Walking in the Light

-- By Les Dennis

We talk about light. We use the light. But what does it mean to walk in the light? One afternoon, while I was preparing a mid-week Bible study, the power went off. I immediately lost the use of my computer, and I found myself sitting in the dark while talking on the phone. It was very inconvenient! As evening came, matters got worse. During the daylight, I could easily navigate the stairs, but now I had to be careful.

I noticed that just a small candle would drive out the darkness. The darkness could not stay around when the light arrived. This is the message of 1 John 1:5, which says that God is light. Additionally, 1John 1:6, says that we cannot walk with God and walk in darkness at the same time. It just can’t be done.

NKJ 1 John 1:6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.

We either walk in the light in fellowship with God, or we admit that we are walking in darkness in disobedience to God. Any other claim is a lie.

Just as the light drives away the darkness, walking with God is the secret of overcoming sin. To fellowship with God as we walk in the light does not mean that we never sin. However, it does mean that we are honest about it. First John was written to help us achieve a life of victory over sin, but one part of this victory over sin is it to admit our sin to the Lord.

If we try to hide our sin, the Lord keeps reminding us about it. If we admit our sin to the Lord, the Lord defends us as it says in 1 John 2:1-2.

NKJ 1 John 2:1 My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 2 And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.

Our plea is not that we are innocent, but that He defends up by declaring our penalty paid by His own blood. If we do not confess our sin to God as soon as we are aware that we have sinned, we will hide from God. There is no middle ground. We either confess, or we avoid God. If we try to hide our sin, having our devotions just will not work. The fellowship and enjoyment of God will be gone, until we confess our sins and return to the light to walk in fellowship with God again.

The choice is ours, either walk in the light, or walk in darkness. Let each of us ask ourselves about our walk. If our walk is in darkness, let’s return to the Lord today, be forgiven for our sins and return to walking in the light.