October 3, 2024

1 John 1:1-10  (HCSB)
Prologue: Our Declaration 1 What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have observed and have touched with our hands, concerning the Word of life— 2 that life was revealed, and we have seen it and we testify and declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us— 3 what we have seen and heard we also declare to you, so that you may have fellowship along with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. 4 We are writing these things so that our joy may be complete. Fellowship with God 5 Now this is the message we have heard from Him and declare to you: God is light, and there is absolutely no darkness in Him. 6 If we say, “We have fellowship with Him,” yet we walk in darkness, we are lying and are not practicing the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say, “We have no sin,” we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say, “We don’t have any sin,” we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.

Susan Jones
First John 1:9 is a verse I have heard my entire life-“But if we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.” Some of the false teachers at that time were denying they had as in nature and therefore did not see a need for Christ’s forgiveness. Who were they kidding? They just didn’t want to humble themselves and repent.

You can watch a group of children around age 2 for about 5 minutes and know that we are all born with a sin nature...you can watch a group of 22-year-olds for 5 minutes and know we continue even as adults to have a sin nature. It doesn’t go away...we have to admit our sin to God and ask Jesus to cover that sin and help us walk in the light so we can live like Paul challenges us in Romans 12. Ask God to help you walk in the light today so you can REALLY love others and be a sacrifice that is pleasing to God.