If there’s one word that summarizes the teaching of the apostle John in his first letter; that word is love. The letter of 1 John contains many classic references to love. For example, John says:

“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him” (1 John 4:7-9).

When Christians love each other and also love God, a close fellowship results. And this letter works to pre­serve that fellowship and the joy that it brings. (1 John 1: 3, 4; 5:13.)

1 John warns against false teachings that might dam­age a Christian’s fellowship with God and with others. Some false teachers in John’s day were denying the hu­manity of Jesus and claiming that salvation had nothing to do with loving other people. John corrects both these ideas, affirming the humanity of Jesus and also the obli­gation to act lovingly toward others.