Be A Light-walker
“If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, (obscurity) 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.” 1 John 1:6-7
Walking in the light together, walking in covenant is not first about walking in agreement it is about walking in love.
As we begin to celebrate the appearance of the Light of the World this Christmas I would like to ask a question.
Could we develop a community church where everyone’s strengths are celebrated and everyone’s weaknesses are carried, covered but not covered up?
We need an attitude of mind and communication of mouth that highlights a commitment to love others regardless of their response.
Fellowship is not based on agreement it is based on love. In our human nature we tend to dis-empower those who disagree with our position and this causes separation and division.
God’s nature is to love beyond conflict and disagreement. In a covenant relationship between two people however, both parties need to understand the necessity of receiving more of God's love as more often than not in our own strength we may feel like we have had enough, especially if we are not listened to or not treated with respect.
It has often been said people do not care how much you know until they know how much you care. An act of love is often to listen more than to speak.
We need to passionately protect our relationships not our desire to be right, nor our desire to win the debate, nor even our desire that everyone can marvel at how wise and enlightened we are. You see, we are only able to walk in the Light for one reason and that is because an enormous price was paid so we could, and that price was the blood of Jesus shed for us on the cross.
We celebrate baby Jesus in the cradle at Christmastime and the incarnation is an awesome and beautiful mystery. The Cradle ultimately leads to the Cross. The God who created all things humbled Himself to be born, live and serve as Jesus Christ and ultimately give His life for all of us lost in sin and darkness to deliver us and transform us so we can walk in the light of life.
Geoff Newton