PUTTING THE PIECES TOGETHER1 JOHN 2 SHOWS THE WAY
Let's look at 1 John 2 for some pointers. (I'm using both the New Living Translation and the Amplified Bible today.) Here's what I see in Chapter 2 that will help us complete the puzzle:
- Treasure and obey his entire word, vs. 5
- Live our lives as Christ did, vss. 6 &29
- Love our fellow believers, vss. 10 & 11
- Do not love the world and its forbidden cravings, vss. 15 & 17
- Remain faithful to what we have been taught from the beginning, vs. 24
- Continue to fellowship with Christ, vs. 28
In verse 6 we see that we are to live our life as Christ did. Verse 2:1 in The Amplified Bible tells us that He conforms to the Father's will in purpose, thought and action.
BUT IF WE SIN
I don't know about you, but, while I purpose to live as Christ lived, I mess up a lot. That's why I'm so glad for 1 John 2:1:
...I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if you do sin, there is someone to plead for you before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who pleases God completely. He is the sacrifice for our sins. He takes away not only our sins but the sins of all the world. NLT
LIVES FILLED WITH GOD'S LOVE & BEAUTY
As we continue in this way, remembering both the exhortations of 1 John 2 and also the provision made for the times we fail, our lives will begin to take shape, being filled with God's love and beauty.
Photo from FlickrCC: photobydave
Tags: Religion , Spirituality , Faith , Inspiration , Encouragement , Jesus , Christ , Christianity , Bible , God , Love , Sin
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