The Foundation

"If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us."

I John 1:10

On the surface this verse seems to only be a replica of verse eight. But look at it closer and you well see the summation of what we know as the first chapter of this letter from John and the perfect bridge from this chapter to the next.

Contextually speaking, John has laid the final stone in the foundation of this letter before building the walls to the palace which has become a blessed part of our beloved Word of God. Through inspiration John has drawn sharp contrast speaking of light and darkness, truths and lies. We must understand that there are opposing sides and that there is no middle ground between them.

John has shown us that we all have sinned and that sin actions still remain after conversion. He has also comforted us in telling us that if we confess our sins to God, humbling ourselves before His majesty He is faithful to forgive His people and that He is just in doing so. We know that darkness and light cannot commune with each other. Therefore we understand that those who practice sin cannot claim to have truth or to be in fellowship with God. If we were to deny all of this we would be accusing God of lying, and if we accuse Him of such it is painfully obvious that His living word, even our Jesus who gives life, is not in us.

The chief cornerstone is Jesus Christ. If we are to have any part in the palace it must be by resting on Him alone by faith. This faith is evident when we separate from the worlds sinful mindset and actions. That is, when we stop practicing sin and start practicing holiness by the power of God. If we are to "sin not" as the apostle admonishes in the next chapter, then we must rest on the finished work of Jesus Christ who died on the cross for our sins.

Consider also: Romans 13:10-14; 2 Corinthians 4:1-6; Galatians 5:16-26