Our daily reflections follow the M'Cheyne Bible reading plan, designed for those who want to read the whole Bible in one year. Each reflection focuses on one of the chapters from that day's readings. Darllenwch rhain yn Gymraeg.
Lord, prepare me to receive your word. Clear my mind and warm my heart. Assure me of your loving purposes for me, and speak into my life today.
John continues to unpack the implications of believing in Jesus. Here, he focuses on what this means for our behaviour towards other people. How we treat others is the test of whether we are really who we say we are: 'This is how we can be sure that we are in union with God: those who say that they remain in union with God should live just as Jesus Christ did' (verses 5–6); 'Those who say that they are in the light, yet hate their brothers and sisters, are in the darkness to this very hour' (verse 9).
It's easy to lose sight of the vital part conduct and attitude play in Christian discipleship. Intentionally seeing the good in other people and overlooking the bad, looking for ways to bless and build them up, and resisting criticising or dismissing them, is Christlike.
We are rightly concerned about right doctrine and the right interpretation of Scripture. Elsewhere in this chapter John himself condemns 'antichrists' or 'enemies of Christ' (verse 18). The story is told of the Apostle John in Ephesus rushing out of a bath-house when he found that a noted heretic was there, saying: 'Let us fly, lest the building fall down, for Cerinthus, the enemy of the truth, is within!'
But believers ought to seek to be kind rather than just to be right. It's love for our brothers and sisters that shows whether we're walking in the light.
God, show me someone today whom I can bless. Help me not to be so concerned to be right that I forget to be kind.
This reflection was written by Mark Woods, Bible Society's Editor
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