DAILY READING
REFLECTION
A Community Where Love Rules - in Jesus' Name!
by Elaine Pierce
I'll be honest: this is a challenging passage. As I read it, and re-read it, I was struck by how John refers to his audience as 'dear children.' Even though his words are strong: do not let anyone lead you astray! (v. 7); No one who is born of God will continue to sin (v. 9) and Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother v. 10) his heart is full of tenderness toward his flock. Most scholars agree that John wrote these three short books, I, 2 and 3 John, when he was older - perhaps even in his 90s. He had served the Lord faithfully, and he was exiled to the Island of Patmos during a time of great persecution toward the church by the Romans (see Revelation 1:9).
Is John telling us that 'real' Christians don't sin? I don't think so. Take a look at what he says in I John 1:8:
If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.
Yes, our goal is to be without sin. But that won't happen on this side of heaven. In the meantime, though, we seek to be transformed, day by day, to a people marked by love of God and love for each other. Take a look at verse 11:
This is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another.
We are made more like Jesus when we are in community. Your small group, your church family, will be a place of refreshment, of restoration, of accountability; because one of the ways that we love one another is to shepherd each other--preventing one another from wandering away from the way of Jesus. Lean on those fellow believers who will love you, pray for you, and come alongside in your time of need. Yes, there will be times when they are not perfect, but neither are you. And God will work all things to good for those who are called according to his purpose!
PRAYER
Thank you, Lord, for the body of Christ. I praise you for the community who loves me and challenges me in my walk with you. Help me to bless others as I have been blessed, and to grow more like you day by day. Amen.
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