Action

I am going to split up the second chapter of 1 John since it is so long and there is so much to say. It's awesome, pretty much. =)

"1My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 2He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

3We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. 4The man who says, 'I know him,' but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: 6Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.

7Dear friends, I am not writing you a new command but an old one, which you have had since the beginning. This old command is the message you have heard. 8Yet I am writing you a new command; its truth is seen in him and you, because the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining.

9Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness. 10Whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him to make him stumble. 11But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness; he does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded him.
12I write to you, dear children,
because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name.
13I write to you, fathers,
because you have known him who is from the beginning.
I write to you, young men,
because you have overcome the evil one.
I write to you, dear children,
because you have known the Father.
14I write to you, fathers,
because you have known him who is from the beginning.
I write to you, young men,
because you are strong,
and the word of God lives in you,
and you have overcome the evil one."

--1 John 2:1-14

The Great Intercessor. Fancy name, right? I'm sure you've heard it before, in some context, referring to Jesus. We already knew that we were sinners, sinners with no chance at all. 1 John 1 spends some times discussing that. But the very beginning of the second chapter lets that thought flow into it, working towards completion. Sin is inevitable. But, when it happens, we have someone who intercedes for us, who speaks on our behalf. And then the most real, most intense part of that intercession....that he was the "atoning sacrifice," that he took our place, "for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world." That is real love right there. That is real compassion. How could you not enter into a relationship with someone who is so selfless? How could you not want to give some of that back in return?

The second thing that stood out to me from this segment: Christianity is about action, not only about theology. It is about living in real time what you claim to believe. 1 John 2:4 says straight out that, "the man who says, 'I know him,' but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him." Or, if you want a better example, "anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness. Whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him to make him stumble. But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness; he does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded him." That's pretty heavy stuff. This isn't only an action fix we have to do, it's an entire attitude and thought overhaul. And I find it important to mention once again, that no, it wont be easy, but his "commands" also aren't a burden. How many people do you know say, "I would never be a Christian. Christians are boring. They can't do anything. They have too many rules." How many times have you thought something like that yourself? These aren't commands to hold us back, to tear us down, to make our lives harder and more challenging just because. These are commands out of love, out of our best interests at heart. But it is how we react to those commands out of love that make the difference. Do you fight it? Whine? Push away? Then of course it will seem to be a burden, it will seem to hold you back. I think that is often the root of why it seems so hard to begin with. There's always that part of your mind that wants to rebel, to throw caution to the wind and just live life your own way.

I'll tell you though, it won't turn out well at all for you. God has an incredible love, a selfless love that gave Himself up as an atoning sacrifice, just so we wouldn't have to suffer. No gain, all pain for Him. And the light is here, and "the truth is seen in him and you, because the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining."

And the last part...

Have you ever heard of declaring? It's when you speak a truth over someone, to encourage them, to build them up. I may be off on this, when I read the last part of this passage, that's what I am hearing. I have been forgiven, I have overcome the evil one, I know the Father. I am strong. The word of God lives in me. Satan and death have been vanquished. We are able to have these things, and these things can be declared over us when we have Christ. It gives such joy. And what an encouragement! God's love is amazing.

Truly. It is.