By Lisa Wilmore
My Friends,
Have you ever had to recount a story that someone else shared with you? In reporting this story, did you, perhaps, say some things that were incorrect; however, you shared it in the way you understood? In other words, was your story valid? Could someone repeat what you said that would yield validity to the truth?
To make mention of, John, the Apostle, wrote explaining his firsthand experience with Jesus. In I John 1, he wrote a pastoral letter to the congregations that emphasized that God is love, Jesus Christ is His Son and in Him is eternal Life. One could believe what John accurately wrote because John was an eyewitness to Jesus Christ, God’s Son. Yes, he reported Jesus’ story from what he saw, heard, and touched.
John recorded in I John, “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- 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—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. So, the validity of his story was authentic because he walked and talked with Jesus. In essence, he witnessed Him healing the sick, feeding the hungry, raising the dead, and even His crucifixion.
Even though, we have not physically heard or seen Jesus, we can believe in the validity of John’s story and/or report as recorded in the Bible. His report was not second or third hand. His report was reported as an eyewitness of Jesus’ ministry. We can trust his report.
In most cases, it is not difficult to reveal what you witnessed with your own eyes. In fact, people will believe you when you let them know that you were an eyewitness.
They believe that your story is valid. John, in his letter, presented a clear picture of who Christ is. He presented God as Love, Light, and Life. Scholars suggested that “John wrote about the most vital aspects of faith so that his readers would know Christian truth from error. He emphasizes the basics of faith so that we can be confident in our faith. In our dark world, God is light. In our cold world, God brings the warmth of love. In our dying world, God brings life. When we lack confidence, these truths bring us certainty” (LASB, 1914).
Therefore, as you read John’s letter, his report is valid. Believe that Jesus is Eternal Life.
