This writer contacted me after having read the following article on confession.

This was altogether a surprise and a welcome surprise. Your premise that the audience UNDERSTOOD his message is the door for understanding. I am disposed to accept your view. It is plausible and resonates. I WANT to believe it. Thank you. JJ

Hello jj!

Good to hear from you again. Yes, I am firmly convinced that the letters of the apostles were written in such a way as to be understood, at least as to what they were getting at. Of course, that doesn't mean that each one of them understood or even believed everything they had written, but they were not baffled by the wording. They may have thought that the writer was off his rocker because of the absurdity of what was being proposed, simply because they understood the direction of his message. Remember how even the Pharisees had understood that Jesus' parables referred to themselves even though they were blinded to really understand the truth? With John's letter, his words struck a resounding note to those who had ears to hear. Even though the believers to whom John wrote had been intimidated by certain deceivers among them, they were stirred from within by his words. As you stated, it resonated within them of the life that also witnessed to them. This is the power of the message of Christ to those who believe. It calls to them according to the wisdom of God, and they hear and believe. Life from the dead overcomes all human wisdom. :)

Jim