TUESDAY

SCRIPTURE: 1 John 2:1-11

It’s not just James or Paul who talked about this! In today’s passage, the apostle John also weighs in, reminding us that there is a non-negotiable connection between embracing the love and grace that has been extended to us in Jesus and how we treat those around us. At the heart of how John talks about this is that everything is tied to Jesus. Jesus is the one who stands alongside the Father, advocating for us. He also reminds us that Jesus is not trying to convince the Father, but is actually joining forces with the Father, who also advocates for us (see John 14:9 and 16:27). That is the core reality that we are invited to embrace. As we live in response to this, our lives change—not only internally, but externally as well. John describes this as walking in the light, seeing clearly because Jesus is the light of the world. In this way, our lives are then characterized by loving others as we have been loved. That, according to John, is the “new commandment” that sums up the others. The evidence that we are walking in the light is in how we treat others as Jesus would. Conversely, when we treat others in ways that do not reflect Jesus, John says we have lost our way and wandered out of the light into darkness.

As you take some time to read through and ponder today’s passage (and perhaps others that come to mind as you reflect on this one), here are a few things to think about:

• What are some of the ways that you see evidence of the light shining brightly in the world around us? What does that look like? How do others seem to respond to it?

• What are some of the places in your own life where you can see the light shining the brightest? Are there some places that seem a little shadowy at times? What might be blocking the light in those places?

• Where are the places in the world around us, including those places that claim connection with Jesus, where the light has become blocked, obscured, or maybe even extinguished? What is the evidence that this is happening? How should we respond to this?

• What kinds of things tend to get in the way and block the light of Jesus from being experienced? What can we do to help minimize or remove those obstacles, or help clear the way for the light to shine in?

• In a world where some entities who may claim to follow Jesus are clearly acting in ways that do not reflect his character, how can we respond faithfully, both to those who may be hurt by their actions and to those who may be walking in darkness? What might that response look like?

As you prayerfully reflect on the passage today, and how God embraces you both with grace and unconditional love, and also asks us to treat those around us in a way that reflects that, share with God what is on your heart.