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1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. 2 The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. 3 We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. 4 We write this to make our joy complete. 5 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out 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, purifies us from all sin. 8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us. 1 My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 2 He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. (1 John 1:1-2:2 NIV Bible)
Happy Tuesday, dear Friend! I pray this finds you well and enjoying the fullness of life we can find in Christ Jesus. I also pray this finds you more of a pray-er than before; knowing we pray because God answers prayer! Pray for one another and for the needs shared with you in various ways of those who need help from the Lord.
What's the happiest and most joyful you have ever been in your life? I know that's a tough question for most of us because most of us have had several occasions where we were giddy with joy and excitement; and narrowing it down to one example is almost impossible. My wedding day stands out as the most joyful I had ever been, and on other levels, the birth of my children, then my grandchildren, and I can't forget the spiritual goals met in my life; graduation from seminary, ordinations, first appointments, etc. And of course, meeting Jesus as my Lord and Savior is quite the capstone of my life. As we read this passage we can begin to see that John as he is writing this is doing it out of joy, and for the purpose of sharing joy with others; because Jesus is the core of his faith and life. His having heard the good news was key, as was his accepting and believing those news as his; seeing and witnessing the transforming and redemptive power of the Gospel also imprinted deeply into his life, and life as Jesus shared it as truly abundant and wonderul. This is what his letter is all about. He loves the fellowship of faith in the company of other believers, as is the more important fellowship with God the Father and God the Son. His desire, as he writes, is "to make our joy complete."
John had come to know that God is light. The darkness through which he trod before meeting Him now is a fading memory of a life almost wasted, for he had not experienced the fullness of life in Jesus Christ. He reminds us that if we make a false claim of having fellowship with God and yet are really still where we used to be, we are lying and not living out the truth. But if we truly walk in the light of God, we walk not alone, but with God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and with all who have made the same declaration about deciding to walk with Him. And John knows and tells us that there is power in the blood of Jesus to purifiy us from all sin. To make a claim that we are without sin is a sin, and a statement made from a false place where we should not be. Yet, if we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to purify us from all unrighteousness. And here in this day and age, there are those who claim to be without sin or not needing to ask forgiveness because they are good. Those who say such things are making God out to be a liar, and us along with Him, because God's word is not in us.
John's invitation is for us not to sin. And if we do sin, he reminds us that God will and does, forgive us in a restorative way; always having as our advocate with the Father, His own Son, Jesus Christ, whom he calls the "Righteous One." For it is Jesus who atoned for our sins through His sacrifice and not only for us, but also for the sins of the whole world.
The message of God's light contrasts with the darkness of sin and deception. Walking in the light entails living a life of truth, righteousness, and authenticity. It requires acknowledging our sins, confessing them to God, and receiving his forgiveness. Through this process, we enter into fellowship with God and experience purification from sin through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
PRAYER: Loving God, thank You for the gift of fellowship with You and with one another. Help us to walk in the light, embracing truth, righteousness, and authenticity in our lives. Give us the humility to confess our sins and receive Your forgiveness, knowing that You are faithful and just. May our lives reflect the reality of Your love and grace, drawing others into fellowship with You. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! YOUR CALL TO ACTION: If there are areas where we are walking in darkness, hiding from the truth or living in deception, let us humbly confess our sins to God, seeking his forgiveness and purification.
I love you and thank God for you!
Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.
