Tuesday, March 10, 2020

praying effectively: Keep Commandments (1John 2:1-11)



(1 John 2:1-11)  My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.

By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him: the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.
Beloved, I am not writing a new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning; the old commandment is the word which you have heard. On the other hand, I am writing a new commandment to you, which is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true Light is already shining. The one who says he is in the Light and yet hates his brother is in the darkness until now. 10 The one who loves his brother abides in the Light and there is no cause for stumbling in him. 11 But the one who 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.

Reminder:  "praying effectively" involves knowing God's will.  When we pray in His will (in His name), He may choose to not answer those prayers in the time period that we would like, or HOW we would like - but He will answer those prayers!

It is God's will:
- that we do not sin, because we have accepted Jesus Christ as our Savior and He is our righteousness (2:1-2)
- that we know we are saved, because we walk in God's word and apply Jesus' example in our lives (2:5-6)
- that we abide in the Light of Jesus (2:10)
- that we keep God's commandments (2:3)
- that we love our fellow believers (2:10)

Today's prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You so much for giving us Your very words of truth which lead us to eternal life and a blessed life of purpose and heavenly joy.  May we desire to walk in Your Light, and follow Your example.  But not in our strength, Lord - all in Your strength - to Your glory.  Amen.

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