July 16, 2001By ROBERT FIGUEROA
Keep Those Lights On
Do you have fellowship with God?
Well, lets put your answer to the test. For us to be in the light
means we live according to the example that Christ gave. We are
the light of this world, "A city that is set on a hill
cannot be hidden." - Matthew 5:14. When the majority
is doing according to their own desires. We are shinning and
standing out, our torch can be seen from all around. As this
city is on the hill we can look up and see the entirety of the
city.
Do We, Or Don't We?
Do we look like this city? Do people come to us when they are in
need? Do we share the good news to the world or to be realistic to our
coworkers and friends?
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This is what the Apostle John was
talking about that if we are truly having a fellowship with God then our
light is to shine and we are walking in the true light.
"This is the message
which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is
light and in Him is no darkness at all. 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 with one another, and the blood of
Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that
we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in
us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive
us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." - 1st John 1:5-9
Lets take it a step further if
we are walking in the light then, "We have fellowship
with one another". If truly we are walking in the light
then we will have complete fellowship with our brethren, even
the ones that have done us wrong. Many times we can hurt someone
just by the words that come out of our mouths. When we consciously
say something or even think bad about someone we are breaking
that light and that walk has now become darkened. Our fellowship
has been damaged, a virus has now been deposited. We are turning
off the lights. The Word of God says in this epistle: "We
lie and do not practice the truth". Those are pretty
harsh words but nevertheless God wants us to have perfect fellowship
with all our brethren.
Holy Rollers, Or Just Forgiven?
When our lights are on and our
fellowship towards God is connected there is an amazing grace
that has been issued towards us. That "The blood of Jesus
Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin" regardless
of what sin we have done several years ago or even today. God
in all His mercy and loving kindness will forgive us of our sins.
The blood of Jesus will wipe away all your sins and failures.
Some people will mock Christians and say that there always trying
to be perfect or Holy, which reminds me of a bumper sticker that
says "Christians are perfect just forgiven".
We still sin but the blood continually cleanses us. No person
is ever acceptable to God unless he is free of sin, unless his
sins are cleansed and forgiven by the blood of Christ.
The truth of the matter is that
we are a light and we are walking in the light when we are fellowshipping
with God and our brethren. The cleansing blood that Jesus shed
on the cross at Calvary is for every person on earth.
"But God commendeth his
love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died
for us." - Romans
5:8
John ends this portion by saying
if we declare that we have no sin then we are deceiving ourselves
and the truth is not in us. That makes God a liar and the Word
of God is not in us. But if we just confess our sins to God then
He who is just, faithful and merciful will forgive you quickly.
That's the wonderful fellowship that we have with God that we
can walk in the light and have communion with our Creator and
brethren. That when we are overwhelmed by sin if we just confess
our sins to the Lord we will be forgiven.
The Psalmist said:
"Blot out my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, And cleanse me from my sin.
For I acknowledge my transgressions, And my sin is always before
me." - Psalms 51:1-3
Let the blood of Jesus cover
your sins today. Keep those lights on!
Robert Figueroa is the co-executive producer
of Inspired Christian.org and lives in the Peninsula of the beautiful
San Francisco Bay Area. If you'd like to send him some email
to give your thoughts on this article, please send it to robertfig@inspiredchristian.org.
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