WALKING IN THE LIGHT

MONDAY 11 APRIL 2022

God is light; He is holy and His light is supernatural. John the Evangelist, wrote at Ephesus, about his Christian faith which vivifies an ideal fellowship with the God of light, in whom there is no darkness at all, and the main purpose of his testimony is to intensify the longing in every Christian to walk in this same light.

Reference: 1 John 1:7 New Living Translation (NLT) "But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin."

Uncommon things happen as we walk or live in the light. There are at least three important possibilities that come into force or start to apply as we live in the light, according to the above Scripture. Firstly, we function as He is, in the light. Secondly we fellowship with like-minded Christians, and thirdly, the blood of Jesus effects its "cleansing" duty as we sustain the fellowship.

The first one is: Living in the light makes us exactly as He is in the light. First of all, what does it mean to live or walk in the light? It simply means to practice the truth of God's Word. We find this in the prior verse (1 John 1:6) which reads, "So we are lying if we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in spiritual darkness; we are not practicing the truth" (NLT). As we walk in the light by practising the truth, it penetrates us and the significance is that it quickens our spiritual life such that we become conscious of being divine and operating accordingly, just as He is.

The Psalmist says, "Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path" (Psalm 109:105 NLT). However, the Word does not automatically become anyone's light. It's only when you practise the Word, that it becomes a lamp that guides your feet and a light for your path. When its not put into practice, it cannot guide your feet or light your path, which means your path is darkness. So walking in the light suggests "constant practice" of the Word which discloses heavenly realities to your spirit and then you manifest them as you are being led by the Spirit.

The second one is: We have fellowship with one another. Walking in the light attracts the right relationships with our fellow born again Christians whose lights are constantly burning and shining. In another way, walking in the light is a force that captivates serious Christians and can also transform unserious Christians beyond any doubt. Through continual fellowship, the love we have for the people of God is revealed as this light shines and emits from within. In John 5:35, Jesus commended this about John the Baptist, and it reads, "He was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light" (ESV). In other words, his light pulled many to his direction and to God's glory.

The third one is: The blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin. Guilt, condemnation, sexual immorality, division, hatred, slander, backbiting, strife and other works of the flesh cannot survive in the light because the precious blood of the Lamb purifies us from them all. And we can't afford to keep up with an unforgiving and unloving attitude because a burning light will consume such attitude. In other words, it won't tolerate it. This purification by the blood suggests - being made blameless in the sight of God as the saints; being found faultless in Christ because we are clothed with His righteousness (Philippians 3:9 NIV) and being set apart or sanctified in the truth (John 17:17 AMP). Moreover, only those who consistently practise the Word can walk according to the above descriptions of light in Christ and enjoy fruitful, rewarding and loving fellowship with our heavenly Father.

Walking in the light as God is in the light equally means, being holy just as He is holy (see 1 Peter 1:15-16 NIV). As you have and sustain constant fellowship with the right Christian associations, new desires of the Spirit begin to well up in you because you became committed to putting off the corrupt conducts of the old man and kicking down the ladder of sinful desires, thereby entertaining and actioning the dictates of the Holy Spirit. Shalom!

Scripture Reading - Psalm 56:13; Isaiah 9:2; John 8:12; Psalm 89:15.

Guided Prayer: Heavenly Father, blessed are those who have been born into Christ, the light of life, of which I am one. I have learnt to acclaim you daily as I walk in the light of your presence. Thus, I have put off the flesh, thoroughly and perfectly agreeing with the inward and outward workings of the life-giving light I emit in Christ. By the knowledge of the Word increasing in me and the mutual comfort and delight of fellowshipping with the saints, I live both to will and to work for your good pleasure, with the utmost desire to accomplish much for your glory, in Jesus' Name, Amen!