1 John 1:7
The James Method Verse Mapping
For Christmas 2023, I received a James Method Verse Mapping journal. It is a unique way to dive deeply into one verse to learn what it has to say to us, how it connects with the rest of Scripture, and how we can apply what we learned to our lives. The method is based on James 4:8:
Come near to God and he will come near to you.
In this method, you:
Select 1-2 verses
Look at differences between translations
Understand the context
Look at key works and their definitions (I also look at the Greek word since I am trying to learn Greek)
See how the verse fits in with other verses in the Bible through cross references
Understand how this verse shapes our view of God and self
Look for ways to apply the verse to your life
Over the next year, and maybe beyond, I plan to share my verse maps. This will provide a bit of insight into where I am in my personal Bible study, which is in addition to the study I do to write the weekly Bible studies that are published on Sundays.
I plan to start my verse mapping by going through 1 John.
My first verse map is for 1 John 1:7. Here’s an image of my actual verse map in the journal. I will also type out what I have written for easier reading.
Keep in mind that a lot of my writing is shorthand or bullet points rather than complete thoughts or sentences due to limited space in the journal. That shorthand is reflected in the content I have typed out.
1 John 1:7 (NIV)
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
Translations (differences bolded)
ESV: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.
NASB: but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.
Context
Author: John
Date: Between 85-90 AD, from Ephesus
Audience: Gentile Christians, all believers everywhere
Purpose: To reassure Christians in their faith and to counter false teachings (darkness/sin vs. light)
Key Words
I’m studying Greek, so I’ve included the Greek terms for each key word. Substack doesn’t allow Greek text, so I had to add them as photos, which can only be centered and have a lot of space around them. So I know they look weird, but I have to work with what I’m given.
Light
Greek:
Definition: light, brightness, truth and its knowledge, purity, exposed to public knowledge
Fellowship
Greek:
Definition: community, participation, intimacy
One another
Greek:
Definition: reciprocally, mutually
Blood of Jesus
Greek:
Definition: (blood) blood of man, seat of life; (Jesus) son of God
Purifies
Greek:
Definition: to make clean - physical or moral, free from defilement of sin
Sin
Greek:
Definition: to miss the mark, to do wrong, to violate God’s law
Cross References
1 John 1:8: If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.
1 John 1:8 shows the opposite of 1 John 1:7.
John 1:4-5: 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
John 8:12: When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
Jesus is the light.
Matthew 26:28: This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
Ephesians 1:7: In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.
View of God
God is light. There is no darkness, no sin, in God - truth, purity
The blood of Jesus is sufficient to purify all our sins - makes us clean, free from sin
Jesus is God’s Son
Jesus gives life - that is our light
View of Man/Self
We are first and foremost sinful, we miss the mark. The only way we can overcome this is to walk in the knowledge and truth that Jesus’ blood washes away our sin and makes us clean. He gives us community to stay strong as we walk with him.
Reflection and Application
What should I do in response to this verse?
Admit my sin - easy to anger/frustration, self-centeredness, idolizing food, laziness
Walk daily with Jesus, who purifies me from sin - spend time in his word and in prayer - be obedient to his commands
Fellowship with other believers - this community is what gives us encouragement and accountability
Prayer
Lord, thank you that you are the great purifier. Thank you for your shed blood, which covers over and washes away my sin. Thank you that you have given me your righteousness so that I can walk in the light - in your truth. Lord, help me to walk in the light. Help me to act in such a way that my actions bring glory to you. Give me encouragement and motivation to spend time with other believers for support and accountability and spiritual growth.