“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Rom. 10:17). There can be no faith without the word of God. Without faith, we have no way of pleasing God or securing our soul’s salvation. Knowing this, God inspired men to write His word with a purpose.

The apostle John wrote 5 of the 27 books of the New Testament: the Gospel of John; 1, 2, and 3 John; and Revelation.

The purpose for the gospel of John is set forth very memorably towards the end of the book. “And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name” (John 20:30-31). By inspiration, John expounded on seven miracles performed by our Lord, providing sufficient evidence to cause honest hearts to believe and have eternal life.

The audience of John’s first epistle was different, but its purpose was similar to that of his gospel. “These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God” (1 John 5:13). First John was written to believers who were under assault from false teachers, causing them to doubt their belief in Jesus of Nazareth as the divine Son of God. John exposed this false doctrine and reassured them of their standing in the truth. They were already believers, but they needed to be reminded that they had the truth and encouraged to continue believing in Jesus as the Son of God.

Every book of the Bible was given by inspiration of God (2 Tim. 3:16). These writings are the source of our faith. They produce faith in sincere hearts and strengthen faith in Christians who continue to search and meditate upon that which was written.