Remain in the Lght

REMAIN IN THE LIGHT
1John 2:6
“Whoever claims to live in Him must walk as Jesus did.”

Marty complained about his dress shoes at church, over Christmas. He hoped his Mom would take him to buy new ones, so that maybe he could also get new sneakers. “How do they feel? the saleslady asked Marty about the new black dress shoes he was wearing.

“They pinch my toes.”

His Mom said, “If they’re uncomfortable, they aren’t worth getting, sale or no. Let’s keep looking.”

Marty looked at the shoes, wondering, Why am I grouchy? Looking up, it dawned on him. I didn’t want new dress shoes, I wanted new sneakers! He said aloud, “I also need new sneakers, Mom.”

“Of course you’ve out grown all your shoes!” Marty’s Mom said.

After they found sneakers, the saleslady announced, “It’s buy one pair, get the second pair half-price.”

“The dress shoes don’t really pinch my toes, Mom. Sorry. Could we get both pairs? Please?”

“Well, OK, Marty…but you’d better wear the dress shoes!”

“I promise.”

The way to maintain a pure heart is to confess sin. Marty knew the dress shoes fit fine, but he really wanted sneakers. How often do people whine and complain when everything is just fine? Apostle John told us that light and darkness don’t mix. Marty realized that his goal of getting new sneakers by complaining about the dress shoes was wrong, and he felt guilty.

Marty’s ‘little white lie’ made him ashamed, but he felt better after admitting the truth to his Mom. Inviting darkness into our lives by lying creates immediate conflict every time. Although lies may seem innocent, they always have consequences (con-se-QUENC-es mean punishment, or a price). Confession of sin always removes the grime of guilt and shame. We are only made clean, and guilt-free, by Jesus’ work in the cross. Our identity in Him remains secure.

That’s way better than a buy one, get one at half price!

Telling little white lies messes up the relationship between believers and our Lord. If left unchecked, unrepented sin can choke the bond between God and His children. This dims the light of Christ in our lives—and the light that we show the world.

The Holy Spirit doesn’t convict us of general sin. He’s very specific. He points out the problem exactly. God is pure light, perfect light. How quickly we worship God, even after such a wonderful Christmas, then muddy up our ideal relationship with a stupid lie? And for what? New sneakers?

Take Home Nugget

Honest believers acknowledge their sin, and take responsibility for it. How much better to remain in the light than to tarnish our perfect relationship with God!

One tiny lie darkens the soul in a big way.

J.D. Griffith

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