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Introduction, The Incarnate Word

¹ I am writing about what existed ^(C1)from the beginning, what ^(F1)we have ^(C2)heard, what we have ^(C3)seen with our eyes, what we ^(C4)have looked at and ^(C5)touched with our hands, concerning the ^(C6)Word of Life the One who existed even before the beginning of the world, Christ—² and ^(C1)the Life an aspect of His being was manifested, and we have ^(C2)seen it as eyewitnesses and ^(C3)testify and declare to you the Life, ^(C4)the eternal Life who was already existing ^(C5)with the Father and was actually ^(C1)made visible to us His followers—³ what we have ^(C1)seen and ^(C2)heard we also proclaim to you, so that you too may have fellowship as partners with us. And indeed our ^(C3)fellowship which is a distinguishing mark of born-again believers is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ.^4 (C1)We are writing these things to you so that our ^(C2)joy in seeing you included may be made complete by having you share in the joy of salvation.

God Is Light

^5 (C1)This is the message of God's promised revelation which we have heard from Him and now announce to you, that ^(C2)God is Light He is holy, His message is truthful, He is perfect in righteousness, and in Him there is no darkness at all no sin, no wickedness, no imperfection.^6 (C1)If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness of sin, we ^(C2)lie and ^(C3)do not practice the truth;⁷ but if we really ^(C1)walk in the Light that is, live each and every day in conformity with the precepts of God, as ^(C2)He Himself is in the Light, we have true, unbroken fellowship with one another He with us, and we with Him, and ^(C3)the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin by erasing the stain of sin, keeping us cleansed from sin in all its forms and manifestations.^8 (C1)If we say we have no sin refusing to admit that we are sinners, we delude ourselves and the ^(C2)truth is not in us. His word does not live in our hearts.^9 (C1)If we freely admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just true to His own nature and promises, and will forgive our sins and ^(C2)cleanse us continually from all unrighteousness our wrongdoing, everything not in conformity with His will and purpose.^10 (C1)If we say that we have not sinned refusing to admit acts of sin, we ^(C2)make Him out to be a liar by contradicting Him and ^(C3)His word is not in us.