Communion with the Father
1 John 1:1-3 (MSG) 1-2 From the very first day, we were there, taking it all in—we heard it with our own ears, saw it with our own eyes, verified it with our own hands. The Word of Life appeared right before our eyes; we saw it happen! And now we’re telling you in most sober prose that what we witnessed was, incredibly, this: The infinite Life of God himself took shape before us.
3-4 We saw it, we heard it, and now we’re telling you so you can experience it along with us, this experience of communion with the Father and his Son, Jesus Christ. Our motive for writing is simply this: We want you to enjoy this, too. Your joy will double our joy!
Because we are so far removed from the resurrection side of the Cross, we sometimes forget that Christianity was under attack almost from its inception. We can be thankful that people like John were there to speak out against error and to illuminate our understanding.
I sometimes use The Message paraphrase because it can clarify the Scripture, but in this instance I can see where it could be misunderstood. Doesn’t the following verse sound somewhat magical? “The Word of Life appeared right before our eyes; we saw it happen!”
But the incarnation of Jesus was in no way magical. Instead, it was supernatural! And John, an eyewitness to these incredible events, relates them to us. Why? So that we, too, can take part in the wonderful gift of salvation and all of its benefits.
What are the benefits of salvation? Forgiveness, redemption and restoration, of course, along with a closeness with our Heavenly Father that we would miss otherwise.
May we spend at least a portion of each day soaking up His Word and listening for His voice.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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Seeking Holiness 