1 John 2: 1-6
Continuing the journey through 1 John, I am in chapter 2 and in just the first six verses the Lord has shown me a stumbling block in my walk. Far to often I focus on the "big" roadblocks in my relationship with Christ: my pride that fools me into believing that I could and should plan what I think will be best for my life (I am not advocating that you don't ever plan, I just tend to plan selfishly on what I think will make me the happiest and most comfortable while not being open to how best I can serve God at any given time) and my tendency to lose sight of God as a need. In the latter, I find myself selfishly trying to minimize God into something that is just a good thing that benefits me, and not seeing him as God, my Lord, Father, and Savior that I dedicate my life to glorifying and serving. As you can see those are two very different views which I believe will lead to two very different eternities. Now to the text:
"And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says "I know him" but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. 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." (verses 3-6)
Verse 6 ("whoever says ... which he walk") is the one that really pierced and convicted my heart. The verse is talking about Christ and his time on Earth (Hebrews 4: 15), and what really struck me is the image of walking continually and daily as Christ did. God showed me that while I was constantly focusing on my "big" problems there are several small things that I daily overlook, and the reason I overlook them is because I compare them to the world, instead of Christ's example. The small things are mostly selfish things like not truly listening to others, or not reaching out to people because I think they might take up too much of my time. While it is convicting, John is loving and reassuring in verses 1-2 where he reminds us that Christ is our atoning sacrifice and advocate to the Father, and that his death was "for the sins of the whole world" (v. 2).
Challenge: spend the week earnestly praying AND meditating/listening Psalm 139: 23-24
"Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!"
Really ask the Lord to reveal your grievous ways, listen and look for what God is showing you, and remember that Christ died for the sins of the "whole world" so repent and pray to be lead in the way everlasting.
War Eagle and God bless
"And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says "I know him" but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. 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." (verses 3-6)
Verse 6 ("whoever says ... which he walk") is the one that really pierced and convicted my heart. The verse is talking about Christ and his time on Earth (Hebrews 4: 15), and what really struck me is the image of walking continually and daily as Christ did. God showed me that while I was constantly focusing on my "big" problems there are several small things that I daily overlook, and the reason I overlook them is because I compare them to the world, instead of Christ's example. The small things are mostly selfish things like not truly listening to others, or not reaching out to people because I think they might take up too much of my time. While it is convicting, John is loving and reassuring in verses 1-2 where he reminds us that Christ is our atoning sacrifice and advocate to the Father, and that his death was "for the sins of the whole world" (v. 2).
Challenge: spend the week earnestly praying AND meditating/listening Psalm 139: 23-24
"Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!"
Really ask the Lord to reveal your grievous ways, listen and look for what God is showing you, and remember that Christ died for the sins of the "whole world" so repent and pray to be lead in the way everlasting.
War Eagle and God bless
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