rely upon good or bad things happening.

Second, that you sin not. John writes in 1 John chapter two verse one:

My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin,

we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

Let's face it, everyone sins, and to live a completely sinless life is impossible. Only one person has ever accomplished it: Jesus Christ. So for the rest of mankind, sin which literally means “missing the mark” is a continual battle. John writes the words to this book to help his readers to defeat sin, and should the reader fail, Jesus is an advocate that stands to defend them before the Heavenly Father

Finally, that you may know you have eternal life. In 1 John chapter five and verse thirteen John writes:

These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

So many people wonder if there is really life beyond the one they live now. There is much discussion about life after death, and John shows his readers that there really is an assurance for the believer in Jesus Christ that there is eternal life. He desires that everyone who reads his words would believe on the name of the Son of God, and that by believing they shall live eternally with God.

So, consider these reasons once again: full joy, sinning not; and knowing you have eternal life. Looks like enough reasons to read and study this fascinating book, and over the next few weeks, the writer and reader will study through it to find all the treasures that lie within its words.

Until tomorrow...there is more...

Look for the new devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, find locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore