Invited Back In

DEVOTION 1 JOHN INVITED BACK IN 1 John 2:1-2 2:1 My 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. 2 He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. NIV That is the goal, the mark to which attain to, not to sin. This is the purpose we have been given these words, these standards that God has established for us to live by, so that we do not sin, we do not behave in a manner which displeases him. It would seem simple enough. It would appear we have a whole lot more of his words then Adam had. Is all he said to Adam was don’t eat of that one tree? We have volumes of what God has said to us and still we aren’t any better than Adam. However we do have one thing going for us, which it does not appear Adam, did. He was cast out of the Paradise God had created for him. It seems clear enough that all of mankind is still cast out of God’s paradise, because of sin, Adams as well as each individual’s continual sin. So because we have such a difficult time not sinning, God in his infinite mercy provided a way for us to regain our rightful place in his paradise. He provides the ultimate sacrifice for our sin, Jesus Christ. Now Jesus sits at his right hand and speaks on our defense. When we behave in manner which displeases God, Jesus is right there, telling the Father he took that into account on the cross. Should we continue to sin so that God’s grace may abound, God forbid. But if we do, Jesus is there for us. Rather I should say, but when we do, Jesus is there for us. It is not a question of if, but of when as perfection in the human condition is next to impossible. As much as we try, as hard as we make an effort, as determined we set out heart to remain completely free of sin, we still fail. How is this possible if we have the Spirit? Clearly we are not mindless robots totally control by a source outside our own power. We always have a choice to listen and obey or not listen and not obey. Clearly we still set our course of action. It is true for the most of the time we set our course in the direction of God, listening to the instructions of the Spirit, but then there are also times when we travel our own path, setting aside, if just for a moment, however brief, those instructions. That is when sin enters and that is when Jesus speaks up. Where would we be without Jesus? Cast out. But we do have Jesus and so we are invited back in.