The Bible Dept. Podcast: Day 73 – Exploring 1 John 1-3

Release Date: March 14, 2025

Introduction

In Day 73 of The Bible Dept. podcast, hosted by Dr. Manny Arango of ARMA Courses, listeners embark on an in-depth exploration of 1 John chapters 1 through 3. Designed as part of a 365-day Bible reading plan, this episode delves into the theological significance of these passages, offering rich insights, historical context, and practical applications to deepen one's understanding of Scripture.

Context Clues: Understanding the Foundations

Dr. Arango begins by contextualizing the Book of 1 John, emphasizing its purpose in countering early Christian heresies, particularly Gnosticism. He highlights the repetitive use of terms such as "heard," "seen," and "touched" to assert the tangible reality of Jesus Christ against the abstract dualism promoted by Gnostics.

“John has got this beginning language... an emphasis on heard, seen, touched... These are just the words that I've kind of underlined that are being repeated over and over.” [04:30]

Gnosticism, as explained, is a philosophical system that devalues the physical world in favor of the spiritual, leading to Docetism—the belief that Jesus only appeared to have a physical body. Dr. Arango underscores John's intent to affirm the incarnation of Christ, maintaining that Jesus was both divine and fully human.

“John is making an apologetic case that this is not something that they've made up, that they have seen this, they've seen Jesus, they've heard Jesus, they've touched Jesus...” [07:15]

This foundational understanding sets the stage for exploring the themes of fellowship, light, and truth that permeate the first three chapters.

Nerdy Nuggets: Deep Dive into Key Passages

Dr. Arango introduces two pivotal scripture passages to unpack the intricate relationship between sin, confession, and salvation:

1. 1 John 1:8-9: “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

2. 1 John 3:8-9: “The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work. No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in them.”

At first glance, these passages might seem contradictory. However, Dr. Arango elucidates that they coexist to provide a comprehensive understanding of sin and redemption.

“John is not speaking out of both sides of his mouth. He's actually putting two stakes in the ground to create some tension. Because the highest form of truth is found in tension.” [22:45]

He explains that acknowledging one's sinfulness is the first step toward genuine repentance and transformation. Confession leads to forgiveness and purification, fostering a sincere relationship with God.

“If you are ignorant enough, naive enough to believe that you're without sin, you’re deceiving yourself. You need to get honest with yourself so that you can start to get honest with God and honest with other people.” [15:10]

Conversely, 1 John 3:8-9 addresses the nature of ongoing, unrepentant sin. Dr. Arango distinguishes between momentary lapses and persistent sinful behavior, asserting that a true child of God exhibits genuine repentance and does not continue in habitual sin.

“If you continue down the path of willful, unrepentant sin, you get really close to moving away from God because God’s seed remains in you, and you cannot go on sinning.” [25:20]

This nuanced interpretation reconciles the two passages, emphasizing that while all individuals sin, a transformative relationship with God leads to a significant reduction in habitual sinning.

Timeless Truths: Applying Eternal Principles

Dr. Arango identifies two enduring truths from these chapters:

1. The Cycle of Guilt and Grace:

   • Guilt: Leads to hiding from God, reducing His power to aid in resisting future temptations.
   • Grace: Encourages confession and transparency, strengthening one's ability to overcome sin.

   “Guilt keeps you stuck in sin. Grace is not an excuse to keep sinning. Grace is actually a system or a pattern of reacting to sin that actually gets you out of sin.” [35:50]

2. Fellowship, Light, and Truth:

   • Being in fellowship with God means living in the light, which involves honesty and truth.
   • This fellowship empowers believers to live righteously and resist the enemy's temptations.

   “When you decide to walk in fellowship with the light, you begin to get stronger as a result of running towards Him when you sin, not away from Him.” [32:10]

Dr. Arango emphasizes that embracing grace leads to active steps toward righteousness rather than complacent acceptance of sin. This approach fosters a proactive and resilient faith life.

“Grace is actually a method to get me out of habitual sin.” [37:05]

Additionally, he touches on the cyclical nature of 1 John, where themes are revisited and deepened, reinforcing the interconnectedness of commands and obedience.

“Commands and obedience are linked together. It's a loop that is going to spiral over and over again.” [38:20]

Practical Applications: Living Out the Lessons

Dr. Arango challenges listeners to apply these truths in their daily lives:

• Embrace Confession: Regularly acknowledge and confess sins to maintain a transparent relationship with God.
• Seek Fellowship: Cultivate genuine relationships within the faith community to support spiritual growth.
• Avoid Habitual Sin: Recognize and address patterns of sin to prevent distancing from God.
• Leverage Grace: Use God's grace as a tool for transformation, not a license to continue in wrongdoing.

“Next time you struggle with something, instead of guilt causing you to hide and run, realize that you're forgiven and loved. Grace allows you to seek the one who can heal you and strengthen you.” [41:15]

By internalizing these principles, believers can break free from cycles of sin and experience a more empowered and authentic faith journey.

Announcements and Resources

Towards the end of the episode, Dr. Arango introduces his upcoming book, "Crushing Chaos," set to release in May 2025. He shares insights from the book, particularly how a proper understanding of Genesis reshapes his preaching and personal faith.

“Grace has been preaching to all the kids in my youth group that peace was a solution for their anxiety. But really, God's solution to chaos is not peace, but rather order.” [19:40]

Listeners are encouraged to pre-order the book and access additional resources through the podcast's website.

“Grab a copy of this book and crush the chaos in your life. Head to the show notes to pre-order or visit thecrushingchaos.com.” [20:30]

Conclusion

Dr. Manny Arango wraps up Day 73 by reinforcing the value of consistent Bible study and the transformative power of understanding Scripture deeply. He commends listeners for their dedication and encourages them to continue their journey through 1 John in the coming days.

“1 John is an incredible book. It's super cyclical. It loops around and around and around... it's an amazing book of the Bible. And I can't wait to dive into 1 John chapters 4 and 5 with you tomorrow for Day 74.” [50:00]

With heartfelt encouragement, Dr. Arango reminds listeners of their progress and the communal aspect of their spiritual journey.

“If you’re on a streak, don’t break it. I’m proud of you. I believe that this is going to genuinely transform your life, and I'm glad I get to be a part of this journey with you.” [52:10]

Final Thoughts

Day 73 of The Bible Dept. offers a profound examination of 1 John 1-3, balancing theological depth with practical application. Dr. Arango's approach fosters a deeper appreciation for the text, encouraging believers to engage honestly with their faith and continually seek growth through Scripture.

For those looking to immerse themselves in the Bible, The Bible Dept. provides a structured and enlightening path to reading and understanding the entire Bible within a year. Subscribe to join Dr. Arango on this transformative journey.

Resources:

• Download the Reading Plan: thebibledepartment.com/plan
• Start Here: thebibledept.com/start-here
• Pre-order "Crushing Chaos": thebibledept.com
• Instagram: @hebibledepartment