Metaphysical Bible Interpretation of I John Chapter 1
Metaphysically Interpreting I John 1:1-4
1:1That which was from the beginning, that which we have heard, that which we have seen with our eyes, that which we beheld, and our hands handled, concerning the Word of life 1:2(and the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare unto you the life, the eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us); 1:3that which we have seen and heard declare we unto you also, that ye also may have fellowship with us: yea, and our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ: 1:4and these things we write, that our joy may be made full.
December 24, 1944: I John 1:1-4
How can the new heaven and the new earth be made one? By our living the life of the Christ individually and collectively. “The life was manifested” in Jesus, and it must be manifested in us all before the new heaven and the new earth can appear. Everyone must have a part in this work and must undertake to discharge his part gladly and joyfully.
January 9, 1949: I John 1:1-4
How can we preserve the proper balance in right living? By observing the principles of Truth and by teaching these principles by precept and example.
What does fellowship imply? It implies that people are of one mind or have a community of interest. Fellowship with God brings a realization that the universal life, energy and power are accessible to us.
Metaphysically Interpreting I John 1:5-10
1:5And this is the message which we have heard from him and announce unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 1:6If we say that we have fellowship with him and walk in the darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 1:7but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 1:8If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 1:9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1:10If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
January 13, 1929: I John 1:5-10
What is the beacon light of our text today? The beacon light of our text is as follows: “God is light and in him is no darkness at all.”
What does light symbolize? Light symbolizes illumination, knowing, understanding.
What relation does light bear to darkness? Darkness is merely the absence of light. God is Spirit, the all-knowing Principle of being. Darkness is ignorance, the absence in consciousness of the all-knowing Principle of being.
What is sin? Sin is a failure on the part of man to apprehend and acknowledge the mind of God.
What does John say about those who claim to know God and yet are in darkness or ignorance? “If we say that we have fellowship with him and walk in the darkness, we lie, and do not the truth.”
When we walk in the light, that is, in all our ways apply spiritual understanding, what revelation do we get in regard to sin? We find that we all have fallen short of the ideal man; therefore we would be sinners were it not for the fact that the understanding of life in Christ cleanses our minds and bodies from sin and its effects.
How do we confess our sins? Confession is an acknowledgment of some fault or shortcoming; also it should show a willingness to give up the offending thought and habit. There are many avenues through which men make their confessions. The most effective confession is one that is made to God. When we confess our sins with our minds fixed upon God, His spirit of goodness works mightily in restoring us to His divine idea, or Son. In this way our sins are dissolved, just as darkness is dissolved by light.
December 12, 1937: I John 1:1-7
On what fundamental truth is this lesson built up? On the truth that we enter into eternal life consciousness only through the Christ. All who do His works are members of the same spiritual fellowship.
In what activities do we make eternal life manifest? All first principles (“that which was from the beginning”) and all the practical affairs of every day (“that which we have heard, that which we have seen with our eyes, that which we beheld, and our hands handled”) lend themselves to the manifestation of eternal life.
How is fellowship with God possible to man? As man aspires to make manifest his perfection, he enters into the Christ Spirit, which gives him access to the Father and fellowship with Him.
What act of fellowship gives us fullness of joy? Sharing the best that we have with others gives us the fullest consciousness of joy possible to us. Since our understanding of Truth is our best treasure, we realize the greatest joy through imparting Truth to others.
What is the message of the Christ Spirit? The Christ Spirit reveals to us that God is pure intelligence or divine wisdom (light) in which there can be no admixture of ignorance whatever (“no darkness at all”).
What proof are we able to give of our fellowship with God? The quality of our thought and conduct (our daily walk) proves the degree of divine wisdom or intelligence that we have made our own by giving expression to it. If our life reveals ignorance of the divine law (if we walk in darkness), we have no fellowship with God.
What is true fellowship? Right conduct actuated by the wisdom and knowledge of Divine Mind makes us all one, and this oneness is true fellowship.
November 2, 1941: I John 1:5-10
What is meant by the statement “God is light”? In the mental world light represents clarity of vision, intelligence, understanding, or wisdom, according to the degree of its manifestation. The inability to understand life and live it intelligently and fully is at the root of man’s shortcomings.
How are we forgiven our “sins” and cleansed from “all unrighteousness”? We are forgiven in the measure in which we open our heart to divine love and drop from our thoughts all condemnation of ourselves and of others, cleansed from unrighteousness as we admit our shortcomings and look anew to the Christ Spirit for wisdom and strength to correct our mistakes and make a new and better beginning.
Transcribed by Lloyd Kinder on 12-16-2013
