The truth of Jesus is in us.

Today’s Scripture: 1 John 1:8, KJV- “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.”

It is interesting that the Apostle John wrote out of his own firsthand experiences with Jesus in the flesh and yet he writes to teach us that the truth of Jesus in “in us.” Our life with God is designed to be lived with Him in us.

This world, non-believers and even the church, at times, find it necessary to cancel those who sin. Yet, David said in Psalm 14:2-3 “The LORD looks down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there are any who understand, who seek God. They have all turned aside, they have together become corrupt; There is none who does good, No, not one.” (NKJV)

Paul echoed David’s words in Romans 3:10 “As it is written: “There is none righteous, no, not one; There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God.” (NKJV) Most of us recall Paul’s words in Romans 3: 23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”  however most translations do not have a period at the end of that statement but a comma which promises more.

Romans 3:24-26 go on to make the point that we only become right by having a belief and faith in Jesus Christ. Where does faith reside? Is it somewhere on the outside? We can attempt to show our faith to others but the faith that is in us is what saves us.

I spent many years of my life looking like I was faithful, yet I drank alcohol almost every day. I knew how to look good to everyone else, but God was looking down on me and knew I was no good. I am thankful today that alcoholism exposed me. I found then and now that what exposes me makes me dig deeper. Giving up pretenses takes us from outward appearances to inward searching.

When we admit that we are not good on our own, we face the reality of soul-searching. We must look inwardly to find the truth of God that His finger has etched into the tablets of our hearts. As 1 John 2:15 teaches us, “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them.” (NIV) So, where is love for the Father? It is in us so we should not look to find it anywhere else.

As 1 John 3:1 reminds us, the world does not know God. In turn, we can thank Jesus for coming for us and remember the promise of 1 John 3:5 “And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin.” (NKJV)

Thankfully, all who believe in Jesus are born again. 1 John 3:9 gives us the power over sin, “Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God.” (NKJV) As 1 John 3:24 promises “The one who keeps God’s commands lives in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.” (NIV) 1 John 4:4 promises us “But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.” (NLT)

Let us look within today so we find the truth of God’s Word and His Spirit that overcome the world.

Today’s Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for sending us Your Son  to live among us and Your Spirit to live within us. Draw our hearts and minds to Your Spirit. Help us to love and live as Jesus. In You LORD we come to know what You have placed in us. In the name of Jesus Christ, we do pray. Amen.