Have you read 1 John 1 lately (or ever)?
There are only 10 verses -- but there's powerful stuff within!
Here it is in 5 different bible versions for any who'd like to read it:
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/index.php?search=1+John+1&version=NIV%3BNLT%3BESV%3BMSG%3BKJV&interface=print
Ultimately, you won't regret it. But at first, some of us may feel tapped upside the head. =)
In case that link above ever stops working, here's a couple of key points I want to share...
Verses 1-3
"
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched--this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ."
Now, I want to point out that many, many clueless people who don't really care about the truth, often say things like, "It's just an old book," and, "It's just words written by some guys." (or similar statements)
But they don't grasp the simple facts. Jesus spoke crazy words -- if he was a mere human. If that's the case, he was not at all a 'good man.' He was, then, an absolute lunatic & megalomaniac.
Additionally, the Apostles each also died for what they believed about Jesus. It says right there, that they heard, they saw, and they even touched him. He was real, this all is real, and they gave testimony -- as have many since.
They were willing to stick to their stories, willing to die for what they knew to be the truth. The truth they heard, experienced, and saw for themselves first-hand.
We, today, choose to take it lightly, and ignore it.
We give more worth and respect to biographies of people who don't truly matter and who are nothing more than a distraction to help us waste our own lives. Worse than biographies, we pay heed to Tabloids with rumors and gossip.
All while we brush off the biography of Jesus Christ, the almighty Lord and Savior of the world. The Holy Bible is a historical set of documentation, of facts, of testimonies.
Verses 8-10
"
If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us."
Now that section of scripture -- of God's Inspired word, of scripture that is said to be, 'God-breathed' -- is hard to acknowledge for many 'Christians.'
Because many, many judgemental, self-righteous & hypocritical religious folks stand away from and look down upon 'sinners.'
These people, no matter how well-intentioned, are off-base. Jesus says right there that the Truth, that HE, is not in them, if they think they themselves are not sinners.
Not to mention that the Apostle Paul (St. Paul) called himself the worst of all sinners.
As I said, it's only 10 verses, but oh, what a set of verses.
Prayer for Today
Lord Jesus... Father God... please, please help us. Be blunt with us, as needed, Lord. Smash down our walls, cast out our hearts of stone. Give us hearts of flesh, please.
Soften our hearts, Lord -- and sharpen our minds. Bless us with your Godly wisdom today.
Put us on your narrow path. Help us to open ourselves, our lives, to you more fully, and to truly begin letting you lead us, every day. Starting today, starting now.
Please forgive us for our sins, Lord. Help us, teach us, to repent. Forgive us, change us, and guide us, Lord Jesus. Thank you, Father, for Jesus, and thank you for the Holy Spirit to lead us.
Amen.
