1 John 2:1-6
1My 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; 2and he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.
3Now by this we may be sure that we know him, if we obey his commandments. 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; 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: 6whoever says, ‘I abide in him’, ought to walk just as he walked.
There are two parts to this reading that mean a lot to me. The first being that we should not sin, but if we do, we have an advocate in Jesus. He not only takes on our sins but the sins of the whole world. When I think about that, I am so humbled to know that Jesus loves us all that much that he
would take on that burden for our very souls.
The second part, John makes pretty clear, is that if you say you know him and don’t obey his commandments you are a liar. I don’t know about you, but for me there are days where I find it hard to obey his commandments and I feel pretty bad about it. I want to walk as he walked but I know that is not possible for most, so I take peace in knowing that Jesus loves us so much that he forgives us.
Joe Quinn
For more information on all of our ministries, visit http://www.allsaintspalatine.org. Remember to join us for Wednesday Lenten supper and worship. Supper at 6:15 and worship (featuring Holden Evening Prayer and drama) at 7.
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