Tuesday 20 November, 2018

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. 6 If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. 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. 8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.

Verse 9 is one of those “everyone knows” kind of verses. A good Sunday School verse. I forgot that this verse starts with the word “But…”  It means I need to know verse 8 as well.

“If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth.”

How often have I done that. I think I’m ok. I justify my actions and decisions by saying they’re not that bad. Life sometimes get murky and grey.

I don’t want to be a dogmatic, black and white kind of Christian but when it comes to sin it’s either one or the other. I can’t be speeding and not speeding at the same time. I’m either lying or I’m telling the truth. I’m either stealing or not stealing. Sin can’t be wrong and right at the same time.

Lord help me not be a fool when it comes to sin. Help me see the right path and have the courage and conviction to take it. I can’t begin to thank you for the forgiveness and cleansing I receive through Jesus when I get it wrong.     Amen

Written by Boudy van Noppen