“That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.”
(1 John 1:3-4)
Our Lord’s redemptive work revealed, and accomplished, unspeakably great things, things unimagined even by the writing prophets of the Old Testament. The Old Testament saints were unaware, for instance, that the Son of God would purchase to Himself a new and unique redeemed community made up of saints “out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation” (Revelation 5:9). This new community, the church, is Christ’s own building project (Matthew 16:18; 1 Corinthians 3:9). This new Temple made of living stones (1 Peter 2:3-5) is “built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone” (Ephesians 2:20). Foundation to the whole edifice, therefore, is the apostolic witness to the redemptive ministry of Christ. Today’s verse passage is a blessed reminder that God’s love, care, and concern for his fallen image-bearers is foundational to that witness. John informs us, clearly and unmistakably, that the apostles’ God-inspired message to the world is that God desires fellowship with us. Of course, this isn’t to fill some kind of need on God’s part. God was not lonely without us in eternity past. The Lord Jesus made it clear that love existed between members of the Trinity before the creation of the world (John 17:24). Before God became King over a created order, He was first Father to His Beloved Son. God’s redemptive plan is an expression of love, intended to bless His fallen creatures with saving grace. This grace not only restored man’s innocence, it imputed to man Christ’s own righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21). What’s more, the redemptive plan of God includes the believer’s future glorification and perfect communion with the holy God of heaven (Romans 8:16-17). John reminds us in today’s passage that God’s inscripturated revelation was not given to frighten or confuse us, but to help us experience the fullness of joy. “This then is the message” the beloved disciple continued, “which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5). Our God is, in His holy and unblemished character, love itself personified. Love rejoices in the truth (1 Corinthians 13:6), and Christ our Lord, the fullest expression of God imaginable, is Himself incarnate Truth. This means that all of God’s promises to us are sure, dependable, and unalterable in Christ (2 Corinthians 1:20). May this meditation be a help and an encouragement to you. Walk strong, dear saints, and may the Lord grant you fullness of joy today.
God bless you,
Pastor John
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