1 John 2:1-6 (NRSV)
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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.
Verse 3Now by this we may be sure that we know him, if we obey his commandments. Verse 4Whoever says, "I have come to know him," but does not obey his commandments, is a liar, and in such a person the truth does not exist; Verse 5but whoever obeys his word, truly in this person the love of God has reached perfection. By this we may be sure that we are in him: Verse 6whoever says, "I abide in him," ought to walk just as he walked.
Devotion
For many people the goal of faith lies in heaven. The letter of John describes faith’s goal as becoming perfect in God’s love; a two-fold reality of embracing God and others. God calls us to this fulfillment of love that comprises our obedience of God’s word; living and walking as God calls us to do. It is easy to reduce this to moralistic terms of do and do not. John reminds us that love really is not about us but about our relationship with others. In serving others we demonstrate unconditional love. We have non-judgmental regard for each individual. We communicate grace and forgiveness in places of brokenness. God calls us to service not because we are better than others but to better their lives through our service. We too are called to improvement. This improvement happens as we experience God’s love. That love perfects us and we live that perfect love in our service.
Prayer
Change us, Lord, from glory to glory, from grace to grace until we have reached your full stature. Amen.