“This is the
message which we have heard from Him and declare to 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 practice the truth.” (1John 1:5-6 NKJ)
message which we have heard from Him and declare to 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 practice the truth.” (1John 1:5-6 NKJ)
The American
Declaration of Independence is one of the most famous of declarations. It is
what the representatives of the American colonists produced after some
dedicated thought to their political circumstances. They found it intolerable
to continue in fellowship with an unsympathetic, imperialistic, and
uncompromising government.
Declaration of Independence is one of the most famous of declarations. It is
what the representatives of the American colonists produced after some
dedicated thought to their political circumstances. They found it intolerable
to continue in fellowship with an unsympathetic, imperialistic, and
uncompromising government.
And we know that all
human governments ultimately arrive at this place of uncompromising
imperialism. We know this because history has taught us what Lord Acton wrote
to Bishop Mandell Creighton in 1887: “power tends to corrupt, and absolute
power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men.” (http://www.phrases.org.uk)
human governments ultimately arrive at this place of uncompromising
imperialism. We know this because history has taught us what Lord Acton wrote
to Bishop Mandell Creighton in 1887: “power tends to corrupt, and absolute
power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men.” (http://www.phrases.org.uk)
I do not believe
that “all” the great men in history have been bad men, yet there is a
measure of truth in Lord Acton’s words. It seems that American leaders and
politicians are not squeamish about claiming fellowship with God while
continuing to live false, deceitful lives in darkness. When we examine the
fruit of the tree, we can determine what sort it is and whether it is good or
bad.
that “all” the great men in history have been bad men, yet there is a
measure of truth in Lord Acton’s words. It seems that American leaders and
politicians are not squeamish about claiming fellowship with God while
continuing to live false, deceitful lives in darkness. When we examine the
fruit of the tree, we can determine what sort it is and whether it is good or
bad.
Now the message of
the Gospel of Jesus Christ, passed on to us by his Apostles, is this: “God
is light and darkness does not exist in him at all.” And of course, John’s
words are not solely to politicians and governments. Rather, they guide the
Church and all who claim fellowship with God.
the Gospel of Jesus Christ, passed on to us by his Apostles, is this: “God
is light and darkness does not exist in him at all.” And of course, John’s
words are not solely to politicians and governments. Rather, they guide the
Church and all who claim fellowship with God.
“If we say . .
. and do not practice” is a powerful witness that determines the veracity
of our fellowship with God, Jesus Christ. This is an element of life for which
I want to be certain: am I walking the talk? Does my conduct prove my profession?
. and do not practice” is a powerful witness that determines the veracity
of our fellowship with God, Jesus Christ. This is an element of life for which
I want to be certain: am I walking the talk? Does my conduct prove my profession?
Dear Father, thank
you for the fellowship we have with you through Jesus Christ, our Lord and
Savior. Empower me to walk according to my talk. I pray this in the name of
Jesus. AMEN
you for the fellowship we have with you through Jesus Christ, our Lord and
Savior. Empower me to walk according to my talk. I pray this in the name of
Jesus. AMEN
Walk in fellowship
with Christ today,
with Christ today,