Monday
I John 1.5 “This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.
When Jesus stood up at the Feast of Tabernacles and said, “I am the Light of the world”, his disciple John remembered that 50 years later. Light is the source of life, so is Jesus. Light enables us to see the truth, so does Jesus. Light guides us on our way; we don’t know the way ahead of us, but Jesus does, and he is the light ahead of us and the light we walk towards.
Tuesday
1 John 1.6-7 “If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. 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.”
A hypocrite is someone who pretends to be what they’re not. To say we are a Christian but make a habit of acting unchristianly means we do not do the truth. We are all talk and no action, all claim but no evidence. The true follower of Jesus walks in the light of Jesus and lives in fellowship with other followers. John is saying that the way a person lives should bear scrutiny by others. Otherwise….
Wednesday
1 John 1.7 “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.”
We can all fail to live out our faith, make mistakes, and behave unchristianly. When John describes our way of life as a walk, he means the overall direction of travel, the things we make a habit of, the recognisable characteristics of the life we live. Sin is to miss the turning, to walk into the shadow, to behave out of character. Such sin is forgiven by the love of Jesus, the light that purifies. God is the Light that searches and heals our brokenness. The Light of the World is life-giving and life-changing.
Thursday
1 John 1.8-9 “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness”.
To confess our sins to God is to walk into the light, out of the shadows of guilt, shame, regret, and remembered failure. God is faithful and just – in Christ God has shown that he is on our side, and to be trusted. “There is no sin so deep that His love is not deeper still.” Corrie Ten Boom’s timeless reminder.
Friday
1 John 2.1-2 “But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.”
Sometimes a hymn is the best commentary:
“On the mount of crucifixion fountains opened deep and wide; through the floodgates of God's mercy flowed a vast and gracious tide. Grace and love, like mighty rivers, poured incessant from above, and heav'n's peace and perfect justice kissed a guilty world in love.”
Saturday
I John 2.3 “We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands.”
As straightforward as that. John was remembering 50 years on, the words Jesus spoke after washing the disciples’ feet: “If you love me you will obey what I command.” Love isn’t only emotion and feeling; it is faithful commitment and loving action towards the one we love. And, of course, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another as I have loved you.” In the life of the church there is not other bottom line.
Sunday
1 John 2. “If anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.”
So there it is. This short letter was once described as “The Tests of Life.” The litmus test of Christian discipleship is to seek with all of our hearts to live as Jesus did. The barcode identifier of a Christian is one who obeys Jesus word. What is being looked for on the spiritual cardiograph, is a growing love for God.
…………………..
Kindle, O Lord, in our hearts we pray, the flame of that love which never ceases, that it may burn in us, and give light to others.
May we shine forever in your temple, set on fire with that eternal light of yours which puts to flight the darkness of this world:
In the name of Jesus Christ your Son our Lord.
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