Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – December 9, 2019
If we claim that we share life with him, but keep walking in the realm of darkness, we’re fooling ourselves and not living the truth. But if we keep living in the pure light that surrounds him, we share unbroken fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, continually cleanses us from all sin. 1 John 1:6-7, TPT
Last month, my wife Rita and I and 25 of our friends walked where Jesus walked. Exhilarating to my soul, for sure. Enlightening to my mind, absolutely. Engaging to my heart, indeed with deep emotion. But not surprisingly, at times I was ambushed by sadness, as I gazed on the faces of those who today, walk where Jesus walked, but do not walk with Jesus. Faces ringed with darkness, deception and denial, communicated a life lacking the true love of the Lord. My heart broke for these lost, groping in the darkness. I truly wanted to explain to them how the light of Christ leads us to love and follow Him. There is a better way, embracing the only Way—Jesus.
John, the mystical apostle of love, wisely applies the spiritual to the practical. The realm of darkness is reserved for those who still listen to the dark, cold voices trying to convince us that we are alone and not loved. Yet to be, healed hearts, starving for love, drift toward dark thinking where lies incubate. But hearts marinating in the matchless love of the Father walk in the light of truth and healing. Beautifully, God forgives the sins we confess, and the lurking sins we are unaware of—His blood cleanses us from all our sins. The Holy Spirit knows we can only handle so much illumination of sins. Thankfully, our trust in Jesus is verified by our obedience to Jesus.
“If we boast that we have no sin, we’re only fooling ourselves and are strangers to the truth. But if we freely admit our sins when his light uncovers them, he will be faithful to forgive us every time. God is just to forgive us our sins because of Christ, and he will continue to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:8-9, TPT).
Are you walking in the light of your heavenly Father’s love? The voices of light love you for who you are, where you are—gently moving you toward who He made you to be. Be still, be quiet, for the voices of light start out small, sensitive to not overwhelm your soul. Even if you only hear faintly, “I love you for being you”, cling to that clause, and do the next right thing. Replace fear’s fruit of worry, with love’s fruit of trust, peace, hope, acceptance and healing. Walk in the light with a community of Jesus followers, and Jesus will speak through them. Obey Him joyfully.
Your capacity to forgive others grows as you grow your capacity to confess and receive Christ’s forgiveness. Forgiveness is energy that increases the brightness of love’s light. You burn brighter for the Lord, as you fuel your faith with forgiveness and love. This is the essence of the cross. Jesus chose not to save Himself so He could save you. Wow! What a generous love, what a raw way to help move you toward the right way. Embrace the love of His cross to bear your cross. Obey every day to verify your trust, and gain the trust of others to help them find fullness of joy.
“So we proclaim to you what we have seen and heard about this Life-Giver so that we may share and enjoy this life together. For truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus, the Anointed One. We are writing these things to you because we want to release to you our fullness of joy” (1 John 1:3-4, TPT).
Prayer
Heavenly Father, show me the way to walk in your light of love, in Jesus’ name, amen.
Application
What area of my life do I need to shine God’s light of love and confess my sin?
Related Reading
Isaiah 2:5; John 3:19-21; Romans 3:9-19; 1 Timothy 6:16
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Jesus chose not to save Himself so He could save you. Wow! What a generous love, what a raw way to help move you toward the right way. #wisdomhunters #lightoflove #truth #Jesus
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