1 John Chapter 1

It struck me how similar the Apostle John starts off his Gospel account and his epistles.

In John 1:1, he starts off by saying, “In the beginning was the …”

In 1 John 1:1, he starts off with “That which was from the beginning….”

And both ended up with the Word – the Word of Life. God.

We have just gone through the whole Gospel according to John. What was your experience like after ‘living’ through Jesus’ Ministry on earth?

Like many other disciples, John was deeply affected and his whole life changed. Just see how he describes it from verses 1 – 4.

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life— ² the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us— ³ that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. ⁴ And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.

~ 1 John 1:1-4 ~

It starts of with “which we have heard“. Then “which we have seen with our eyes“. This is followed by “our hands have handled“.

What was it that they have heard, seen and handled?

This was the Word of life. This was God that came in the flesh and lived among them. This was the Christ that suffered, died, and was resurrected – so that eternal life can be given.

And the result of this was that they bore witness and declared the message of Jesus. So that others may too have fellowship with the other believers, and with the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.

I was away from Singapore for around 10 days and when I attended Friday evening service, I noticed an elderly gentleman who joined us in our service. He was accompanied by 2 youths and I wondered who he was.

Then I heard that another senior lady had also joined us for service. And it was only on Saturday that I learned that last Sunday, the youths started Door to Door Evangelism again in TK. The Preacher remarked that they have started again and thank God for some seeds falling on hearts that have responded.

It is embarrassing to say that Door to Door Evangelism in TK has stopped for many years and it is a reflection of our state of faith.

That is why I asked the question when we started – “what is your experience like after reading John”? And it is not just after reading John. But basically our whole life of believing in Jesus.

We have heard. We have seen. We have handled – experienced God in our lives.

But have we taken the next step to be witnesses and declare Him so that others may too share in this same fellowship that we have?

So don’t just hear, read and receive. Take the next step and knock and share.

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