John declared that Jesus was from the beginning (He is God), and yet they have heard, seen, observed, and touched Him with their hands. Jesus in the flesh. He also was human. Jesus is the Word of life. This life was with the Father and revealed in Jesus. This letter was written so the believers could have fellowship with each other in the Father and the Son. Since Jesus is the light, there is absolutely no darkness in Him (verse 5), so when we have fellowship with Jesus we too are in the light. The way that is possible is to confess our sin to God, and He will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from ALL unrighteousness (verse 9). That can happen because Jesus shed His blood on the cross, and when we believe, we are forgiven.
