Deeper ReflectionTHIS WEEK WE WILL REFLECT ON FAITH EXPLOIT 3 −
Disciple the Generations. Early church tradition has it that the
author of the letter of 1 John was the Apostle John writing from Ephesus
around A.D. 85-95. The elderly apostle’s concern in this letter
43 was with
heretical teachings – an early form of Gnosticism – that was infiltrating
the churches. John wrote to disciple the generations that came after him
with teachings about the deity and humanity of Jesus Christ, obedience
to the truth, righteous living, dealing with sin, having love for God and
fellow-Christians, exposing the works of the devil and false teachers, and
the nature of the antichrist.In today’s passage, there are many repeated words and phrases, such as
“fellowship”, “light”, “darkness”, “walk”, “truth”, “lie / liar”, “sin / sins”,
“know Him” and “keep His commandments”.
44 Today we focus on one
word – “
fellowship” (mentioned four times, vv.3, 6, 7). “Fellowship”
means “what is shared in common, as the basis of fellowship (partnership,
community)”
45. Christians are sinners saved by God’s grace through faith
in His Son Jesus Christ, who was the propitiation (or atoning sacrifice)
for our sins.
46 As fellow Christians, we share in the saving knowledge
of God and share a kindred relationship across the generations. As
brothers and sisters in Christ, we must learn to share our resources
with one another in the love of God. Through the Scriptures, prayers,
encouragements, and emotional and material support, we are to help one
another in our small group communities to
walk in the light (v.7), keep
God’s Word (1 Jn 2:3-6) and
make disciples across the generations.
43 The letter seemed to have been a circular letter sent to the churches of the province of Asia.
44 These are themes that occur throughout this letter.
45 HELPS Lexicon, The Discovery Bible. “Believers are fellow-partners (sharers) in the true knowledge of God because
each belongs to the Lord. Accordingly, they share unique companionship with each other – a kindred spirit and
fellowship that transcends all racial and economic barriers.”
46 1 John 2:2. “The Greek word (hilasmos) behind the phrase atoning sacrifice conveys both the idea of ‘turning aside
divine wrath’ and the idea of ‘cleansing from sin’”: NET Bible study note.