As a reminder to all of us, I present the following verses that can help us to stay on track if we are tempted to think God’s rules or commands aren’t that important or that he really does not care if we don’t pay much attention to them. We are definitely saved by grace, but we must keep his commandments and keep ourselves from sin. If we find ourselves in sin then, we are to stop it and go to the Father through Christ our advocate for forgiveness.
1 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; 2 and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world. 3 By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. 4 The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; 5 but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him (1 John 2:1-5, NASB)
Also read further in the chapter…
15 Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. 17 The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever (1 John 2:15-17, NASB).
Keep your focus on the things above not the things of this temporary passing world.
For the elders, Gary Woodall