A STUDY IN 1 JOHN (5)

Introduction (5):

The Theme of 1 John

Victor M. Eskew

 

            The theme of a book is “The Golden Thread” that ties the entire book together.  It runs from start to finish in the book.  It is the dominate thought the author had in mind as he wrote.  Sometimes themes are stated by the author (See John 20:30-31).  At other times, the readers have to determine the theme by a diligent study of the book.  In 1 John, the apostle notes several purposes of the epistle.  These purposes begin with the words:  “These things write we unto you…” (1 John 1:4; 2:1; 5:13).  One purpose, however, seems to rise above the others.  Let’s look at the theme of 1 John in the remainder of this article.

            In our last article, we discussed how John was dealing with the Gnostics of his day.  Because of their views regarding the flesh and spirit, they had trouble with several teachings of the Christian faith.  Their teachings, if believed, would disrupt one’s fellowship with God.  John’s theme, therefore, appears to be:  “Maintaining Fellowship with God.”  In the opening verses of his epistle, John uses the word “fellowship” four times (1 John 1:3, 6, 7).  1 John 1:3 could be the Key Verse of the epistle.  John writes:  “That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us:  and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.”  When individuals obey the gospel of Christ, they enter into the fellowship of Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 1:9).  This fellowship involves the Godhead, the apostles of Jesus Christ, and all of God’s faithful servants.  As long as one continues in this fellowship, he will be saved in the last day.  However, there are teachings and behaviors that can cause one’s fellowship with Christ to be severed.  The teachings of Gnosticism fell into this category of doctrines.  John, therefore, writes to his readers so “ye also may have fellowship with us, and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.”

            There are three large areas addressed by John in the epistle.  First, it was essential for Christians to believe that Jesus came in the flesh if they were going to maintain their fellowship with God.  Three times John declares that God sent His Son into the world (1 John 4:9, 10, 14).  When He came, He was a real human being composed of flesh and bones.  John and the other apostles had seen him with their eyes.  They had heard Him with their ears.  They had touched Him with their hands (1 John 1:1).  They knew He was a real person.  To deny this fact made one an antichrist.  “And every spirit that confesseth not the Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God:  and this is that spirit of antichrist…” (1 John 4:3).  An antichrist was not in fellowship with Jesus nor was he in fellowship with the Father.  “Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ?  He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.  Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father…” (1 John 2:22-23a).

            Second, it was imperative for Christians to obey God in order to continue to have fellowship with Him.  One group of Gnostics did not believe living a life free from sin was necessary to salvation.  Since the body would be cast off at death, their spirit which was good would still be saved regardless of how they lived on earth.  In 1 John 1:6-7, John declares:  “If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:  but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ he Son cleanseth us from all sin.”  In chapter two, John stresses the need for obedience again.  “And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.  He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.  But whoso keepeth his words in him verily is the love of God perfected:  hereby know we that we are in him” (1 John 2:4-6).  In 1 John 3:6, John states:  “Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not:  whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither knoweth him.”  In verse 8, he writes:  “He that committeth sin is of the devil…”  Jesus did not die on the cross to free men to commit sin.  He died so men would live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world.  “…If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (1 John 2:15b). 

            Third, to maintain fellowship with the Father and Son, Christians needed to love one another.  As is often the case of those who proclaim false teaching, the Gnostics had no love for those who differed with them.  In fact, it was common for them to hate their opponents.  John told his readers:  “He that loveth not, knoweth not God; for God is love” (1 John 4:8).  In the previous verse, he expressed just the opposite sentiment.  “…and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God” (1 John 4:7).  To hate another is the antithesis of God.  God even loved His enemies.  “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that God loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (1 John 4:10).  “…He that loveth not his brother abideth in death” (1 John 3:14).  “Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer:  and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him” (1 John 3:15).  If the Gnostic were asked whether or not he loved God, he would answer, “Yes.”  John notes that this is an impossibility if a child of God hates his brethren.  “If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar:  for he that love not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love  God whom he hath not seen?” (1 John 4:20).  John stresses the fact that we have a commandment to love one another (1 John 3:11, 23).  “And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth him him, and he in him…” (1 John 3:24).  In other words, loving one’s brethren is essential to establish fellowship with God. 

            Why do we want to maintain fellowship with God?  The answer is in order to obtain eternal life.  “He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life” (1 John 5:12).  John knows that if his readers embraced Gnosticism, they would lose their fellowship with God, and, in turn, would lose their eternal life.  Thus, he wrote this epistle.  “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” (1 John 5:13).  And again:  “And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true; and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ.  This is the true God, and eternal life” (1 John 5:20). 

            John’s gospel ends with this warning.  “Little children, keep yourselves from idols.  Amen” (1 John 5:21).  This seems a little strange at first.  Let’s remember two things.  One, John is writing to Gentiles who had come out of idolatrous backgrounds.  Two, John’s emphasis has been on the need for his readers to maintain fellowship with God.  If they turned back to lifeless idols, that fellowship would be broken.  So, he lovingly warns them as he concludes his letter to keep themselves, that is, guard themselves from idols.  Again, remaining true to the Father and Son was the only way to obtain eternal life.