Daily Reading: 1 John 1-2
By this we may know that we are in him: whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked. (1 John 2.5-6)
Devotional Thought: Though 1 John is a “love letter,” the Apostle does not exchange sentimental feelings for spiritual facts. He refuses to allow the infinite love of God to become an excuse for unfocused living. Quite the contrary! He insists – as did Jesus in his teaching and Paul in his letters – that God’s love will inevitably be expressed in our loving and grateful obedience in return. According to John, to say we love God but then to make excuse for sin is to live a lie! Yes, this “love letter” is a call to rigorous and devoted holiness!
Do you love God? Then, are you walking as Jesus did? How did Jesus walk?
In complete surrender to God. He came to do the Father’s will. Nothing would deter him from that mission. Throughout his life Jesus lived not for himself, but for the Father. Think of that amazing prayer he prayed on the eve of his crucifixion: Not my will but yours be done!
In constant contact with God. While there are specific and powerful times of prayer mentioned in the gospels, we get the sense that Jesus was always in conversation with the Father. He never found himself separated from God by sin or even distraction!
In continuous love toward others. Jesus knew what John stated later in this letter: God is love. He said that the two greatest commandments were to love God and to love others. Jesus’ love for God was not an excuse to retreat into solitude. Precisely because he loved his Father, he reached out in love to others. That love was sometimes gentle and forgiving, but it could be firm and demanding when the situation called for it.
Will you be a love letter from God to the people around you?
Prayer: Lord, I thank you for your love to me. Help me to walk in love just as you walk in love. Help me to love you with all my heart and soul and mind and strength. Then, help me to love others as you do. Amen.
Psalm of the Day: Psalm 128.1-6
1 Blessed is everyone who fears the LORD, who walks in his ways!
2 You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you.
3 Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table.
4 Behold, thus shall the man be blessed who fears the LORD.
5 The LORD bless you from Zion! May you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life!
6 May you see your children's children! Peace be upon Israel!
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