Our lives as Christians are a family affair—we relate to God and to each other much like a family. And just like a family can live side-by-side but never really have fellowship with each other, so too can believers. This week, we are going to look at the family we have as followers of Jesus. All believers across time and space are our brothers and sisters. John has a lot to say about how we “do family” right. He describes how God’s family lives differently than the rest of the world. Our God does not leave us ill equipped to grow in fellowship with Him. Whether you are a new Christian or a veteran of faith, we all have the Holy Spirit present in our lives. He leads us in pursuit of those things that bring us closer to God and helps us resist the pull of the world

Our lives as Christians are a family affair—we relate to God and to each other much like a family. And just like a family can live side-by-side but never really have fellowship with each other, so too can believers. This week, we are going to look at the family we have as followers of Jesus. All believers across time and space are our brothers and sisters. John has a lot to say about how we “do family” right. He describes how God’s family lives differently than the rest of the world. Our God does not leave us ill equipped to grow in fellowship with Him. Whether you are a new Christian or a veteran of faith, we all have the Holy Spirit present in our lives. He leads us in pursuit of those things that bring us closer to God and helps us resist the pull of the world

In the opening of this letter, John lays out sin and confession as a barometer of our relationship with God. Whether we want it or not, God’s light will always reveal the truth about our lives—both internal and external. It is up to us to choose how we will live as a result. We can either walk in the light of truth—accept that we sin and confess it—or live in darkness by denying our fallenness. Just as John casts sin and repentance as a dark-and-light issue, he also presents the love of others as a matter of light and darkness. What is communicated about our perception of God if we refuse to love those whom God loves unconditionally? God walks in eternal light—and if we are going to walk with Him, that means confessing our sin and loving those whom He loves

In the opening of this letter, John lays out sin and confession as a barometer of our relationship with God. Whether we want it or not, God’s light will always reveal the truth about our lives—both internal and external. It is up to us to choose how we will live as a result. We can either walk in the light of truth—accept that we sin and confess it—or live in darkness by denying our fallenness. Just as John casts sin and repentance as a dark-and-light issue, he also presents the love of others as a matter of light and darkness. What is communicated about our perception of God if we refuse to love those whom God loves unconditionally? God walks in eternal light—and if we are going to walk with Him, that means confessing our sin and loving those whom He loves

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.