The Tension

Walking  •  Sermon  •  Submitted   •  Presented   •  42:24
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Introduction

Every decision has ramifications. Principle of leadership. Whether at your job, volunteer positions, family.
No decision will please every single person.
The pandemic has brought that to the forefront!
Living in the tension of examining two complimentary ideas.
Living in the Gospel creates tension.
Gospel tension keeps us on the path of sanctification.
Define sanctification:
Becoming more and more like Jesus Christ in our Attitudes and our Actions.
Let’s look at how John identifies this tension.

Holiness & Grace

vv. 1-2
“You may not sin.”
Holiness is the goal.
We are called to strive towards righteousness.
Hebrews 12:4 ESV
In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.
“But...” We know that we will not maintain holiness. We will sin. We know that.
Isn’t it nice to know that God knows that, too!
We need someone with a unique skill set to help us out. As an advocate, one who stands before the Judge for our benefit.
In 2008, we were introduced to Bryan Mills, Liam Neeson.
“I don't know who you are. I don't know what you want. If you are looking for ransom, I can tell you I don't have money. But what I do have are a very particular set of skills, skills I have acquired over a very long career. Skills that make me a nightmare for people like you. If you let my daughter go now, that'll be the end of it. I will not look for you, I will not pursue you. But if you don't, I will look for you, I will find you, and I will kill you.”
And Jesus is uniquely equipped to hold this position - He is righteous. Only one who is can advocate.
He gave Himself up as our propitiation.
Wrath Bearer
He absorbed the punishment that we deserved.
So, we strive towards holiness, but when we sin, we know we can continue to stand!
Rich Mullins:
So if I stand let me stand on the promise That you will pull me through And if I can't, let me fall on the grace That first brought me to You
“If I Stand”
Rich Mullins

Truth & Love

vv. 3 - 6
What is it to “know” Jesus?
Salvation.
Salvation is not based upon knowing about Jesus, but having a personal relationship with Him.
Those that claim to be Christians, but have no fruit, no evidence, no life change, make a false claim.
By keeping His commandments, we prove (not earn) our salvation.
There will be a change when you become a follower of Jesus.
Love is perfected when the Truth is in you.
But to do this, you have to have your eyes locked on the life of Jesus.
It’s the same as when you drive, where your eyes are, the car goes.
The same is true with our lives, what we stare at, study, obsess over, that’s where our lives go!
When we make a concentrated effort to observe the life of Jesus, we will follow Him closer.

Light & Darkness

vv. 7 - 11
Light is Love.
Darkness is Hatred.
Being here at the church late at night…when it’s dark and you are by yourself.
Darkness is creepy and dangerous. (Run into things…especially with the new chairs.)
Hatred is creepy and it causes self-harm.
Old/New Commandment
Deuteronomy 6:4–6 ESV
“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart.
Leviticus 19:18 ESV
You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.
Newly applied. How you treat others reveals the health of your spiritual life.
Walk in the light means to love others as Jesus has loved you.
As Jesus has loved you.
Rebellious. Sinful.
When we put limits on who we think we can or who we should love, we are not walking in the light.

Good & Evil

vv. 12 - 14
Different ways to think about good and evil.
Good vs. Evil - as though they are equal.
Jesus vs. Satan - as though Satan would stand a chance.
Knowing Jesus = Forgiven = Victory
To walk in victory, Christ is essential.
And to know Christ, victory is promised.

Conclusion

The paths in the neighborhood, became my peaceful place during the quarantine.
I was still here everyday, and eventually I needed some escape.
Walking up here. But also, started running again.
Early morning was my only time to get out and run.
But, in the dark, you have to be careful, did it on Wednesday, where I just stepped off the side.
Turned my ankle. Even though the path is fairly wide, I’ve still got to stay on it!
There is a tension that exists as we walk as Jesus walked.
We walk with Holiness & Grace, Truth & Love, Light & Darkness, and Good & Evil.
As we walk, choosing to understand the reality of both and walking as Jesus did, we find peace.
And we cannot step off too far, or we sprain our spiritual ankles.
Walk as Jesus walked.
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