We’ve all been there: we see the challenge before us and we think….”there’s no way this is ever going to happen”. Just remember this….
Not only IS it going to happen, but it has been happening year after year since time began. You have challenges. I get that, I have them too. Maybe you’re staring at the text book wondering how you are going to remember all these details. Maybe you’re looking at the bills wondering how you can dig your way out. Maybe you’re looking at a new baby wondering how you will ever find the wisdom or strength to raise them. Think of all the times before today when you have said “no way”, and yet you then went out and did it. There is a way. You can do it…and you will.
Now, you can read verse 1.
“I write this so that you will not sin”. No way. “Lord, that’s not possible”. Listen, I’m not here to tell you that it’s going to happen tomorrow…in fact you might not live long enough to see it happen in you (because it’s a process). But understand this: it can happen, it is possible. God intends for us to be like Him, not all powerful, but pure. Pure in heart and mind, in word and deed. Our goal is to be like Jesus, and not sin. Now you can read verse 2.
“But if you do sin…” Notice that John doesn’t say “when you sin” because he understands that you don’t HAVE to sin. “If” means that we have a choice, and in a moment of weakness we have chosen to sin.
IF we sin, we have an advocate, a person who will speak on our behalf, and will erase our sin from the record, when we are repentant.
This whole passage is about obedience. If you obey, then you truly are a Christian. If you don’t obey, then your loyalty is understandably called into question. One way that we are obedient is to love other Christians. Even the hard to love ones.
“No way. There are some people that can barely be tolerated, let alone loved. It’s not possible to love them, Lord.”
I have to laugh as I type the words….without doubt there is someone, somewhere who thinks that very thing of me! (probably someone who shares my office space…..)
Who am I to say that I cannot love another believer when I am clearly not the perfect friend myself? I am compelled to love others because Jesus loved me in spite of my own deficiencies.
So John makes his appeal to the entire body of Christ, young and old, new and mature. Love one another, encourage one another. Build each other up, don’t cause each other to stumble.
The last verses regarding “antichrists” remind me that false teachers are the ones who divide the body, and create tension and discord between friends. We need unity under Christ, and that begins with our obedience, and finds it’s way to completion when that self sacrifice is reciprocated.
Feeling blessed,
PR