The purposes of John enable us to understand genuine fellowship with Jesus. You must understand these purposes of John. 

1 John has often been described as a letter written to offer believers assurance of their salvation. Believers can know that they have indeed been delivered from their sins and stand justified before God, as John notes, this is only through Jesus, a right understanding and belief about him and in him alone. But John also makes statements about not living in darkness or continuing in the practice of sin 1 John 1:6-8; 3:9-10; 5:18. These statements can seem confusing and this is one of the elements of the epistles of John that can be hard to fully understand. How can we be sure of our salvation, of our relationship with Jesus, if the measure is not sinning anymore? Is this actually John’s point? We can confidently know that we are believers, resting in the finished work of Jesus. John’s epistles are unique, in that, John is clearly addressing antagonists against Jesus, the gospel and these believers (the audience may be the churches of Asia Minor that he addresses in Revelation). No matter the audience, there is clearly antagonism from outside the church, from some who have left the church, but are still causing chaos and confusion for those remaining in the church.  Remember, throughout this letter, John never veers from the clear assertion that all who believe that Jesus is the Messiah have been born again (1 John 5:1a). Believing this truth saves; the evidence of salvation flows from this belief, not vice versa.  

Graceway Church of Michiana exists in South Bend, IN for the purpose of Exalting our great God and Savior, Edifying and Encouraging believers and Engaging our Community. Graceway Church is committed to being a God Exalting, Christ Centered, Spirit Motivated, Word Focused local body of believers.