1 John 1:1-10
The Lord had said to the twelve, "And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning" (John 15:27). This is what the apostle John does here. His subject is eternal life which was first "heard", "seen" and "handled" in the Son and is now being passed on to those who, through faith, have received the right to be sons (or children) of God (John 1:12). We need to distinguish between the relationship and the enjoyment of that relationship, known as communion. The relationship belongs to all the children of the Father. Communion is only for those who walk in the light (v. 7). Vv. 6 — 2:2 explain how communion can be maintained, and re-established when it is broken. God has provided an inexhaustible means of dealing with all our sins: the blood of Jesus Christ, His Son. There is no sin too great for that precious blood to wipe out. It cleanses from all sin (v. 7) and from all unrighteousness (v. 9). Only one thing is required of us: full confession of all our sins to obtain a full pardon (v. 9; Psalms 32:5). My great debt has been paid by Someone else and God would not be just to my Substitute if He asked for it from me again.