Verse: 1 John 5:13-15
My purpose in writing is simply this: that you who believe in God’s Son will know beyond the shadow of a doubt that you have eternal life, the reality and not the illusion. And how bold and free we then become in his presence, freely asking according to his will, sure that he’s listening. And if we’re confident that he’s listening, we know that what we’ve asked for is as good as ours.

Devotion
Do you feel “bold and free” when talking to God? Doesn’t that sound so good? If not, maybe take a minute to think about why. Do you feel hesitant to tell him what you need? Do you feel like you have to be doing everything right for him to listen to you?

I picked this version because I really love the image that the words “bold and free” give me of how God wants us to be when we come to him. Makes me think of a child who completely trusts her parents, assumes they want the best for her, and just tells them everything that she’s thinking, or that she needs. The verse in Hebrews 4:16 is similar, “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

It’s so easy to doubt our standing with God, to feel like we’re failing, so then God’s mad and I need to do something to make things better. But do you hear John’s focus? We have been given eternal life in Jesus, because of Jesus. Our boldness and freedom with him comes from understanding that reality, not because God has to be proud of our achievements so that he’ll listen to us. You can be sure that God is always listening. And if you know he’s always listening, then go ahead and talk like a child confident your Dad loves to take care of you.

Prayer:
Jesus thank you for the gift of eternal life that you freely gave to me. Father, help me to come to you bold and free. Open my eyes to why I don’t experience you that way yet. Help me to believe that you are always listening to me. That I can be confident in the way you’re going to respond to me and care for me.

Author: Christine Robinson