Submitted by Jan on Tue, 07/04/2015 – 15:34
Year B (2014-2015)
Bible Book: 1 John / 1 Johannes
Chapter: 1
Verse: Selected verses: 1John 1:1-2:2 and John 20:19-31
The devotion today is taken from 1 John 1-3. This letter focuses on how our faith in Christ should influence how we live our lives. John says “Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did” (1 John 1:6)
Easter holidays have begun. This is a time of family, fun, chocolate and … yet how easy it is in the hustle and bustle of holiday time to forget the true significance of Easter – a very poignant time for reflection on the ultimate sacrifice our our Saviour who died for us, took our sin and invited us into relationship with him.
The apostle John understood how easily we can become distracted by things in the world around us. He warns people in this letter that they should not love the world or anything in the world (1 John 1:15). He explains further, “The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.” (1 John 1:17)
Scholars tell us that John was passionate about helping people to develop and deepen their relationship with Christ and he spent much of his life urging Christians back onto a righteous path. Its useful to keep this in mind as we read John’s letter (1 John 1 – 2) which is written for people who were already Christians – that is, people who already knew Christ.
John reminds us through this short letter that to be in relationship with God we need to follow God’s lead. He offers useful advice in this letter about how to do this:
God is light, so we too must walk in the light. (1 John 1:5-7)
God is spirit, so we need to worship him and remain in his spirit so he can live in us (1 John 3:24 and John 20: 21 – 22)
God is love, so that love for others should be visible in all we do (1 John 3: 1;18)
John reminds us that we do not try to accomplish these tasks alone. God is the source of power in the life of Christians. It is through Him that we are given new life, new purpose and new strength to follow his lead.
In the words of Jesus “Peace be with you” (John 20:19)
Happy Easter everyone.
To think about:
Am I walking in the light of God?
Am I doing all I do in the strength of the spirit of God?
Is God’s love reflected in me?
Written By: Mrs Debbie Heustice: Director: info4africa. School of Applied Human Sciences, College of Humanities, University of KwaZulu-Natal
Author: Heustice D (Ms)
Language: English