LIVING IN THE LIGHT
This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in Him at all. So we are lying if we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in spiritual darkness; we are not practicing the truth. But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, cleanses us from all sin.
1 John 1:5-7 (NLT)
God is light. It’s who He is. There’s no darkness in God or with God. Everything that’s in the light is seen. There’s nothing hidden. Total transparency!
So, if I say I’m in relationship with God, but there are things in my mind or my life that I’m trying to hide from Him, then I’m not living in the truth. When I’m totally transparent with God, communicating with Him about every area of my life, not covering anything up, then God says we’re in fellowship, we’re right with each other. And the sacrificial death of Jesus cleanses us from ALL our sin.
Living in the light doesn’t mean I’m living perfectly. Living in the light means nothing is hidden; I’m totally transparent with God. I’m giving God full access to my life.
If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that His Word has no place in our hearts.
1 John 1:8-10 (NLT)
If I try to act like I have no sin, then I’m fooling myself because we all have some sin in our lives. But when I confess that sin to God, agreeing with God that this is not something I want in my life, He is faithful and just to forgive me and cleanse me from that sin and ALL other sins.
You know the guilt you feel when you try to cover up something that you don’t want anyone else to know? Bring it to the light. Confess it to God, ask Him to remove that sin, and let the light of His love and forgiveness shine on you.
APPLICATION: Ask God to bring to your mind anything you’re holding onto or trying to hide from Him. Confess and release that to God.
PRAYER: Father, show me anything in me that’s not submitted to You. Help me be open with You about that, and give me the strength to release it to You.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?