1 John 1:1-4 – 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.
THEME OF THE DAY: HE IS ALIVE, REAL, AND PERSONAL. Is Jesus Christ real? Now don’t be quick to think I’ve lost my mind. Of course He is real. History validates a literal Jesus walked upon the earth and that history includes extra-Biblical evidence. But here is the question that goes deeper and far more important than my first one – “Is Jesus Christ real to you, to me?”, not in mere acknowledgment of His existence but in a life-changing, life-shaping, and life-directing personal reality? Such a question is similar to the dialogue Jesus had with His disciples – “Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:13-15). What our Lord did with His disciples, He does with us. He confronts us with Himself. He puts us in a “spiritual corner” when it comes to our relationship with Him. And that is very good, very good indeed because it makes us think, do self-examination, and come to grips with our spiritual condition and understanding of the radical nature of being a Christian. Such questions as “Is Jesus real to us?” and from the Lord asking, “Who do you say that I am?” will bring us to see the Christian life is all about the reality of a living relationship with Christ; a living relationship that is fostered daily, walked moment-by-moment, grows in personal intimacy and is safeguarded as the most important thing in our lives. But before we consider this, we need to make a clear distinction concerning the Lord Jesus Christ. There is a significant and eternal difference between knowing about Christ and knowing Christ. The latter defines what it means to be a Christian. The former defines what it means to have some knowledge of Christianity without its life-altering power known and experienced.
In today’s scripture, the Apostle John starts out his first letter focusing on a literal and real Jesus. He builds the case that followers of Christ know Christ. They experience Him. They walk with Him. They talk with Him, not in some generic “Christianese language” or “God-talk.” No, the Apostle John is not interested in some vague words about Christ or giving some exhortation to do something for Him. Here is my paraphrase of the Apostle’s passionate plea to fellowship with this Christ who is alive, real, and personal. He is saying, “Please listen. We saw Christ. We touched Christ. We heard Christ. We stared into His eyes. We walked with Him. Believe us. He is alive, real and personal and He will be just as real to you as He was to us.”
Let me ask of each of us . . . is Jesus alive, real, and personal? Are we daily seeking Him, experiencing Him, knowing Him, and deepening our love for Him through His Word, prayer, fellowship with other Christians and obedience to His Word? The early church turned their world upside down. Why? They were consumed with Christ. They knew Him, were passionate for Him, and made Him known near and far. Friends, being a Christian is radical. We know God through Christ. We walk with a living God in Christ. Is my life reflecting the radical nature of New Testament Christianity? Is yours? Think about it. There is a huge difference between knowing something about Christ and knowing Christ. And this difference will always reflect in how we live our daily lives.
PRAYER: “Father, help me to see and experience my walk with You is not some concept, but a living reality.”
QUOTE: “We will be as close to the Lord Jesus as we choose to be. Spiritual intimacy with God is up to us.”