John – God and Love
It’s summer on our side of the world. Commercials warn us of our fun in the sun and want to sell us their “complete protection” products they claim will save us from our exposure to the sun’s rays. All we have to do is spray it on or apply it liberally. The more you put on the more they sell, I mean, the more you are protected. (Smiling.)
John is telling us the opposite. “Walk in the Light!” We need protection from the darkness! Our “complete protection” from darkness and hidden sin is our repentance and complete forgiveness applied by Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord! SO, get out of the darkness where we attempt to hide our sin and come into the Light where all sin is exposed. Repent with humble hearts desiring not to return to the “scene of the crime” where sin tried to destroy us. Live freely in the Light of God’s love and care. Rejoice in His salvation! Live redeemed lives under His complete protection and guidance!
1 John 1, The Message
Part Two
Walk in the Light
5 This, in essence, is the message we heard from Christ and are passing on to you: God is light, pure light; there’s not a trace of darkness in him.
6-7 If we claim that we experience a shared life with him and continue to stumble around in the dark, we’re obviously lying through our teeth—we’re not living what we claim. But if we walk in the light, God himself being the light, we also experience a shared life with one another, as the sacrificed blood of Jesus, God’s Son, purges all our sin.
8-10 If we claim that we’re free of sin, we’re only fooling ourselves. A claim like that is errant nonsense. On the other hand, if we admit our sins—make a clean breast of them—he won’t let us down; he’ll be true to himself. He’ll forgive our sins and purge us of all wrongdoing. If we claim that we’ve never sinned, we out-and-out contradict God—make a liar out of him. A claim like that only shows off our ignorance of God.
Bonus! “If we walk in the light, God himself being the light, we also experience a SHARED life with one another, as the sacrificed blood of Jesus, God’s Son, purges ALL our sin.” What a Savior! What a Mighty God we have, love and serve!I am reminded of an old VBS song I taught to kids years ago…
Step into the sunshine,
Get out of the shade
This is the one time that you’ve got it made,
And you can feel yourself smilin’
Way down to your shoes
Step into the sunshine, find the great good news!
(By Evie Karlsson)
I’m smiling. How about you?
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for redeeming us and making us whole. Thank you for removing our sins forever and completely. Thank you for your Light that guides, heals, protects, and fills our hearts, minds and souls. Thank you for restoring the joy of YOUR salvation in us even this morning. On this rainy, cloudy day, I will walk in the Light! And smile.
In Jesus Name, Amen
