April 9, 2015: 1 John 1:1-2:2

We encourage you to read this devotion three times a day.  Start in the morning and reflect upon the morning reflection question. Then in the afternoon, read it again and reflect using the noon question for reflection.  For the evening, take time to ponder how this has resonated with you in the day and reflecting using the evening question.  We offer a prayer with each devotion for you to pray or we invite you to pray what is in your heart.

1 John 1:1 - 2:2

1We declare to you what was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— ²this life was revealed, and we have seen it and testify to it, and declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us— ³we declare to you what we have seen and heard so that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. ⁴We are writing these things so that our joy may be complete. 5 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him there is no darkness at all. ⁶If we say that we have fellowship with him while we are walking in darkness, we lie and do not do what is true; ⁷but if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. ⁸If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. ⁹If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. ¹⁰If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. 2My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; ²and he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.

Reflection:
This is hard to read after celebrating Easter! We have lived in joy and are glad.  However, this passage pushes us past that.  Is it true joy or is it fleeting happiness?  We are willing to sing Alleluia, but then what?  Are we ready to continue to hold up our commitment in faith?   Essentially, this passage is pushing; if you cannot walk the walk, then don’t talk the talk.  Verse 6 - 7, ^“If we say that we have fellowship with him while we are walking in darkness, we lie and do not do what is true; ⁷but if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.”  In other words, if you are walking with Jesus while not believing or living out the faith, then you are not truly walking with God.  We must ask ourselves if we are ready to commit and journey through with God even in the seasons that are not as easy or joyous.

Reflection Questions:

Morning: When have you not truly walked the walk?

Noon: How does God encourage you to commit?

Evening: Are you ready to walk the walk and talk the talk?

Prayer: God of all, we sometimes put up walls...even from You.  We think we are ready to be true to following You, but then we might slip up.  We are so grateful that in the midst of that You are still faithful.  Help us to be able to grow closer to You in our faith and live it out abundantly. Amen.