Forgiveness of sin is a once and for all act of grace. We continually need it and God continually gives it. Which means our obedience doesn’t have to be perfect, because Jesus is our advocate and our propitiation, we can rest in that assurance, while still pursuing obedience.

In this passage, John unpacks the message that God is light, meaning his very nature and character is always right and true, and good. Out of this confession, our conduct reflects what we believe, and our confidence is bolstered in the one true Savior. Scripture: 1 John 1:5-2:2

Today we begin a new series in the letters of John. The world in which John is writing these letters is not so different from our own—a world with many false teachers, looking for answers everywhere but Jesus. John’s reminder to them is still true for us: If you believe in the gospel of Christ, then you believe in what is true, and even with an imperfect faith, you stand with a long line of Christians with weak hands but a strong Savior.

God’s love is a transformative love that gives regardless of what He receives. He loves those who don’t love him back. It is a love that sacrifices; a cross shaped love. The world can only offer love that costs nothing and changes nothing. But God’s love costs everything, and changes everything.

Scripture: John 3:16–18

Our inner voice of condemnation and blame, is a symptom of a heart that’s far from God’s voice of grace. You could lean into performance, or a cultural understanding of happiness, but God’s wisdom is more transformative than that. The better thing is that we bring our condemning hearts into the presence of God, humble our voice towards His, in order to be transformed to look more like image bearers of a holy God.

Scripture: 1 John 3:19–20

This life is not without its trials and sufferings, but when we try to control what’s out of control, we miss God’s true desire for relationship with him. When we remember that life is a gift and God is the giver, we can respond in gratitude and surrender to the one in control. 

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:11–13

The apostle John was given a vision for what heaven will look like—A world that is real, where we are with God; a world with no pain, where nothing is wrong; and a world full of love, where all is made right. 

Scripture: Revelation 21:1-8

Jesus is Savior, Immanuel, Christ Messiah, and He is Lord. A Lord who was born in a stable, walked a perfect life, died a sacrificial death to cover our sins, rose again in order to defeat death, and now is seated at the right hand of God awaiting that future day when all of creation will be made new. That kind of Lordship should move us toward humility and worship, because if Christ is Lord, it means that we are not the main character in the story. 

Scripture: Luke 2:10-11; Philippians 2:5-11

In ancient Israel, a messiah, a Christ, meant you were anointed, or appointed by God. It was a title given to earthly prophets, priests and kings. But only in God’s chosen Son, in Jesus, can we finally proclaim that the true and better Christ has finally come. He is chosen and he chooses us, which means when we are in Christ, we are also chosen. 

Scripture: Luke 2:8-11

The incarnation is a central theme of the Christian faith. Remembering the story of the first Advent reminds us of the salvation Jesus Christ has provided, as well remind us of the call of participation in his Kingdom that God’s given us, as we wait in expectant hope for the second coming when all things are made new.

Scripture: Matthew 1:18–25