1 John 1:1-2:2 (NRSV)
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Chapter 1We declare to you what was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life- Verse 2this life was revealed, and we have seen it and testify to it, and declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us- Verse 3we declare to you what we have seen and heard so that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. Verse 4We are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.
Verse 5This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him there is no darkness at all. Verse 6If we say that we have fellowship with him while we are walking in darkness, we lie and do not do what is true; Verse 7but if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.
Verse 8If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. Verse 9If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Verse 10If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
Chapter 2My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; Verse 2and he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.
Devotion
Isn’t it interesting to see the theme of Christian fellowship in so many of the Easter lectionary readings? Acts 4 spoke of the unity of heart, mind and even material possessions among the early disciples. Psalm 133 lauded the goodness and God-pleasing nature of unity within the Lord’s household. Continuing this theme, this week’s lesson from I John invites us to “walk in the light.” What does it mean to “walk in the light”? It means nothing other than walking in Christ, for He is the “true light” (John 1:9) and the “light of the world” (John 9:5). What happens as we walk in the light? Oh, the sweetness of Christian fellowship in which the blood of Christ is lifted up and poured out to purify us from sin!
Prayer
Dear Risen Savior, thank you for not only inviting me to walk in the light, but also for walking alongside me as You did with the disciples on their way to Emmaus. May that same light that illumined their path ignite within me a burning passion to pour out upon many, through my witness, the purifying blood of Christ, that more and more people may enjoy the wonder of walking in the light and presence of the risen Jesus. Amen.