1 John 1:5-9
This is the message we heard from him and proclaim to you: God is light. In him, there is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him but still walk in darkness, we are lying and do not put the truth into practice. But if we walk in the light, just as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ, his Son, cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Dear Lord Jesus,
You are the light of the world, and you have brought the truth—your love and forgiveness to us. Throughout your word, you bring us warnings and blessings; through John’s words, we hear it again but directed at those claiming fellowship but walking in darkness. The problem is we can all become like this. We say we believe and trust in you, we know you, we have scripture verses memorized and can quote them at the drop of a hat for everyone around us. However, when it applies to me, I can think I am above that, I am good. But if we say we have no sin, the truth is not in us; when we look to ourselves for help, we walk in sin’s darkness and do not put truth into practice. Lord forgive us, restore us to your light, and show us our sins.
You brought the light into the world to illuminate our sins so that we can have your forgiveness. We lay them all at the foot of the cross and confess our sins to you; you have already absolved us; you paid the price for all our sins. And not just ours but the sins of the world. John (through the Holy Spirit) wrote: “God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son that whoever believes in him will not perish, but have eternal life.” John reminds us how you are faithful and just to forgive all our sins; you have cleansed us from our unrighteousness—all that separate us from you.
Thank you for being faithful to us. Please help us always recognize our own sins to have your peace of forgiveness. Then be with us, make opportunities to share this good news of your forgiveness with someone in the dark, that they may know the joy of walking in the truth of your light—your love and forgiveness. Amen.
Pastor Roger Emmons
Everyone is filled with the disease of sin, and it will kill us all. But recognizing our condition and turning to Jesus, he is the light that heals us through his blood. He has already forgiven your sins; believe in Jesus the Christ, and you will be saved.