After reading 1 John I better understand that the sin we carry in our hearts can be given completely to Jesus. We no longer live in sin which is described as lawlessness, when we live as intentional loving beings of God. This is what separates the righteous people from the rest of the world. Righteousness I do not mean to be interpreted as a boastful badge, no not at all, it is the greatest mark of humility, as John states in chapter 3:30 Christ must increase and I must decrease. 1 John 2:1 helps the righteous remain in God through Christ as the advocate which is what gives victory over evil. Thanks to Christ, the righteous no longer have sin abiding in them, meaning they no longer continue to sin, they stop diluting any part of the truth and choose to live for the entirety of the truth not just portions they deem beneficial.
Perhaps it's better to state it simply, God sees our hearts. When love is intentional in all our decisions and we deliberately place others before ourselves; in other words, when we choose to care enough about those around us that we will intentionally deny ourselves and bear our cross then the effect should cause us to say, "hey, I'm sorry I haven't been loving you guys, but that changes today" or "hey, I realize I am hurting you through these things, that stops today" or "hey, I know we haven't talked in a long time and you hurt me really bad, but I need to forgive you so that you don't have to feel horrible about what you did your entire life, withholding forgiveness stops today"
Righteousness is not a badge to be worn and shown off, it is a cross that is to be carried around daily, but if we fix our eyes on Jesus we will be able to endure that cross because at first glance it seems impossible, but it is a day-by-day process. We must deny ourselves daily and be intentional beings developing into more serious Christians daily. Be intentional today. Take action. There is only the righteous and the unrighteous, it doesn't matter what you've been, only what you will be today. and the same will be true when tomorrow is today and when Halloween becomes today, or Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter, St. Paddy's Day, the Fourth of July, becomes today. Be intentional today.
I love you all more than you know, even if you doubt I can say this and truly mean it, I do in all my heart love every one of you,
Peace be with you,
Ryan
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