I Wanna Be In The Light

[hldude33]

[font="arial]"I Wanna Be In The Light"[/font]

[font="Arial"]By Zach Wood[/font]

1 John 2:3-6

We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. The man who says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we known we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.

Many of you probably remember when DC Talk's "Jesus Freak" album came out in 1995. They had a song called "In The Light". In that song, they sang about wanting to be in the light of Christ and shine for Him. This past week, as I have been reading this passage about walking in the light of God, I could not help but think of that song. They sing about how they want to be in the light as Christ is in the light. Jesus Christ is the Light of the world.

Now, who of us would even consider saying that we do not want to be living in the light of Christ? None of us would, of course! However, if you are anything like me, you find yourself failing every single day in some way or ways in trying to shine the light of Christ to others. We desire to obey Him. We want to live like Him. We want to say things to glorify Him. We want to do things for others that show His Love. Every one of us wants and desires these things if we are in Christ. We have a desire to shine His Light.

Look at that passage and see where it talks about the man who says that he knows Christ but then does not do what Christ commands. How can we possibly expect to shine the Light of Christ if we do not even do what He commands? If we are not obeying His commands, we are not walking in the Truth. Plain and simple. If we are living the way we want to live in our own little world, people will not see the Truth through us. It is just that simple.

When we turn from our wicked ways and follow Him, His Love is made complete in us and our witness grows stronger. If we claim to live in Him, we absolutely must walk as He did. We cannot claim to live in Him and live our own way. The world will look at us and want nothing to do with what we say we offer. It just drives people further and further away from desiring to know more about Him.

If we love Him, we will obey Him. If we want to be in the Light as He is in the Light, we must choose to walk with Him and live for Him. Otherwise, we will not be in the Light. I want to encourage each of us to consider seriously whether we are really, truly living in the Light of Christ. We may say we do, but we must really examine our lives to see if we are truly living.

If we wanna be in the Light as He is in the Light, we must walk in the Light.

 

[Robbie]

That's a great thing to want....

Jesus most definitely walked in the Light... in the the truth of who He is... the truth of who I am is like a bag of trash compared to the glorious truth of who He is... even though... He still loved me enough to die so I could live... in the light the Glory is all His... and I walk with Him in that Light...

Sometime I feel like a piece of trash that wouldn't be worth 2 cents at a garage sell... but the buyer decides the value of something dependent on what they're willing to pay for it... and my Father saw us as worth the price of His Son... that's so humbling... thanks so much to our Father for seeing value in us... He's so GOOD... He loves us so much!!!

His is the Kingdom, the Power and the Glory...

 

[timf]

If we love Him, we will obey Him. If we want to be in the Light as He is in the Light, we must choose to walk with Him and live for Him. Otherwise, we will not be in the Light.

One small point of clarification, Jesus did not "walk in the light". He was and is light. Those who abide (live in Him (such as the vine and branch of John 15)), are able to show His light to to others.

The emphasis on words like "obey" when tied to "walk" tend to emphasize what we chose to do and can open a door like that the Galatians were starting to go through. The flesh is drawn to contemplation of what it can accomplish. The appeal to accomplish great things for Jesus sounds laudable, but can draw someone down the path of "leaven" to self-righteousness and end in the spiritual blindness of the Pharisees.

I would urge caution that if words like "obey" are used, that they be tied to something specific that Jesus said. For example, "love one another".

 

[hldude33]

If you read the devotional again, you will note in the first paragraph that I specifically said "Jesus is the Light". He is The Light and He is also in the Light.

One small point of clarification, Jesus did not "walk in the light". He was and is light. Those who abide (live in Him (such as the vine and branch of John 15)), are able to show His light to to others.

The emphasis on words like "obey" when tied to "walk" tend to emphasize what we chose to do and can open a door like that the Galatians were starting to go through. The flesh is drawn to contemplation of what it can accomplish. The appeal to accomplish great things for Jesus sounds laudable, but can draw someone down the path of "leaven" to self-righteousness and end in the spiritual blindness of the Pharisees.

I would urge caution that if words like "obey" are used, that they be tied to something specific that Jesus said. For example, "love one another".

 

[bud02]

I don't want to say ether is right or wrong I simply want to express my understanding.

Jesus clearly said I am the light of the world. John 8:12 but notice He says those that follow will HAVE the light of life.

So perhaps Christ light shining on you is also a good thing, look what happened to Saul / Paul after the light shined on him. But Jesus taught that we are the light, the light of Jesus is in us, just as He is the light John 8:12 ..... that dwells within us.

Below we see the first born passing His inheritance on to His own the light of the world has become us. And here as well. Rev 3:21-22

Matthew 5
[sup]14[/sup] “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. [sup]15[/sup] Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. [sup]16[/sup] Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.