Daily Reading: 7-19-16
1 John 2:1-6 The Voice (VOICE)
I am going to set a word out for you today that most people are afraid to use because it sounds judgmental. The word is “sin” or that which is evil, immoral, and transgresses against God’s Word. Jesus is the Living Word, so when we follow the Word we are following Christ. For the Christ follower who is seeking to know the Father and gain understanding, the word “sin” is familiar. It is not a judgmental word; rather, it is an honest assessment of our human behavior and sincere recognition of our need for a Savior. Jesus died for the sins of the whole world; in other words everyone sins.
We are to avoid judging the sins of others and focus on our own journey; remember Jesus saying, “Why is it that you see the dust in your brother’s or sister’s eye, but you can’t see the wooden plank in your own eye? (Matt. 7:3-4). Christ’s followers realize sin is our natural condition and, without the supernatural work of the Living Word, sin separates us from our perfect God. Knowing God means learning to follow His holy ways; we grow closer to God (intimacy) when we confess our sins to Him and choose to allow the Spirit to bring the necessary change into our lives that causes us to align our ongoing choices with God’s Word.
In our passage this morning, the Apostle John is writing a letter and urging Christ’s followers to avoid the inevitable pain and guilt that comes when we practice sin. There are always consequences to practicing sin.
1 John 2:1-6
You are my little children, so I am writing these things to help you avoid sin. If, however, any believer does sin, we have a high-powered defense lawyer—Jesus the Anointed, the righteous—arguing on our behalf before the Father. 2 It was through His sacrificial death that our sins were atoned. But He did not stop there—He died for the sins of the whole world.
3 We know we have joined Him in an intimate relationship because we live out His commands. 4 If someone claims, “I am in an intimate relationship with Him,” but this big talker doesn’t live out His commands, then this individual is a liar and a stranger to the truth. 5 But if someone responds to and obeys His word, then God’s love has truly taken root and filled him. This is how we know we are in an intimate relationship with Him: 6 anyone who says, “I live in intimacy with Him,” should walk the path Jesus walked.
Prayer: Father, help me to not take offense when the Word reveals the sin that remains in my soul (mind, will, emotions). Instead, Holy Spirit, help me to respond to your nudges by choosing to grow in intimacy with you. I want to walk the path with Jesus. Thank you for the growth I have gained, because of your grace to forgive. I love you and desire to live in obedience to Your Word. In Jesus’ name. Amen.