Why Write 1 John?

Why did John write the letter of 1 John? It's not why you might first think. Certainly the theme is the awesome love of God, how God is love, and God defines the very concept of love by who he is. But that's not why John wrote the letter, which is a bit odd. Usually communicating the theme is why an author writes a book (or a letter). But John had a different purpose.

The last verse, 1 John 5:21, at first seems out of place. “Dear children, keep yourselves from idols.” But this is John's purpose for writing, to turn Christians away from idols, to modify their behavior. John was distressed by the idolatry even among Christians, especially Gentiles. They'd grown up sacrificing and worshipping the family idols, and often continued their family practices after they got saved. They grew up that way, and thought it was normal. (Most of us have unhealed brokenness in our lives that we grew up with, that we think is normal, but that God wants to heal.)

Personally, I'd have used examples from Israel's history. The Old Testament is ripe with examples where idolatry doesn't end well. “Be good or God will punish you!” While it's important for the church to teach holiness, often we come at it from that approach. But that doesn't work; it never has. At best it only builds religion—converting younger brothers in the Prodigal Son parable into older brothers—but both missed their Father's heart.

John takes a completely different approach. After we read five chapters about the incredible love of God, and the Father's heart for us, we read that last verse, “Dear children, keep yourselves from idols,” and we think, “Well, duh! Why would I trade the mind-blowing love of God to love a rock? To kiss a stick? No way!” Mission accomplished.

Holiness has to flow out of relationship with Jesus, from being blown away over and over again by our Father's heart for us. Then we change our behavior and don't sin because we just can't live that way—we can't bear to break his heart.