Walking In The Light

Walking In The Light!

When I was 14 years of age -- I was given a dog, a brittany spaniel -- white & preach in color -- & so I called the dog, Peaches. Peaches was the most loyal dog anyone could ever own.

Peaches would follow me every where I went -- like the puppy she was. -- It did not matter how fast I walked -- or what I did -- Peaches would stay right with me. -- She would follow my every step!

Do you realize that God created us to do a similar thing? God created us to follow in His steps.

The Christian life is a daily walk with God!

It is far more than just an experience of being born again at an altar of prayer somewhere -- however important as that may be. The Christian life is a journey that will eventually lead us to heaven.

As you & I live & walk in a relationship with God day by day -- God reveals new truth from His Holy Word to us -- to enable us to become the kind of transformed person He wants us to be.

That revealed truth may come from a sermon -- a Sunday School lesson -- a conversation with another person -- or it may come as you read the Bible, & the Holy Spirit shows you something new that speaks to your heart. Responding to the truth God reveals to us -- is what we mean when we speak about Walking in the Light.

The Apostle John -- who is often called the Beloved Disciple -- speaks about this matter of Walking in the Light -- in his first letter written to the Church -- which we call First John -- found toward the end of the New Testament.

John wrote the Gospel of John; -- he also wrote three letters to the Church -- First, Second, & Third John; -- & then he also wrote The Revelation -- telling us about the end times.

First John is a real gem -- worthy of our careful study.

The two most difficult things to get straight in life are God & love.

More often than not -- the mess people make of their lives can be traced to failure or stupidity in one or both of these areas. The basic & biblical Christian conviction is that the two subjects -- that is, God & love -- are inter related.

If we want to deal with God the right way -- we have to learn to love the right way.

If we want to love the right way -- we have to deal with God the right way. -- God & love cannot be separated!

This little letter of First John helps us to better understand both love & God! -- In fact, it tells us that God is love! (1 John 4:8) Let me read a portion of 1 John, chapter 1, beginning with verse 3.

I want us to focus on verse 7, but lets look at 1 John 1:3-7.

“That which we have seen & heard declare we unto you,

that you also may have fellowship with us:

& truly our fellowship is with the Father, & with His Son Jesus Christ.

And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.

This then is the message which we have heard of Him, & declare unto you,

that God is light, & in Him is no darkness at all.

If we say that we have fellowship with Him, & walk in darkness, we lie, & do not the truth:

But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another,

& the blood of Jesus Christ His Son, cleanses us from all sin.”

John speaks about this matter of Walking in the Light.

Walking in the light is a relationship you have with God.

John does not say we are to simply sit in the light; -- He tells us we are to walk in the light -- suggesting progress & growth. Walking in the light involves spiritual progress!

There is no line of truth that is of greater significance to the Christian life than this matter of walking in the Light! Walking in the Light eventually covers everything that is necessary for us to know about being a true Christian.

Many of you who are here this morning have been in & around the Church for the greater part of your life. In that time you have heard some good preaching -- in church -- or at camp meetings -- or in revivals.

You have attended Sunday School -- & Bible studies. You have walked with God long enough that you already have received enough light to save the world!

The question is -- Are you walking in the Light?

Some of you may be new Christians; -- you are in the process of learning how to be a better Christian.

My dear friend -- just be sure to continue walking in the Light!

The Christian life is a daily walk -- a daily journey of walking with God -- & God is Light (1 John 1:5).

Our Scripture lesson -- particularly in 1 John 1:7 -- shares some important thoughts along this line of our daily journey with Jesus.

“If we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, & the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7).

1. First -- Notice the Decision for the Journey! -- “If”

When God sheds new light on our pathway -- we have a decision to make! -- The word IF -- means we have a choice! We can chose to obey -- & walk in the light -- or we can chose to turn our backs on the light & walk away in disobedience -- & thereby walk in darkness.

