A Series on the letter of 1 John
(Click on the link below to read the
verses.)
1 John 5
[The author of this letter is John. Prior
to being a disciple of Jesus, he was a fisherman with a reputation for his bad temper.
In fact, he and his brother were called the “Sons of Thunder”. But he was also
known as “the one whom Jesus loved”. In this letter, John shares that same love
with us.]
The 2006 movie
titled “We Are Marshall”, is based on a true story about a college football
team, a school and a town that needed to mourn a tragic loss and to heal. On
November 14, 1970, a plane crashed that was carrying the Marshall University football
team, coaches, staff and boosters. All died!
In the movie, the
newly hired coach gave his newly recruited team an inspirational message before
their first game. He took them to the memorial site where six of the deceased
players were buried. This is an excerpt from his message.
“When
you take that field today, you’ve got to lay your heart on the line until the
final whistle blows. And if you do that, we cannot lose. We may be behind on
the scoreboard at the end of the game, but if you play like that, we cannot be
defeated. This is your opportunity to rise from the ashes and grab glory.”
The players
responded with a “we’re ready-to-run-through-a-wall coach”, call and response chant
of - “We are… Marshall”!
(You can watch this scene by clicking on
the link below.)
We Are Marshall
In the closing
paragraphs of John’s letter, he summarizes several significant themes. He does it
with a repetitive phrase starting with “We know”. As I read these it reminded
me of the movie. It’s not a call and response like the Marshall chant, but it
has that feel to it.
In a way, John’s
giving the believers a pep talk to teach them; prepare them; inspire them. They’ve
already faced the adversity of heretical teachings which led to people they knew,
some of them were likely friends, rejecting their faith and leaving the
fellowship. Plus, the believers would certainly face more adversity.
18 We
know that God’s children do not make a practice
of sinning, for God’s Son holds them securely, and the evil one cannot touch
them.
19 We
know that we are children of God and that the
world around us is under the control of the evil one.
20 And
we know that the Son of God has come, and he has given us understanding
so that we can know the true God. And now we live in fellowship with the
true God because we live in fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ. He is the
only true God, and he is eternal life. NLT
As you read these
verses, could you feel the rhythm of the chant from the movie? We know… that
God’s son holds you in his arms; we know… that you are a child of God living in
a sinful world; we know… that you live in fellowship with the Son of God.
Do these words move
your heart and soul? Like the players, are you ready to run through a wall for
your faith? Do they inspire you to “rise from the ashes and grab glory” for the
Son of God?
John also wrote these
simple words of encouragement for us.
11 And
this is what God has testified: He has given us eternal life, and this life is
in his Son. NLT
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