What to do with 1 John?
So our reading for Wednesday is one of the greatest, and at times most perplexing, readings we've had. On one hand, we have a beautiful picture of encouragement to love one another and experience the love of God in the context of community with one another. God is love...so love one another. In this way we "cast out fear" (4:18).
On the other hand, there seems to be a problem. The book begins telling us that "if we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us" (1:8). Then, not two chapters later, we're told that "no one who sins has either seen him or known him", and that "those who have been born of God do not sin, because God's seed abides in them" (3:6, 9). These seem to be glaring contradictions. There are a couple of explanations for this. The easy one some scholars go for is that 1 John is a collection of writings that included more than one author, so we're hearing from two different voices, one who is more "strict" than the other. However, even if this were the case, you would think the editor would have seen the contradiction there. It's still there, so we have to wrestle with it.
Different theologians have seen this in different ways. One idea is that this section is showing the difference between those who are the "antichrists" mentioned earlier and those who love God. Sinning here is not individual sins, but choosing a lifestyle of sin that is in contrast to God. Those who have been filled with God strive for the ways of God, and can no longer "abide" in sin, because they are choosing to abide in God (3:6). The rest of scripture (not just this book) indicate that those who are filled with the Spirit do, indeed, sin. We live in a broken world, and the world does still effect us. However, Christ has forgiven sin, and we no longer live in sin. We are no longer defined by our bad actions, but we are defined by our Savior, the one who had no sin, and we seek to live in love, guided by the Spirit, living in forgiveness.
To me, this is an encouragement. Those who love God have been forgiven, so live as if you are forgiven. You have been shown love, so live in the love that has been shown, and show that love to others. We continue to live in God's love until the day "when he is revealed" and "we will be like him, for we will see him as he is" (3:2) So, we "purify ourselves, just as he is pure," (3:3) seeking to show the world what a life lived in grace and love looks like, so that they might experience that as well.
Thoughts? What was your favorite/least favorite/most challenging part of the readings this week?
posted by Brent Huckaby @ 10:00 AM
2 Comments:
Strangely, despite it's back and forth and contradictions, I like the practical aspects of I John. I did have to read through John 2:7+8 a couple times..."Dear Friends, I am not writing you a new command but an old one, which you have had since the beginning. This old command is the message you have heard. Yet I am writing you a new command..." Um, wait didn't you just say you are not writing a new command?! LOL...
I also wonder if it has to do with the translation of his original words to our English. For example his use of the word "world" 2:15-17. I don't think he means for to not love the world we live in and the people in that world. I think he means worldly things...that would be more in context with what Jesus preached and what he says later on. However, taken literally this could be confusing.
Didn't John write these books when he was banished to the Isle of Patmus (spelling?)...so couldn't he have written sections over the course of several months? What if he only had a few pages to write on at a time or was sick in between some of the writings. He does seem to change subjects midstream or midthought..as though he did take a break from writing and come back much later.
Nevertheless, some of my favorite verses are in this book, I John 3:1, I John 4:7+8...and I used to love Stephen Curtis Chapman's song about "Walking in the Light." I guess I prefer more practical readings..so I have always found John's books pretty practical, as far as what to do as Christians.
I am about a day behind, but I will catch up on my readings. See you all Sunday.
I mean the song, "The Walk" by SCC.
Post a Comment
<< Home