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No More Sin
Brian Mashburn
February 14, 2010
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No More Sin
John wrote 1 John for a reason.
I know this goes without saying. But I’m saying it because I’m so certain about John’s reason.
For some of the letters written in the Bible, you have to search long and hard in the content in order to surmise some of the reasons that the author wrote it.
Not with 1 John. He tells us directly, and in no uncertain terms. He says, “I write this to you so that you will not sin.” (2:1)
Some people hear these words and shudder. It feels like anything but love. It sounds like a warning. It stinks of harsh judgment. As far as most of us are concerned, John might as well be leaning toward us aggressively, finger pointed and shaking in our face, with his voice raised and bellowing.
How is it that anyone who tries to address sin in us is received as a villain? Or a judge? Or some sort of policeman?
Why not receive John’s desire for us to not sin, and his energy writing to us in order to help with that, as an act of selfless and courageous love?
That’s what it is. Before he writes the words I quoted above, letting them know that he is writing so that they won’t sin, you know how he addressed his audience?
“My dear children…”
John wanted his beloved family, so marred and scarred by sin, to stop. He wasn’t condemning them, he was yearning for something better for them. He wasn’t judging them, he had no room to, he was longing for them to have the best possible life.
And that life does not come when we sin.
I hope that today we can find the courage to fight for ourselves what John was fighting for us.
To stop sinning.