Choose You This Day . . .

My little children, these things I write to you, so you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ, the Righteous. . . Now by this we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, "I know Him", and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is NOT in him. . . .I write to you, little children, because your sins ARE forgiven you for His name's sake . . .Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is NOT in him. For all that is in the world--- the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life---is NOT of the Father, but is of this world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever . . .And now, dear children, ABIDE IN HIM, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming . . .(1 John 2:1-28)

John loved his disciples dearly, much like Jesus loved His followers. John cherished his relationship with Jesus. He writes to his followers about the differences between the world and those who truly love the Lord. There are simply some things we cannot and should not embrace as followers of Christ. Yes, we are forgiven and cleansed by the blood of Jesus. However, that does not mean that we can do anything and everything we desire. Peter reminds us all that we are be a "peculiar people" and a "holy nation" (1 Peter 2:9) As we struggle with varying temptations from this world, remember we have an Advocate! Jesus pleads for us to the Father and the Holy Spirit within us convicts us and conforms us more into His image daily. We must give Him freedom to work! We also have one another. Let's lean upon those who no better and what us to do better! Jesus has laid out the standards. They have NOT changed. Will we join Him or the world?