Are you walking with Jesus in His Light? Does His grace, love, and truth guide your steps in your journey of faith? Scripture passages are from the Berean Standard Bible:
Images created using Night Cafe Studio for your enjoyment. One of the helpful features of the online, free Berean Standard Bible is the links which enable a person to read a passage and see other related passages.
Jesus as Savior: Our Light
Children came to Jesus and He blessed them. Do we demonstrate the childlike faith that trusts that He is good and that He wants us to come to Him? This image is of Jesus praying and the boy comes closer to see what He is all about.
Jesus the Light of the World: John 8:12
(1 John 1:5–10)
12Once again, Jesus spoke to the people and said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.”
Wonderful promise that Jesus gives us about His nature. He is the Light that overcomes the darkness of our sorrows (from sin) in life. To walk with Him is to walk in the light of His presence! For more on this great promise:
https://www.gotquestions.org/light-of-the-world.html
Fellowship in His Light
Walking in the Light of His Presence.
1 John 1:1-10
The Word of Life
(Luke 24:36–49; John 20:19–23)
1That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our own eyes, which we have gazed upon and touched with our own hands—this is the Word of life. 2And this is the life that was revealed; we have seen it and testified to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us.
John makes it clear that Jesus was seen and physically real. He wasn’t a spirit or ghost, but a human who walked with His disciples. He was with the Father (God Holy Father). John identifies Jesus as the “eternal life.” How was Jesus revealed to them? Consider the numerous “signs” John mentions in his gospel.
3We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And this fellowship of ours is with the Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ. 4We write these things so that our joy may be complete.
John writes and proclaims the Gospel truth(s) in order that there may be fellowship! Redemption restores the broken fellowship between humanity and a Holy, Perfect God. The result of this fellowship and truth: joy becomes complete!
When the darkness comes against you. Recall Jesus’ prayer in John 17 and consider that He is sitting at God’s right hand in heaven interceding for you. Romans 8:34
Walking in the Light
(John 8:12–29)
5And this is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you: God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. 6If we say we have fellowship with Him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7But 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.
Walking is a term biblical authors use to describe a person’s way of life. Just as you can recognize a familiar person from a distance by how they walk, likewise how we live our lives reveals to those who see our “way” of life. We walk with Christ and with other believers. Why doesn’t John mention the lone wolf believer who walks alone? Scripture consistently depicts believers as being in fellowship with God and others.
8If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10If we say we have not sinned, we make Him out to be a liar, and His word is not in us.
The remedy for sin is confession. Confession leads to forgiveness. How does God respond when we confess our sin/need for his cleansing? He is faithful (keeping His promise to us), just to forgive.
Confession and His Justice
When we confess our sins to God, we agree with Him that we have broken His law and therefore deserve punishment.
Confession recognizes that we are wrong—we are personally guilty. Confession confronts our denial of sin head-on. We are humble enough to say, “Lord, I have sinned against you.”
And believers who want to walk in God’s light must be willing to let Him deal radically with their lives.
https://www.gotquestions.org/confess-our-sins-faithful-and-just.html accessed 2/10/24
God desires to forgive us! That is part of His wonderful, merciful, loving nature. Consider this quote from the article cited above:
“God will never give up on us. We can always count on His steadfast love and forgiveness (Isaiah 43:25; Romans 8:38). When we turn to the Lord, He will have mercy on us and freely pardon our sin (Isaiah 55:7).”
For more on God’s justice and His nature: https://www.gotquestions.org/confess-our-sins-faithful-and-just.html
Words of Grace & Hope 