Have you ever turned on the light only to find a surprise...such as a rodent or a bug hiding there? It can be startling. This morning I read 1 John 1:7, "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin." I think sometimes we look at the light of Christ as exposing the "bugs" hiding in people's lives. And indeed, this light does expose what's hidden in the darkness. But I think this verse has a few more things to say to us. Here's three reminders of what it means to "walk in the light".
1. The light creates an even playing field.
Light walkers are walking together. When we choose to not allow Christ's light to shine on our path, it can create division. We can start to resent others, or judge others, depending on how much light we or they walk in. Walking in Christ's light shouldn't create an "us and them" mentality. We're all invited to come into the light and receive the cleansing offered by Jesus no matter who we are or what darkness we currently live in.
2. Walking in the light isn't pretending we don't sin.
Our church believes you and I can be set free from sin. That God can unbend our bent towards sinning. Sadly, sometimes this encourages a "holier than thou" attitude. Let me be clear; we will always deal with sin. There will always be things in our lives that God wants to bring into the light. Walking in the light doesn't mean we don't have any "bugs" to deal with, it just exposes them so they can be dealt with. Otherwise why would we need to be purified by the blood of Jesus, as the verse says. We are purified after we step into the light, not as a prerequisite for getting to the light to begin with.
3. Walking in the light moves us forward.
It doesn't say "come into the light". It says "walk in the light". It's not a destination, it's a journey. Sometimes we convince ourselves it's easier to hide in the darkness. But when we walk in the light, there's nothing to hide. I picture Jesus reaching out his hand and saying, "don't live in the darkness, instead, come walk with me".
How would you describe what it means to walk in the light?
1. The light creates an even playing field.
Light walkers are walking together. When we choose to not allow Christ's light to shine on our path, it can create division. We can start to resent others, or judge others, depending on how much light we or they walk in. Walking in Christ's light shouldn't create an "us and them" mentality. We're all invited to come into the light and receive the cleansing offered by Jesus no matter who we are or what darkness we currently live in.
2. Walking in the light isn't pretending we don't sin.
Our church believes you and I can be set free from sin. That God can unbend our bent towards sinning. Sadly, sometimes this encourages a "holier than thou" attitude. Let me be clear; we will always deal with sin. There will always be things in our lives that God wants to bring into the light. Walking in the light doesn't mean we don't have any "bugs" to deal with, it just exposes them so they can be dealt with. Otherwise why would we need to be purified by the blood of Jesus, as the verse says. We are purified after we step into the light, not as a prerequisite for getting to the light to begin with.
3. Walking in the light moves us forward.
It doesn't say "come into the light". It says "walk in the light". It's not a destination, it's a journey. Sometimes we convince ourselves it's easier to hide in the darkness. But when we walk in the light, there's nothing to hide. I picture Jesus reaching out his hand and saying, "don't live in the darkness, instead, come walk with me".
How would you describe what it means to walk in the light?
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