How did John describe Jesus?
John begins by giving us a description of what he and the other apostles witnessed when Jesus walked on this earth.
Table Of Contents
Our life should represent the “Word of Life”
Believers are told that we should represent our life to the Word of God. In the book of 1 John he tells us these things in order for us to have fellowship with God-the Father, God-the Son, and other believers. Joy is to be the
fruit of true fellowship with God. Though they heard many messages, the Holy Spirit inspired John to write and tell us, “God is Light.” God is not just light but He is devoid of all darkness.
With this understanding that Jesus is the “Word of Life,” eternal life, God in flesh; we now come to tests for the purpose of examining our faith. That means we are to hold up our behavior, thoughts, and words to the light of God’s word.
Let’s learn more about The Word of Life and its significant meaning.
Meaning of “Word of Life”
Word
3056 lógos (from 3004 /légō, “speaking to a conclusion”) – a word, being the expression of a thought; a saying. 3056 /lógos (“word”) is preeminently used of Christ (Jn 1:1), expressing the thoughts of the Father through the Spirit.
[3056 (lógos) is a common term (used 330 times in the NT) with regards to a person sharing a message (discourse, “communication-speech”). 3056 (lógos) is a broad term meaning “reasoning expressed by words.”] HELPS Word-studies
Life
2222 zōḗ – life (physical and spiritual). All life (2222 /zōḗ), throughout the universe, is derived – i.e. it always (only) comes from and is sustained by God’s self-existent life. The Lord intimately shares His gift of life with people, creating each in His image which gives all the capacity to know His eternal life. HELPS Word-studies
We also find Word of Life in Philippians 2:16 Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.
Walk the “Word of Life”
Question: “What is the key to applying the Bible to my life?” Answer: Applying the Bible is the duty of all Christians. If we don’t apply it, the Bible becomes nothing more to us than a normal book, an impractical collection of old manuscripts….
….Apply: The degree to which we study, memorize, and meditate on God’s Word is the degree to which we understand how it applies to our lives. But understanding how the Word applies is not enough; we must actually apply it (James 1:22). “Application” implies action, and obedient action is the final step in causing God’s Word to come to life in our lives. The application of Scripture enforces and further enlightens our study, and it also serves to sharpen our discernment, helping us to better distinguish between good and evil (Hebrews 5:14)…. by GotQuestions
Question: “What is the key to applying the Bible to my life?” Answer: Applying the Bible is the duty of all Christians. If we don’t apply it, the Bible becomes nothing more to us than a normal book, an impractical collection of old manuscripts….Now that we know how we should live and walk, when someone says “we say” but their is no fruit what will happen?
What does it mean when they said “we say”?
1 John 1:6, 8 &10 focuses on the “we say” people. This is the negative or deceived people.
1 John 1:6 KJV If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:… 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us…. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
The “we say” people claim they have fellowship with God but they do not. How do we know?
Who are the “we say” people?
These are the people who say the right things and do what the “churched” are expected to do. On the outside it all looks real. But God looks at our entire life, inner and outer. While they may profess fellowship, they live life habitually embracing darkness. What does that mean?
It means they deceive themselves and others. Their life consists of an outward show only because they lack the deep conviction to walk in truth (1 John 1:6, John 17:17). Their life revolves around satisfying their flesh through worldly ways. Because they do not possess the truth in their heart (Isaiah 29:13, Ezekiel 33:31, 1 John 1:8, Matthew 15:7-9).
So far the accusations are against the character of the “we say” people. However, sin always progresses. Pride is the foundational wall between God and people. In the end pride will say, I never sinned. In doing so we deny, we are the liar and declare God as the liar. Therefore, God’s word does not live in you (1 John 1:10).
Demas was an example of “we claim or say”
We find an example from Paul. Paul names some of his fellow workers where we find someone named Demas (Philemon 1:24). When Paul sends greetings to the church in Colossae, we find Demas listed again. However, something happens before Paul mentions his name again. Whatever it was, it showed the truth concerning his faith.
2 Timothy 4:10 KJV For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.
Who was Demas in the Bible?
Question: “Who was Demas in the Bible?” Answer: Demas had at one time been one of Paul’s “fellow workers” in the gospel ministry along with Mark, Luke, and others (Philemon 1:24). During Paul’s first imprisonment in Rome, Demas was also in Rome (Colossians 4:14).
There is also biblical evidence that Demas was with Paul during Paul’s second imprisonment in Rome, at least for a while. Then something happened. Demas forsook Paul, abandoned the ministry, and left town. Paul wrote about the sad situation: “Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica” (2 Timothy 4:10)….
….The tragedy of Demas is still being lived out today by those who choose the temporary benefits of this world over the eternal riches of heaven. Today there are still those who seem to receive the Word but then “the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful” (Matthew 13:22). Past service is no guarantee of future faithfulness; we must depend on the Lord, our Strength (Psalm 28:8). We must be born again (John 3:3); otherwise, we have no foundation of faith. “They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us” (1 John 2:19; cf. Matthew 7:22–23). by GotQuestions
Faith comes down to what/who we love (Matthew 6:24). Demas loved this world. His lust for what he saw the world offering for his pleasure and gain could no longer remain hidden. As we see, the “we say” people have been around for a long time. Along with false teachers who teach false doctrine. Test your own faith against what God says to be true faith. And use discernment toward others.
What to learn about our walk with God?
There are 3 points to know.
- Do you say you have fellowship with God but your lifestyle does not reflect your confession?
- As a Christian do you believe you no longer sin?
- Do you say you have never sinned?
It is important to test to see if you are a true believer or a false believer.
Paul gives us an example of a heart check
Question: “What does it mean to examine yourself (1 Corinthians 11:28)?” Answer: ….As a result of the unfairness and gluttony surrounding communion, Paul says they were not really even eating the Lord’s Supper (verse 20). The people were not treating communion as a sacred ordinance instituted by Jesus. Instead of reminding people of Jesus’ sacrifice, communion became a means of self-gratification, furthering the divisions among the Corinthian Christians. After describing the situation and explaining what communion should be, Paul writes, “So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves” (1 Corinthians 11:27–29).
Paul is essentially asking the people to do a “heart check” before communion. Are their hearts in the right spot? Are they eating the meal to remember Christ’s sacrifice and to engage in community? Are they divided among themselves or unified in Christ? Are they actually having communion, or are they just selfishly satisfying their own appetites?…. by GotQuestions
Question: “What does it mean to examine yourself (1 Corinthians 11:28)?” Answer: ….As a result of the unfairness and gluttony surrounding communion, Paul says they were not really even eating the Lord’s Supper (verse 20). The people were not treating communion as a sacred ordinance instituted by Jesus. Instead of reminding people of Jesus’ sacrifice, communion became a means of self-gratification, furthering the divisions among the Corinthian Christians. After describing the situation and explaining what communion should be, Paul writes, “So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves” (1 Corinthians 11:27–29).God makes it clear about these false beliefs (Acts 17:30-31, 1 John). We hope these verses raise some questions within yourself. God is true to His word, not ours. Do you say…, but produce no godly fruit? What is your belief about sin?
Learn more on how to live for God
If you said yes to any of the points above or to the questions, then we want to share our “What Does Your Life Exemplify bible studies with you.
- What Not To Do Part 1
- Told What To Do Part 2
- Sit In The Company Of Mockers, part 3
- Going Our Separate Ways Part 4
We have written many bible teachings on 1 John about who Christ is. Here are other teachings on 1 John that could be beneficial.
