Friday 30 September 2022

1 My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous. 2 He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only our sins but the sins of all the world. 3 And we can be sure that we know him if we obey his commandments. 4 If someone claims, “I know God,” but doesn’t obey God’s commandments, that person is a liar and is not living in the truth. 5 But those who obey God’s word truly show how completely they love him. That is how we know we are living in him. 6 Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did.

The world might ask ‘why does the Bible go on and on about sin? I’m a good person’. Yet the answer is simple – God understands we are all very inclined to sin, and Jesus is the only one who is actually without sin. We are all impacted by sin and its consequences every day – both our own sin and that of others. This passage reminds me I need to deal with this, and the only way to do that is through Jesus. The kindness of God here is to remind us that the grace and mercy extended to you and me is also extended to the whole of humanity. I’m sure it is no coincidence the passage moves from our need for forgiveness for sin to the importance of personal integrity. When we understand and accept the forgiveness we are gifted through Christ, our response needs to be a life reflecting the values and actions of Jesus. This is a choice I need to make every day so that my heart is reflected in my thoughts and actions. 

Thank you, Jesus, for all that you have done for me. Jesus, I confess I am a sinner and I need your grace and forgiveness. Give me the strength to choose to live a life of integrity today and always. In your mighty name I pray. Amen

Written by Christine Knight