¹ My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous. ² He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only our sins but the sins of all the world.

An Advocate

According to the dictionary, an advocate is “someone who pleads on someone else’s behalf.” A lawyer, if you will.

John says that we have an advocate in Jesus Christ. And he pleads on our behalf before God the father. So, what does this mean?

Romans 14:12 tells us that one day, “Each of us will give a personal account before God.” On that day, we will stand before God, the Judge, and our entire lives will be displayed. At the end, God will ask for a response. We will have none. We’re guilty. The evidence is beyond refute. It’s there, clearly displayed before us. Perhaps we’ll feel shame. Perhaps we’ll feel defenceless. We’ll be without excuse. Waiting for judgment.

And then, Jesus, our advocate will speak. “Your honour. Father. I stand before you representing this person. Yes, they did all of those things. And yet, they called on my name. They opened my gift of grace, of salvation. They asked forgiveness, and I was faithful in providing it. I have paid the penalty for their sin. Everything you have seen before you has already been taken care of.”

Our hearts will rise within us. Could it be? Could it really mean … ?

God will smile at his Son. He will look at us with a love that is beyond words. And he will smile. “Forgiven. Not guilty. Come in to your reward.”

That day will come, my friends. All because we have an advocate who pleads our case on our behalf.

My prayer: I say it again. Thank you, Lord, for saving me. For doing what I could never have done on my own. I am in awe of your grace. What a day that will be, when I stand before God, empty handed, and yet with you beside me. Wow. Thank you. Amen.

Until tomorrow.

⁸ If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. ⁹ But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. ¹⁰ If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that his word has no place in our hearts.

Faithful and Just

I love this passage. For some, they focus on the challenge that’s found in its words. That you’re fooling yourself if you claim to have no sin. That if you do suggest you have no sin, you’re a liar. Yes, that’s all true. And yes, for some people, that might be where you need to focus with this passage.

However, in my experience, most people have no problem admitting they have sinned. Most of the people I spend time with quickly acknowledge that they have messed up many times. Their issue has nothing to do with claiming to have no sin.

For those people, the biggest issue is accepting that God will forgive their sin. It’s incredible to me how many times I hear someone say something like, “I wish I could believe that God loves and accepts me just as I am. I wish it really was as easy as simply confessing my sin and being forgiven.”

And yet, that’s exactly what this passage says. If we confess, he will forgive. Notice it doesn’t say, “If we confess to a minister or a priest.” God’s the one who forgives. He’s also the one we need to confess our sins to. And when we do, he forgives. He cleanses us.

It doesn’t say, “He might forgive. You know, as long as your sin isn’t a doozy!” No, it says “He will forgive.” It’s a done deal.

In fact, you could read this passage to be saying that if you don’t believe God has forgiven you, then you are calling him a liar. It’s that strong of a statement.

So believe it. Accept it. When you confess your sins, you don’t need to still do something to earn God’s forgiveness. You have it. He’s faithful and just and will forgive.

My prayer: Lord, thank you for forgiveness. And thank you for the confidence that I can have in knowing that you have forgiven me. As I admit my sin, confess it to you, repent and turn away from it, you provide me with the forgiveness and the strength to live for you. Your grace is truly amazing. Amen.

Until tomorrow.

⁵ This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all. ⁶ So we are lying if we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in spiritual darkness; we are not practicing the truth. ⁷ But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.

The Light

Have you ever gone into the basement only to discover that the light is burnt out? If you’re like most people, experiences like that make you nervous. We don’t like the dark. Scary things lurk in darkness.

It’s amazing how even the tiniest of lights can bring comfort in the darkness. The small flicker of a candle can help a person breathe easier when dealing with darkness.

I guess that’s why I love thinking of God as the light of the world. Only he isn’t a small candle flickering in the darkness. He’s one of those 500 Watt mega flashlights that exposes everything in its path.

As his followers, we are also called to be a light in the darkness. As we shine forth with the message of God’s grace, our light also brings hope in dark places. Oh, it might not be as bright as God’s light, but it is as powerful. After all, it’s him shining through us.

So, let your light shine. Allow yourself to be used by God to shine in dark places, bring those in darkness a sense of hope and peace that can only come through Jesus Christ.

My prayer: Lord, help me to shine brightly. You are the source of the light within me, and so allow me to bring hope to those who are in darkness. At the same time, remove any darkness that might be within me. Amen.

Until tomorrow.

¹ We proclaim to you the one who existed from the beginning, whom we have heard and seen. We saw him with our own eyes and touched him with our own hands. He is the Word of life. ² This one who is life itself was revealed to us, and we have seen him. And now we testify and proclaim to you that he is the one who is eternal life. He was with the Father, and then he was revealed to us. ³ We proclaim to you what we ourselves have actually seen and heard so that you may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. ⁴ We are writing these things so that you may fully share our joy.

