My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may
not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus
Christ the righteous; and he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for
ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. Now by this we may be sure
that we know him, if we obey his commandments. Whoever says, "I have come
to know him," but does not obey his commandments, is a liar, and in such a
person the truth does not exist; but whoever obeys his word, truly in this
person the love of God has reached perfection. By this we may be sure that we
are in him: whoever says, "I abide in him," ought to walk just as he
walked.[1]
A poignant reminder that we are human, and as such we will
sin. Along with the warning that we will sin comes the basis of hope, that
Jesus is our advocate, pleading our case before the Father. Not only is Jesus
our advocate, he is “the
atoning sacrifice for our sins.” Our relationship with Jesus is manifest
in our obedience to his commands, this is evidenced in our lives, that we walk
just as he walked. Looking at the Christian religion in the present day, one
does not see believers walking as Jesus walked, but generally representing one
denomination or another. The kingdom of God is not fragmented, the family of
God is not divided by conflict. The Church on the other hand is fragmented and
in conflict, it does not represent the kingdom or the family of God. Believers
do represent Jesus. In the simplicity of John’s instruction, we see the love of
God toward humanity; he knows we will sin, and has paid the price of redemption
in his Son’s sacrifice. We can see ourselves in the impetuous act of Peter as
he walked toward Jesus on the water. Like Peter, we lose focus at times, and
like Peter we have to call out to Jesus to save us.
"Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water."
He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the
water, and came toward Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he became
frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, "Lord, save me!" Jesus
immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, "You of
little faith, why did you doubt?"[2]
It can be noticed that John offers no remedy other than
Jesus. The Catholic and Orthodox Churches believe in the sacrament of penance.
Christians are therefore advised to reclaim the beauty of the Sacramental
confession. Why sacraments do not change us in that we bring nothing to them.
Every sacrament of the Church has the power to change people for good and bring
salvation to their steps. Every sacrament is a door to the sacred. Let us use
the opportunity God gives us in the Sacrament of reconciliation well. The Three
Acts of a Penitent in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.[3]
These Churches
have formalized sacraments. Other Churches have various rituals offering the
same result. All of which are unnecessary. John was clear that our advocate is
Jesus. No sacraments, no traditions, and no hocus pocus, only Jesus.
Many of us are
not prepared to walk just as Jesus walked. A cursory reading of the gospels
offers a view of Jesus’ life. He did not align himself with any of the Jewish
groups. Jesus obeyed the Law. He taught in synagogues. He represented God in
all that he did. Jesus was the message, his life exemplified God’s love and
grace. Disciples of Jesus are required to represent him –to walk just as he walked. It is sad, but most Churches do not
provide the support or encouragement disciples need, they are engrossed in the
institutional priorities of being a Church. If you are able in your church to walk just as Jesus walked, that is a good
thing. As a member of a church or not, the requirement is the same. Our
relationship to God through Jesus is personal. Each disciple is a citizen of
the kingdom, each disciple is a child of God. Each disciple has the
responsibility to walk as Jesus walked.
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