Day 2 - The Truth, the Whole Truth, and Nothing But the Truth
1 John 1:1-4
We’re starting a brand new volume of the 4N6 Ministries Devotional. Volume 1 (Ephesians and 1 Corinthians) is now officially wrapped up and should be available as a paperback and ebook very soon so you can share with your friends, family, and church. In the meantime, we’re moving forward with a new exciting walk-through of one of my favorite books of the entire Bible, 1 John. You’ll see why it’s one of my favorites at the end of this devotion!
Scripture Passage: 1 John 1:1-4
Focal Verse(s): What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have observed and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life—that life was revealed, and we have seen it and we testify and declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us—what we have seen and heard we also declare to you, so that you may also have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We are writing these things so that our joy may be complete. ~ 1 John 1:1-4 (CSB)
Some statistics for you to start this brand new devotional study off. There are between 4,500 to 10,000 religions in the world. Of those religions, there are countless splinter groups, sects, and offshoots that are near impossible to identify, classify, or quantify. Think about that for a moment. There are between 4,499 to 9,999 religions in the world other than Christianity (and many heretical offshoots of Christianity that can’t be considered truly Christian).
That’s billions of people out there who worship a different god than Yahweh. Billions of people who deny Christ’s godhood, atoning sacrifice, and resurrection from the dead. Some of these religions have embraced Christ, not as savior of mankind, but rather a wise teacher or prophet (Islam believes Christ is merely a prophet and will return to slay the infidels at the end of time). There are still those who worship Zeus. Others who look to the All-Father—Odin—of Norse Mythology. Seriously. And others who still worship the ancient gods of our infant civilization: Baal, Ishtar, and Molech…although they might be known by different names today (just as they’ve been known by so many different names in throughout human history).
And whether people want to admit it or not, there are those who worship science, sex, or even humanity itself as their deities (although they’re not likely to admit it).
Let’s face it. Humanity has a deep-seated need for faith and religion and most will turn to anything other than Christianity. Which begs a very honest question: with so many religions in the world, how can we know for sure that Christianity is the right one? So many of these world religions claim multiple paths to their versions of heaven. Only Christianity, Judaism, or Islam seem to be so exclusive. How can we, as Christians, know we’ve got the answer? How can we know any of it is real? If people still worship Zeus or Odin, could Yahweh just be another imaginary figure in our historical pantheon of gods?
That, dear friends, is precisely why John ‘the beloved’ and the ‘revelator’ wrote this letter to the first century churches. One of the major central themes of the entire book could be classified as “Blessed Assurance.” Or, from a forensic point of view, “The truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.”
In today’s passage, John begins to lay the groundwork for the rest of the epistle. He is an eye witness to it all. Many of those who serve with him are also eye witnesses. He has seen the Life (Jesus) with his own eyes. So have his fellow servants. In verses 1-4, John is telling the church, “You might have doubts. Let me assure you! It’s all real! I know for a fact it’s real. I saw Jesus before He was crucified. I saw Him hanging from that cross. I saw that spear pierce His side. And even more, I saw His resurrected body in the flesh…talked with Him…ate with him. I even touched Him! It’s all real! Have faith. I’ll explain everything in the letter you’re now holding in your hands.”
Blessed assurance. Nothing but the truth. That should get you salivating over studying the rest of 1 John! After all, we all have doubts from time to time. Most of the time, it’s fleeting. Merely a simple question that pops in our heads. And it’s not always about whether it’s true or not. Some of those doubts might be about our own salvation! Are we really saved? What if I only think I gave my life to Jesus when I was seven years old? What if I’m destined to Hell?
For that last question, let me say that you were (destined for Hell, that is). We all were! Once. Whether you’re comfortable enough to be honest with yourself, we all deserve it really. Deserve to be separated from God for all eternity. Deserve to be cast into a lake of fire and tormented forever. But thankfully…such a fate doesn’t have to be our final destination and 1 John is going to walk us all through that.
What about you? Have you ever had doubts about your faith? Have you ever wondered if the Bible and Christianity is just one big fairy tale? There’s no shame in that, my friends. We all go through it at some point(s) in our lives. Thankfully, Sovereign God saw fit to inspire one of the Sons of Thunder to set our minds at ease. So, open up your Bibles and start studying. I’ll be with you shortly and we’ll all get a little of that blessed assurance together.
Father, thank you for understanding our doubts. Thank you for not holding it against us. Thank you, Lord, for sending the Apostle John and inspiring him to write this book. I pray that you will use it to give us the assurance of our salvation. Of the truth of your gospel. And lay our minds at ease with the truth of your word.
Amen. Truth of me lately—but I’m working through it.