In Today's Reading:
Fellowship with God; reality of and remedy for sin; danger of antichrists;
children of God and righteousness; loving one another
Our Heavenly Father has provided us with the incomparable Role Model of all
history -- Jesus Christ. Let us commit ourselves 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 say they have a relationship with Christ but still
walk in darkness. God directed John to write that they
lie. The darkness of the natural mind is always more
concerned about one's self, one's well-being, and one's successes. But, 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 Corinthians 10:5; Romans 12:1-2).
A characteristic of darkness is a desire to be
noticed. Such people receive a feeling of supremacy by drawing attention to
themselves and seeking to dominate conversations. With others,
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.
Let us be like King David who prayed: 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 (Psalm 139:23-24).
Cross References:
For I John 1:8: See Ecclesiastes 7:20. I
John 3:12: See Genesis 4:8.
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