Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
The Cleansing Christ
1 John 1:5-10
Vs 7 If we walk in the light … have fellowship with one another ...
the blood of Jesus ... purifies us from all sin
the blood of Jesus ... purifies us from all sin
1 John 1:5 sets the foundation for everything that follows in 1 John 1:6-10. "God is light; in him there is no darkness at all". John uses the metaphor of light and darkness to describe the central message he is trying to convey about who God is, and what our relationship with him is like. Just as darkness and light are incompatible, so living in darkness is incompatible with a relationship with God. Walking in the light is the way to have real fellowship with God and each other.
One of the main reasons Christians doubt their salvation is the presence of sin in their life. According to 1 John 1:6, people who profess faith while continuing in a sinful lifestyle are deceiving themselves and walking in darkness. 1 John 1:7, however, offers reassurance to those who are truly saved. Verses 8 and 10 deals with those who deny the present existence of sin in their lives. In fact, John says that we cannot have God's truth or his word in us if we are not truthful about ourselves. The beautiful promise of God in the gospel is that sin is forgiven and is washed away when it is confessed. Knowing this, a believer who is walking in the light is constantly exposing themselves to God’s truth, which is progressively shining light on sin that needs to be confessed and crucified.
Confession should be our first response when we stumble and fall. It means acknowledging to God that we’ve acted in a manner inconsistent with His character and standards and need His promised forgiveness and cleansing. 1 John 1:9 is the key to understanding the connection between sin and forgiveness. If we walk in light, live in God’s truth, then we have fellowship with God. Fellowship with God is based on the work of God in bringing forgiveness from all sin into the life of a believer. For the believer, who is justified and saved by grace through faith in the person and work of Jesus Christ, sin is forgiven when sinfulness is truly recognized and confessed. The result of walking in the light is that, when we sin the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin. Therefore, let us walk in the light of God so that we can enjoy his fellowship and experience the cleansing of Christ’s blood. Do not presume to claim sinlessness as you walk in the light but confess your sins to God.
One of the main reasons Christians doubt their salvation is the presence of sin in their life. According to 1 John 1:6, people who profess faith while continuing in a sinful lifestyle are deceiving themselves and walking in darkness. 1 John 1:7, however, offers reassurance to those who are truly saved. Verses 8 and 10 deals with those who deny the present existence of sin in their lives. In fact, John says that we cannot have God's truth or his word in us if we are not truthful about ourselves. The beautiful promise of God in the gospel is that sin is forgiven and is washed away when it is confessed. Knowing this, a believer who is walking in the light is constantly exposing themselves to God’s truth, which is progressively shining light on sin that needs to be confessed and crucified.
Confession should be our first response when we stumble and fall. It means acknowledging to God that we’ve acted in a manner inconsistent with His character and standards and need His promised forgiveness and cleansing. 1 John 1:9 is the key to understanding the connection between sin and forgiveness. If we walk in light, live in God’s truth, then we have fellowship with God. Fellowship with God is based on the work of God in bringing forgiveness from all sin into the life of a believer. For the believer, who is justified and saved by grace through faith in the person and work of Jesus Christ, sin is forgiven when sinfulness is truly recognized and confessed. The result of walking in the light is that, when we sin the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin. Therefore, let us walk in the light of God so that we can enjoy his fellowship and experience the cleansing of Christ’s blood. Do not presume to claim sinlessness as you walk in the light but confess your sins to God.
PRAYER
Lord,we ask for your grace that we would continue to be a confessing community, as an obedient community and a loving community. Amen
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Blood of Jesus purifies us from all sin.
Willy Isaac, Carmel MTC, Boston, MA
Christian Education Forum, Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church
Willy Isaac, Carmel MTC, Boston, MA
Christian Education Forum, Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church