The Real Thing

Living in a world of counterfeits, it can be difficult to discern what is real and true. Join Ben Stuart as he begins a new series that examines and confirms the validity of the Word of God and the life of Jesus.

How can we discern what is real when constant counterfeits surround us?

By the time 1 John was written around AD 90, considerable events had already happened. Jesus had already lived, died, and resurrected, and the gospel had traveled into Greek territories.

As the news spread, stories about this Jewish Messiah were adapted to fit new interests and pursuits, and the newly planted churches began to call what they were originally taught into question. 

Why were these stories different? 

How could they know the truth of Jesus and discern what was real?

John wrote this letter to answer those very questions, and set right what was becoming chaotic. John's experience living alongside Jesus helped the readers to see the amplified truth of Him and the fundamentals of the faith they follow. 

John starts with the essential true characteristics of Christianity— the authentic message that comes from Jesus.

1. Christianity is eternal.

It’s possible that John starts this letter by referencing the gospel of John, which also begins with “in the beginning.”  It’s meant to be a harkening back to Genesis to remind the readers that what he was talking about was true before there was time.

Consider that for a moment: they saw, heard and touched that which was from the beginning, Jesus. The eternal stepped into time; the unknowable introduced Himself to us. John is telling us that they had a personal experience with the transcendent becoming eminent. This historical thing was not merely before all things, but the generator of all things.

John continues connecting his letting with the gospel when he says“the word of life.” In his gospel, he calls Jesus "the Word." To the Jews, they understood that the “word” was the creative expression of God— it’s how all things were made. God spoke creation into existence. He spoke to express His will. John is driving home the reminder that the very source of life showed up, and they saw that in Jesus.

2. Christianity is historical.

If you were to make up a story, you would stick to mere ideas or concepts, careful to craft the subject matter to be just beyond the reach of truth. And yet, when we look at Scripture, we see that Jesus' life was made manifest, and it is subject to verification. All of it— the time, places, dates, people, events—can be investigated and verified. The Bible roots itself in history.

It wasn’t formed or created, it was revealed, and they were witnesses to it.

3. Christianity is testimonial.

The gospel exploded because of the passionate testimony of witnesses. As fervid Jesus followers began spreading His message after His death and resurrection, this small group of people changed all of Rome within a few years. To this day, a third of the world aligns themselves with Jesus.

Now, it is our turn to proclaim what we know, have seen, heard, and touched to the world. Why? So they can fellowship with us, the Father, and Jesus.

4. Christianity is relational.

Isn't it amazing to think that the very foundation of creation is a being you can know, and who who wants a relationship with you?  

More than we need content, we need a connection.

More than we need an inspirational message, we need to know the Messenger.

When John referenced Jesus as "eternal life" in 1 John 1:2, he wasn't calling to mind a concept, he was talking about a person. Paul wrote that "we preach Christ" in 1 Corinthians to present this same idea. Our message is the Messenger. We don’t just preach ideas about Jesus, we preach Jesus. It’s about a relationship with Him.

5. Christianity is invitational.

The faith we profess is an open-invite party and not a secret club.

Wait, why do we need an invite if we are His creation?

While we are made in the image of God, we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). Sin leads to death and separation, and when we take a look at the mess we have made, we don't have to look long to know that something is off.

But the good news is that we don't have to climb to God, He came to us through Jesus. He paid the debt of our sins and took on our death so He could offer us eternal life.

If you are in Him, wouldn't you want others to be too? Our fellowship is with God, and we should want people to know Him and enjoy Him too.

6. Christianity is joyful.

John is writing this letter so his joy is made complete. This is not selfish, "i'm-doing-this-for-me" language. Rather, John is filled with joy when they know God through the grace of His Son. John knows, like we do, that life is found in Jesus. If you know that He has changed your life, your joyful invitation is to tell others that He can change theirs, too.

Let's read John's words again.

"That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us— that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete." 

1 John 1:1-4