Wednesday, September 30, 2009

The Light of the World - John 8:12

(8) When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

1 John 1:5-10
(5) This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him here is no darkness at all.  (6) If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by 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, purifies us from all sin.  (8) If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.  (9) If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.  (10) If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.

1 John 2:1-6
(1) My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin.  But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense -- Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. (2) He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours, but also for the sins of the whole world.  (3) We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands.  (4) The man who says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him.  (5) But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him.  "This is how we know we are in him: (6) Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did."

I want you to pick up your Bible and continue reading the book of 1 John.  It is a short book and contains much wisdom.  You will learn more about the love of God.  The apostle John stresses the importance of our relationship with God, which in turn, emphasizes the importance of how we should relate to each other.  This book will encourage right living, learning and the importance of obeying God's commands.  In this world, we will be deceived many times, but by obeying God's truth and staying in close fellowship with him, we will walk in the light.

If you are left with any confusion about what you read in this book, seek clarification from your pastor or someone you believe to be more knowledgeable about such things.  You do not have because you do not ask.  Rather than walk around in confusion, ask for help.  God will provide the answers.  Listen when he does.

As we live and breathe on this earth we will be confronted with the temptation to sin.  That's how it is in a fallen world.  We always have a choice and even though we do try to choose the right path, sometimes,   presence of sin lies before us.

Do your very best this day to walk in the light and obey God's commands.  They are not burdensome, as we may think.  Rather, to obey his commands is to truly be free.

Please keep Mrs. Marie Shumaker and her family in your prayers.  She is a senior in our church and she fell yesterday gathering persimmons to make a pudding.  As a result of the fall, her shoulder is dislocated and her arm is broken.

Take care and enjoy this beautiful Autumn day!  In Christian faith and love.  Nan

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