SOAP Devotional 2014-05-29
Scripture – Observation – Application – Prayer
Scripture:
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. He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only our sins but the sins of all the world. (1 John 2:1, 2 NLT)
Observation:
John wrote this letter so that believers would know that they do not have to sin anymore. But he also wants to reassure them that IF they sin, they have Jesus who is the one who is without sin to intervene on their behalf. Jesus’s death on the cross atones for all of our sins and for the rest of the world, too, if they will accept it.
Application:
As believers, we are not to continue living in sin. Sin for us should be an IF and not a WHEN. However, IF we mess up and sin, Jesus is still their as though he was a lawyer arguing on our behalf that he has already paid the penalty for our sin. He did it for us and for everyone else if they will just accept it.
Prayer:
Father, help me to understand that I do not have to sin. But if I do, help me to repent and get back on track quickly. Thank you for sending your son to not only pay the penalty for my sin, but to keep interceding on my behalf.