If You Received This Letter . . .

Don’t try to translate the graphic. Yes, the letters are Greek, but the words aren’t. Originally written in the Greek language, we have them today in English. Here they are with the verses that precede them, opening John’s first letter:

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. (1 John 1:1-4 KJV)

John wrote more books in the Bible than any other of Jesus’ disciples, though Paul the Apostle wrote even more. Both of them met Jesus face to face, John for three years, Paul for just a few moments.

Have you ever received a letter that opened with more information? When I was working, writing a business letter was formal. Still is in a lot of situations, but e-mails are quicker, shorter and seldom explain why they were written. Never read one that wanted my joy to be full.

John was inspired by God to give the background, explain why this letter carries the truth behind what he had heard, seen for himself, even touched with his own hands, that has to do with the Word. He used that word in the opening of his gospel:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. (John 1:1-5 KJV)

How would you describe Jesus? Can you imagine walking with Him for three years? Hearing the teachings while watching people vilify and eventually kill Him? If what you had spent three years doing simply vanished, would you continue telling His story and writing others about His life – and what they should do about it?

That became John’s life, telling everyone he met – and writing to people he would not meet – what he had seen while walking with Jesus, what he was inspired by God to write, and finally the vision – the Revelation – he was given to pass on to the rest of us.

Five books – John, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John and Revelation. They covered a great portion of the first century after Jesus’ birth, and focus on what John believed with all his heart. He wrote one of the most quoted verses in all the Bible, Jesus’ response to Nicodemus’ questions:

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16 KJV)

Because of the manner in which God loved His creation, He offered another creation to see that none should perish. By simply believing, eternal life is available.

The author of Hebrews understood that importance and wrote:

How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will? (Hebrews 2:3-4 KJV)

If we ignore that great plan of salvation, spoken by Jesus, heard by those around Him, confirmed by signs, wonders, miracles, and by the Holy spirit in God’s will – how shall we escape? What is the alternative to believing?

John has that answer in the verses following the 16th. Here’s what Nicodemus heard, and that has not been refuted by prophecy since then:

For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (John 3:17-18 KJV)

God sends no one to hell, a place He created for those who rebelled against Him. Being in hell is simply the natural consequence of not believing God exists. No one forced my acceptance, nor my rejection, of the existence of a being capable of creating the universe – and having the ability to change or even end it.

What caused you to make your decision? Did it have to do with other religions, science, fear, love? With the irrefutable knowledge that death is in the future of everyone born into this world, are you comfortable with your decision?