March 19 - Walking

1 John 1:5-7

5 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in darkness, we lie and do not live by 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.

Being a Christian is tough! There are so many traps and temptations in this dark world. We are to be the light in the darkness, enduring through lust, greed, profanity, addiction, and so many other downfalls. We backslide because our relationship with Christ isn't very strong. If I am not founded in the truth revealed in the gospel, then I am sunk. 

In the Word, it's said that there is no darkness in God at all. He is 100% light and that will never change. Christ portrayed this purity and light while walking this earth and living in the physical. Christ was tempted, just as we are tempted every single day. He was given opportunities to show God's love, just as we are given opportunities. Except in most cases, we do not use those opportunities to bring glory to God. 

What is it that is so appealing about darkness (sin)? It's a temporary satisfaction. No matter the sin...it is temporary. If it is sexual pleasures outside of marriage or pre-marital...it doesn't last. If it is drugs, it appeals for a short span, but quickly fades. If it's money or possessions, it can only last up to your last breath (and I haven't seen many people living it up on their yacht while they are in a nursing home). God is the only thing that lasts. Again, what is so appealing about darkness?

Christ has purified us through the shedding of his perfect and innocent blood. We as Christians are called to shine the light on the darkness. We are to expose the creatures that lurk in the darkness and warn those who walk in the darkness about the harm Satan is plotting to inflict on us. If I was lost in the woods at night, I would want a flashlight or a torch. To refuse a light in the dark where holes, animals, obstacles, and dangers are abundant would be ridiculous. The same is true here. I find myself walking through the woods at night turning my light on and off. 

Life is good...when we walk in the light.

John 8:12

12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have light of life."

Christ promises us life. He explains that if we FOLLOW him, we will never walk in darkness. We will still be tempted. We will still have traps in our path. We will still face persecution...but we will have the light of life. It is so much easier to turn away from sin and temptation when I am closer to Christ. Our minds and spirits must be set on things of God, not of this world.