Today’s WORD (Text) 1 John 1:5-10
5/ This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him there is no darkness at all. 6/ If we say that we have fellowship with him while we are walking in darkness, we lie and do not do what is true; 7/ but if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 8/ If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9/ If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10/ If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
Today’s Witness
The Evangelist is providing spiritual direction to the Christian community in the first century concerning what it means to live in fellowship with others whose pathways are illumined by the teachings of Christ. The prerequisite of serving as the light of the world is to give light in our most intimate or immediate relationships. Darkness is the state of a person or place where the teachings of Jesus Christ are absent or non-existent. Such darkness is not illumined by the truths, insights and unconditional love that was taught and modeled by Jesus throughout his earthly ministry. The disciples of Christ are known by the mutual love that exists between us. Christians demonstrate this same love and light in the larger community and world outside our Christian fellowship. If Christians do not love others with the love of Jesus, or forgive others the way Jesus forgives us, or model the fruit of the Spirit, then we may be described as waling in darkness.
Today’s Invitation
Reflect on what it means to bring ourselves at our best to the community. What are the character traits of “the light?” I will give a few to get us started: humility, love, patience… Now keep the list going.
Today’s Prayer
Dear Lord, help me to walk in the light of Christ, and to be a source of light to others. I confess that the cares and the weight of this world have influenced my attitude, my heart, and my actions. Help me to lay aside any influences that are unhealthy, and to adhere to the disciplines of Christ. Teach me to love you and others without fear, to obey your teachings, and to practice generosity. Above all, help me to serve others, to walk in truth, grace, forgiveness, and generosity as a means of modeling the Christian life before others. Lead me and guide me in your way, O Lord. Amen.
The Passionary Intention
Today, I choose to live my life with passion. Today, I intend to follow Christ more nearly, love more dearly and incarnate God’s grace more clearly by asking myself three questions:
- Where will I follow Christ today?
- To whom shall I demonstrate Jesus’ love and justice today?
- How can I play my part in practicing the presence of Christ, right here, right now?
The Passionary Movement Word and Witness devotion is published weekdays (Monday – Friday). Dr. Jeffrey Haggray, Executive Director of American Baptist Home Mission Societies is the author of today’s devotion.
Photo by Wonderlane on Unsplash
Today’s WORD (Text) 1 John 1:5-10
5/ This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him there is no darkness at all. 6/ If we say that we have fellowship with him while we are walking in darkness, we lie and do not do what is true; 7/ but if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 8/ If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9/ If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10/ If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
Today’s Witness
The Evangelist is providing spiritual direction to the Christian community in the first century concerning what it means to live in fellowship with others whose pathways are illumined by the teachings of Christ. The prerequisite of serving as the light of the world is to give light in our most intimate or immediate relationships. Darkness is the state of a person or place where the teachings of Jesus Christ are absent or non-existent. Such darkness is not illumined by the truths, insights and unconditional love that was taught and modeled by Jesus throughout his earthly ministry. The disciples of Christ are known by the mutual love that exists between us. Christians demonstrate this same love and light in the larger community and world outside our Christian fellowship. If Christians do not love others with the love of Jesus, or forgive others the way Jesus forgives us, or model the fruit of the Spirit, then we may be described as waling in darkness.
Today’s Invitation
Reflect on what it means to bring ourselves at our best to the community. What are the character traits of “the light?” I will give a few to get us started: humility, love, patience… Now keep the list going.
Today’s Prayer
Dear Lord, help me to walk in the light of Christ, and to be a source of light to others. I confess that the cares and the weight of this world have influenced my attitude, my heart, and my actions. Help me to lay aside any influences that are unhealthy, and to adhere to the disciplines of Christ. Teach me to love you and others without fear, to obey your teachings, and to practice generosity. Above all, help me to serve others, to walk in truth, grace, forgiveness, and generosity as a means of modeling the Christian life before others. Lead me and guide me in your way, O Lord. Amen.
The Passionary Intention
Today, I choose to live my life with passion. Today, I intend to follow Christ more nearly, love more dearly and incarnate God’s grace more clearly by asking myself three questions:
The Passionary Movement Word and Witness devotion is published weekdays (Monday – Friday). Dr. Jeffrey Haggray, Executive Director of American Baptist Home Mission Societies is the author of today’s devotion.
Photo by Wonderlane on Unsplash