In 1 John, the apostle is writing as a loving father would to his children; to the family of faith,
which includes three classes:

1. Little children, or babes; those who were but saved.

2. Young men; those who had grown in the Lord and had become strong in faith.

3. The fathers; the older, fully developed, saints. (Read I John 2:13-14).

He writes only to the true children of God, to those who "know the Truth". (I John 2:21), also
(I John 2:13-14 and 2:26).

He writes for several reasons:

1. "Because your sins are forgiven" (I John 2:12).

2. "That ye sin not" (I John 2:1).

3. "That ye may know that ye have eternal life" a John 5:13).

4. "That ye also may have fellowship . . . and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His
Son, Jesus Christ" (I John 1:3).

5. "That your joy may be full" (I John 1:4).

Some things God would have us know in 1 John:

1. The purpose of our Lord’s manifestation. (Chap. 3:5; and 4:16).

2. Assurance of faith (Chap. 3:14; 5:13 and 5:20).

3. Obedience is the proof of faith. (Chap. 2:3; 3:24; and 5:2).

4. Doing what the Truth tells us, the mark of faith. (Chap. 2:29; 3:18-19). (Read also John 8:31-
32 and James 1:22).

5. The Truth makes us free. (Read Chap. 2:21 along with John 8:31-32).

6. Faith recognizes the Holy Spirit. (Chap. 4:2; and 4:6).

7. Sealed by the Spirit. (Read Chap. 4:13 with Eph. 1:13-14).

8. The prayer of faith. (Chap. 5:15; and 3:22).

9. The condition of the world, compared with the source of our life. (Chap. 5:19).

10. The coming of the Lord and its effect upon us. (Chap. 3:1-3).

Notice the word "know" is emphasized throughout the book.

So likewise, 2 Peter 3:18 tells us to "grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour
Jesus Christ. . . ."

Think, too, of Paul’s great desire in Phil 3:10, "That I may know Him and the power of His
resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death."