Daily Devotion for August 24, 2006

Illuminate Me

 

“This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God." John 3:19-21

 

Does a cat burglar run around in the daylight looking for a cop to confess to? No. A burglar seeks to do his illegal activities under the cover of darkness and in secret. He’s not looking for daylight to help reveal his covert actions. And he’s definitely not seeking out someone to see his actions and hold him accountable.

 

 We, much like the cat burglar, like to do what we want or desire. It is not the “norm” for a sinner to run to the light and love of God to have his every wrong thought, action or deed exposed. God’s grace provides ways for light and love to shine into each sinner’s life. Each of us has a choice to make when that light and love is revealed to us. We can choose to accept God’s love and forgiveness, and step boldly into the light. That light then shines into the deepest and darkest parts of our hearts, minds and souls to reveal all, as he lovingly exposes them and forgives them to allow for change.

 

 We don’t stop sinning instantly just because we accept Christ (All sins, past, present and future, are already forgiven, though). It is a moment-by-moment process of letting the Holy Spirit teach us the truth about God and ourselves. As we learn to listen and follow, we begin to step more and more into the light of truth and love, and he begins to change the “want to’s” of our life. We get to step from the guilt and shame of our failures beginning with the first close encounter when we accept Christ as Savior.

 

 In today’s scriptures, you can see that there has been a close encounter between verse 20 and verse 21 that makes a change in attitude about living in the light. In 1 John 1:7 it says, 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, purifies us from all (or every) sin.
 I don’t know what your life struggles, heartaches and challenges are. Even if I did, nothing I've ever done or will do can change them. But I know someone who knows you and can help change your life...do you know my Jesus?

 

Prayer
Father, thank you for sending Jesus to be the light to those of us yet in darkness. Jesus, thank you for shining truthful light into my life. Forgive me for not always being quick to examine what the light reveals, and for not always being ready to let go of things and cling closer to you and your love. I love you, Lord.

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