1 John 1:7 is really a glorious all inclusive promise! It promises complete deliverance from sin.

Sin -- with its presence -- with its power over us -- with its pollution.

This verse promises a happy victorious Christian life.

But always remember -- all of God’s promises are conditional!

There is that important word -- IF. The ‘if’ is our part; -- the rest is God’s part.

You must make the decision. Are you going to walk faithfully in the light?

It is not an accidental decision; -- it is a conscience decision.

Yes! -- I will obey; -- I will walk in the light.

It must also be a continuous -- daily -- decision.

We don’t pick the light we like -- & discard what we do not like.

We deliberately chose to walk in all the light God sheds on our pathway -- or else we walk in darkness.

Allow me to illustrate it this way. I walk into McDonalds -- look over the selection of items available -- & then I chose what it is I want to eat -- & I ignore all the rest. At McDonalds I can pick & chose -- & it makes very little difference.

Unfortunately -- some people approach religion in this manner. When it comes to God’s Holy Word -- & the light He shed upon our pathway -- we must chose to obey all of it -- or we obey none of it!

It is not a pick & chose situation; -- we either walk in the light -- or else we walk in darkness! -- There is no in-between! You either chose to obey -- or your chose to disobey!

You either walk in the light -- or you walk in darkness.

My friends -- make the right choice -- & walk in the Light!

2. Secondly -- Notice the Direction for the Journey! -- “walk in the light ...”

There are so many, many people in this world who just aimlessly journey through life. -- They have no real sense of direction or purpose.

But it is so different for those of us who journey with the Lord Jesus.

Our lives take on direction & purpose! To walk in the Light suggest direction in our lives!

We do not walk aimlessly; -- Jesus does not lead us in circles -- nor into boxed canyons.

By walking in the light -- Jesus will eventually lead us all the way to heaven -- to eternal glory.

Remember -- we are to walk in the Light! Not a creed; -- not some religious ritual; -- not a system of man made rules; -- we are to walk in the Light of God’s Holy Word!

What is the Light? -- John says, “God is Light” -- so we walk in step with God Himself. -- This makes it so much more personal!

Walking in the Light eventually covers everything that is necessary in our Christian life.

I could preach on all sorts of subjects: -- prayer -- forgiving others -- tithing -- making restitution -- holy living. But if you faithfully walk in the Light -- you will eventually come to see the importance of all of these!

Walking in the Light will give you a real sense of progress!

And best of all -- you will know that you are heading in the right direction!

I’m so glad I can know that I am moving in the right direction.

I am not blind to way my life is taking me; -- as long as I keep my eyes on Jesus Christ -- the Light of the world -- & walk in His light -- I can see where I am going. I’m not groping around in the darkness -- stumbling along the way -- I am walking in the Light.

My friends -- are you walking in the Light? -- Or are you stumbling along in the darkness?

Walking in the Light gives you a sense of confidence that you are moving forward in the right direction.

3. Finally, Notice the Dividends of the Journey!

What wonderful dividends -- “fellowship” & “cleansing.”

There are two great dividends! The benefits -- the advantages of walking in the Light are two fold!

First -- there is the dividend of fellowship! Fellowship with God -- & fellowship with other Christians -- are by-products of walking in the Light!

Fellowship with God has no attraction for the unbeliever.

But for the Christian -- the purest joy this side of Heaven is fellowship with God!

And the deeper the fellowship -- the greater the joy!

No wonder Fanny Crosby, the blind hymn writer, wrote: --

Oh, the pure delight of a single hour

That before Thy throne I spend.

When I kneel in prayer & with Thee, my God,

I commune as friend with friend.

Draw me nearer, nearer, blessed Lord, To the cross where Thou hast died.

But the fellowship spoken of here is not only fellowship with God -- it is also fellowship with other Christians.

We are hearing a lot these days about networking. This term refers to the people in our lives -- relatives, friends, & associates -- who are part of our emotional & physical support base.

