And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life
1 John 5: 20
Take a Moment to Ponder
Clearly the Christian walk is hard to maintain, and the behaviour of Christians differ widely, so it is hard for us to model each other and be sure that we are doing the right thing, understanding what is required, and intentionally disciple ourselves. Add to that the expectations of the outside world as to what Christians should do and not do; mix that with the multiple doctrines and beliefs espoused daily by the varieties of denominations, and the resulting confusion is understandable. Trying to figure it all out can cause analysis paralysis, where we spend our time analysing minute details and cross-referencing for accuracy. Alternately, we can put our blinkers firmly in place and refuse to budge from our understandings and beliefs, because there is so much to explore and to us, the proponents don’t “seem” Christian anyway.
But John writes to believers, and his intention is to strengthen them and keep them focused on Christ who they follow. We can do no less. John explains Christ as teacher and guide. As Christians, we look at everything from where Christ stands. Exclusion and rejection, hate and superiority have no place in a Christian paradigm, and worse, self-indicates our drift away from Christ.
Practical Action: Be Christian
John holds us accountable for our actions. In Chapter 2: 20- 21, he explicitly explains “But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and all of you have knowledge. I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it.”
Knowing Christ, who is the truth, the light and the way, we know truth and what is just plain wrong. Let us make no more excuses. Let us be kind, let us be humble, let us be genuine. We are a part of the cloud of witnesses of Christ. We must intentionally become who God calls us to be. Therefore, let us all walk in Truth.
A Moment in Prayer
God of truth and light, help us to be honest with ourselves and others. Help us to be kind whether others are kind or unkind or uninvolved with us. We ask for strength to face the truth of our actions, to keep trying to be who you want us to be, and knowing when we are poor witnesses, to try again and again, to stand with Jesus, to walk with Jesus and to never be ashamed to call Him Lord. Through Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Redeemer. Amen
Contributed by: Rev Howard Walters
Newly Ordained Deacon
