My husband and I have had some of the best moments of our lives the past 7 years serving in ministry together. Hanging out with a bunch of teenagers isn’t what a lot of people jump at the first chance of doing, but we do. We’ve been digging into 1 John for several weeks with our “big kids”. God works in great, gracious, mysterious ways. While teaching, we are learning. 

If I had to leave you with just a few tips from this book, here is what I would leave you with: 

1. God is light. There is absolutely no darkness in Him. ~ 1 John 1:5

Darkness looks different for everyone. Darkness is anything that would lead you away from the path of righteousness. Addiction or temptation. Or perhaps the long list you know the enemy is trying his very hardest to steal, kill, and destroy your life with. With Christ, you are in light. The enemy has no power. God is light! 

2. “If we say, “We don’t have any sin,” we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. ~ 1 John 1:10 

My favorite places within scripture are the places that remind me I don’t have to have it all together. The places that remind me it’s actually boldness and reveals faithfulness to state that perfection is not within us. Be the one to know that you sin. Be the one to know that you need Jesus. 

3. “…I am writing to you, young men, because you have had victory over the evil one.” ~ 1 John 2:13 

VICTORY VICTORY VICTORY

He is speaking to those that have accepted Jesus. He is speaking to disciples. With Christ, WE HAVE VICTORY. 

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I can go deeper. But for today, maybe you just need the simple reminder that Jesus Christ is the path of righteousness. He gives us hope. He allows us to experience perseverance. 1 John is the great reminder that the evil one is on the path. The evil one would love to throw the darkness in. As a parent, after a long day in the office, or on the most random “good” day. He’s on the path and goodness does he want so badly to make himself known. But he is not the light. He is a lair. 

With Jesus we overcome the darkness. With Jesus we know He is the ultimate light. With Jesus we know WE HAVE VICTORY.