WEEKLY DEVOTION – April 12, 2021

Hope and Healing!

The promise of God in 1 John 1:9 is a supreme source of hope for a better life. Once we are convinced that we are not perfect beings, no matter what, this description of God’s love and grace is a blessing to behold.

There is a real temptation in the Christian life that when we get the fundamentals correct and we understand the basic message and have a sense of some of the key doctrines, that we have arrived. We can also develop the notion that we are a bit better than our neighbor. In this wonderful short but powerful letter, from the Beloved disciple John to the early church, there is a lifeline and a tremendous source of encouragement.

The first fact established is that we are, by nature, sinners and in need of deep forgiveness and divine patience. “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us … if we claim we have not sinned, we make him (God) out to be a liar and his word is not in us.” (vs. 8,10) Second, our only healthy avenue is to acknowledge, confess and ask for forgiveness and change. And thereby, live in hope and experience healing.

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the love that last a lifetime, and beyond. May the knowledge of your love give me hope and provide a place for healing. Amen

Dumas Alexander Harshaw, Jr.