Day 334 

Daniel 7:1-28; 1 John 1:1-10; Psalm 119:153-176; Proverbs 28:23-24

Are You Without Sin?

The reading in 1 John today states that if we say we have no sin, we are calling God a liar! Wow, I don’t want to even think I might do that—call God liar! But don’t I do that when I don’t believe in His great love, mercy, and generosity? God’s great mercy and willingness to reconcile the fallen world to Himself was to come to earth, in the form of a babe, experience the whole human saga, be tempted in every way as we are tempted and yet, without sin. So His blood sacrifice would redeem the bent world (to use a description from my favorite writer, C.S. Lewis). But, don’t I call God a liar when I think that I can control my circumstances, my life, the lives of my children or anyone else—when I make myself lord and master? When I blunder through the world trying to fix other people and manipulate situations that come up to ultimately glorify myself, is that not calling God a liar and even idolatry? Been there, done that, don’t want to wear the t-shirt.

When I “walk in the light as He is in the light,” isn’t that when I allow Christ to lead me, guide my words, open my ears to hear my fellow travelers’ cries for more “light”? And isn’t that when I enjoy “fellowship” with other Christ followers as we share the light we’ve been given with one another?

His emissaries proclaim throughout the Old and New Testaments that God loves us and  His creation, and ultimately want us to know Him. As I have come to know more about God, I’ve come to the awareness that I love Him as well. How can I not? How can I think of the Almighty, Immortal, God only Light and not feel the call to raise my hands in praise? Some even feel the pull to fall down and worship, prostrate. I can clap my hands but some even dance for joy! I hope to someday, somehow, cast out the darkness that can quench the Spirit within me and like King David dance before Lord… but I promise to keep my clothes on.

At the Church of the Incarnation, in Oviedo, Florida, I’ve come to experience a moving of the Spirit as He brings me into a new freedom of worship. Perhaps it is because He made me aware that it was the place I was supposed to be for this next part of my journey.  Or maybe, He always wanted me to have more “freedom” to worship and I just wasn’t ready. But as I fellowship with the dear saints of God whom He’s called there, I rejoice and rest, knowing I am walking in the Light and growing in fellowship with others along the way. Thanks be to God!

Karin Cochran
Church of the Incarnation
Oviedo, FL