Choose to Walk in the Light with God

“This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth” (1 John 1:5-6 NIV).

It was Easter afternoon and I was busy preparing Sunday dinner for the family. I bent over the oven to get something out and my left eye went completely black. I was blind in that eye.

We called my daughter’s father-in-law who was an ophthalmologist. He told us to get to the Callaway Eye Emergency Room immediately. It surprised me how insistent he was because even though I couldn’t see there was absolutely no pain in my eyes, so I wondered why we needed to hurry. After all, it was Easter and our dinner was not ready.

I am so glad we did exactly what he told us to do. I had a tear in my retina which caused darkness.

I have another darkness that can overtake me at times, and it is my old sinful nature. It is sneaky and it can come over me quickly. I can have thoughts that I know better than to think, bitterness, or envy can capture my heart and my mind. Anger can direct me into the darkness of harsh words and prideful actions. There is a darkness in me that has been there since birth. But because of Jesus I also have a new nature.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV).

I wish I could say that my old nature of darkness never creeps up in me, but that would be a lie. Grace is my only hope. Grace from the Holy Spirit can direct me back to who God has made me to be.

“You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world” (1 John 4:4 NIV).

We all fight darkness because of our old sinful nature. And because we live in a broken world with broken people, our battle goes on outside of us. We also have an enemy that wants to trick us and defeat us. Our hope is found in the power, goodness, and grace of the Lord.

The trip to the emergency room was awful because it was Easter and the ones on call were not able to help me. I had to go to a well-equipped surgeon to repair my retina and to be with me as I healed. This all took time and obedience for my eyesight to return. How grateful I am to be able to see.

When I listen to my old nature, or when I fall into temptation, I can make light of my sin and decide that what I am doing is not wrong or a big deal. I need the Holy Spirit to repair me and draw me back into God’s light. He is the Healer that I need and He is able and willing to heal my soul.

“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, purifies us from allsin” (1 John 1:7 NIV).

Here is our hope and God’s promise from His Word. We can rest that He has made us new. He is greater than the evil one and by grace we can walk in the light of forgiveness.

For Reflection

Read John 3:16-21

Pray with me

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank you for the grace that saved us and the grace that continues to make us new. Forgive us Lord, when we stray away from Your Word, forget to pray, and chase after lesser things. This creation is beautiful because You have created it. All things that are good and beautiful are to draw us to You. Holy Spirit, teach us, draw us, protect us, and give us discernment. We ask this in the name above all other names, in the name of Jesus. Amen.