A Nugget from New Life Network
(excerpts from Bob Gass Ministries)
Scripture for the Day (November 4, 2016)
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (1 John 1:7)
We have talked a lot in our devotionals about walking in the light and rightfully so. We have to understand that we are called to be a light in this world. To do that successfully we have to avoid, reject, repent of, take authority over, and rebuke darkness. Twice in Scripture God spoke into our darkness. In Genesis chapter one He said, “Let there be lights” (v. 14). And in John chapter three Jesus declared, “Light [has] come into the world” (v. 19). To walk with God you must reject the ways of darkness and walk in the light. It is not a toy to be played with. As one minister said, “If you let the enemy in the car, he will eventually want to drive.”
Fungus grows best in the dark, but when you turn on the light it withers and dies. This is more than a metaphor–it’s a spiritual fact of life! Jesus said, “[People] loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil” (John 3:19 NIV). As Ester Nicholson says, “Secrets keep us sick. They keep us in shame and uncertainty.” Secrecy is the ideal environment for sin to grow until ultimately you’re taken captive by thoughts, deeds, and habits. And staying in darkness intensifies your cycle of secrecy and slavery to sin. “If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth” (1 John 1:6 NIV).
Once you step into the light everything changes! So confess your secret sins to God, and, if necessary, talk to a trusted friend or counselor who can pray with you. Then through God’s strength reclaim your power to overcome sin and live victoriously. Once you’ve turned on the light, the fungus begins to wither. Its grip loosens, and freedom dawns. Each time sin comes knocking at your door, bring it into the light immediately. When you do, cleansing and fellowship with God will be yours.
Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. (James 5:16)
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)
