Living in the Light of God's Transforming Love

Devotional

Day 1: Jesus, Our Advocate and Propitiation

Jesus stands before the Father as our advocate, interceding on our behalf and taking upon himself the judgment for our sins so that we might be forgiven and restored. In the heavenly courtroom, God the Father is the righteous judge who cannot ignore evil, but Jesus, fully God and fully man, pleads for mercy and grace for us. He is not only our defender but also the one who became the sacrifice—bearing the wrath we deserved and making a way for us to be seen as righteous and beloved children. Because of Jesus, we are not merely forgiven; we are welcomed, favored, and loved by God, invited into a relationship that transforms us from the inside out. [43:58]

1 John 2:1-2 (ESV)
"My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world."

Reflection: When you think about your past mistakes or hidden shame, how does it change your perspective to know that Jesus is actively advocating for you before the Father right now?

Day 2: The Transforming Power of God’s Love

God’s love is not just a distant concept but a present reality that, when truly experienced, transforms our hearts and lives, leading us to joyful obedience rather than mere rule-following. The love of the Father is not earned by our actions; rather, it is the very source of our transformation. As we experience His love, we are moved to obey—not out of compulsion or fear, but out of gratitude and delight. This love is deep, personal, and enduring, seeing every flaw and still embracing us as beloved children. When we live in response to this love, our obedience becomes an act of joy, and our lives reflect the heart of the Father. [01:02:42]

1 John 2:5-6 (ESV)
"But whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked."

Reflection: In what area of your life do you sense God inviting you to move from duty-driven obedience to joyful response rooted in His love?

Day 3: Created for Relationship, Not Just Rules

We were made for deep communion with God, and the gospel is not simply about avoiding punishment or earning heaven, but about being restored to the relationship with our Creator that our hearts most deeply long for. From the very beginning, God designed us for fellowship with Him, and though sin separated us, Jesus’ sacrifice opens the way back into His presence. No achievement, possession, or earthly relationship can satisfy the longing in our souls like the love and nearness of God. The invitation of the gospel is to return to Him, to find our truest satisfaction and healing in His embrace, and to live each day in conscious communion with the One who knows and loves us completely. [49:46]

Genesis 1:27-28 (ESV)
"So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. And God blessed them. And God said to them, 'Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.'"

Reflection: What is one way you can intentionally seek deeper communion with God today, rather than trying to fill your heart with lesser things?

Day 4: The Danger of Apathy and Legalism

It is easy to drift into apathy—going through the motions of faith without real transformation—or into legalism, striving to earn God’s love through performance, but both miss the heart of the gospel, which is to live out of the love we have received. Some may find themselves checking spiritual boxes, feeling distant or stagnant, while others may serve and obey out of pride or fear, growing bitter or exhausted. Yet, neither approach leads to the abundant life God desires for us. True spiritual growth comes from remembering and returning to the love of the Father, letting His grace renew our hearts and motivate our actions, so that our faith is marked by genuine joy, gratitude, and purpose. [02:26:46]

Romans 12:1-2 (ESV)
"I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."

Reflection: Are you more prone to spiritual apathy or to striving to earn God’s approval? What is one practical step you can take today to return to living out of God’s love instead?

Day 5: Responding to the Father’s Love

Our acts of obedience, service, and worship are not about earning God’s favor but are the joyful response of beloved children who know they are cherished by their Father. Just as a parent treasures even the simplest gift from their child, God delights in our sincere efforts to love and serve Him, no matter how small they may seem. He sees our hearts, our struggles, and our desires to please Him, and He rejoices over us. Living in this reality frees us from fear and compulsion, inviting us to approach God with confidence and to share His love with others, knowing that we are secure in His embrace. [02:34:55]

Ephesians 5:1-2 (ESV)
"Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."

Reflection: What is one simple act of love or obedience you can offer to God today, not to earn His approval, but as a heartfelt response to His delight in you?

Sermon Summary

Have you ever felt the urge to hide your mistakes, to cover up the parts of your life that bring shame or regret? We all know that feeling—the fear of being exposed, the hope that no one will notice the scratches and dents in our stories. Yet, the invitation from God is not to hide, but to walk in the light, to live openly and honestly, and to experience a freedom that only comes from knowing we are fully loved and fully known.

John, writing as a spiritual father to his community, urges us not to sin—not because God is waiting to pounce, but because sin is destructive and painful. But he also knows our frailty. When we do sin, we have an Advocate: Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. Jesus stands before the Father, not as a mere defense attorney pleading for leniency, but as God Himself, who has already taken the judgment upon Himself. He is the propitiation for our sins, not just bringing us back to zero, but granting us favor, making us beloved sons and daughters in the eyes of God.

This is not a call to legalism or to a life of anxious rule-keeping. Our culture is full of shifting standards and relentless judgment, but the gospel offers something radically different. In Christ, we are not just forgiven; we are welcomed, cherished, and transformed. The love of the Father is not earned by our obedience; rather, it is His perfect love that transforms us and leads us into joyful obedience. The Spirit works within us, shaping us to live more and more like Jesus—not out of compulsion, but out of a deepening experience of God’s love.

