Keeping God’s Commands
Open Your Bible
1 John 2:1-14, Matthew 11:25-30, Ephesians 6:10-20, 1 Timothy 2:5-6
BY Amanda Bible Williams
I have a habit of romanticizing the morning.
In my mind, the perfect morning looks like this: Rising before the sun and the dogs and the kids. Drinking a fresh cup of French-pressed coffee by lamplight while the house is still and dark. Enjoying uninterrupted quiet while the sun inches over the horizon, my Bible open and my knees bent in prayer. Feeling filled up and ready by the time the light streams bright through the windows and four sets of little feet tromp down the stairs.
In reality, I’m so immune to my alarm that I have to change the tune weekly just so I won’t ignore it. Quiet time rarely happens in the quiet, and my coffee almost always grows cold during the mildly organized chaos of our current morning routine. That early light that streams into the dining room is my favorite of the day in theory, but actually sitting down at the table first thing in the morning can nearly blind a girl.
In my imagination, mornings are smooth and peaceful. In reality, they are a battle. I think this is, in part, what John wants his readers to see: the Christian life is beautiful, but it is also a battle. Light and darkness are always at odds, and we can expect to be involved in the clash.
But John’s message is not one of despair. On the contrary, it is one of confidence and bold encouragement. The light of Christ is already shining, and the darkness has no choice but to retreat in its wake. The presence of darkness in our world, and even in our hearts, is not something we have to muster up the strength to fix. It isn’t fodder for resolutions or self-help, like my lackluster morning routine. The darkness is both already conquered (2Timothy 1:10), and constantly being conquered by our light-bearing Savior (1John 2:8). Our battle is ultimately a matter of faith in Jesus, the conquering one. And so John reminds the Church of what they already know of their salvation.
To the “little children” of the faith, he reminds them: “Your sins have been forgiven” and “you have come to know the Father” (1John 2:12,14). Their salvation is secure, their reconciliation to the Father is complete (v.5).
To the “fathers,” the elders in the faith, he says (twice): “You have come to know the one who is from the beginning” (vv.13,14). God is the same God they’ve known, and known to be faithful, from the first day they believed.
To the “young men,” or those growing in the faith, he assures: “You are strong, God’s word remains in you, and you have conquered the evil one” (v.14). This is not “you can be” or “maybe one day you will be.” This is “you have” and “you are.”
Notice a pattern here?
This battle is not a matter of mustering. This is a matter of trusting. The true light does not need me to flip the switch. He is already shining. My part is to stay close to Him, to walk with Him, to heed John’s warning not to sin or flirt with the darkness—not for lack of grace but out of a longing for the light of Christ to shine through (1John 2:1). With Christ in us, we are already equipped to battle the darkness. He has given us His strength and His armor (Ephesians 6:10–11). He has even conquered the foe. The darkness is not going down without a fight (1Peter 5:8), but the battle has already been won.
117 thoughts on "Keeping God’s Commands"
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It helps me realize that the battle has already been won and we need to continue to put our armor of God in !
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So, so good.
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Today’s reading was definitely an AHA moment for me in that obeying God’s commandments isn’t just about showing that I love God but it also shows that I really understand that God loves me. It was a moment that I realized His commandments are not to hinder me in any way or stop me from having fun but they’re actually to benefit me.
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Everything I have read or listened to lately has pointed me back to resting in Christ. It’s so easy to say, but much harder to do. I have been encouraged by the last 2 days of this study to be assured of my salvation, and to rest in the finished work of Jesus on the cross.
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Yes Megan ! “ Resting in Christ”
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Yes Megan ! “Resting in Christ ! “
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Lord please help me to remember the gifts that you have already equipped me with to battle darkness when I am tempted to sin.
1. I have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ (1 John 2:2)
2. The word of god lives in me (1 John 2:14)
3. I am strong because of the lord and his mighty power (eph 6:10)
4. I can put on the armor of God: the belt of truth, breastplate if righteousness, and shield of faith (Ephesians 6:14-17)
5. I can pray “on all occasions with all kinds of requests.” (Ephesians 6:18)
6. The battle against darkness has already been won! -
This devotional reminds me that we are in this tension of being a child of God but still having to walk out our salvation. We know that in Christ we are perfect, but we are continually being sanctified. Christ has won the war, but there are still battles to be fought.
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Candy, praying right now for the Lord to give you wisdom and discernment as you deal with this relationship issue. Praying that your spirit is tender to the Lord’s leading. Praying He provides the words and holds back those which should not be said. I pray for a calm demeanor regardless of the other person’s reaction. I pray that the timing is beneficial to you all and that minds are receptive and ears hear clearly what is being expressed. I pray that honesty and transparency are present in you both. I pray that the entire discussion would please the Lord and that you both walk away feeling heard and understood. Even if not in agreement, may Newkirk of you be disagreeable. Let the whole event be peaceful as far as you are concerned. May you know you did your best in the eyes of the Lord.
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Can I ask for prayer from this community? There are some relational issues to which I need to respond and I want to do so in the way God desires. I am seeking God’s wisdom and direction. I know going into them that it may not be pretty, but if I handle them in the way God desires and please Him, that is all that matters. And I really need God to guide me in this. Thank you in advance.
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Praying!
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Definitely standing in agreement for you Candy! : )
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Praying for wisdom and direction!
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Praying!
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