Letters from a man who was there!

People seldom write or receive letters in this age of electronic messaging. Email, texts and even phone calls are the norm. The problem is the throw-away quality. Only a few try to keep all their e-correspondence. Most of it is read and responded to, then deleted. Or just deleted.

I’m glad that the Bible was not written in this century. Far too many put it on a shelf as it is, never mind what might happen if it were communicated by text messages! I’m particularly glad that the gospel and epistles of John are still intact and available to read, yes on my computer and smart phone as well as on pages in a book. He is my favorite and today begins a brief look at his letters. He wrote them late in the first century and with authority to dispute false teachers who denied the full divinity and humanity of Christ.

John affirms the core of Christianity; either we exhibit sound doctrine, obedience and love that characterize all Christians, or else we are not true Christians. These basics bring us great joy, a holy life and the assurance of eternal life even though we are not perfect in this life.

1 John begins with a delightful salutation that reveals the heart of its author:

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us— that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. And we are writing these things so that our (or your) joy may be complete. (1 John 1:1–4)

He was there! He saw Jesus, touched Him, heard His words. He knew Him face-to-face and wanted his readers to know Him also — so their joy would be complete, generously supplied, filled up! He was not writing to make people fearful or warned but to bring us great joy!

For me, the joy comes when I know my sins are covered and God is pleased. The very next verses are among my favorites in all of Scripture . . .

This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus 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. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. (1 John 1:5–10)

God does not speak to me out of a cave or a dark place. He is light. He provides light — so I can see where I am going, have gone, what’s ahead. He reveals those foggy and confusing parts of life. Not only that, whatever is sinful is cleansed.

However, there is a caveat on cleansing. Verse 9 says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” In other words, when the light of God reveals the darkness of sin in my heart and life, I not only must agree with Him, but tell Him so. I cannot deny that sin is present or make excuses and try to avoid His verdict. Being cleansed is the most important part of spiritual growth.

When Jesus came into my life, I first noticed a huge attitude change toward other people. Yet as time went by, that old “I don’t care about them” attitude popped up and I realized the reason for this verse. Even though Jesus gave me a new love for others, whenever the fleshy and sinful stuff showed up, I needed to see it and agree with God that it was present. Little by little, the way I used to live becomes less and less powerful and the new life I have in Christ becomes more obvious — as long as I keep short accounts with God who works in me to walk in His light.

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Lord Jesus, this is so basic yet we humans are so prone to blame-shift, deny that we do wrong, make excuses and so on. Adam and Eve did it in the garden, and we still do it. My application and my prayer for today is the same as it has been for years: show me any evil way in me and lead me in Your eternal light that I might glorify You instead of living in the foolishness of ignoring my sin.

Today’s thankful list . . .

- the reality of sin forgiven and cleansed.

- for those who gave their lives for our freedom.

- for those who came home, needy but alive.

- the faces of those veterans as they were being honored.

- more fresh snow and sunshine.

- another day without a nosebleed.