The Light
This morning I was having my devotional and read the following:
We do not grow into a spiritual relationship step by step— we either have a relationship or we do not. God does not continue to cleanse us more and more from sin— “But if we walk in the light,” we are cleansed “from all sin” It is a matter of obedience, and once we obey, the relationship is instantly perfected.
That commentary alone was very eye opening, but further reading of the quoted verse really got me gears turning:
1 John 1:5-7
This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. 6If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.
This whole concept can be very comforting or very scary depending on the current state of one’s heart. The comforting side is that we have immediate and full access to Christ’s righteousness. All that is required is our obedience. The scary part is that obedience is much easier said than done sometimes.
The part that was reassuring for me was the reminder that my Christianity is not a series of moral tests, nor a human pursuit to mimic God. Rather the moment we submit to God’s authority over our lives we are redeemed sons and daughters of the King growing in relationship with Him. As this relationship matures the world will begin to see a change in our moral character and outward lives. Our righteousness is a product of our surrender and therefore measured against our Savior, not an ongoing process that will one day achieve an appropriate level.
So as I started if this text is refreshing and comforting to you, rest well in His peace and pursue Him in relationship. If this scares or confuses you, pray and ask the Holy Spirit to regenerate your heart and reveal this freeing truth to your soul.
–Wholly Surrender!