1.
Truth dominates I John 1:1-4. It is
used five times. John says he loves the
elect lady and her children “in truth.”
He then says all who have known the truth love her also. This truth
abides in them and will be with them forever. Jesus is the Son of the Father
“in truth.” Finally, John rejoices that some of her children are walking in the
truth. These verses show the various ways John uses the word “truth.” Truth is a path, a way of living (See I John
1:6, 2:4). Those who claim Christ, but do not obey Him are not walking in the
truth. Truth also abides within us. In
particular this is a reference to the Holy Spirit, who is the Spirit of truth
who lives in us (John 14:17, 15:26, I John 4:6, 5:6). The truth also binds us together in love.
John loves this elect lady because they are both in the truth. Truth is
something we know (John 8:32). But ultimately
truth is Jesus Christ himself (John 14:6).
He is who we know, the foundation for all our doctrine and theology. He
is the one who showed us the Father’s love that we might love one another. He
is the one who binds together various people and churches in truth. He is the one that sent the Spirit of truth
to dwell among us. Finally, he is the path of truth we are to walk. If we want
to know if we are walking in truth, we need only look as far as Christ himself.
2.
Verses 4-6 undoes many of our ideas
about truth, love, and obedience. We like to separate these things. For example, truth and love are often put at
odds with one another. Love is a feeling for someone. It is usually seen as warm and affectionate. Truth is doctrine. It is usually seen as cold
and harsh. But for John he easily
transitions from truth to obedience to love. They are not enemies, but companions. Note the flow of thought:
a.
John rejoices that some are walking in the truth, just as they
received a commandment from the
Father. (For some reason, the ESV turns the noun “commandment” into a verb
“commanded.” It makes it easier to miss the connection between verse 4 and the
following verses.)
b.
This commandment is an old one.
c.
This commandment is to love one another.
d.
We love one another by obeying his commandments.
e.
We should walk in this commandment.
John does not see any conflict
between love, truth, and obedience. For him they are all threads in the same
tapestry. If you pull one string out the
whole thing begins to unravel.
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