February 3rd - Reflection

1 John 5:1-5 (NRSV)
God's children obey God's commandments

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the parent loves the child. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. For the love of God is this, that we obey his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome, for whatever is born of God conquers the world. And this is the victory that conquers the world, our faith. Who is it that conquers the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

Reflection
Such a subtle yet monumental switch in viewpoint. We once thought that keeping the law would bring us closer to God. Yet that's not what really happened. We actually became huge failures at keeping the law. A victory here for today and five failures. Our approach to God became a slippery slop in the opposite direction.

But then God come to us through Jesus. God came to us in Jesus and was sinless. Sinless to the point that he took on our sin on that cross and died in our sin to rise again to new life three days later. Jesus put our sin to death and lived.

In comes the switch in viewpoint. For those who struggle with what Jesus has done. And for those who believe who believe that Jesus is God. Then the law becomes something we, out of joy and thanksgiving, are happy to obey. We rejoice in the law of God. We are happy to please God because God has brought us endless joy in the life, action, death and resurrection of Jesus. We are free from sin, so we no longer are tied to our sin. We are tied to life in Jesus. The victory comes to us because we believe Jesus is the son of God! Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, thanks for shining through into my life. For coming to me in the faith of another. For making it clear that you are my Savior. And for making it a close and loving relationship. --- Amen