1That which was from the beginning, that which we have heard, that which we have seen with our eyes, that which we saw, and our hands touched, concerning the Word of life 2(and the life was revealed, and we have seen, and testify, and declare to you the life, the eternal life, which was with the Father, and was revealed to us); 3that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us. Yes, and our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. 4And we write these things to you, that our joy may be fulfilled.
5This is the message which we have heard from him and announce to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6If we say that we have fellowship with him and walk in the darkness, we lie and don’t tell the truth. 7But if we walk in the light as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son, cleanses us from all sin. 8If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10If we say that we haven’t sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
The content of God’s testimony concerning Jesus is given. John begins by saying that all who believe in Jesus have God’s testimony within them. Based on the next statement, this indicates that they have believed God’s testimony, and it is true in them.
In contrast to them are those who reject God’s testimony about Jesus. As in 1:10, rejecting what God has said about Jesus accuses God of lying. There is no neutral ground. Either God is true or false. He has borne witness concerning Jesus. To reject that witness is to call God a liar.
For believers today, we have God’s testimony recorded throughout Scripture, especially in the Gospels, with both the Father’s declarations and Jesus’ teachings.