Overcome the world
Day 692, Saturday, July 4
1 John Chapter 5
While not written by Paul, today’s reading sounds very much like him. Like Paul, John teaches that avoiding sin is a result of accepting God’s grace, not a precondition for it. He says in verses 3-4, “In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world.”
How can keeping God’s commands and overcoming the world not be burdensome? Those sound like pretty challenging things to do.
The burden is not ours to carry. In verse 18 we read, “We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the One who was born of God keeps them safe, and the evil one cannot harm them.” Our defense against sin is not our own effort, but the protection of the One who was born of God: Jesus.
One of the most revered theologians in history was a North African bishop we call St. Augustine, who lived in the years 354-430. In a sermon based on 1 John, Augustine made the shocking statement, “Love God and do whatever you please: for the soul trained in love to God will do nothing to offend the one who is Beloved.”
At first glance the advice to love God and do whatever you please sounds like an excuse for unrestrained self-indulgence. But the more you contemplate, the more you understand its wisdom—the heart that truly loves God seeks only to please and glorify him. Avoiding sin becomes an expression of love rather than an exercise in obedience.
Where does this leave us when we observe a fellow follower straying from what we believe is the right path? John’s answer to this is in verse 16: “If you see any brother or sister commit a sin that does not lead to death, you should pray and God will give them life.”

-Rev. Mark Fleming

Saturday meditation

Ecclesiastes 4:1-12
Again I looked and saw all the oppression that was taking place under the sun: I saw the tears of the oppressed—and they have no comforter; power was on the side of their oppressors—and they have no comforter. And I declared that the dead, who had already died, are happier than the living, who are still alive. But better than both is the one who has never been born, who has not seen the evil that is done under the sun.
And I saw that all toil and all achievement spring from one person’s envy of another. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.
Fools fold their hands and ruin themselves. Better one handful with tranquillity than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind.
Again I saw something meaningless under the sun: There was a man all alone; he had neither son nor brother. There was no end to his toil, yet his eyes were not content with his wealth. “For whom am I toiling,” he asked, “and why am I depriving myself of enjoyment?” This too is meaningless—a miserable business!
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

Prayer focus
Make us so in love with you, Lord, that we are motivated only by our passionate love, leaving no room for being fearful or burdened.