How do we know that we believe the right things? What happens if we accidently believe the wrong things about life and death, God and humanity, faith and love? John’s letter serves to silence some of these concerns and help us understand that what we believe directly impacts how we live. Therefore, 1 John intends to correct us and instruct us. Rather than list the ‘dos’ and ‘donts’ of the Christian life, John focuses on what Jesus has already ‘done’ through his life, death, resurrection, and continual work of salvation in the world. It’s what Jesus has done that enables us to do what we need to do: grow in faith, obedience, community, and love.
