1 John 1:5-2:2 " ⁵ This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. ⁶ If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. ⁷ But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.⁸ If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.⁹ If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. ¹⁰ If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us. 2 My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. ² He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

When I think about "living connected" with my Real God - which was our theme Sunday - these verses speak volumes.  On Sunday we focused on the "vine and branches" kind of living connected described in John 15.  Now the same author is describing elements of "living connected" with Jesus as he writes a letter of encouragement to Christ followers like you and me!

As I write this I am struggling a bit on the inside!  I am wrestling with the fact that I may not have trusted God fully in a particular situation and let fear creep in and take over!  It is that icky feeling inside when you know you are functioning more out of anxiety than faith!  I do not want to disappoint Jesus!  I take that very seriously!  I want Him to be able to trust me with whatever He needs me to do!  For Him to trust me - I have to trust Him - and He needs to be able to count on me trusting Him - otherwise He can't do much with me!  You might have to read that sentence again - it sounds confusing! I sense I have not been completely "trusting"!  The "living connected" feels a little strained!

Now I read, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.... and .... if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One."  

I am so thankful that "living connected" includes grace!  Lots of it!  I am in desperate need of "forgiveness" being "purified of all unrighteousness..."!  I have an advocate - I have hope!  I have life!  Who He is and what He has done is my focus not what I have done or failed to do!  I am free to live today "connected" regardless of my performance yesterday! Wow!

delton