There are many people who call themselves Christians who still enjoy activities associated with darkness (spiritual darkness). Whether it be being entertained by things filled with death and lust or heart issues like judgment, envy, or fear. The problem is that according to the word these people are deceiving themselves.
In 1 John 1:7 it says,
But if we walk in the light, as He (God) is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.
Note the word “if”. IF we walk in light… according to the lexicon this refers to “a state of supreme sanctity”.
Merriam-Webster’s Unabridged says the word sanctity means “holiness of life and character”. This makes sense since 2 Corinthians 7:1 exhorts us to be “perfecting holiness” – we are called to live in the light.
When we live in light is when we receive the blessings of this conditional promise. Again it says IF we live in light, then we:
- have fellowship one with another
- the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin
In essence if we are walking in habitual sin (aka darkness) we are not saved. This knowledge is not to bring condemnation, it is a way to measure where we are and make appropriate course corrections.
I challenge you to consider if there are areas you are compromising. Check your heart and your actions. Consider if you are walking in things that are in the light… and not walking in darkness like death (entertainment focused on death or killing, or even just being obsessed with a death culture), deception (lying or stealing… like pirating movies and music, using time at work to do personal things), lust (pornography, music that exalts lustful behavior, immodest clothing), pride, judgment, envy, disobedience, etc.
Philippians 2:12 calls us to “work out [our] salvation with fear and trembling”. So let’s make needed course corrections and walk in the light.
Lord, I just ask that Your Holy Spirit would show us any areas where we are walking in darkness. Lord help us to choose Your beautiful light. Help us to be perfecting holiness and working out our salvation with the utmost care and attention. Help us to be unafraid to make radical changes to be closer to You. You are worth ANY cost because You paid the ultimate cost for us. We love You.
I’m so glad you addressed the “if” issue. So many times, I’ve heard verses quoted leaving out the “if” to justify sinful behavior. I’ve ignorantly done it in the past quoting someone else.