“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our own eyes, which we have gazed upon and touched with our own hands—this is the Word of life. And this is the life that was revealed; we have seen it and testified to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us. vs1-2

He’s talking about experiencing God through Jesus Christ, and it is the SWEETEST fellowship [vs1-4]. There is joy, peace, and assurance; there is affection and unlocked wisdom. There are riches of pleasure!

We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And this fellowship of ours is with the Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ. We write these things so that our joy may be complete.

This experience is only for those who enter the hidden things by faith. They know God is true, not a liar, and they believe the gospel unto good works, prayer, and meditation. He reveals Himself as they come helpless and bold - nothing in themselves but trusting Christ and God’s goodness thereby.

In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of Him. [Eph 3:12]

Do you want happiness and joy? Enter this sweet communion. There’s nothing like it!

Secondly, there is no hiding sin with God: it must be punished [vs5-10].

“And this is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you: God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.”

All sin must be dealt with! He doesn’t hide it under the rug or in the closet! He never forgives without punishment, so our only relationship with Him is through the blood of Christ.

If we say we have fellowship with Him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.

Either He has paid for our sins, and we are clean, or we’re calling good evil and evil good!

“Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! [Isa 5:20]

We are rejecting Christ’s blood for our “good works,” which is darkness, because our works are STAINED WITH sin. This is an abomination, when we have a Lamb. We’re rendering a lame and deformed sacrifice, when we have God’s own Son!

“But cursed is the deceiver who has an acceptable male in his flock and vows to give it, but sacrifices a defective animal to the Lord. For I am a great King,” says the LORD of Hosts, “and My name is to be feared among the nations.” [Mal 1:14]

Do not be foolish. Do not reject Christ. Come to the Father by the Mediator whose blood washes and cleanses us!

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

He makes us whole, so the Holy Spirit can work.

Finally, He calls everyone in the world to Himself without exception [1 John 2:1-2]!

“My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate before the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He Himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.”

Do you wonder that your sins are too gross - that you’ve lived in them too long, and you cannot be rid of them? Do you doubt your desire to be clean, because you’re such a sinner? He calls us to come, even though we are vile, to be forgiven and cleansed.

Confess YOUR sins! Admit that you are dirty! Stop worrying about everyone else, and look deeply within: Examine yourself by God’s standard, until pride turns to sorrow.

Grieve, mourn, and weep. Turn your laughter to mourning, and your joy to gloom. [James 4:9]

Admit what you have done - how you have failed to bring God glory… how you’ve never done anything sinless … how you need a Mediator at all times, and stand in Christ alone. Tell Him that you have no ability to do good, except He wash and cleanse you. Tell Him you want to be holy, or that you are so filthy that He must give you desire for holiness!