The story of the prodigal son reminds us that both the rebellious and the dutiful can miss the heart of the Father. One runs away, the other tries to earn love, but both are invited to experience the joy of being truly loved. God delights in our small acts of obedience, not because they are impressive, but because they are the gifts of beloved children. The gospel is not about escaping punishment or earning reward; it is about being united with the God who made us, who knows us, and who loves us beyond measure.

Key Takeaways

1. Jesus as Advocate and Propitiation Jesus is not just a distant mediator; He is God Himself, standing with us and for us. As our Advocate, He intercedes before the Father, not merely pleading for mercy, but presenting His own sacrifice as the basis for our acceptance. His propitiation doesn’t just erase our guilt—it brings us into favor, making us beloved children rather than mere pardoned offenders. [43:36]
2. The Transforming Power of God’s Love True obedience flows from experiencing the love of the Father, not from fear or duty. When God’s love is perfected in us, our hearts are changed, and we begin to desire what He desires. The Spirit’s work is not to make us better rule-keepers, but to make us more like Christ, living out of the joy and security of being deeply loved. [57:31]
3. Freedom from Legalism and Cultural Judgment The world is full of shifting standards and relentless judgment, but the gospel frees us from both external and internal legalism. We are not called to perform for God or others, nor to hide our failures in shame. Instead, we are invited to live openly, confessing our need and receiving grace, knowing that our standing with God is secure in Christ. [38:49]
4. The Deepest Longing of the Human Heart Every human heart longs for satisfaction, belonging, and healing—needs that cannot be met by career, possessions, or even community alone. The gospel addresses these longings by restoring us to relationship with God, the source of all true fulfillment and comfort. In Christ, we find both the satisfaction of our deepest desires and the healing of our deepest wounds. [49:46]
5. Obedience as a Joyful Response, Not a Burden God delights in our obedience, not because it earns His love, but because it is the natural response of children who know they are loved. Like a father cherishing a simple, imperfect gift from his child, God rejoices in our small acts of faithfulness. Our lives are transformed not by striving to earn His favor, but by living in the reality of His unearned, unending love. [154:55]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[34:13] - The Fear of Being Exposed
[35:33] - A Story of Hiding and Shame
[37:25] - The Gospel’s Call to Walk in the Light
[38:49] - Legalism, Judgment, and the Culture’s Standards
[40:07] - Jesus: Our Advocate with the Father
[42:12] - The Righteous Judge and the Loving Advocate
[43:36] - Jesus’ Defense and Intercession
[45:43] - The Propitiation: More Than Forgiveness
[47:49] - God’s Favor and Our New Identity
[49:07] - Restoring Relationship: The Heart of Redemption
[52:34] - Do You Know Him? The Test of Transformation
[54:50] - Two Temptations: Apathy and Legalism
[57:31] - Love Perfected: The Source of Obedience
[58:43] - The Prodigal Son: Experiencing the Father’s Love
[62:42] - The Father’s Delight in Our Small Gifts
[63:28] - Prayer and Closing Worship

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

1 John 2:1-6 (ESV) — > My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.

Luke 15:11-32 (ESV) – The Parable of the Prodigal Son — (This passage is referenced in the sermon as an illustration of the Father’s love and our tendency to either run away or try to earn love.)

Observation Questions

According to 1 John 2:1-2, what roles does Jesus fulfill for us when we sin?
In the sermon, what does the word “advocate” mean, and how is it described in relation to Jesus? [[43:36]]
What is the difference between forgiveness and propitiation as explained in the sermon? [[47:24]]
In the story of the prodigal son, how do both brothers misunderstand the heart of their father? [[58:43]]

Interpretation Questions

The sermon says that Jesus as our advocate is not just pleading for leniency, but presenting his own sacrifice as the basis for our acceptance. How does this change the way we view our relationship with God? [[43:36]]
The pastor describes two common temptations: apathy and legalism. Why do you think people drift toward one or the other in their Christian life? [[54:50]]
The sermon claims that true obedience flows from experiencing the love of the Father, not from fear or duty. What does it look like when someone obeys out of love versus out of obligation? [[57:31]]
The prodigal son story is used to show that both rebellion and rule-keeping can miss the heart of God. What does this suggest about what God truly desires from us? [[58:43]]

