Love's Lawyer - 1 John 2:1-2

Much to our great concern, Bonita and I ran across a grades note the one day from one of our children’s teachers. Reviewing the list of apparent "F's" got us rather stirred up to say the least. We decided it was time to go to the teacher and figure out what was going on. Without doing that we could only see grounding the kid from sports and other extracurricular activities (possibly for life!). Fortunately he had an advocate.
    The advocate ended up being the teacher. Seems there was a little misunderstanding as to the meaning of the grades. When the situation was known and the grades properly interpreted we found him to be in much more acceptable shape academically. Without his teacher stepping in as his "lawyer", everyone would have been very upset.
    In part, 1 John 2:1+2 reads, "And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins."
    We would not be able to maintain the relationship we have with the Father if the Son didn't lovingly step in as our Lawyer. In a sense, Jesus stands before the Father representing us and saying something like, "yes, he has sinned, but here is the document written in My Blood that shows that sin has been forgiven!"
    Have you thanked God recently that He lovingly appointed an attorney for you in Jesus Christ? You are represented well!
The Circuit ‘Riter, Michael Ullrich

Love's Forgiveness - 1 John 1 9

Few things in life probably bothered me more than accidentally hurting one of my children. On several different occasions over those years when the kids were little I was roughhousing with them when they did something I didn't expect like running into my leg or elbow, causing them a small "owie." When they are bigger I may say, "you need to be more careful." But with a small child I tend to feel really bad. Now it is time to start paying attention to the grand-kids on those limited occasions when we can play with them.
            To make matters harder on me when I was an offending parent, while I am holding and patting my little boy, he might be snuggling and patting me! The thought crossed my mind, "who's comforting who here?"
              I am thankful that my children are a forgiving bunch. Hopefully as they’ve grown up and looked back at the mistakes I have made as a parent, they will continue to be forgiving!
            I like what the Bible says about God's loving forgiveness. In 1 John 1:9 it says, that in confessing our sins to God "He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and cleanse us... " The role is reversed. I am the offending one and God is comforting me by saying, "I forgive you."
            As a child of God, my sin interferes with my relationship with Him much as my children or grandchildren and I might have something come between us. They remain my offspring throughout. The relationship is mended by confession and asking forgiveness. The same is true in our relationship with the Heavenly Father.
            You can experience His loving forgiveness right now  by admitting your sin to Him and accepting His forgiveness.
The Circuit ‘Riter, Michael Ullrich

Love's Light - 1 John 1:5

    In order for me to get to the office in the church I have to go through some interior passageways. Through one door it is a simple walk down a few stairs, a ninety-degree turn and a few steps. However, that entrance requires a longer walk outside and a few more steps.  If I want to get in quickly and have a light at least for the lock, I take a different door.
    I have an almost fanatical interest in turning the lights off when I am not using an area. My preferred passage doesn't have the luxury of switches on each end of the room. And, rather than run the electricity when I wouldn't be there, I will walk through that area in the dark. Problem is, it sometimes contains unexpected additions. And you never know what they might have moved around!  I have tried, to no avail, to shut the lights off and run to the other end of the room before it got dark!    As physical light is important to a safe walk in a room, Spiritual light  is necessary for a spiritual walk. 1 John 1:5 says, "that God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all." Satan brings spiritual darkness and hidden obstacles, which cause us to stumble.
    You can make use of God's light by reading the Scriptures and walking dependent on God's Holy Spirit. A blessing results in that we can better fellowship with one another (v. 7).
    Are you seeking the light today or just walking in darkness? Why not take advantage of God's light.
The Circuit 'Riter, Michael Ullrich