1 John 1:6-7 If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. 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.

This is in many ways a culmination of the months we have been reading passages connected with light. It does no good to talk about it if you aren’t walking in it! There are all kinds of darkness, and all kinds of light. Recently my wife and I have encountered a prophecy over the Internet about “3 days of darkness.” This is obviously something supernatural/spiritual, and it seems to me to be calculated to generate fear and/or anxiety in believers. As it says in the verse ahead of this, there is no darkness at all in God, so we are to rest in the assurance of our life in Christ. There are indeed incredibly dark things in the world, but we aren’t to fear them, but rather resist them. As a song from over 40 years ago says, “Don’t try to drive the darkness out; you just turn on the light.” We are called to be light, not on our own but as reflectors of the light of Christ. I personally like the image of fiber optics, which of course didn’t exist in Biblical times, which transmit light so accurately and effectively that detailed information can be contained in the light. That’s what we are to be in relation to Christ Jesus our Lord. In shining with His light, we are to transmit His truth to people so that they may be set free. (John 8:32) As this passage says, walking in His light enables fellowship, with Him and with one another. When two parties have no fellowship, there is darkness in at least one and probably both. When fellowship is cut off, we need to examine ourselves honestly to identify places of darkness, and if we find them, we need to repent immediately and welcome God’s light, however embarrassing it might be.

This morning I am sharply aware that my wife and I are under spiritual attack, in a variety of ways. That makes this reading very timely! We are to allow God’s light to flood us, submitting fully to Him so that we may firmly resist the devil. (James 4:7) There are a number of things we need to do, and we are not to let the devil confuse us or make us anxious, but faithfully take the next step in each project as the Lord directs. Stress tends to make me irritable, and that certainly interferes with fellowship. It’s been many years since the Lord told me personally to rest, relax, and rejoice in Him, but I’m still learning how to do that! I certainly do not want to say I walk in the light and then fail to do so! Times like this are training, and I am to be grateful for them, giving God the glory.

Father, thank You for this very timely reminder. Help me stand firm against all the lies of the devil and walk boldly in Your light, doing Your will on Your schedule for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!