Application Questions

The sermon began by asking if you’ve ever felt the urge to hide your mistakes or cover up shame. Is there an area of your life right now where you are tempted to hide instead of “walking in the light”? What would it look like to bring that into the open? [[34:13]]
When you think about Jesus as your advocate, not just a distant mediator but God Himself standing with you, how does that affect your confidence in approaching God with your failures? [[43:36]]
The pastor said, “God delights in our small acts of obedience, not because they are impressive, but because they are the gifts of beloved children.” Can you think of a recent “small” act of faithfulness in your life? How might God view that differently than you do? [[02:34:55]]
The sermon warns against both legalism (trying to earn God’s love) and apathy (not caring about obedience). Which of these do you tend to struggle with more, and what is one step you could take this week to move toward joyful obedience? [[54:50]]
The pastor shared how nothing in this world—career, money, even community—can satisfy our deepest longings. Where are you most tempted to look for satisfaction apart from God? How can you intentionally seek fulfillment in your relationship with Him this week? [[49:46]]
The story of the prodigal son shows the father running to embrace his returning son. Is there a part of your story where you need to believe more deeply that God welcomes you, not with reluctance, but with joy? [[58:43]]
The sermon describes obedience as a joyful response to God’s love, not a burden. What is one area of obedience that feels burdensome to you right now? How might seeing it as a response to God’s love change your attitude or actions? [[57:31]]

Sermon Clips

The transformation, as in our obedience to Christ, isn't what earns God's love. God's love is what brings our transformation. We have an advocate in Jesus who is interceding for us with the Father. And we have a helper, an advocate in us Bringing transformation through the Spirit. And God is working through us to continue to call us to obedience, not for just the sake of being righteous. He is making us righteous because he is righteous. And as he makes us righteous, we experience his love more and more. We get to understand more and more who he is, and we get to experience that more and more. [00:57:45] (42 seconds) #JesusSeesAndLoves

The gospel isn't about avoiding sin. It's not about getting out of hell. It's not even about going to heaven and experiencing, like, Lamborghinis and champagne flutes. I don't know if either of those things are there, but Revelation 21, it's about being in the presence of God, a loving Father, a King of Kings and Lord of Lords, who is righteous and good and just and loves you and wants you to be with him, and has done everything in his power to make that possible. When you put your father faith in him. [01:01:12] (35 seconds) #JusticeAndMercyUnited

That's what the love of a father is like. To look at this little rock that, you know, spilled pain on for 20 minutes. And that's how God sees you. That's what it's like to have an advocate in. Jesus is a God who sees you and knows you every wart, every flaw, and loves you. And he wants you to experience that. And that love will transform you. That love will change you. Do you know him? [01:02:42] (34 seconds) #WrathTakenByChrist

The beauty of the Gospel is that as we begin to understand the grace of God, the inner longings that we have been trying to satisfy and so many other things that just always kind of fall short, they begin to be satisfied, right? Because the reality of, like, the career that we thought was going to make us worth something never quite fills our cup or always leaves us exhausted. The amount of money or the salary that we thought was going to get us there, it's always a little bit less than what we would really be able to do if we had a little bit more and just have a little bit more opportunity to do this trip or buy this thing, the things that we try to satisfy ourselves with that just continue to fall short. The gospel gives us the fulfillment of that longing in the Father. Because we were created to experience the love of the Father. We were created to experience that communion that God has with the Trinity. And we were invited into that. And that is what our hearts long for. [02:20:22] (60 seconds) #TransformedByGrace

It's not that our obedience perfects God's love in us. It's that God's perfect love in us, it has been perfected, changes us to obey. See, as our hearts are transformed, we want to do what the Father wants. As we begin to experience, experience the idea that we are his son or daughter, that we have this relationship with God as a father, we want to obey. We want to do the things he wants us to do. Because we love him. And we love him as a response to what he's done. Because he loves us. We experience that and we begin to live that out. And we want more of that. And so then we begin to continue to live that out. [02:27:28] (37 seconds) #FatherLovesHisChildren

That's what it looks like to be transformed by the good news of the Gospel. It's what it looks like to trust that you have an advocate on your side who is working, working to bring transformation and peace to your life. Has brought you forgiveness. Not that you have anything to earn, because that's been taken care of. But my little children, I don't want you to sin because sin is harmful and evil and righteousness is good. That's what God wants for you because he loves you. So you seek to obey his commandments. And when you. You fall short, you have forgiveness because he wants you to live according to his will. So we have this sense in which a father loves us, and so we respond to that in how we live. [02:29:26] (56 seconds) #RespondOutOfLove

So what Jesus is trying to say is that God is a father who loves his children. And the temptation for us as believers is to forget about that love and try to earn it. To forget that we have an advocate who cares for us, who sees us and knows us in the midst of all of our brokenness and loves us. See, what he wants for us is to respond out of that love. What he wants for us is to dig into His Word and understand who he is and grow and experience that more and more. [02:32:03] (40 seconds) #JoyInObedience

It's the way that I feel about my son and the rock that he gave me. It's the way that God feels about you and the obedience that you show him. The small things that you don't even think make a difference sometimes that his heart is overwhelmed with joy about experiencing. That's why we live according to God. That's why we live according to his command not to earn something or prove something, but to show something out of response to the love that he's shown us because it brings him joy and he wants us to enjoy the love that he has shown us and to reciprocate that. Do you love him? Do you know him? [02:35:02] (44 seconds) #DoYouKnowHim

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