I John 3:1-7 (NRSV)
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Chapter 3See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Verse 2Beloved, we are God's children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed. What we do know is this: when he is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is. Verse 3And all who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.
Verse 4Everyone who commits sin is guilty of lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. Verse 5You know that he was revealed to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. Verse 6No one who abides in him sins; no one who sins has either seen him or known him. Verse 7Little children, let no one deceive you. Everyone who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous.
Devotion
Sin seems relative to the situation in the chaotic world we live in. How brazen to make that statement, although we read of it each day in the news. I John begins with the image that we are called children of God. It surmises that we are loved beyond a doubt and gives us the freedom of growing and learning, trusting and loving life without boundaries. Then, sin is mentioned. What does sin have to do with children who so openly trust? Children need boundaries as they become socialized in this world. As children of God, desiring to please and do what is right, our measuring stick is not by the world’s standards. It is neither by those encompassed in the death and resurrection of Jesus: acceptance, forgiveness and freedom. We need boundaries, as children need boundaries, to guide us in the choices we make as followers of Christ. Those boundaries foster Christ-like behavior and grow future disciples whether we and those with whom we come in contact know it or not.
Prayer
Guiding Lord, as your children, we walk with you the path of making wise choices. Hold us close so we do not stray. Amen.