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?

In recent years, the nation of Egypt has had some challenges.  There has been violence, political upheaval and social unrest.  Some of that violence has been directed at Christians...against the church.  But how do you define "the church"?  As I understand it, there is much division in the Christian church in Egypt.  The Wesleyan Church has a strong presence there.  In fact, some of my family have served in Egypt.  There is also the Coptic Church.  And of course there are many others.  I remember a few years ago hearing a Christian brother from Egypt talking about what was happening in his country.  A positive result of the persecution taking place was that walls were breaking down between the different Christian churches.  When persecutors came, they didn't care if you labelled yourself as Wesleyan or Coptic.  They labelled you as a follower of Christ.  And in that simple declaration, there was unity.  "I am a follower of Christ".

I believe personally, and as the pastor of our church, in participating in the capital "C" church.  And I have tried to live this value out.  That's why I have put priority on praying with other pastors.  That's why I participate in things like the Good Friday Gathering that's coming soon.  I believe it's important.  Do you?  Some do not.  After all, different churches and different denominations can be quite different.  And let's face it, we often think they're wrong and we're right.  But we read scripture like this one below and I believe it applies to us in our church, but also to the broader church.

"Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind" (Philippians 2:1-2, NIV).

The uniting factor is our relationship with Jesus Christ.  If you, or your church, exalts the Lord Jesus Christ as the Son of God and the only Saviour of the world, I can join hands in Christian fellowship with you.  If you, or your church does not, then I pray you would.  God is still teaching me all that these verses mean, but I have experienced the Christian fellowship between me and another, despite our deep theological differences.  We share a like-mindedness and have the same love, because Christ unites us.

So in a practical sense, what do I believe this means.

This Means:
1. We are not alone.  We are part of a movement of God across our city and world.  We can celebrate, pray and dream together.
2. Unbelievers see our division and separation..and they are confused.  God blesses us when we intentionally come together.  
3. Strong local churches make up a stronger capital "C" church.  God has called us with our unique history, location, gifting, etc...to reach who He has called us to reach.  We make no apologies for working at being a healthy local church.  Our focus is here, but our heart is for all local churches to be strong.
4. Coming together makes us stronger.  When we come together it makes us stronger, not weaker.  And it is a powerful testimony to our community, and a reflection of being united with Christ.

Of course, much more can be said, and perhaps you have more questions about what it means to associate with other churches in our community.  My responsibility (practically, spiritually, relationally, etc...) is primarily to our church, Laurentian Wesleyan.  But I believe it is important for me, for us and for you to be connected to the broader capital "C" Church.  I don't always get the balance right, and I ask for your grace and for your prayer.  But I do believe we're stronger together.

-Jason