Bible Pathway - Dec. 20, 2010
Read 1 John 1
Highlights:
Confession of sin brings cleansing from sin and all unrighteousness (I John 1:9). If we hate our brother we are in darkness (2:9-10). To love is to abide in the light. If we keep His Commandments we dwell in Him and He in us (3:22-24).
Our Heavenly Father has provided us with a Savior, Jesus Christ. What better way to live our lives than to commit to following His example, even as John wrote: If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not (practice) the truth: But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another (I John 1:6-7).
There are some who assume they have a relationship with Christ but still walk in darkness. God directed John to write that darkness is associated with a heart that hates its brother. Walking in the Light is associated with a right relationship with our brother. Being in the Light leads to fellowship with one another. The spiritually minded who walk in the Light, as He is in the Light, are first and foremost concerned that Christ be exalted in their thoughts, conduct, and conversation with others (II Cor. 10:5; Rom. 12:1-2).
Darkness is associated with those who have not seen the Light concerning Jesus. How do we know if we are in darkness? Darkness is to be absent of Light, the Light of Life. Are we free to speak to the faults of others? Do we expose their failings? Are we living in adultery or fornication? Wherever there is hate and murder, there is darkness. Any participation in that which is unholy and unclean means we are in darkness. Such people receive a feeling of supremacy by drawing attention to one's self and seeking to dominate conversations.
Darkness appears in the form of impatience, a sensitive spirit that is easily offended, a disposition to resent and retaliate when contradicted, or in impulses to criticize. A jealous disposition, a secret spirit of envy, or a tendency to speak of the faults and failings of others rather than of their virtues are also characteristics of darkness. Some walk in darkness with a spirit of discouragement and self-pity and a determination to convey that spirit to everyone who will listen.
Even though our desire is to walk in the Light and in fellowship with the Lord and with one another, remember if any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous (I John 2:1). We can get discouraged when we fall into sin, but we can again walk in the Light with Him: If we confess our sins, He is faithful and to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (I John 1:9).
Thought for Today:
Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting (Ps. 139:23-24).
Word Studies:
2:3 keep guard with our lives and obey; 2:20 Unction anointing of the Holy Spirit. This is how we can know all things (2:20); 3:9 His Seed Jesus, the Word of God (Gal. 3:16; John 1:1-14; Luke 8:11).
Cross References:
For I John 1:8: See Eccl. 7:20. I John 3:12: See Gen. 4:8.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for International Broadcasts sponsored by Miss Ruth Ness • Staff: Gina Lesnefsky • Government Officials: Rep. Henry Brown, Jr. (SC), Gov. Sonny Perdue (GA), and Rep. Ike Skelton (MO) • Country: Moldova (4.3 million) southeastern Europe • Major languages: Rumanian and Russian • Limited religious freedom • 66% Russian/Romanian Orthodox; 2.5% Catholic (Greek and Roman); 1.7% Protestant (mainly Baptist); 1.5% Jewish; .2% Muslim; 28.1% Agnostic/Atheist/Other • Prayer Suggestion: Pour out your heart in prayer to the Lord for your children (Lam. 2:19).
Memory Verse for the Week: Matthew 6:33