Touched Him

John begins his letter by reminding his readers that he was there. He was there. He walked with Jesus. He heard the words come out of Christ’s mouth. He ate with him, laughed with him, cried with him. He touched Jesus’ skin.

Paul couldn’t say that. Billy Graham couldn’t make that claim. Mother Theresa never experienced Jesus in that way.

But John did.

I wonder if John got tired of some of typical questions people probably asked him. “What did Jesus look like?” “Did he have an accent?” “Was he funny?” “Did he smell different?” Let’s face it, I’m sure John was asked questions like that all the time. At the time of this writing, John was living in Ephesus. That entire church family was in the same boat as we are: they had never seen Jesus in real life. They would have had the same questions as we would have.

And yet, like Peter, or the other Gospel writers, John never bothers to answer these questions in writing. I have no idea if he took the time to answer them through spoken word, but he never wrote down the answers to those questions. It’s pretty clear that it wasn’t a priority for these early church writers, or for God himself.

Yet, I can’t help but be curious. Yes, some of you more spiritual types will be quick to point out to me that we see Jesus everyday. The poor, the mistreated, the prisoner, the widow. As Jesus pointed out, when we minister to these people, we are ministering to him. He looks back at us through their eyes. And yes, it’s true, that Jesus is with me everyday. The Spirit resides within me, and I live every moment with Christ in my life.

But, just back away from the spiritual talk for a minute and just consider what it must have been like for John. As he writes these words, the death and resurrection of Jesus is fifty years ago. John is around eighty years old. And yet, the memories of walking with Jesus are as sharp and as vivid as if they happened yesterday. Talk about “awe” moments.

There’s a confidence we can talk from that. The teachings of Jesus are not three or four or even five generations old. They are still fresh. When we listen to John, or Peter, or some of the other New Testament writers, we are hearing first hand accounts of what Jesus did and said. That’s fairly rare in historical accounts.

My prayer: Lord, thank you for people like John. As he begins this letter, he reminds us of his first hand experience with you. It must have been so incredible. And so, while we cannot experience that ourselves, we can know what it was like through the eyes of John. I find that incredible. It builds my faith knowing that I am hearing from someone who was there. Someone who walked with you. Speak to me through his words. Amen.

Until tomorrow.

¹¹ And this is what God has testified: He has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. ¹² Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God’s Son does not have life.

1 John 5:11-12

Introduction to 1 John

We are about to begin the thirteenth book of the Bible in this Oil Change (and that’s not including the various passages from Psalms and Hebrews that we’ve looked at). It’s truly incredible when I look at the amount of writing that has gone in to doing these daily devotionals. According to my word count, I have written 249,221 words over the past few years. If you were to print all of these devotionals out, it would take 790 pages!

So, whether you have been following us for only a few days or a few years, thank you for being a part of this journey with me.

Today, we are going to begin looking at the first of John’s letters. John was one of the twelve disciples (he was actually one of the three closest to Jesus). He was the only one of the disciples who was brave enough to show his face at the crucifixion. Tradition tells us that he was also likely the only disciple who wasn’t martyred for his faith. Rather, John probably died of old age while exiled to the Island of Pathmos (where he wrote the book of Revelation).

Probably the most famous of John’s writings would be his account of the life of Jesus (the Gospel of John). A close second would be his vision of the end times (book of Revelation). These three letters, tucked away after Peter’s writings, are not as well known or quoted. And yet, that doesn’t make them any less important. Like all Scripture, they offer some great insight and direction to living out the spiritual life.

Most scholars believe that John wrote this letter around the same time that he wrote his Gospel (between 85-95 AD). He was likely living in Ephesus (shortly after Paul’s letter to that church), and his focus was to challenge the church to get back to the basics of their faith.

For those who have been following the Oil Change for awhile, you might remember me telling you that John wrote his Gospel in an attempt to respond to a group know as Gnostics. These people were emphasizing knowledge over everything else. John’s Gospel, often referred to as “the love Gospel” was an attempt to show that salvation came through faith in God – a God who loves us – and not through gaining knowledge or insight. This letter follows the same theme. Yes, John does emphasize the importance of sound doctrine, but remind his readers that doctrine without grace is meaningless.

Unlike Paul, John’s letters come across almost as sermon manuscripts. If you close your eyes and try, you can hear him standing and preaching these words. His passion and focus is clear.

