Verse: 1 John 3:4-5
Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness. But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin.
Devotion
I often pray to God that I never get tired of the Gospel message. I always want to be overwhelmingly grateful every time I stop and meditate on what God has done for us. Romans 5:8 says “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!” There is so much power in this simple truth.
Let’s break down 1 John 3:4-5:
Verse 4 points out that every person that sins is pushed into the category of lawlessness. That’s not a term that we typically use anymore, but we can put together through context that lawlessness is living by your own rules. To rephrase in today’s culture, it is “speaking your own truth”. However, what I want to break down is the reason why people are prone to lawlessness. As I have thought on it, I believe it all comes down to pride. C.S. Lewis said, “It is pride which has been the chief cause of misery in every nation and every family since the world began.” When people are left to their own devices, they turn selfish and rely solely on the means of self-preservation. They will fight the law because at the end of the day, they must take care of themselves first.
BUT GOD!
In verse 5 we are reminded that God stepped in to change the story. God provided a new way that takes the power of sin away. He broke the chains sin had around our lives and minds. We no longer have to live for ourselves. God can give us what we are so desperately searching for. He gives us love, acceptance, safety, and purpose. We now have the power to take off our selfishness, our hurt, our ugliness and put on His love, His comfort, and His beauty. How blessed are we to be given that power!
My hope for you today is that you take that power into your day. God has given us the choice of a different life. We have the power to turn the natural chaos inside of us into the peace that God gives us.
Prayer:
God – I pray that our church never gets tired of the Gospel. I pray that we embrace the life-changing power it brings. Thank you so much for giving us another way.
Guest Author: Joanna Martin