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
Transforming Darkness to Light.
Some time back, a friend lost a good paying, long-tenured job. A new job didn't come soon, which was OK since severance and unemployment carried him, but only for a while. More time passed, and then panic came—a flurry of applications and job fairs—"maybe this, maybe that." My friend finally came to the realization, "I need to focus on a clear objective, and center my search on that."
Our world is full of self-improvement books, recipes for getting your life together. Some can be pretty helpful. Many focus on "being yourself," which easily leads to self-preoccupation and narcissism. Today's reading from 1 John starts at the center: "God is light and in him there is no darkness at all." Other advice about the road to good living can be very helpful, depending on our situation. But when we recognize that we are, at our center, children of the God who created us and the Christ who walks with us, all of life comes clearer.
Prayer
Christ, be our light. Shine in our hearts. Shine through the darkness. Amen.