{"id":198,"date":"2008-11-25T07:41:55","date_gmt":"2008-11-25T12:41:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/davidcprice.wordpress.com\/?p=198"},"modified":"2008-11-25T07:41:55","modified_gmt":"2008-11-25T12:41:55","slug":"psi-words-in-the-end-are-still-just-words-1-john-15-10","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/davidcprice.com\/psi-words-in-the-end-are-still-just-words-1-john-15-10\/","title":{"rendered":"PSI – Words, in the End, Are Still Just Words – 1 John 1:5-10"},"content":{"rendered":"
It is a popular notion, as Americans, to call ourselves Christians.\u00a0 Ask just about anybody, regardless of lifestyle, beliefs or politics, and they will tell you they are Christian.\u00a0 This just points to the fact that the word, “Christian,” has become meaningless.\u00a0 As a matter of fact, many would hold that because <\/em>they are Americans they are Christians as some sort of birthright into this “Christian Nation.”\u00a0 I suppose that since words don’t really have meaning but usage, they may be Christians, but the word Christian no longer refers to a Christ-follower or disciple of Jesus.<\/p>\n John points out the error in all of this thinking about being a Christian in name or label only.\u00a0 He mixes no words when he essentially says, “Hey, if you say you’re following Jesus but you’re living like the world, forget it.\u00a0 You’re lying to yourself and everybody else.\u00a0 If you think you’re ‘basically a good person,’ claiming you’re doing pretty well, you don’t even know the truth.”<\/p>\n John is very clear that it is impossible for us to follow Christ and<\/em> walk in darkness, as though how we live makes no difference; as if simply claiming to hold to a belief system is enough.\u00a0 Yet, that is where millions of people are today.\u00a0 Scripture has no bearing on their lives and the call to holiness falls on deaf ears.<\/p>\n OK, so not to become judge and jury, it’s time for the whole “physician, heal thyself” thing here.\u00a0 I can be just as guilty of living like this in a thousand little ways all the time.\u00a0 My sins may not be so blatant and cavalier, but anytime I walk in darkness in even the smallest ways, darkness is still within me.\u00a0 Whether it comes through “white lies,” unforgiveness, arrogance, pride, anger, etc., it’s still sin.\u00a0 If, because I live an essentially “clean” life (according to what most would consider uncleanness), I say I have no sin, John’s words still ring true…the truth is not in me.<\/p>\n But, man, what great news this section ends with:\u00a0 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”\u00a0 Today, we all have the opportunity to live in that forgiveness and to not only claim<\/em> to be in the Light, but to actually walk in it<\/em>!<\/p>\n