Bible Pathways - December 20, 2005
December 20, 2005
Read 1 John 1
In Today's
Fellowship with God; reality of and remedy for sin; danger of antichrists; children of God and righteousness; loving one another
The Holy Spirit led the Apostle John to write: These things write we unto you, that your joy may be full (I John 1:4). Some Christians live under a cloud of guilt because they know they fall short of what they want to be for the Lord. Our Creator has provided sinful people the incomparable privilege of being in fellowship with Him at all times. This letter was written to help true Christians to walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and (experience) the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin (1:7).
The distinction is drawn between those who walk in darkness and those who walk in the light. This darkness is the old sinful conduct of Adultery . . . hatred . . . Envyings, murders, drunkenness . . . and such like (Galatians 5:19-21). In contrast, all who walk in the light daily confess their sins and He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (I John 1:9).
The wonderful fact is that, as we walk in the light, His will becomes our daily desire. "Walk" implies going forward. As we confess our sins, the blood of Jesus will cleanse us from all unrighteousness. The devil would like to drag the skeletons of past confessed sins out of the closet and dangle them before our eyes to convince us that we are not worthy to pray nor to have our prayers answered.
No one needs to remind us that we are far from perfect. None but Jesus ever lived one day without falling short of walking in the light. That is why Jesus taught His disciples who walk in the light to pray: Our Father. . . . Thy will be done. . . . forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us (Luke 11:2-4).
Peter didn't fully understand the meaning of forgiveness, so he asked Jesus if seven times was enough to forgive someone. Jesus replied: I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven (Matthew 18:22). This implies that there is no limit to our need to forgive others. Surely God is more forgiving than He expects us to be. This gives us confidence that we can be sure that as we confess our need to be forgiven, the Lord is always faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. The Apostle John included himself when he was led to write: If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves (I John 1:8; Romans 7:19-20).
We too, like the Apostle Paul, need to forget those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the price of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:13-14).
Cross References:
For I John 1:8: See Ecclesiastes 7:20. I John 3:12: See Genesis 4:8.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for The International Shortwave Radio Broadcast sponsored Mrs Dorothy Royalty · Staff: Gina Lesnefsky · Government Officials: Rep. Henry Brown, Jr. (SC), Gov. Sonny Perdue (GA), Rep. Ike Skelton (MO), and Rep. Tom Tancredo (CO) · Country: Brazil (171 million) in South America · Major languages: Portuguese and Spanish · Religious freedom · 87% Roman Catholic; 7% Protestant; 4% various forms of spiritism · Prayer Suggestion: Trust the Lord for deliverance in times of trouble (Psalm 51:15).
Memory Verse for the Week: 1 Peter 2:22
