Christianity is concentrating on the wrong things and we need to get back to the basics. Churches seem to be more concerned with how we vote, how we look, what cause we are supporting or against, and we are missing out on one fundamental thing: HOW we change the world.
1 John 1 is a complete playbook on how to get us back on track:
- Return to the word of God with passion. We need to concentrate on "that which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which he have looked upon and our hands have handled, of the word of life;" (1 John 1:1)
- Roughly interpreted? We need to get our hand on the Bible (the word of life) and read it, study it for ourselves, wrestle with it. Confirm what we have heard, been taught, really dig into it so we can understand if what we are doing is really in alignment with what the Scripture teaches.
- Really get to know who Jesus is and his desire for our lives. Once we understand how real it is, it will impact our lives and the way that we treat others. "For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness and shew unto you the eternal life, which was with the Father and manifested to us;" (1 John 1:2)
- Stop being divisive and return to the primary mission of sharing the Good News! "That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you that you may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father and his son Jesus Christ." (1 John 1:3)
- Only then will our world know what Joy is. "And these things write we unto you that your joy may be full (1 John 1:4)
- As Christians, we should unify on one key thing: "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanses us from all sin." (1 John 1:7)