They are the people we can count on for help. When we’re out of a job -- looking for an emergency loan -- or grieving -- they are the ones who stand by us.

This whole concept of networking is closely akin to the Christian concept of fellowship.

In the New Testament -- fellowship refers to the likeness in nature among the members of the family of God. It transcends racial, social, economic differences -- & unites them in the worship & in the service of Christ. We become true brothers & sisters in Christ Jesus.

We need this fellowship of a community of believers who love, encourage, & pray for one another.

This sense of belonging is more important to our spiritual well-being than we realize.

Are you looking for an answer to the loneliness & isolation in today’s impersonal world? -- Try network fellowship with other Christians!

Christian fellowship provides support to hold us up -- & it provides encouragement to build us up.

But -- “walking in darkness” -- living in sin -- separates us from this sweet fellowship with God -- & with other Christians.

If church people are fighting among themselves -- there is probably sin among the ranks.

There is no such thing as arguing & fussing & bickering -- if we are all walking in the light.

Fellowship & fussing just do not mix, just as light & darkness do not mix!

The ear marks of Christian fellowship are kindness & courtesy.

Light creates warmth! Walking in the light brings warmth to our hearts.

Let me ask you: -- Do you enjoy Christian fellowship?

When you get together after church with other Christians -- does your conversation tend toward the things of the Lord? Do you love to talk about the Bible -- talk about the glory of belonging to the Savior -- & listening to the testimony from others who have a like precious faith?

Is the “fellowship of the saints” just a theological term?

Does it simply mean “sitting next to someone in church”?

If that is the full extent of your spiritual contact with other believers -- then I feel sorry for you.

Do you enjoy getting together with other Christians -- & talking about the Lord? -- I truly hope you do!

God’s children may differ on minor doctrine -- & on modes of worship -- yet, in their love for the Lord Jesus & His Word -- they find a blessed measure of the unity of fellow believers.

That is why we can sing: --

Blest be the ties that binds -- Our hearts in Christian love.

The fellowship of kindred minds -- Is like to that above.

Those who are drawn toward Christ are naturally drawn towards one another.

The second dividend of “walking in the light” is that of cleansing!

We are told that the blood of Jesus Christ -- God’s Son -- cleanses us -- or purifies us -- from all sin!

John uses the word “purify” -- which means to erase the stain caused by sin -- & to wash away the defilement & ongoing effects of our sin. This purification process is designed to change us into people who wholeheartedly love God -- & love others.

If we walk daily in the Light -- God will keep us from sin -- & keep us clean! -- This is a perpetual cleansing; -- a continual cleansing. As we walk in the Light -- the blood of Jesus Christ keeps our hearts clean from sinful deeds.

Conclusion: -- Let me ask you some important questions.

Are you open to God’s leadership in your life? Are you daily walking with the Lord Jesus?

Are you faithfully following His directions? When the Lord talks to you about a matter -- either large or small -- do you listen carefully -- & then obey?

This -- my friend -- is how we grow as a Christian!

If the way becomes dark -- & our spirits are down -- it is a certain sign that we are failing to follow closely enough to the Lord.

When we follow a guide who is lighting our pathway-- we simply keep close to him.

Darkness may be all about us -- but the light dispels the darkness in our immediate vicinity -- so that we may walk surely & firmly.

The Christian life is a journey; -- a journey through life with Jesus.

What a Companion! -- Jesus Christ -- the Light of the world -- our Lord & Savior -- to walk through each day with us!

As He reveals new truths to our heart & mind He is giving us His light -- to show us the way!

As we walk in His light -- along the journey of life -- we become a better all around Christian.

And in the process -- we experience greater joy & greater fellowship.

My friend -- walk in the Light -- & God will do the rest! He will show you the way; -- He will lead you in the way; -- He will teach you the things you need to know in the way.

“If we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, & the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7).

Pastor Lyle Pettit -- Wynne Chapel -- Cochise, AZ

September 16, 2007