As we go through this letter, think of yourself sitting at the feet of an old timer. As he shares his words, he isn’t speaking theoretically. He’s speaking as someone who has experienced it all. Paul didn’t walk with Jesus firsthand. John did. As he shares the message of Jesus, I’m sure he’s remembering actual encounters that he had with his Saviour. That’s an incredible thought.

This should be a great journey.

Oh, and as I point out every time we begin a new book, let me suggest that this is the perfect time to forward the Oil Change to a few friends. Invite them to sign up and begin following the devotional firsthand.

My prayer: Lord, thank you that we can still hear from those who walked with you. As we dive into John’s first letter, cause it to come alive for us. Help us discover fresh the challenge that he had for the early Church. Amen.

Until tomorrow.

¹⁹ And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God’s mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike. ²⁰ I am in chains now, still preaching this message as God’s ambassador. So pray that I will keep on speaking boldly for him, as I should.

²¹ To bring you up to date, Tychicus will give you a full report about what I am doing and how I am getting along. He is a beloved brother and faithful helper in the Lord’s work. ²² I have sent him to you for this very purpose—to let you know how we are doing and to encourage you.

²³ Peace be with you, dear brothers and sisters, and may God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you love with faithfulness. ²⁴ May God’s grace be eternally upon all who love our Lord Jesus Christ.

Personal Note

Paul wraps up his letter to the Ephesians by sharing a few personal thoughts. I love that he asks the Ephesian church to pray for him. Don’t miss that. This incredible spiritual hero was not above asking others for prayer.

You see, some people never ask others for prayer. They figure their needs are not important. Their request isn’t as pressing as the person struggling with a sickness. They don’t want people to think they are weak. They are too private to share a need.

Whatever the reason, they remain silent. And I believe we miss out on what God can do when we choose not to share our needs with those who are part of our community. Those who are on the spiritual journey with us. We need one another.

I guess if Paul can ask for prayer, then any of us should be able to ask. So, let me encourage you. If you have a need, ask others to pray for you. If you don’t have someone specific, then leave a comment on this blog. Share your requests so that others who read this can pray for you.

My prayer: Lord, help me to never be too prideful to ask others for prayer. Help me to not think of my needs as too insignificant. You want to bless. You want me to learn how to walk in relationship with others. You want me to not only be someone who prays for others, but someone who can lean on others with my own needs. Thank you for that. Amen.

Until tomorrow.

¹⁸ Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.

Always Praying

Wow, I’ll bet you can’t remember the last time I used only one verse in a devotional! I just felt that this verse was so deep that I didn’t want to go any further than it.

What does it mean to “pray in the Spirit at all times”? You might find this funny, but over the years, I have had people come to me in a panic. They share how discouraged they are because they tried to be always praying, and yet they fail. They get distracted and suddenly find themselves thinking of something else and not praying.

Most of the time they are so relieved when I explain to them that this passage isn’t telling us to be on our knees in prayer 24/7. (Yes, it amazes me that people get caught up with certain beliefs. I mean, really … if that’s what Paul meant, then he’s a hypocrite, since he wasn’t praying 24/7)

What Paul means here is to recognize that God is always with us. He’s right there beside you. And at any moment, depending on what’s going on around you, God is there for you to turn to with your prayer. You don’t have to wait until prayer time at church or until you do your devotions in the morning. At any moment, you can call out to him.

Remember, prayer is simply the act of communicating within a relationship. When Heather and I are in the car driving somewhere, there are times when we engage in deep conversation. There are also times when we are completely silent. Yet, even in our silence, we are aware of the other person’s presence. At times we might even reach over and take their hand. In a sense, we are communicating without words.

That’s how we should be with God. He is there … whether we acknowledge him or not. He’s there. And so, as we go about our day, there are time when we will engage in deep conversation with God. There are times when we will be in complete silence. And yet, even then, we should be aware of his presence. Heck, there are even times when we will feel him touch us and tell us that he loves us.

My prayer: Lord, as I go through my day, help me to never forget that you are with me. On this day, no matter where I am or what I do, you are there. I invite you to speak deep into my heart. I invite you to move silently with me. I welcome your presence. Amen.

Until tomorrow.

¹³ Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. ¹⁴ Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. ¹⁵ For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. ¹⁶ In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. ¹⁷ Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

The Armour Of God

Can I be honest with you? Sometimes I wonder if we miss the whole point of something God is trying to say to us because we are too quick to analyze every word and figure out a formula from every passage of Scripture.

How’s that for a mouthful!

Take the armour of God mentioned in this passage. If you’ve been around the church for any length of time, you’ve probably seen picture like the one to the right, or heard sermons preached from this passage where the speaker will dissect every part of what Paul mentions and how it all fits together.

