Today’s passage: 1 John 1:5-10
Helpful thoughts:
- We are all sinners. To say that I am not a sinner is to lie (even to myself) and to call God a liar. We all need the blood of Jesus.
- Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved (Romans 10:13).
- God is faithful to forgive in that anyone who would confess and repent will never be turned away. When we repent, God always forgives.
- God is just to forgive our sins in that Jesus death on the cross paid the penalty on our behalf. God’s forgiveness does not nullify His justice. Our sin debt has been paid in full!
- Walking in darkness means to continue in sin. A characteristically unrepentant person cannot assert themselves as being in fellowship with Christ and with the Church.
- Believers of the truth will progressively grow in practicing the truth.
Questions to consider:
- Does verse 7 teaches us we must live a good life in order to get saved? How would this verse compare to James 2:14-20?
- If we believe we must be good enough to be saved, what will be our motivation for good works? When we know and believe God has saved us by grace, what becomes our motivation for good works and righteous living? Which one is rooted in love for God and for others (The greatest commandments)?
- Whose faithfulness and justice do we rely on for our forgiveness and salvation?