1 & 2 & 3 John – Page 4

1 John 1:8-10 – We Are Sinners

This text is familiar to me. I grew up Lutheran. These words were used in our weekly confession/forgiveness portion of the worship service. I took some time today to really let those words sink in. We are sinners. Period. There can be no debate.

What we do tend to do is look around and compare. We think our sins aren’t as bad as that person’s, right? I know I’m not the only one who has done this. But truth be told, a sin is a sin. To God, any sin separates us from him. Every sin, big or small, needs the same antidote, God’s forgiveness. Why do we try to fool ourselves into thinking we’re not sinners? Maybe it’s because we have done something a certain way our whole life but didn’t realize it was a sin. Perhaps we are just in denial saying something like, “well, at least I didn’t kill someone.” We try our best to be “good” people, doesn’t that count?

1 John 1:5-7 – Light or Dark?

Read 1 John 1:5-7

Light or dark? I’m not referring to the type of turkey meat you want on your holiday plate! (If that seems a little odd for an introduction, remember I’m writing this on Thanksgiving to be published and distributed to my subscribers the day after — we’ll probably all be in a food coma by then!) We do have a choice on whether we choose the light or the darkness. Some people would like to think you can flip flop back and forth. God knows our hearts. Where do we belong?

Of course, God wants us all to be with him in the light. There is no darkness in him at all. But there is plenty of darkness when we look around. Our society is crawling with distractions and opportunities to step out of the light. Sometimes it seems to me that the light is shrinking. It’s harder to find the light than ever before. But God is where he has always been. Everywhere. Waiting for us. Sometimes he’s just harder to see because of all the noise and confusion.

1 John 1:1-4 – God Incarnate

Read 1 John 1:1-4

Did you see Christmas in this text? My husband, David challenged me, so I’m challenging you. I was looking for a stable. But we need to look deeper. What exactly is Christmas? It’s not trees and lights. It’s God coming into the world, becoming flesh. God incarnate. Now I see it. John talks about having seen him, touched him. John walked with Jesus. John walked with God.

What do we learn about Jesus from these short verses? That he was present at creation and has existed from the beginning. Is that a new picture for you? It’s easy to imagine God at creation. I often refer to him as Creator. But Jesus was there, and the Holy Spirit was there hovering over the waters. (Genesis 1:1-2) The trinity were all present in creation.

Category: 1 & 2 & 3 John

1 John 1:8-10 – We Are Sinners

1 John 1:5-7 – Light or Dark?

1 John 1:1-4 – God Incarnate

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