I’ve heard preachers provide prayer formulas in which you systematically place each part of the armour of God on (spiritually) before you start your day. (“Lord, I place your helmet of salvation on my head and ask you to transform my thoughts by the renewing of my mind. I take the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God and I use it to break through the lies of the enemy …”)

Now, if that works for you, great. But don’t miss the point of this passage.

Ultimately, what Paul is really saying here is we are dependent on God. We need him. Every moment of the day, we need to trust in God’s ability. As a follower of Christ, the only way – and I mean only way that we can succeed on this spiritual journey is by leaning completely on God. When we move ahead without him, we will fail.

Leaning completely on God means changing your lifestyle. Whether it’s how you think (helmet of salvation), what you use as your foundation for truth (sword of the Spirit & belt of truth), or the way you approach a situation (Gospel of peace), we must depend fully on God. Without him we fail. With him, we can do all things.

So, be careful of formulas. I don’t believe they truly get to the heart of what needs to change in order for us to depend on God.

My prayer: Lord, I need all of you. Yes, I need to put on the armour of God, but I do that by changing how I live. It starts and ends with complete submission to you. All through the day I must rely on you. You are my source of strength. You are my source of peace. You are the one I trust in. Completely. Amen.

Until tomorrow.

¹⁰ A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. ¹² For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

The Dark World

I supposed I’ve seen the good and the bad within spirituality. As someone who was saved into a Pentecostal church, I learned early on about the Spirit of God. I was taught that the devil was real, and that there really is something called spiritual warfare. I believe that my first church had a very good balance on this area.

However, over the years, I have met many who I think are unbalanced. They take extremes. Some focus so much on spiritual warfare that they see a devil behind every bush. Regardless of what happens, they focus on the spiritual battle behind the event. On the other side of the coin are those who seem to act as if the devil doesn’t exist. Oh, they will say they believe in the devil, and yet they don’t understand the first thing about dark forces. They find it easy to see God’s hand at work in the world, but dismiss any suggestion of the devil’s work as silly or superstitious.

We simply can’t cover this subject in depth in this devotional. It’s not the purpose of the Oil Change. And yet, le t me suggest to you that the spirit realm is far more complex than we often give it credit. Yes, God exists. And yes, the devil does too. Yes there are angels doing God’s work in the world. And yes, there are demons doing evil.

Our role? Put on spiritual armour so that we can accomplish all that God calls us to do without falling into the trap of evil. Recognize that our battle isn’t against another religion or a different worldview. Our battle is a spiritual one. It is a battle for the hearts of people. And God promises us that when we do things his way, we simply cannot fail.

So, what is the armour of God? Well, for that you will have to wait until tomorrow.

My prayer: Lord, may I never take the spiritual realm lightly. Help me to never simply dismiss it as silliness. And yet, at the same time, help me to keep my focus on what you have called me to accomplish. As I wear your armour, I step out in faith and do what you’ve called me to do. And in the end, I know that I will prevail with you. Amen.

Until tomorrow.

⁵ Slaves, obey your earthly masters with deep respect and fear. Serve them sincerely as you would serve Christ. ⁶ Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. As slaves of Christ, do the will of God with all your heart. ⁷ Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. ⁸ Remember that the Lord will reward each one of us for the good we do, whether we are slaves or free.⁹ Masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Don’t threaten them; remember, you both have the same Master in heaven, and he has no favorites.

Work Relationships

Paul now turns his attention to the third significant relationship that we have. Let’s face it, next to our spouse and our families, the people we work with take up a lot of our time and energy. Anyone who has experienced a bad work environment knows how draining and challenging it can be.

Before we dive into this a little deeper, I should point out that Paul is not promoting slavery as we think of it. Unfortunately, many people have used passages like this one to argue that the Bible supports slavery. But that is not what Paul is doing. Having said that, slavery was very common in Paul’s day. However, many people became slaves by choice. It could be a decent paying job and it allowed the individuals, and their families, to live in fairly decent comfort.

We really should think of slavery in biblical times the same way we think of a typical employer / employee relationship today. Now, for some of you, that’s much easier to do than for others! No wonder you call your boss a “slave driver!”

The bottom line here is that Paul challenges us to respond a certain way regardless of our role within the workplace. Whether we are “the boss” or “the worker,” we need to be above reproach. We should treat those around us decently and put a full effort into all we do.

Most importantly, we should never lose sight of the amazing truth that God is the Master of all. In that sense, we are all slaves to him.

My prayer: Lord, help me to work hard each and every day. Not so that I am recognized by those around me, but so that you are honoured by my work effort. As I start each day, help me to consider all I do in my job as doing something for you. I work for you. Whether I am an employer or an employee, you are ultimately my boss. Amen.

Until tomorrow.