Today's devotion: 1 John 5:16-18

"If anyone sees his brother commit a sin that does not lead to death, he should pray and God will give him life. .." ~ 1 John 5:16a

We who have sinned against God, if we come back to Him to confess our sin and repent from it, God will forgive us. Our God is always gracious and merciful. But when we sin and we do not repent, then we are preparing our own way towards death.

There are many people living around us, and we like to observe others. When we observe, we like to comment and judge what others have done. But let's ask God, what does He want us to do when He puts these people around us?

I tell you the truth, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me." (John 13:20)

When our brothers and sisters come to us and share their burdens and their guilt, we as one body should be the first ones to accept them. Don't pretend to comfort them and later on judge them from behind. Being in one body, we should know that we can find comfort and encouragement in this household of faith, and not judgment and condemnation which could discourage us even more. When there's no judgment among you, there will be sincere and genuine sharing where each other gets to grow spiritually.

The deepest hurt or cry can only be shared when there's zero condemnation. And the truest encouragement only comes to strengthen one another when there is heartfelt sharing.

Be alert, brothers and sisters, that if you know anyone of you who are praying for repentance and forgiveness from God, pray for one another. Let's unite in spirits and cry out to the Lord. Your wholehearted prayer can save a soul, it always can.