The Letters of John.
These letters are for everyone—whether you’re just starting your faith journey or you’ve been walking with God for decades. His teachings are tough, but they’re wrapped in the kind of love that transforms lives. You might learn how to be satisfied, sinless, safe, sure, tough, and tender in your walk as a believer and leader.
Who is John?
He’s the disciple whom Jesus loved—when he says things like “we have heard, seen, looked upon, and handled” (1 John 1:1), he’s not imagining things. He's stating facts.
He’s...
1. The Survivor: He’s the only one of the 12 apostles who died of old age.
2. Jesus’ Family Guy: Remember at the cross, when Jesus told John to take care of His mother, Mary (John 19:26-27)?
3. The Wisdom Writer: Most of his writings come in his later years. Picture an elder of the faith, pouring out decades of wisdom and experience before his exit.
Who Was John Writing To?
John wasn’t writing to just one audience; he had a wide range of readers in mind. His letters addressed:
- Little Children: New believers who needed foundational truths.
- Young Men: Growing believers learning to fight spiritual battles.
- Fathers: Mature believers who have walked with God for years.
- A lady Church Leader: In 2 John, he writes to a lady leader who needed guidance in balancing love and truth.
- A Male Church Leader: In 3 John, he writes to Gaius, a leader encouraged to blend toughness with tenderness.
Why Did John Write?
1. 1 John: Written so that believers’ joy may be full. John emphasizes a satisfied, sinless, safe, and sure faith. He wants readers to live with certainty in their salvation, free from sin’s grip, and full of God’s joy.
- “I write this to you so that your joy may be complete” (1 John 1:4).
2. 2 John: A letter to encourage toughness. John advises the lady leader not to lead purely from a place of love but to balance love with the law of God.
3. 3 John: A call for tenderness. Gaius, a leader who may have leaned heavily on structure and discipline, is encouraged to show more warmth and accommodation.
As you read, look out for the word LOVE. If there’s one theme that binds all of John’s writings, it’s love. He uses the word more than any other writer in the New Testament. Why? Because John is the only one bold enough to say, “God is love” (1 John 4:8). No other person ever described God that way.
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