New book, new author. The apostle John wrote this one, and much like the gospel he wrote, it has a unique way of expressing faith in Jesus as a balance of truth and joy.
"That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life" (vs 1). What was from the beginning, concerning the word of life? Read on. Verse 2 says that life was "with the Father and made manifest to us," which basically just means that the life was with God, and then revealed to us. And not just revealed, but revealed in a way that John could hear, see, and touch the life. So what, or who, is John talking about?
Jesus. So John's faith in Jesus was not based on rumors. His faith in Jesus was based on his own eyewitness testimony! He saw what Jesus did, and heard Jesus' teachings. He saw Jesus die, and he was the first man to get to Jesus' tomb after he'd risen. John had faith in Jesus because he believed everything he heard and saw and touched was true. Because of this we too can have confidence that our faith in Jesus is based on truth.
But John's faith in Jesus is not based only on truth. Look at verse 4: "And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete." His joy is complete when he shares with others what gave him joy in the first place, and that's his relationship with Jesus! He gets so much joy from being in fellowship with God that he simply must tell others about it. Because of this we too can be encouraged that our faith in Jesus is also based on joy.
Many think truth is more important for having real faith; others say it's a person's passion and fervor for Christ that is more important. But it is these two elements—truth and joy—that must go hand in hand for those who desire biblical faith in Jesus.
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