Are You In Christ

John is calling the Church to walk and live in the light and love of Jesus Christ, so they can witness to the world and help bring them to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. John calls his community not to sin but lets them know if they do, there is grace. However, the goal is not to sin. John lets us know that the only way to live in the light of Christ is by being in Christ. If we are in Christ, we will be obedient, will not hate our neighbor, and will not love the world. This is a mirror for the church to hold to our faith to see if we are in Christ, not a litmus test for the world.   

My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: ⁶ whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.

1 John 2 (ESV)

People in Christ will be obedient to the commands of Christ

Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him. 1 John 2:4-5

Hate and Christ cannot live in the same heart

Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness. Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling. But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes. 1 John 2:9-11

Love of the world leads to anxiety, anger and restlessness

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. 1 John 2:15-17

Daily Readings:

Sunday: 1 John 1
Monday: 1 John 2
Tuesday: 1 John 3
Wednesday: 1 John 4
Thursday: 1 John 5
Friday: 2 John
Saturday: 3 John