READING: Haggai; Zechariah 1; Ps 138; 1 John 2
Today’s one of those days when the clarity of the Word is undeniably simple. Multiple times in the 1 John 2 reading, John makes it clear that those who love Jesus are obedient to Him:
- “This is how we know that we know him: if we keep his commands.” (1 John 2:3)
- “But whoever keeps his word, truly in him the love of God is made complete. This is how we know we are in him: The one who says he remains in him should walk just as he walked.” (1 John 2:5-6)
- “Everyone who does what is right has been born of him.” (1 John 2:29)
This is a clear, albeit challenging word. It’s not that we never sin; it is that we do not continually give in to temptation if we’re true followers of Christ. Moreover, one reason to remain in Christ is equally clear: ‘so that when he appears we may have confidence and not be ashamed before him at his coming” (1 John 2:28). I fear that we most often think about Christ’s coming in terms of what we get then (e.g., heaven), and we fail to consider the reality that we’ll answer to Him for how we live (2 Cor 5:10). I’m sure I’ll be driven to my face when I’m before Christ anyway simply because He’s holy; I don’t want to be filled with shame at the same time because I’ve not been faithful.
Our standing before Christ without shame begins with our decisions today . . . and tomorrow . . . and the next day. We must keep His commands.
PRAYER: “Lord, I commit to following You fully today.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Zechariah 2-5; Psalm 93; 1 John 3