Walk In The Light

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Scripture: 1 John 1:5-10 (ESV)

5 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness. 6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

Devotion:

            Christmas is a season of lights, from brightly lit Christmas trees and decorated houses to the singing of Silent Night in a darkened church lit only by candlelight. This proclaims that Jesus came to bring light into a dark and dangerous world. All the world is, for a short time, at least, transformed into a beautiful tapestry of light. Christmas lights, aside from their beauty, are symbols of hope that this weary and sin-filled world does not have the ultimate say in the way this world operates.

            We see the peace and truth that Jesus came to proclaim by the Christmas lights. God’s light penetrates our darkened hearts and promises hope and restoration to us. Today’s scripture proclaims this light and offers us a chance to walk in its glow all year round. Jesus came to be a God-given light for us to see by—a way to know the truth and joy that only He can bring. Jesus can be a light to us in this world. Even long after the decorative lights have been taken down, Jesus offers His light to the whole world.

            The Apostle John, inspired by the Holy Spirit, proclaims that sin is our reason for seeking the darkness. John declares that we all have sin within us that hides the light that Jesus brings and can illuminate our sin-darkened hearts. We must, each one of us, confess our sins and receive the forgiveness that Jesus freely offers us. John tells us the truth: “If we say we have not sinned, we make him [God] a liar, and his word is not in us.” These are hard words for us to hear but necessary for our salvation. We should all humble ourselves before the Lord as the guilty sinners we are to receive the grace of God’s forgiveness. Let us pray that God will heal us as He promised.

Prayer:

            Heavenly Father, we rejoice in this season of lights, decorations, and good cheer. Lord, help us keep the Christ light burning in our hearts all year. We confess that we are all sinners in need of grace and forgiveness. We have loved the dark places in our hearts where our favorite sins hideout. Dear Lord, shine into those dark places. We ask that you bring Jesus forgiveness to bear on those dark and hidden places in our lives. Thanks be to God for that cleansing. May we live to bear witness to the world of your grace and love. Amen.

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