This whole chapter put me in mind of the Jim Carey movie, "Liar, Liar!". In it you may recall how Carey's character continually lies to his son about how much he loves him, pretending to care while pursuing the material things of this world. It is only at the point of loosing his son forever that the father has a "Hollywood epiphany", and realises that there are things that transcend the promises of the world.
Now "Liar, Liar!" is hardly a spiritual movie yet in its own dim way it echoes what John is talking about here; what are our own lies putting at risk in our walk with Jesus? For the word 'liar' is repeated again and again in this chapter, and indeed the whole letter.
1Jn1: 6 - "If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in the
darkness, we lie, and do not have the truth."
1Jn1:10 - "If we say we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His
word is not in us."
1Jn2: 4 - " He who says, 'I know Him', and does not keep His commandments
i s a liar and the truth is not in him."
1Jn2: 9 - "He that says that he is in the light and yet hates his brother is
a liar and in darkness even now."
1Jn2: 22a - "Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ..."
Well, you get the picture. John also points out the character of those that are not living a lie. They are those, "...who abide in Him and walk even as He walked..." (1Jn2:6), and those that, "Do the will of the Father..." (1Jn2:17). The measure of our love of God is measured by how much we love others (by actions), and how much we resist the temptations of this world.
Now, we all sin and when we do, we deny Christ (at least that is the way I see it) and we become liars. We cannot continue to surrender to sin; and God's forgiveness (as promised in 1Jn1:9) should spur us on to stay true to Him.
Mother Theresa once said that "Faith is love in action." May we be more faithful by being more active, not trusting in our works, but knowing that they please Him who is our Lord and master.
Shalom,
JB
2 comments:
Thanks for your post Jim. This chapter (and in particular one little verse) is one that has totally impacted my life. It has forever changed the way I read the gospels. The gospels used to be full of stories of Jesus' life from 2000 years ago (and they still are) but now they also tell the story of what Jesus wants my life to look like. And he has given me HIS Spirit so that this is more than just a nice idea but can in fact be a reality.
So here it is - verse 6!!!!
Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.
Anyone who claims to be intimate with God ought to live the same kind of life Jesus lived.
Whoever says he abides in Him ought to walk and conduct himself in the same way in which He walked and conducted Himself.
Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did.
I invite you to meditate on these words and let them work their way deep into your spirit. (Also compare to John 14:12-14). Then sit down one Sunday afternoon for a few hours and read through the gospels again in this light.
I would love to then sit down with you (any time of the day or night) and hear your insights and pray with you about how WE can live our lives as Jesus did!! I'm serious about this offer by the way :)
As I'm writing this, the icecream man is driving down our street. A new tune plays today: "Silent Night." That just made me smile :)
Ok, back on track...I loved the "Liar, Liar" movie parallel. That was really good--had not noticed that. That certainly is one of the central issues in life and it even shows up in Hollywood--will we believe the lies of the enemy and pursue all the world has to offer (monopoly money); or will we believe Jesus and fix our eyes on the unseen and eternal?
Half of chapter 2 is highlighted in my Bible, so it's hard to pick! But today I was reminded of what motivates me, "so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming."
Andrew, you were talking about verse 6. Have you seen Rob Bell's "Dust of the Rabbi" video? I'm not a Rob Bell/emergent church fan, but that video is fantastic. Really insightful about what it means to follow a Rabbi, to be a disciple.
You are right. If I want to be like Him (and I do) it changes everything about life. He held nothing back. He didn't just share. He became poor so that I could become rich. His eyes never drifted from eternity. He loved with a perfect love.
I love that idea of reading through the gospels with verse 6 in mind...logging how Jesus walked, what exactly it looked like. I think I'll do that in the New Year!
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