Focus

Slow your breathing and become aware of the taking in and letting out of your breath. Focus on putting things aside so you will be open to what God is saying to you today.

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Read

1 John 2:7-17 (NRSV)

Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment that you have had from the beginning; the old commandment is the word that you have heard. Yet I am writing you a new commandment that is true in him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining. Whoever says, “I am in the light,” while hating a brother or sister, is still in the darkness. Whoever loves a brother or sister lives in the light, and in such a person there is no cause for stumbling. But whoever hates another believer is in the darkness, walks in the darkness, and does not know the way to go, because the darkness has brought on blindness.

I am writing to you, little children,
because your sins are forgiven on account of his name.
I am writing to you, fathers,
because you know him who is from the beginning.
I am writing to you, young people,
because you have conquered the evil one.
I write to you, children,
because you know the Father.
I write to you, fathers,
because you know him who is from the beginning.
I write to you, young people,
because you are strong
and the word of God abides in you,
and you have overcome the evil one.

Do not love the world or the things in the world. The love of the Father is not in those who love the world; for all that is in the world—the desire of the flesh, the desire of the eyes, the pride in riches—comes not from the Father but from the world. And the world and its desire are passing away, but those who do the will of God live forever.

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Reflect

John was reminding those who heard his message about a command that is both old and new at the same time. What John addressed has been true since the beginning of time, but this command has been added to in fullness and meaning since Jesus Christ appeared on this earth.

The life of Jesus was the ultimate example of what a life surrendered to God actually looks like. Through Jesus, we have an example of what it means for a human to walk in the light.

Jesus interpreted the commandment to love others in a radical way. Loving others is to be an act of selfless giving and servanthood. The really hard part comes when we realize that this attitude is to be extended beyond our family and friends to include our enemies as well. There will always be people whom we do not like as well as others, but as Christians we must remember that love is not a feeling, but a choice. When we choose to love others, God will help us to express that love.

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Pray

Dear God, thank you for giving us your Son to show us what it truly means to walk in the light. Forgive us when we do not live in a way that represents that light and the faith we profess. Fill our hearts with both the love and the desire to serve others so that the life we live will truly be an effective witness to people everywhere. Amen.

Go with God.