"Walking the Tightrope" December 7 Readings: Amos 3-4, 1 John 2:1–27, Psalm 138, Proverbs 30:3–4

 

 Through the Bible in 2021

Bible Readings: Amos 3-4, 1 John 2:1–27, Psalm 138, Proverbs 30:3–4   

Daily Devotional: Walking the Tightrope

Remember Nik Wallenda walking across the Grand Canyon on a tightrope? To lean to the left or to the right would be deadly. Only by balancing perfectly could he stay alive. In 1 John 2:1-2 there are two truths taught that must be perfectly balanced. Many Christians hold to one of these truths and ignore or redefine the other - to their spiritual detriment.

My little children, I am writing you these things so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ the righteous one. He himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours, but also for those of the whole world.

The first truth that John presents is the challenge for each of us - that we might not sin. We have been saved by God's grace from the slavery to sin that came naturally to us and given freedom in Christ to live righteously. We have the indwelling Spirit of God to empower us and we both should and can say no to sin. Yes, I am a sinner and until Jesus takes me to my eternal home I will always be so. But I must never make peace with my sinfulness and act as if it is no big deal. Every sin I commit is an offense against the righteousness of Christ and grieves the Spirit of God within me. God has empowered me to holy living and I must seek to walk in the power he has provided.

But, no matter how hard I try I will always fail. The "lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of one's lifestyle" will always have their pull on my lower nature and sin will rear its head. I will never be perfect. When I sin, I must not give up. I must not quit. I must not despair. I must, instead, remember that I have one who advocates on my behalf. Jesus died to pay for my sins. No matter what I do today, it doesn't matter - my sin is already paid for, my future is certain, and the love of God is secure.

Did you see the conflict in what I said? It matters whether or not I sin. I must not sin. But it doesn't matter when I sin because Jesus is my advocate. This is one of those inherent paradoxes in Christianity. I must always strive to walk in the holiness Christ has provided for me, but I must also rest in the security of his love even when I fail. It is a balancing act, but it is one that leads to glory.

To say, "I am secure in Christ, so it doesn't matter how I live," is presuming on God's grace. To strive to please God as if you had to earn his love and merit your relationship with him is to insult God's grace, to fail to understand Christ's love. Somehow, someway, we must keep these two "truths in conflict" in balance.

Father, thank you for the absolute, eternal, and comprehensive forgiveness I have through the advocacy of your Son, Jesus Christ. May your grace through him move me to holy living, to purity and to freedom from a life of sin. 

Consider God's Word:

Which of the readings spoke most powerfully to you today?
Is the Spirit of God moving you to repent of something you are doing, to begin something new, or to change something about your life as a result of your readings? What?

Do you keep these truths in balance?
Do you seek to avoid sin in Christ's power?
When you sin, do you confess that sin and rely on the power of the advocate that we have, Jesus Christ our Lord?