Daily Devotional Details

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“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.” 1 John 1:8 (NIV)

There is a kind of “trouble-free” faith which claims more than Christ has promised. You may have heard the idea that anything is possible for you, if you just have enough faith. If you have the faith, a gift of healing will be given, prosperity will be yours and so on.

Trouble-free faith holds out the idea that there is a life of unclouded joy for you and for your family in this world, and that it is there for the taking, if you have the faith. Trouble-free faith has immense appeal. We all want our loved ones to be healthy. We all want to live long and happy lives. How could God possibly want anything else for us?

Trouble-free faith is with us in other ways too. When it has a social conscience, it says, “We can change the world.” If we would just go and live out our faith, this world would be completely different. Trouble-free faith promises the life of heaven on earth. It claims more than Christ has promised in this world.

This is the kind of faith John is talking about: “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us” (1 John 1:8). If you think you can get beyond the battle with sin in this life, you’re deceived. Whatever kind of faith you have, it’s not Christian—the truth is not in you.

What aspect of trouble-free faith is most appealing to you? Why?