We have a cat named Felix. He is a tuxedo cat (black and white). My Ella adopted him while I was in the hospital this past summer (with my approval). The difference I have seen in him, how he has changed and grown more comfortable with us is remarkable. Of course, he is still a cat with a spicy demeanor, but we all love him. We also have another tuxedo cat that was a neighborhood cat that adopted us. He just started showing up at our door and waltzing his way in. We’ve tried to give him back to his owners, but he just keeps coming back here.
So mealtimes are a bit dicey because Ella wants her cat to eat wet food. Milo (the outdoor cat) only eats dry. Felix LOVES Milo’s food. Obsessed. So when it’s time for breakfast or dinner, one of us has to stay vigilant and watch. I can push Felix gently away, and yet, he just keeps coming back to push Milo out of the way and chow down.
Please check these next contemplations for yourself, but I think that John speaking of sin here is a bit like Felix and Milo. Milo only focuses on his food. He has no interest in Felix’s food at all. Felix, on the other paw, can’t focus on anything other than Milo’s food.
Say what?
I think this is coming down to what I’ve been learning lately. What is my focus? Am I content with my life or am I striving to get past what ever I am in the middle? Those are hard words to write when I’m in pain. my focus, my thought life, my actual life. Let me give you the passage and we’ll chat on the other side.
“This is the message [of God’s promised revelation] which we have heard from Him and now announce to you, that God is Light [He is holy, His message is truthful, He is perfect in righteousness], and in Him there is no darkness at all [no sin, no wickedness, no imperfection]. If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness [of sin], we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we [really] walk in the Light [that is, live each and every day in conformity with the precepts of God], as He Himself is in the Light, we have [true, unbroken] fellowship with one another [He with us, and we with Him], and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin [by erasing the stain of sin, keeping us cleansed from sin in all its forms and manifestations]. If we say we have no sin [refusing to admit that we are sinners], we delude ourselves and the truth is not in us. [His word does not live in our hearts.] If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just [true to His own nature and promises], and will forgive our sins and cleanse us continually from all unrighteousness [our wrongdoing, everything not in conformity with His will and purpose]. If we say that we have not sinned [refusing to admit acts of sin], we make Him [out to be] a liar [by contradicting Him] and His word is not in us.”
1 John 1:5-10 AMP
https://bible.com/bible/1588/1jn.1.5-10.AMP
Just as Felix cannot focus on anything other than Milo’s food, what is happening in my thought life? Anger, jealousy, gossip, etc. can all crop up. I believe John is saying, yes, I know you are going to sin. It would be really great if you could stop, but here’s the Advocate with which to run when you do. This is what matters, what do I do when I sin? Do I try to hide it and pretend it didn’t happen? Or do I run to the Father? Do I lay it all out before him?
He is faithful. He will cleanse. Here’s the other part of this for me, obedience. I’ll be honest, when I got married, I would not say the obey my husband part. I disliked that very much. Now, as I’m older, lol, I realize when I respect and love Joshua, my obedience is not to my husband, but to Christ. Out of that obedience to Christ, flows my love and respect for the man.
Back to obedience. Loving God means following his ways and his commands. Think about that for a minute. We love God most tenderly when we follow Him. When we actively choose to not speak the first thing that comes to mind. When we choose to calm, rather than freaking out in traffic. (This has never happened to me, btw.) When with colleagues that drive me crazy, is my first thought to gossip and malign OR remember who fights my battles.
This is a work in progress for me and honestly its hard. Pain clouds my judgements at times, I’m more emotional in my responses because of pain. This isn’t an excuse, this is me saying this passage reminds me of my focus. I’m a totally imperfect person who needs grace and forgiveness. Mercy and healing. I need the cleansing flow of the blood of Jesus all day, all night.
I’ll leave you with this. Confession? Cleanse. He is faithful and righteous and Jesus will forgive. He will cleanse. He is my Advocate. Always.
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