20 February • Tuesday of the First Week in Lent
1 John 3:1-10
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.
4 Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. 5 You know that he appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. 6 No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him. 7 Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous. 8 Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. 9 No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God's seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God. 10 By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.
Meditation
This passage directs us to live as children of God emulating the Father through the exemplary life of Jesus.
As believers, our self-worth is based on the simple truth that God first loved us and calls us His children. Knowing this truth, we are to live like Jesus did, reflecting Him in our daily walk.
Our Christian life is a process of becoming more and more like Christ. This process will not be complete until we see Christ face to face. Till His return, we are called to live in purity just as Jesus was pure (v.3). To keep pure is to be morally straight and aligned with the scriptures.
Unfortunately, we are so easily led to sin through the many temptations that surround us. When we fall into sin, we are to confess, repent and find forgiveness in the grace given by Jesus Christ. In contrast, when a person intentionally continues to sin, no form of remorse is found resulting in no forgiveness. In the Old Testament sacrificial laws, a lamb without blemish is the only acceptable sacrifice for sin. In the New Testament, we see Jesus as “lamb of God” who knew no sin bearing the sins of the world (John 1:29).
We all have areas where temptation is strong or have sinful habits that are hard to overcome. These weaknesses should not give the devil a foothold. We must be swift and focused in overcoming these temptations. We cannot willingly sin or even think of justifying our sins. We ought to repent and remain in right standing with God. Yes, we sin, but we must be committed to pursue Christ so that we may gain victory over sin.
Let us remember that we are “born into God’s family”, and the Holy Spirit lives in us. Because Jesus has given us new life, we are dead to sin. With a renewed heart and mind, let us continually seek Him daily and be transformed to look more and more like Jesus. As sung in the age-old hymn, “the cross before me, the world behind me”. In this challenging world, may our Lord help us to live like Him.
Prayer
O Lord! Thank You for redeeming me as Your child. Help me to walk with You and to live a victorious life with the help of the Holy Spirit. May I never take Your divine grace for granted. Come Lord, lead and guide me. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
Action
Is my life reflecting Christ in my daily walk? Am I seeking the power of the Holy Spirit and God’s Word each day? What are some areas of temptation and sinful habits in my life? How often do I ask God to deliver me from them?
Rev Philip S Abraham
President
Emmanuel Tamil Annual Conference
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