In January our church held its annual congregational fast. For 21 days we prayed together, fasted together and meditated on 1 John . Here are my thoughts from those times of devotion in 1 John.

Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; ^jsin islawlessness. 5 You know that ^khe appeared in order to ^ltake away sins, and ^minhim there is no sin. 6 No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; ⁿno one whokeeps on sinning has either seen him or known him. 7 Little children, ^olet no onedeceive you. ^pWhoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous.8 ^qWhoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has beensinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was ^rto destroythe works of the devil. 9 ^sNo one born of God makes a practice of sinning, forGod’s² seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has beenborn of God. 10 By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are thechildren of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, ^tnoris the one who ^udoes not love his brother. 1 JOHN 3:4-10

MEDITATIONAL THOUGHT:

MY THOUGHTS: As children of God we are growing in righteousness. We are growing in our knowledge of the Word of God and we are growing in our ability and strength to live out that knowledge. At least we are if we are Christians. If there is no growth. If there is no change. If there is no increase in knowledge, then there is no Christianity.

Here’s the thing, spiritual growth is a lot like physical growth. It just happens as long as we are healthy. The problem comes when we think we can take control of our physical growth. Some who aren’t growing tall according to their pace or plan hang from bars at the gym trying to stretch themselves. Others who think they are growing larger than they would like to go on crash diets. Physical growth and its pace in our lives are not really under our control and neither is spiritual growth. So we work on the things in our spiritual life we think are important trying to kick the habits that are most problematic to us or others and meanwhile we neglect the only things that can really help us, the things that connect us to the God of change.

Do you want to grow spiritually and increase in righteousness? Focus on your relationship with Jesus. He makes all things beautiful in His time!