READING:
One-year plan: Ezekiel 39-40, 1 John 1:1-2:11
Two-year plan: 1 Chronicles 14:1-16:6, John 19:1-16
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The Word is clear: how we live is an indicator of whether we truly know Jesus:
- “If we say, ‘We have fellowship with him,’ and yet we walk in darkness, we are lying and are not practicing the truth.” (1 Jn 1:6)
- “This is how we know that we know him: if we keep his commands. The one who says, ‘I have come to know him,’ and yet doesn’t keep his commands, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 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 Jn 2:3-6)
How we live really does matter – not because we earn our salvation by our good works (Eph 2:8-9), but because our good works, including loving our brothers and sisters, are a confirmation that God lives in us. We are not perfect, but the One who (1) is our advocate with the Father and (2) who cleanses us from our sin expects us to strive toward godliness. Indeed, His deep love and undeniable grace toward us ought to compel us to continue growing as we become more and more like Jesus.
PERSONAL REFLECTION: Does your life—both your private life and your public one—show that you are a believer?
DAILY PRAYER: “God, show me where my life does not model You.”
TOMORROW’S READINGS:
One-year plan: Ezekiel 41-44, 1 John 2:12-3:10
Two-year plan: 1 Chronicles 16:7-43, John 19:17-30
