1 John 1

As We Think, We Live

I look at my world and I try to make sense of it. As a Christian, I desire to fit the pieces together, at least, to the point where I am able to function within the parameters of my own conscience. In this, I am no different than any other, for the space in which I live must somehow exist in harmony, so I take to myself certain beliefs, or principles by which the world around me conforms to a central reality. And make no mistake about it...from the most stringent legalist mind to the most liberal...as we think, so we live!

For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain Philippians 1:21

And without this foundation the best theology is in vain, for Christ, Himself, is life! Though you may strive to find fault with things I write, it is my intent only to stir your heart and mind to a greater understanding of a person...Jesus Christ, and to Him alone. And this is where I believe theology is found and understood to be true: if it begins and ends in Him! This may sound rather simplistic, but there is much that has disguised itself as Christianity that when exposed to this simple concept is revealed as nothing more than bloated, human logic. And I have seen many of my own views that I had held as dear to myself crumble and fall. And though much that I had thought to be part and parcel with Christianity has fallen by the wayside, amazingly, the pre-eminence of Christ and his gospel has not only not lost it's centrality and dominance in my thinking...it has grown in importance to all that I think and believe and do. As a personal note, that which I now hold most dearly is that which has come through great turmoil and struggle; for many fears and false securities were found hiding underneath particular beliefs!

Years ago, a good friend of mine had described how words and concepts have come to mean different things to different people. Basically, a word is like an empty can in the mind of a person. You may fill that can with all kinds of ideas and thoughts that might or might not be true, but to you it is true because it agrees with what you put in the can. Even if the ideas in the can are good or correct thoughts they still may not match the label. I have a lot of cans and boxes and bottles around my house, and most of the time when I am looking for a specific item that has been put in the wrong place I usually can't find it when I need it. I got all this good stuff all over the place, but it doesn't do me any good in the wrong can!

And that's just looking at good things put in the wrong place. What about stuff that's no good no matter what can it's in? You and I have a lot of that trash, too. In reality, we were called with a mind full of futility and darkened understanding; and we deceive ourselves if we think that we are not to this day affected by the old, dead thoughts. As a matter of fact, God is well-pleased to have left us here to live as new creations in the presence of that to which we have died! And He reveals this grace to us in such a way that goes far beyond mere book knowledge. As He opens our eyes we will know that He works in and through us...those who least deserve it!

But back to the cans. Our head is full of these cans, but what is really in them? Fear and pride and impurities and anger and resentment and such things as that. And with these God will most certainly deal. Some futile ideas will jump from one can to another in an attempt to stay valid and alive. Some trash will find cans with compatible doctrines in them. Yes, make no mistake about it, for if religious history shows nothing else it proves to me that the two co-exist quite comfortably! Bible verses (with perverted thinking) have harbored many fears and hates. And we have in our own thinking wrong thoughts nestled in under the cover of "Christian" truth.

Before you cast me off as one who looks to pooh-pooh anyone who doesn't believe the same as I do, let me say this: I am thoroughly convinced that there are those who in their living actually live out a stronger faith than many who profess to believe the doctrine behind that belief. Take the battle between Sovereignty vs. Free-will. I have seen those who steadfastly preach election behave as if God is not truly in control when a trial shakes his faith; and on the other hand, one who insists that salvation is his own decision comes to pray that God will interfere with another's free-will. What am I saying? Only this: things are not as they appear...even to yourself! Christianity is life and not a doctrine. And I say this as one who loves doctrine. What you say you believe and what you actually do believe may be two different things, and you may need to change one or the other...or both. Hey, when you find yourself agreeing with what you have been opposing, don't be too surprised.

Do I seek controversy? No, but truth has always been controversial all by itself. I do want to shake up some of those cans...and there are an awful lot of cans in 1 John (John didn't put them there by the way). I will present some things that you may already agree with, but may not realize that John was teaching that particular truth. You may disagree with much of what I see in 1 John and that's OK, for you may actually live the faith I speak of. But please be open to the Spirit of God if He shows you something different.

As we think, we live. And many believers live under the strain of a system that is not very Christian. It does affect you more than you know. 1 John teaches freedom and assurance and joy and the pure truth of new life and yet many come away with bondage and insecurities and fear and a totally distorted view of who a Christian really is. With the exception of a few favorite verses, most do not venture too far into 1 John. Consider this: John does not try to tell us how to live the Christian life, but instead he describes what life in Christ is! I do not suggest a few minor changes in understanding this letter, but instead a whole different mind-set. I am sure there are others who have taught this view, but I have not yet seen it, so I cannot blame this on someone else!

Actually, I am quite humbled by the understanding that much of my digging has only brought me to the point that the original readers of the letter probably understood at the first reading, for they did not have to wade through all the accumulated religious slime that has formed all over John's writing. And on top of that we have further distorted the words by our own darkened understanding.

Have you ever stared at one of those picture puzzles that if looked at in a certain way actually has a definite image within it? Once seen, it becomes hard not to see it. What was just a jumble of scribbles or dots or lines has taken on an undeniable shape. I have often wondered how I could not have seen it before. And yet I only stand at the threshold of insight. But it is an exciting, mind-boggling, living view!

If I were not sure that what I have to share was intensely needed by the body of Christ I would be wasting my time. For what I teach does not make for nice Bible studies. I do not offer advice, nor am I giving some kind of steps to holy living, for there are none! But of this I know...I present to you the life of Jesus Christ; that life that has been raised from the dead and dies no more! That life that is now in those who have come to Him. That life that when seen as in a glimpse has the power to blow the roof off of our house.

Dare to believe beyond theology, for the love of Christ surpasses knowledge. I may know all the books of the Bible forward and backward and be able to quote verses for every given situation. I may hold a doctorate in Biblical Theology and teach with conviction the attributes of God. But do I dare to believe the overwhelmingly obvious inference of what it means to be...

in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, 1 Corinthians 1:30

1 John is full of the reality of that which is in Christ Jesus, who is in us. The Word of God compels us to consider it. For it is one thing to believe in the God who truly is and to believe that He alone is Holy; and yet another thing all together to accept that the One and Only God of the universe dwells in us in all His fullness! For anything beyond the most superficial notion of His indwelling provokes such a strong reaction in most believers that it has been safely labeled "Positional Truth"...but I would hold forth to you that this is the mystery of the Gospel and not a side issue!