“If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.” (1 John 1:6, ESV)
Because we worship a living God, we are subject to His will. You can’t say you believe in God and then ignore His voice. You dare not look at Jesus as just an historical prophet and fail to see Him as the one who today is in direct connection with your soul. The Holy Spirit makes Christ present. The Holy Spirit keeps you on the straight and narrow path that leads to eternal life. If you have submitted your life to Christ, your values and morals and view of everything in life must change. Your attitude and actions must reflect Christ’s presence in everything you do. Otherwise, you are just playing church.
Billy Graham wrote about this very subject. He wanted all believers to realize that Jesus didn’t start a religion per se, He is the living and abiding presence of God. God doesn’t want acknowledgement that you know about Him. God wants devotion and a faithful and holy life from you. Here are Billy Graham’s words:
“There are many among us today who acknowledge Jesus as a historical figure. Many even claim to follow Him, but their lives are not transformed. Possessing salvation in Christ by faith alone is what proves that He is the Redeemer of souls.
Someone wrote that Buddha never claimed to be God. Moses never claimed to be Jehovah. Mohammed never claimed to be Allah. Yet Jesus claimed to be the living God. Buddha said, “I am a teacher in search of the truth.” Jesus said, “I am the Truth.” Confucius said, “I never claimed to be holy.” Jesus said, “Who convicts me of sin?” Mohammed said, “Unless God throws his cloak over me, I have no hope.” Jesus said, “Unless you believe in me, you will die in your sins.” While it is captivating to read what others say about Jesus, faith is still the key to believing in Christ. Years ago in a monastery in India, old relics that had been dug up were worshiped by Buddhists in the area. Muslims point with pride to Mecca, where the body of their prophet, Mohammed, is buried. Followers of Confucius revere the remains of their master, buried in an imposing tomb in China. We don’t need a religion that worships the dead; we need the living Savior. Christianity is the faith of the empty tomb.” (p. 12, Truth for Each Day).
Look at the scripture chosen for today. From 1 John 1:6 come the words, “If we say we have fellowship with him [Jesus] while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.” If you read closely these words, they explain that faith implies fellowship with Jesus. If you have this relationship with Jesus, the path you “walk” in life should not be one of “darkness”. If you fail to align your values and direction and will with Jesus, you “lie and do not practice the truth” of the gospel. Jesus wants your obedience and commitment, not empty words and religious habits.
After coming back from the war in Iraq, a veteran soldier named Michael went through Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. He had flashbacks. He would wake up at night screaming. His dreams often went back to the war. He began drinking heavily to compensate, to try and forget. His marriage was thus destroyed, and his family grieved his suffering. Family members tried to talk to him but couldn’t break through. Nothing seemed to help. Counseling and antidepressants failed to stem the destructive tide.
All that changed one Saturday morning. While cleaning out his garage, Michael found a box packed in a corner. The box had black marker written on the side that said, “Other stuff”. Not remembering what was in the box, Michael opened it. Inside were old uniforms, some pictures from the war, and a small Bible. It was the Bible Michael was given during Basic Training. He had read it every day during his tours in Iraq. He had put notes and prayers in it. He had listed in the margins the men who died beside him. As Michael read through the notes and scoured the pages, he began to cry. Tears turned into sobs as he remembered friends who had died in Iraq. Memories flooded back.
Michael fell to his knees and prayed to God like he had done many times in Iraq. He prayed for the families left behind, the men who died, those he had wronged. He vowed to make his life mean something. He asked Jesus to come into his heart. Then, he contacted me. Together, we sought God’s counsel and prayed together. We worked through the worst of his PTSD. Michael rebuilt his life with Jesus in the forefront. As he said to me one morning, “I’m done going through the motions in life and with God. I’m committed to this now. I want to make a difference.”
In the days and weeks following, that cloud of depression seemed to lift from Michael. He stopped “walking in darkness” and began to face the truth of his situation. Jesus became more than just a person found in the pages of his Bible. Michael now had Jesus written on his heart and the Holy Spirit to guide him. For the first time in Michael’s life, he didn’t practice a religion. He had a relationship with God in Christ.
The scripture for today makes clear that God wants to “fellowship” with you. The Greek word used in this verse for “fellowship” is “κοινωνία” or “koinonia”. This word means more than religiosity or casual socializing. It describes a deep spiritual union and communion with God and other believers. To be in koinonia with Jesus means to be in a deep-rooted relationship where everything is shared. It implies a real commitment. Obedience to the Holy Spirit and God’s Word is paramount.
Are you one of the koinonia? Are you in a deep relationship with Jesus or just going through the religious motions? Do you just know Jesus’ name, or do you know Him personally? Do you live like God is a concept or Your Lord and Savior?
A PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Heavenly Father, may I be ever faithful before you. May Your truth be upon my lips. Let Your grace grow in my heart and Your wisdom underpin my every thought. Because of Jesus, I have been saved. My life has been redeemed. May I live like it always!
I pray for those who are just going through the religious motions in life. They do not have a deep relationship with you. Maybe they too are just going through the motions as if they were faithful. Could that also describe me? I want to be dedicated to You. I want to be faithful to Your Kingdom. Help each person in this world to see the level of their commitment to Your Kingdom.
Forgive my sinful thoughts. Correct my errant beliefs. Reconnect me to the truth of the gospel. Rekindle my commitment to my Lord Jesus. Let your Holy Spirit lead me onward. Amen.
Today's Uplifting Video contains a warning by a Catholic Priest about businesses that seek to silence faithful voices. Check it out by clicking below....