Devotionals for April 27, 2023
Theology Thursdays today at 12:00pm! Bring your questions and your lunch when you come.
READ
1 John 1:5-10
5 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice 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 cleanses us from all sin.
8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
REFLECT
How do you treat those who disappoint you? Do you distance yourselves from them? Do you demand they not only apologize but demonstrate change before you forgive them? It seems this is the standard response of most human beings, and unfortunately, of most in the church. We often hear of “cutting out the toxic people in our life.” There is certainly a need to put up boundaries against people who overstep them. But if this is done out of energy to remove toxicity, as if you are pure and the other is tainted, it is rooted in pride. Instead, we should model Christ who is always “faithful and just” to us. He does not view our sins passively, but He also does not demand that we be perfect before He can bless and love us. He is making us perfect, and this is ultimate love because He has chosen to walk with us in covenant even when we fail.
APPLY
Q: How does John address sin in this passage?
Q: Where in your life do you need to “walk in the light?”
Q: What does it look like to encourage another in this way?
SING
“Sing to Jesus” by The Worship Initiative
PRAY
"Forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us."
Lord, help us to walk in the light—to walk in repentance. Help us to forgive as we have been forgiven.
READ
1 John 1:5-10
5 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice 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 cleanses us from all sin.
8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
REFLECT
How do you treat those who disappoint you? Do you distance yourselves from them? Do you demand they not only apologize but demonstrate change before you forgive them? It seems this is the standard response of most human beings, and unfortunately, of most in the church. We often hear of “cutting out the toxic people in our life.” There is certainly a need to put up boundaries against people who overstep them. But if this is done out of energy to remove toxicity, as if you are pure and the other is tainted, it is rooted in pride. Instead, we should model Christ who is always “faithful and just” to us. He does not view our sins passively, but He also does not demand that we be perfect before He can bless and love us. He is making us perfect, and this is ultimate love because He has chosen to walk with us in covenant even when we fail.
APPLY
Q: How does John address sin in this passage?
Q: Where in your life do you need to “walk in the light?”
Q: What does it look like to encourage another in this way?
SING
“Sing to Jesus” by The Worship Initiative
PRAY
"Forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us."
Lord, help us to walk in the light—to walk in repentance. Help us to forgive as we have been forgiven.