1 john 1

theme: john writes to call Christians back to true doctrine, obedient living, and fervent devotion after many in the church leave (1 john 2:19)
purpose: growth in faith, obedience, and love and directing believers to the work done on the cross
v.1-  "that which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life-"
similar to how the gospel of john begins, 1 john starts by stating Christ as the beginning (before time existed). as one of the twelve disciples, john was able to hear, see, and touch Jesus physically, so we can trust what he says as a witness.
v.2-  "the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us-"
Jesus Christ was made manifest to john and other believers meaning He was sent from and revealed by the Father.
v.3~4-  "that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. And we are writing these things to you so that our joy may be complete."
as Christians, out hope as we share the gospel is to not only invite others to have human fellowship with us, but also that others may come to have fellowship with God. joy can only come truly through this kind of fellowship.
v.5-  "this is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all."
God is perfect in knowledge and purity as the light.
v.6~7-  "if we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin."
those that outwardly say that they believe but have lives that do not reflect a transformation are not in the light. obedience (walking in the light) is evidence of a true believer, although obedience is not equal to salvation.
v.8~9- "if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
it is impossible, even for Christians, to never sin while we are still in the flesh. therefore, we must repent continually- through repentance and reliance on God's promises, God will work in us, so that we become more and more holy.
v.10-  "if we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us."
those who are self-righteous will have their sins revealed in the light. unless the gospel is in us, we remain in darkness.