Thursday, July 22
Live in the Light
Scripture: 2 Chronicles 17-18, 1 John 1
1 John 1:6–7 If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. 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.
Observation
What does it mean to walk in the darkness? Several things. It means that you are living outside of a genuine relationship with God who is Light. You live in the darkness of ignorance of God and His ways. You live in the darkness of sin rather than the light of righteousness. You live in the darkness of deception and hiddenness rather than the light of truth and openness.
If you are living this way, don’t fool yourself and say that you have fellowship with God. That’s a lie.
What does it mean to walk in the light? Several things. It means the opposite of walking in darkness, so it is living in relationship with God like Jesus did (“as He is in the light”). It is living righteously, doing what God wants. It is living honestly and openly, rather than secretly or deceptively. All this means that we have fellowship not only with God but with each other. And it means that when we do sin, the blood of Jesus cleanses us!
Notice that walking in the light doesn’t mean that we’re perfect and never sin—we’re still fallen human beings trying to live in the light of God. But the good news is that when we walk in the light, we see our sin, confess it (v. 9) and are forgiven and cleansed, because He is faithful! We don’t have to pretend that we’re always right or never sin!
Application
Today I will live in the light of His presence. I will live honestly and openly—nothing hidden or deceptive. I will own my sin and celebrate His forgiveness.
Prayer: You are faithful and just! You forgive us and cleanse us every time we confess. Help me to live in that light with honesty and openness!