day 20 1John 3:1-3

1 See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. 3 And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure. Today's passage is packed with many great truths. I have a relationship to God as his child. This sonship is grounded in His love for everyone. But while God loves everyone and shows general goodness to everyone he reserves a deeper love and fellowship for those who live in a covenant of faith with Him. This deeper love gives us adoption into the family of God. I am a son of God because Jesus has died for my sins. God's love is shown in the fact that Jesus dies for us while we are unsaved, rebellious enemies and not after. This closeness means that I get to know God. And knowing Him means living in obedience to His laws. Jesus says that if we love him we will keep his commandments. His law is good and not bad. My greatest problem is not the law of God but sin. Sin is when I live in opposition to God's law while righteousness means trusting God and living in obedience to his instructions. In Jeremiah 31 and Ezekiel 36 we are told that the new covenant leads to a life transformed. God cleanses us from sin, gives us a new heart, writes his laws on it, and gives us the Spirit. This is so awesome. God's grace in given to those who put their faith in Jesus death on the cross and his resurrection. The sign of the new covenant is the fact that we receive the Spirit of God. So every single day we are being transformed to be more and more like Jesus. But it never stops until the day when we see Jesus. One day we will be gathered together with Him upon His return and when we see Him so clearly we know him fully. This clarity brings us to our goal. I need to strive to be like Jesus as much as I can. This bears with it a great reward in that I may come to please my Father in heaven. I need to make sure that I am not resisting the Spirit transforming me to be more like Jesus. This has to be on my daily list of things to do as part of my daily submission to the Father. I long to be like Jesus. To live a life that is greatly influenced by God's law and instructions. I know that many who call themselves believers would disagree with me but living according to God's law is filled with blessings. It is not about trying to be nit picky about infinitesimal small details centered around what I can get away. Instead it is about, in trust, giving my self fully to Him. He leads me like a good shepherd and I willingly follow him. I might clash with some denomination, or those theologians who wrongly think that God has replaced Israel with Christian believers, but I feel confidence that God's law is awesome. I'm always finding new applications to my life and new ways to please the Father. He has surely poured out his love on me since he has given me His word and law. Since Adam and Eve he has always given his instructions to those who live in covenant with Him. Peace

day 19 1 John 2:28-29

28 And now, little children, remain in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink away from him in shame when he comes back. 29 If you know that he is righteous, you also know that everyone who practices righteousness has been fathered by him. It is very important for a believer it is very important to remain alert and ready for the return of Jesus at any moment. The truth that Jesus, with his angels and in glory, will one day come back to this earth should be a motivation to my daily commitment to God. I need to be reminded that as I daily lay my life in the hands of and under the control of God, that take every opportunity to be ever more prepared. Jesus said that if we love him then we will live in obedience, and that this is the way in which we remain in him. It is impossible for the believer to do anything of any real meaning, if he or she does not remain in Jesus. By remaining in him we gain strength and power to live out the new life, of salt and light, that we are called to. Without remaining in him we cannot resist sin and temptation. Without remaining in him we could easily end up religious and that is very sad indeed. The return of Jesus is supposed to be an encourgement and a source of empowerment to live for God. It should not make us afraid but is a desire to see him and to be with him. I long to see the Kingdom of God break out as the entire Earth comes under the rule and regin of God. This is why sharing the good news wiht as many people as possible is of utmost importance. it might look different from person to person but it is not an option for anyone. If somone has small children at home then teach them the ways of God. This is as evangelistic as standing on a corner and talking to strangers. Share with your friends and family. But if they say no and reject the good news then love them. You need to respect their decision even when it keeps them in their sin and away from God. When that day comes we want to greet our Lord with faces turned towards him. But for that person who has not been a good steward and has not really believed in his coming that day will be a day of shame. John writes this so that we avoid standing there as small children who have disobeyed their father. I remember as a small child, how much I dreaded my mother's return to the house, when I knew that I had disobeyed. As I awaited her arrival I had a growing sense of doom. I didn't get happier as the time approached but more and more axious. It was totally different when I had done something that was good. I couldn't wait until my mother came home. Even though it was not going to be very long before she walked through the door, my excitement got the best of me. I was just ready to burst with expectation. It is this second situation that John wants the believers to have. So how is it for you? Do you really want Jesus to come tomorrow? I know that even if it means that those who are very close to me might be lost for all of eternity I would so cherish the return of Jesus tomorrow. It is not because I want to see non-believers judged but just the fact of being able to spend such intimate time with God is what my heart is longing most for. So let us live lives of righteousness and holiness and obedience. This, transformed life, is the result for every true believer in Jesus. It is a life that is consistent with the Word of God as it imitates the life of Jesus. God desires us to live this way. If you are part of a Christian group but are not being encouraged and assited in your obedient following of the life of Jesus then you might want to find another group. The Christian life is not a stagnant or religious life, but a dynamic life of constant growth and transformation. As a Christian leader I need this in my life as well as power from God to help the fellowship to go in that direction. Every believer lives in a state of dependency for the power of God, in order to be the salt and the light that Jesus calls us to. If you need help in this area then let someone know whom you trust ask them to walk beside you as you grow in grace. be blssed