Do you have a favourite Bible verse? I would not be surprised if you do. Let me share with you one of my best-loved verses. It is found in the writings of one of my favourite apostles. Whether it is the fourth gospel, or his epistles (letters), or his book aptly entitled "The Revelation of Jesus Christ", John, the apostle of love, has a way of reaching his readers right at the very core of life — our souls.

The verse that reaches deep into my soul is one that you probably know and may have even memorized. It is in the first of his three letters, in the first of five chapters, and verse 9.

1 John 1:9 – If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (NKJV)

What a promise-saturated statement that we have from the heart of God! I am glad that John was directed to write this sentence by the moving of God's Holy Spirit.

Why does John have this verse so early in his writing? If you read in context the initial eight verses, you'll see what John writes about: Christian fellowship and what abruptly stops its continual blessings. The aging apostle continually wants God's people to stay away from sin's harmful nature.

Many folks make time to stay fit. They work at their physical appearance and health. Why? Because the best way to avoid the need for unpleasant cures for various ailments is to do a regular check-up on areas of our lives that need some attention.

John wrote his letters to encourage spiritual check-ups. They are good for us, and they may even help us to avoid some spiritual maladies. So let's make time today to make an appointment with the Holy Spirit for our own spiritual check-up.

Prayer: Hear our prayer, O Lord, as we confess our sins today. We thank You, O God, for Your forgiveness as we keep short accounts with You. We do so in order that we may walk in healthy ways each day and be a blessing to You and others. Thank You, God, for eyes to see and ears to hear. We pray in Your Son's name. Amen.

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About the author:

Karl Csaszar <csaszar1@nb.sympatico.ca>
New Maryland, New Brunswick, Canada
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