The Simplicity of Life as a Believer

English Standard Version Chapter 1

1 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— 2 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— 3 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. 4 And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.

Walking in the Light

5 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 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. 8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

Walking in Truth - We follow the truth

What bound them together was the truth of the Gospel.

The identified with each other by living out the truth.

They encouraged the spreading of the truth.

(ESV)

1That 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—

2the 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—

3that 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.

4And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.

EGO - Our vs your - “your joy as well as mine”

Fellowship

5This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

6If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.

7But 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.

Fellowship

8If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

10If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

(ESV)

35And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him.

36“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?”

37And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.

38This is the great and first commandment.

39And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

40On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”

(ESV)

16Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them.

17And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted.

18And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

19Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

20teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

(ESV)

42And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

43And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles.

44And all who believed were together and had all things in common.

45And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.

46And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts,

47praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.