Thoughts: Walking in Light or Darkness?
Here are today’s personal reflections.
This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.
1 John 1:5-6
…
What does it mean when we “walk in darkness”?
Then these verses shed some light.
But anyone who hates another brother or sister is still living and walking in darkness. Such a person does not know the way to go, having been blinded by the darkness.
1 John 2:11
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.
1 John 2:15-16
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When we “walk in darkness”, our whole outlook on life is ruled by worldliness. What we do and say is based on what we like, not on what God likes or hates.
Hmm.
So, … what if we claim that we are a Christian, we go to church, and are even involved in church ministry, and at the same time, we:
– steal an organisation’s money?
– or, known as someone who likes to share dirty jokes and vulgar images with others?
– or, are easily offended and will consequently curse others at moments of anger?
I guess, the answer to the question above is the answer to THIS question:
“Can we be light AND dark at the same time?”
“Can an apple tree produce oranges as its fruits?”
…
He went on to say, “What comes out of a person is what makes them ‘unclean.’ Evil thoughts come from the inside, from a person’s heart. So do sexual sins, stealing and murder. Adultery, greed, hate and cheating come from a person’s heart too. So do desires that are not pure, and wanting what belongs to others. And so do telling lies about others and being proud and being foolish. All these evil things come from inside a person and make them ‘unclean.’ ”
Mark 7:20-23
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God is light, and there’s no darkness in Him.
It means, those who have truly accepted Christ as their Lord and Saviour will have THAT light in them.
When Christ’s love and holiness are already in our lives, we will naturally start to “despise” darkness, most likely, our “old, bad habits” (Mark 7:20-23)
i.e. When we “truly” have the light of God in our life, we would NOT feel “at peace” when we do all the things above, i.e. things that are against God’s holiness, righteousness, goodness and justice.
So, what if we feel there is “nothing wrong” when we do what Mark 7:20-23 says?
Hmm.
Perhaps, … perhaps we need to go back to the basic question of, “Have we truly repented and accepted Christ as our Lord and Saviour?”
“Have we read God’s Word and let it fill our heart and mind daily?”
It is never too late to repent and ask God for forgiveness.
May God have mercy on me, and everyone of us.
…
A song that reminds me today of the need to be filled with the mind of Christ, day to day.
May the Mind of Christ, My Saviour
May the mind of Christ, my Saviour,
Live in me from day to day,
By His love and power controlling
All I do and say.
