WORD: OC's 60-Day New Testament PlanSample

You Can’t Do It Alone

This letter reminds me of a father writing to his children. John gives encouragement, advice, and shows his love and admiration. And like a father might, he cuts the letter short as he decides to save the rest for the next time they are together in person.

As a parent myself, John’s words are so true, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in truth.” Nothing in this life matters more to me than to raise my kids to fall in love with Jesus. I can imagine John, like most parents, questioning whether he has done enough, lying awake at night praying for these particular Christians, and thinking about them throughout his day.

And, like most parents, I imagine that John was so thankful for the grace that Jesus promises all of us. We are never enough. We can never be good enough parents to save our children; we can never be good enough mentors and leaders to save others. We can, however, rest in the grace and mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, knowing that He is good enough to save our children, that He is a good enough mentor and leader to save our friends. He is the only thing we need.

I’m thankful that John was human, because I can relate to the love and tender care that he expresses in this letter. And I am so thankful that Jesus was so much more than human, because I can’t do it alone. Praise God I don’t have to.

Written By Summer Lashley
Staff Member, Oklahoma Christian University