Stay in That Light!!!

Tuesday, November 2nd, 2010

Today's Passage: 1 John 1
Memory Verse: 1 John 1:5-7 

Have you ever had a conversation with someone who sounded like they just knew they had a relationship with God, but their lifestyle didn't back it up?  Then they turned around and blamed God for the reason they couldn't accomplish anything?  I have.  The next time you talk to one of those people, here's some basic things to keep in mind.

Today's passage makes it really easy to see why we DO need Him.  First of all, the knowledge of His holiness should be enough to fill us with joy.  We are not serving a God Who is bound by human restrictions.  Our God is a Spirit.  He's outside of time and space.  Therefore, if we need Him to go somewhere in our past and bring healing to a situation we are ashamed of, He is able to do it.  But in order to have access to such grace and mercy, there are some conditions.

First and foremost, the Word tells us to be truthful and admit there are places in our lives where we need His light to shine.  Why is it so hard for some people to accept that God is light, and there is absolutely no darkness in Him?  If we claim to walk in His ways, call ourselves saints, and desire His blessings, we MUST be  willing to accept His holiness and pursue it.  Why? Because it's what brings us back into right standing with Him when we stray.  No matter how many years we've known God, if there is darkness anywhere in our lives, the only way we can get rid of it is by exposing it to His light.  That's the only way we can walk in Him.

A lifestyle of constantly walking in God's light will first keep us desiring to press toward that standard of holiness that never changes in spite of circumstances.  I guess that's why some get so mad at God: he doesn't lower His standard for us just because people or things change around us.  The next thing it will do is make it easy for us to unite with others who love God and His ways like we do.  It provides the accountability we so desperately need from our brothers and sisters.  As a result,  when we run into problems, we are not alone.  We have someone there to agree with us in prayer and keep us lifted up.  When you weigh God's way against human independence, it's simply in our favor to keep walking in the light.

Prayer: Father, words will never begin to describe how much I appreciate Your holiness.  Thank You for setting the standard and lovingly requiring me to trust You to help me meet it.  Thank You for forgiving me when I go wrong, cleansing me whenever I confess my sins, and bringing me back to right standing with You.  Help me show compassion and pray for those who may not be ready to admit their dependence on You.  In Jesus' Name, Amen.