Walking in the Light

SCRIPTURE
1 John 1:5-7 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. 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
John is sharing some of what the disciples learned from Jesus while He was with them. He contrasts the light, which is goodness against darkness, which is evil. Of course, God is the light. There is no evil whatsoever in Him. God is truth and holiness and purity.

John warns us against saying that we have fellowship with Jesus and and then living a life that does not practice it by walking in the darkness (i.e. living a life that contains evil).

As I think about God's light - His goodness, His holiness, His purity - it makes everything of this world seem dirty and ugly. Naturally, that is not the case however, I can use His holiness to weigh the things in my life that fall short of an existence filled with light. I can evaluate choices, people, situations, issues and decisions based on what would fall in line with God's light. If every decision I make is evaluated through these lenses, most should be very clear and meet with His approval.

APPLICATION
I need to base my thoughts, words and actions on whether or not they fall into the "light" or "darkness" category. Although the phrase WWJD (What would Jesus do?) is cliche and overused, it does apply. I prefer to think about how I would think, look and act if I were standing in the presence of God. My choices need to be pure enough to meet with His scrutiny at all times.

PRAYER
Father, I thank you for your Word. I will continue to pour your guidance and wisdom into my life and into the lives of my children. We will continue to seek Your "light" and eliminate any areas of darkness that may come our way. Please continue to remind us and convict us when we begin to go astray. Amen.