I am slowly working through an advent Bible study that is taking a deep dive into the books of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd John. Have you ever studied them deeply before? I actually had never gone deep into them, and I am highly enjoying taking my time to sit in these books and marinate in the truths held within them.
A funny thing happens when you take time to truly sit in the Word and to allow it to change you, convict you and work in your heart. God’s ever gracious Spirit works to bring truth to the darkest corners of your heart. For me, this last week I have been very convicted about how very horrible sin actually is, and how very sinful I truly am, and how that sin continues to pull me away from God and His grace. 1st John 1:6 says, “If we say, ‘We have fellowship with Him,’ and yet we walk in darkness, we are lying and are not practicing the truth.” What is this darkness? The author of 1st John argues that it is not loving others and not loving God. This struck my heart deeply. How often do I not truly love others as I am called to? How much of my motivation is self? Am I motivated more by looking good, by feeling “fulfilled”, by self-satisfaction or other “self” focused motives or am I truly seeking the best for others and striving to love God fully?
Matthew 15:8 also has been ringing around in my mind, “This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.” I claim Christ in my life daily, vocally or silently, to all of those around me, yet, do my actions align with my voice? Am I living out a heart service to God or is it simply a lip service? I pray in the moments that it is simply lip service, that God catches my heart and draws me back to a true love for Him, that my heart seeks to serve Him and His children rather than myself. Particularly this Christmas season, I hope that this can be true for you as well. While the world focuses on the gains that Christmas brings them, may your heart desire the grace that God gives you and all of His children. Undeserved, perfect grace. I pray that your hearts would seek His kingdom and His people, not your kingdom and your people. Stretching as it may be, true love for God is this, loving His children. (1John 4:21)
And, when your heart wanders and you’re living lip service more than heart service, may you find repentance and peace in this truth, “But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father- Jesus Christ the righteous one. He himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins and not only for ours, but also for those of the whole world.”
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