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
It's quite natural, when accused, to defend oneself. We are wired to do that. This letter asks us to be so honest, to stop defending ourselves in all our clever ways and own up to our need for forgiveness. The letter does so not by threatening us, but by means of announcing a great promise. The wonderful truth of the good news is that when we've fessed up, rather than receiving the punishment we might deserve, we find that we continue to be forgiven. If forgiveness is what awaits us, there is no need for self-defense before God.
Are there people in your life who can tell you when something is going wrong without any threat of getting even? How much easier it is to make a change when you are not defending yourself! It's like that when God shapes our lives, inviting sheer honesty and deep trust, and freely forgiving us.
Prayer
Gracious God, make us sinners more and more honest with you; cleanse and free us, and shape our lives to be instruments of your grace in this world. Amen.