Walking in the Light
As children of God, we have been delivered from the power of darkness and translated into the kingdom of light. The Apostle Peter reminds us:
“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.” (1 Peter 2:9-10)
Having the light of the knowledge of God’s glory shining within us, we must actively walk in that light. This requires renewing our minds with the knowledge of Christ to reinforce our walk in the light.
Believers are called to walk in the light, and anything less raises questions about our fellowship with Christ. It is through our fellowship in the light that we are cleansed of all unrighteousness, enabling us to walk in the light.
The Apostle John writes:
1 John 1:1-7
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; (For the life was manifested, and we have seen [it], and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship [is] with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto 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 the truth: 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.
Take note: Anyone who has had fellowship with us in the light but continues to walk in darkness does not practice the truth. Walking in the light is practicing the truth. To walk in the light is to live in the truth.
The message we share in fellowship is pure light, completely free of darkness. It is the revelation of the knowledge of Christ—crucified, buried, and resurrected—who now lives in us, actively revealing and demonstrating the Spirit’s work in and through us.
John rejoices when he hears of believers walking in truth:
3 John 1:2-4
Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
When you walk in the light, it becomes evident to others, even to those far away. Walking in the light is the testimony of a believer.
However, some who fellowship in the light still walk in darkness because they prefer to hide their deeds in darkness. This behavior reflects a disregard for the fellowship of light and the influence of the light within them.
Paul exhorts us:
Ephesians 5:8-14
For once you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of Light [lead the lives of those native-born to the Light]. For the fruit (the effect, the product) of the Light or the Spirit [consists] in every form of kindly goodness, uprightness of heart, and trueness of life. And try to learn [in your experience] what is pleasing to the Lord [let your lives be constant proofs of what is most acceptable to Him]. Take no part in and have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds and enterprises of darkness, but instead [let your lives be so in contrast as to] expose and reprove and convict them. For it is a shame even to speak of or mention the things that [such people] practice in secret. But when anything is exposed and reproved by the light, it is made visible and clear; and where everything is visible and clear there is light. Therefore He says, Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall shine (make day dawn) upon you and give you light.(AMP)
Walking in the light forbids actions that cannot be brought into the light. It embraces the light and exposes the works of darkness.
Almost all saints have, at some point, walked in darkness, hiding their deeds in the shadows. But when light comes, they step away from darkness and begin walking in the light. This walk of faith is a mandate for the just and is based on the revelation of Christ.
Yet, walking in the light is not merely about morality; it’s about living a life grounded in the revelation of Christ. It does not negate good morals or character but rather amplifies communal joy and appreciation.
Paul praises the faith of the believers in Rome:
“First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.” (Romans 1:8)
Faith that is spoken of is a testimony of walking in the light, an evidence of practicing the truth.
The mind of a believer, if not renewed to perceive Christ, understand who they are in Him, and recognize what He has given, will inevitably lead to walking in darkness.
Paul again reminds us:
Ephesians 4:17-19
This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
It’s possible to witness a saint walking in darkness, similar to the unsaved. However, it is absurd for a child of light to choose to dwell and walk in darkness. This is akin to being spiritually asleep or dead. It is unacceptable to live as though there is no light, to walk in darkness like a child of darkness. Paul emphasizes our spiritual state and status, saying:
“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light” (Ephesians 5:8).
The joy of a pastor is seeing their spiritual children walking in truth. Their faith is evident both within and outside the community of saints, serving as proof of their fellowship in the light and their practice of the truth.
If this brings joy to their earthly teacher, how much more must it bring joy to our Lord Jesus, that His saints walk in the light of the truth within them.
I call you blessed.