Day plan

So I had a day planned of what i was going to write. And then, last night happened and i realized i just needed a day of reminding myself of the truth. So, I’m back in 1 John 3. I need to remember what John tells me i know.

• know that when HE appears, we will be like him..1 John 3:2

• Know that [Jesus] was revealed so that he might take away sin. 1 John 3:4

• Know that we have passed from death to life because we love our brothers and sisters. The one who does not love remains in death. 1 John 3:14
• Everyone who hates his brother or sister is a murderer and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him. 1 John 3:15
• This is how we have come to know love. He laid down his life for us. We should also lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. 1 John 3:16
• This is how we will know we belong to the truth and will reassure our hearts before him whenever our hearts condemn us, for God is greater than our hearts and he knows all things. 1 John 3:19
• The one who keeps his commands remains in him, and he in him. And the way we now that he remains in us is from the Spirit he has given us. 1 John 3:24

What Jesus has done has paved the way to influence and change my behavior, my life. God has forgiven me and cleansed by the blood of Jesus. In turn, I know that I pass from death to life when I love hard people. When I show my love, not just speak it. This language John uses here echoes the Sermon on the Mount.

Honestly, I was doing research on the Sermon and did not realize how many times Jesus addresses forgiveness. The word forgive means to “send forth, remit or forgive debts. A debt completely cancelled.” Vines

My life is meant to be lived in freedom from chains. And allowing myself to fester in anger and frustration over hard people is not freedom. Or living in fear.

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Matthew 5:7

All of Matthew 5:21-26.

““You have heard that it was said to our ancestors, Do not murder, and whoever murders will be subject to judgment. But I tell you, everyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Fool! ’ will be subject to the Sanhedrin. But whoever says, ‘You moron! ’ will be subject to hellfire. So if you are offering your gift on the altar, and there you remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Reach a settlement quickly with your adversary while you’re on the way with him, or your adversary will hand you over to the judge, the judge to the officer, and you will be thrown into prison. I assure you: You will never get out of there until you have paid the last penny!”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭21‬-‭26‬ ‭HCSB‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/72/mat.5.21-26.HCSB

The person whom I have anger is not the one in chains. (Well, they may be but that’s none of my business.) I remain in chains. I’m not meant to live this way. I am meant to walk in the freedom of Christ.

I know I have the Spirit in me. I am not who I was, but I have so much more growing up to do. So, today, I remember and commit to memory what I know.

God knows my heart. He knows. Just think on that, my friend. And he loves me. I am loved. Therefore, I am to go and love others.