Living In the Light

Lately I've been thinking about living in the light.  It's such a useful word picture for our lives as Christians, isn't it?

* Don't have any "dark corners" in your life-- live fully in the light!

* Speak the truth and don't gossip or backstab-- let your words always be so that if they "came to light", you would not need to be ashamed!

* Walk consistently in the light of God!

This idea of living in the light fit perfectly with something Dr. David Powlison shared in a lecture I listened to recently, about speeding-- that you should choose your car's speed by the speed you can drive at without needing to nervously watch for cops.  It makes sense, doesn't it?  Whatever speed you know is acceptable, go that speed, rather than pushing the limits to go 9 or 11 miles over the speed limit, constantly watching for cops and worried about getting a ticket.

It's simply living in the light.  No matter who sees or knows, you're just fine, because you've done everything in the light.

So, today, I did a little bible study on this idea of living in the light.  Read through these Scriptures and be encouraged as a child of the Light!

• In the beginning was the Word...  In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.  The light shines in darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.  ~John 1:1, 4-5
• Nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light. ~Luke 8:17~
• Everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.  But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God. ~John 3:20-21~
• Jesus said to them, "The light is among you for a little while longer.  Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you.  The one who walks in darkness does not know where he is going.  While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light." ~John 12:35-36~
• Be careful lest the light in you be darkness.  If then your whole body is full of light, having no part in dark, it will be wholly bright, as when a lamp with its rays gives you light. ~Luke 11:35-36~
• (Jesus speaking) "I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness." ~John 12:46~
• Nothing is covered up that will not revealed, or hidden that will not be known.  Therefore whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed on the housetops.  ~Luke 12:2-3~
• The Lord has commanded us, saying, "I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth." ~Acts 13:47~
• Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in Heaven.  ~Matthew 5:16~
• The Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness, and will disclose the purposes of the heart.  Then each one will receive his commendation from God." ~1 Corinthians 4:5~
• Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers.  For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness?  Or what fellowship has light with darkness? ~2 Corinthians 6:14~
• At one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.  Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord.  Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.  For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret.  But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light.  ~Ephesians 5:8-14~
• Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world. ~Philippians 2:14-15~
• You all are children of light, children of the day.  We are not of the night or of the darkness.  So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober.  ~1 Thessalonians 5:5-6~
• You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim that excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. ~1 Peter 2:9~

• This is the message we have heard from Him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness of all.  If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.  But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.  ~1 John 1:5-7~
• Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness.  Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling.  But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.  ~1 John 2:9-10~

I don't think I've ever put together just how many references there are that clearly place the "setting" of our lives, as believers, in the light.  The Bible gives such a clear picture of a major indicator of our faith-- if we live in the light and do not walk in darkness, that freedom and transparency in our lives gives credence to the creed we profess with our mouths.  

I love the way Scripture continues to pour forth wisdom, and that there continue to be depths of insight and understanding, no matter how long I read God's words.  

God has been challenging me to live in the light in several ways lately-- in the words that I use in conversations with other women, and towards my children; in the speed that I drive; and in the way I eat.  Are there ways He is speaking to you about living in the light?  I'd love to hear about it.



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Keattikorn / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
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