17That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

The Epistle of First John is no different. As we read this beautiful epistle we find that John had a

five-fold purpose in mind. In fact, several times we find the phrase, "These things have I

written unto you…" And believe it or not, each one reveals something that is absolutely critical

to staying spiritually fit. Let’s take a few minutes to look at why John wrote this epistle:

1. TO PROMOTE FELLOWSHIP

"That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you , that ye also may have fellowship

with us [and then he says] and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son, Jesus Christ."

As important as it is, there is more here than just fellowship among believers. As believers, we not only have fellowship with one another, but with God the Father through our Lord Jesus Christ!

• In fact, our relationship to the Father through Jesus Christ is the basis for fellowship with other believers.
• The renting or tearing of the veil in the Temple signified that man could approach a holy God through the shed blood of Jesus Christ.
• Hebrews 10:19 says, "Having therefore, brethren, Boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus."
• Can we be strong spiritually without the presence of the Lord in our life? Time spent in prayer, meditation, God's Word and YES WORSHIP - both privately and corporately!

-Note 1 John 1:4:

"And these things write we unto you that your joy may be full."

• Our joy comes from our relationship with the Holy Trinity; God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
• Note that it is not mere happiness that John has in mind.
• Happiness depends on circumstances but believer can still have joy in the worst of circumstances!
• Joy often tends to be noticeable but hard to grasp (where does their joy come from since they really do not have reason to "be happy"
• And besides, the Lord did not save us to make us happy but to make us holy!
• And it is only on the "highway of holiness" that we are genuinely happy!

• When one is right with God, true joy prevails in spite of his circumstances!
• Peter described the believer’s joy as "joy unspeakable and full of glory."

-Look at 1 John 2:1:

'My little children, these things write I unto you that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous."

• Note that John refuses to excuse sin, but if and when the one does sin, he can take comfort in the fact that His has an Advocate to intercede on his behalf.
• In other words, God has not only forgiven us before Conversion, He has made provision for the forgiveness of sin after conversion (1 John 1:9).

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

• Such forgiveness, of course, demands the confessing and forsaking of sin (Proverbs 28:13).

Proverbs 28:13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.

• It is not Jesus'' goal to help us continue in sin, but to be freed form sin and its effects. If there are sins in your life, you need to give them to the Lord and forsake them today!
• One more thing; we need an Advocate is because we also have an Accuser,

Revelation 12:10 says: "…For the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night."

• John warns his readers of antichrists or false teachers who make it their business to lead people astray through false doctrine!
• We must not forget that Satan is not only a Liar but the Father of Lies!
• And the only way to stay on the "straight and narrow" is to follow after the things that become "sound doctrine."
• And remember, "doctrine" simply means "teaching" and in this context, the truths of God’s Word.
• Jude 3 speaks of "contending for the faith" and if we are grounded in the truth, we will not be "tossed to and fro (as Paul says in Ephesians 4:14) and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the slight of men, and cunning craftiness whereby they lie in wait to deceive."
• God's purpose found here is for our protection

1 John 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

• I am sure we don't preach enough on "The Assurance of Salvation!"
• God does not want us to doubt Him or our trust in Him
• The Bible does not teach a "think-so, hope-so, salvation, but a "know-so" salvation.
• However, here is so much inconsistency among professing Christians, one has to wonder how many of our people are actually saved.
• I remind you there is a "professing church" and then there is the "true church."
• Let me illustrate this with three circles…

• My friend, it is one thing to be in the church, it is quite another thing to be in Christ! However, one can know beyond a shadow of doubt that he or she is saved.

Let me ask you a question, "If you were on trial for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?"

Maybe another question to ask, "If they were to convene a grand jury to accuse you of being a follower of Christ, would they have enough evidence to bind you over for trial?

Summary:

So there you have it, the five good reasons John wrote this first epistle. Let me sum it all up like this: