1,2 &3 John – God and Love
It’s summertime! Time to go to the lake or beach! Time to go to the local pool! Or just enjoy a pool in your backyard. I do not have a pool in my back yard but as a kid we had a “kiddie” pool that was about 18″ deep. As a kid, that was deep enough for me! On a hot, Oklahoma hot, with temps soaring into three digits, it was good to get wet. But it began with a process. At least for me.
First, you begin with sticking your hand in to feel just how cold it will be. Okay, not bad. Now, you stick a toe in and jerk it back out because the difference in 100 degrees on the outside of the pool is extremely different than the pool filled with cold water from the spigot. But you are sweaty and you must “get used to it” to really enjoy it. So, you bravely put in one leg at a time and allow the cold water to soothe your lower limbs. Okay. Good. Legs are numb but it was worth it. Now you get your arms wet by splashing a little on the lower arms. You shudder but it is working. Now you bend down to get your arms wet without letting the cold water touch anything that your swim suit houses. Okay. Good.
Now, after much self talk such as, “Mom and Dad bought this big pool, I must swim in it or lose it!”, you do the cautious “sit down”, a little at a time. The first time the cold water touches your back side, it sends an exhilarating chill right up your spine! Ah, but it is worth it. Finally, you give in and SINK IN into the refreshing cool water that doesn’t seem so cold after all. It was worth it all! The heat versus being refreshed wins! After a few hours, which seems like a few minutes, mom yells, “You have to come in, NOW!” What? I just got used to it!
John talks about sinking in to all the God has for us and it’s funny how we use the same process as what I just described. We stick in a part of our lives to “test” the waters of His abundant, unconditional love. The more we let His Living Water sink into us and we sink into Him, the more we are refreshed. So, don’t listen to the liars, as John reminds us of those who oppose Christ as the Only One who saves us, and SINK IN to his forgiveness, love, mercy and grace. ALL of You in Him and Him living in You. Wow.
1 John 2, The Message
24-25 Stay with what you heard from the beginning, the original message. Let it sink into your life. If what you heard from the beginning lives deeply in you, you will live deeply in both Son and Father. This is exactly what Christ promised: eternal life, real life!
26-27 I’ve written to warn you about those who are trying to deceive you. But they’re no match for what is embedded deeply within you—Christ’s anointing, no less! You don’t need any o
f their so-called teaching. Christ’s anointing teaches you the truth on everything you need to know about yourself and him, uncontaminated by a single lie. Live deeply in what you were taught.
Live Deeply in Christ
28 And now, children, stay with Christ. Live deeply in Christ. Then we’ll be ready for him when he appears, ready to receive him with open arms, with no cause for red-faced guilt or lame excuses when he arrives.
29 Once you’re convinced that he is right and righteous, you’ll recognize that all who practice righteousness are God’s true children.
Dear Heavenly Father, I am sinking into your grace and mercy today, once again. Thank you for your refreshing word this morning the cleanses and washes over my soul with gladness and refreshing. I love you back with all that is within me. Blessed be your Name.
In Jesus Name, Amen. I believe. I’m diving in and not leaving the “pool”.
