Q&A: 1 John 1

1 John 1 - Q&A

Here are some brief answers to our questions from our Sunday evening service.

1. What is meant by fellowship in v 7

see answer to question 2

2. In 1 John 1:7, … ‘we have fellowship with one another’ What is meant by ‘one another’?

Fellowship in the original Greek language is "Koinonia" which means "sharing everything together in common". Consider Acts 2 - where the believers shared everything they had in common.

What do we share in common as followers of Jesus?

Shared doctrine (beliefs), shared responsibility to take Jesus to the world, shared resources in Christ... and more. "One another" means other believers in Christ.

3. In the 21st century, how do we walk in the light (in a practical sense) and therefore live out the truth.

Confession. This maintains our fellowship with God, because this sin is what spoils our relationship with God. We need confession to maintain our fellowship with God.

You may think it sounds boring, but we need to keep in the Word and in prayer and keep in fellowship with one another. Be at Chuch in fellowship here together. All these things help to make us more like Jesus.

In the 21st century, what happens when we leave the front door of Church? How do we gain our wisdom in this world? Pray that God will provide his wisdom each day in your life.

4. I love John’s defn of eternal life in John 17:3 where he says it is KNOWING God but v3 says Jesus is the eternal life. Cld u pls talk about this?

John 17:3 - Now this is eternal life - that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent"

This fellowship with him means that we do the things he has called us to do. We are called to know Jesus and make him known. To live a holy life as we are called, even though we often make mistakes.

5. Not to be rude, but what is a moralist exactly?

A moralist can perhaps be described as someone who puts their moralistic expectations on society as a whole. For example, an idea like "equality" is something most may agree with and is acceptable to many in a democratic society, but a morality that is pro-choice (abortion by choice for any reason) movement may have been unacceptable once but is now quite acceptable today in the western world (sadly). A moralist might seek to push their morals and expectations upon society as a whole, even enacting laws against what they perceive as "immoral behaviour". The challenge for a Christian who has a morality, we hope, that is lined up with God and his word, is that we need to decide how to enact our morality and convictions within society. We cannot "force" it on others. But we can share the gospel in a way that helps them see God's plans and that his path is good for us as humanity. God himself doesn't shove his morals down our throat. He shows us that what he wants for us is good for us.

6. What else do we need to do to confess our sins, not just saying we're sorry?

It is the words, but also the intent of what comes after - making a U-Turn - a decision that we're not going to live that way any longer. Actions need to follow our words.

7. It feels like our society doesn’t see, or want to see, the reality and problem of our sin. How do we help them see?

Prayer is absolutely necessary. God is the only one who can truly open people's eyes to see the light of the gospel and the truth of our own sinfulness. No amount of argument can ever convince people. They also need their eyes opened to see the truth of the darkness the world is in. It simply cannot happen without God's Spirit at work in our hearts.

8. John 1:14... sus?

Not sus, but truth. The Word is Jesus. God in the flesh. To see Jesus, the Son is to see the Father. he has revealed himself to us. This is the incarnation. This is what our faith hangs upon. God came to earth in human form to live for us (Christmas), die for us (Good Friday) and be raised from the dead for us (Easter Day). Praise God for this amazing truth!

9. In 1 John 1:8-10, is Repentance necessary for us to take so to resume the relationship with God?

Yes - see question 3 answer also. Confessing our sins is recognising our sin before God and admitting our guilt. Repentance is the actual commitment to turn away from that sin. Even though we fail (often!) we still repent, turn away, even if we need to turn away 1000 times from the same sin. Without repentance, we are saying to God "I did the wrong thing but I don't care - I'm going to keep doing it". Repentance says "I know it's wrong and I'm trying, with your help, to completely turn away from it". This is the attitude, the heart, that maintains and builds our relationship with God.

10. Which is the best actor to play the doctor, and why is the answer not Colin Baker?

Because it is clearly TOM Baker.