Pensamento:
Duas verdades simples: 1) A pessoa que continua a viver uma vida envolvida no pecado é do diabo. 2) O Filho de Deus veio para destruir tudo que representa o diabo. Então a questão não é tão complexa quanto achamos, e me leva a um pensamento final: De que lado vamos lutar nessa guerra espiritual?
Thoughts on Today's Verse...
John presents us with two truths — one hard and the other liberating:
- The person who CONTINUES* to live a life caught up in sin has been co-opted and deceived by the devil's influence in their lives.
- The Son of God came to destroy all that the devil stands for and give us back our true humanity as a person made in the image of God who lives for his purposes and future.
These two truths remind us we must intentionally choose to honor the Son by living for him. I must ask myself, "Which side do I choose with my life in this war between good and evil?" Lukewarm approaches to following Jesus simply won't cut it (Revelation 3:16). If I am not actively on the Lord's side, then by default, when I continue in sin,* I am choosing the losing side of life! The good news for committed disciples, however, is that the Son will remove the devil's work and free us to find life forever with the Father!**
* ὁ ποιῶν τὴν ἁμαρτίαν means "repeatedly doing sinful things."
** The verb λύσῃ τὰ ἔργα means to "release and set free" from the devil's works.
Oração:
Todo poderoso e Rei vitorioso de todas as épocas, o Senhor é o único soberano do meu coração. Prometo me dedicar ao Senhor. Por favor, ajude-me na minha busca para deixar de lado minhas lutas com o pecado e capacite-me para viver para o Senhor com lealdade inquestionável. No nome do meu Senhor e Salvador, Jesus Cristo, eu oro. Amém. || http://www.iluminalma.com/img/il_1joao3_8.html
My Prayer...
Almighty and victorious King of the Ages, you are the only rightful ruler of my heart. I pledge my allegiance to you. Please help me as I seek to lay aside my struggles with sin and empower me to live for you in unwavering loyalty. I pray in the name of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
