Our Heart Relationship

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched —this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. (1 John 1:1-3 NIV)

This letter of John's is a very intimate appeal to his readers. He is inviting them into the same experience of love that he has lived in for many years. As I said last week, this is not a concept or set of principles but a relationship. It is a relationship we are invited to be part of. Simply put, it is knowing that God is a Father and that he wants to be a Father to us. 

All of our significant relationships are heart relationships. We don't love our spouse or children from our heads, we love them from the heart. A heart relationship is prepared to cover the mistakes and failings (1 Peter 4:8) and seeks no pleasure in judging or forming opinions. Jesus tells us that the secrets of the kingdom are hidden from the wise and learned (those who approach things with their mind) and are revealed to little children (those who live from the heart). 

John encourages us to touch, see and hear. He invites us to experience. He invites us to join him in a relationship with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit; one that we, too, can experience rather than simply learn about.