Obey - Ouch

1) My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense – Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 2) He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

3) We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. 4) The man who says, :I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5) But if anyone obeys his word, God’s love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: 6) Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did. (1 John 2:1-6)

During this time of Lent, this scripture really tells me who I belong to and how I must react. In the first verse John makes a curious statement, “I write this to you so you will not sin.” We understand that as fallen humans we are born sin, however here John seems to think that if we follow what he is about to write that somehow it can prevent us from sinning. Then the very next line he helps us for the times we fail by saying, “But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father I our defense – Jesus Christ, the Righteous one.” John does understand that we will make mistakes at the same time we can strive to live a sin-free life.

This scripture, as well as this time of year, reminds us what Jesus has done, and continues to do, for us. First he became man and took on our sin in his death and then defeated death with his resurrection. Verse three John tells us that we know that we have come to know Christ if we obey his commands. Ouch, obey, this seems to be a four-letter word today, one that causes us discomfort, well feel threatened, that if we have to obey anything or anybody, our human rights are compromised. However, John tells us in verse four, if we say we know Christ, “but does not do what he commands,” we are liars, the truth is not in us. John goes on to say here, if we do obey Christ words, “God’s love is truly made complete in,” in us.

The world will only know God’s love if we try to live a God centered righteous life. We have the power of God’s love living in us in the form of the Holy Spirit; the power that created everything lives in us. We need to allow this power to work through us, to reach the world with God’s love, through obedience of his word and commandments. We must work together with the Holy Spirit and try hard to live by the words John wrote here in verse six; “Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.”

Father permit Your Spirit to live through me, help me to live by the power of this Spirit to obey your commandments each and every day, and aid me in assisting other to live by your commandments. Father I need your wisdom to walk in the righteous footsteps of Your Son, to follow the path to Your kingdom. Father I need so much to trust in you not just for today Father but everyday until I get to come be with You. I pray this in the name of Jesus, Your Son, my Savior and Brother. Amen.

God Forgives

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)

Confess – not and easy thing to do. Doing a word search in the NIV I found 41 instances to the word confess, from Leviticus through 1 John, and each time the theme of turning from their sin goes along with it. We are promised that if we ask God for forgiveness, He will give it! He does not ask for explanations, He ask no questions, He just forgives. This is the very nature of God. God’s ability to love and forgive is immeasurable and immediate you ask He forgives.

Then there is the word Repent, which shows up 75 times in the NIV, and always, goes along with some sort of confession and turning from sin. In Merriam-Webster’s on-line Dictionary the definition of Repent is - to turn from sin and dedicate oneself to the amendment of one's life. To the amendment of one’s life, to turn from sin. Here in 1 John we are told that if we confess our sin God will forgive us. I think we need to take God up on His offer. Even though we may feel that we do not deserve God’s forgiveness, that our sins are to great, that there is no way a loving God would have a use for a sinner like me (speaking from experience). God shows no favoritism, God is bigger than any sin. There is no one living outside the Grace of God, NO ONE.

Also, on the subject of forgiveness, as I said God shows not favoritism in His Grace, neither should we. We have to forgive everyone that you feel has wronged you, not just those who ask for it or the ones who have made it up to you. God forgives everyone, completely, so should we, anything less is insufficient.

Heavenly Father, confessing my sins to you is one of the hardest things I do. I ask that you give me the courage and strength to be open and honest with you. I know that I have been forgiven in my heart. I want to feel confident that my honesty will not condemn me but free me. Your love and forgiveness knows no boundaries and that is where I want to live father, in Your love and forgiveness. Father I ask that you grant me the strength and ability to forgive as You forgive, without question, needing no explanation, just forgive as You do. You have given me the gift by forgiving me. Please help me to share that gift with others. In the name of Your Son and my Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen.