1 John 3:19—4:6 (NRSV)

Word————-

By this we will know that we are from the truth and will reassure our hearts before him whenever our hearts condemn us; for God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have boldness before God; and we receive from him whatever we ask, because we obey his commandments and do what pleases him. And this is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. All who obey his commandments abide in him, and he abides in them. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit that he has given us. Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God; for many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. And this is the spirit of the antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming; and now it is already in the world. Little children, you are from God, and have conquered them; for the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. They are from the world; therefore what they say is from the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us, and whoever is not from God does not listen to us. From this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.

Response———–

If we had Jesús then God abides in us. If we honor his commandments, peace with flow through us. But we are human and condemn us all the day long. Jealousy, hurtful comments, lack of understanding (just to name a few). seep into our lives and turn our hearts inward to darkness. We turn in instead of outward toward the light.

Hold you hand tight in a fist. Then open in complete freedom. Which feels better?

Dear Creator,

Guide us to always be open and ready to learn the lessons of your mercy. Help us to turn away from what is false and not listen to us in open relationship. For that is not from you.

Amen