Devotional -

Coming Out of the Darkness ( 8 December )

About this Devotional
If we say that we know him, but do not obey his commands, we are liars and there is no truth in us. But if we obey his word, we are the ones whose love for God has really been made perfect. This is how we can be sure that we are in union with God: if we say that we remain in union with God, we should live just as Jesus Christ did. My dear friends, this command I am writing you is not new; it is the old command, the one you have had from the very beginning. The old command is the message you have already heard. However, the command I now write you is new, because its truth is seen in Christ and also in you. For the darkness is passing away, and the real light is already shining. If we say that we are in the light, yet hate others, we are in the darkness to this very hour. If we love others, we live in the light, and so there is nothing in us that will cause someone else to sin. But if we hate others, we are in the darkness; we walk in it and do not know where we are going, because the darkness has made us blind.
1 John 2:4-11

After a dark night's sleep that gives our bodies some rest, we wake up to a new day. The question is: have our souls and thoughts awakened from the darkness as well? According to the apostle Paul, darkness has a two-fold meaning: first it means avoiding Jesus Christ and living in a spiritual tomb as a non-believer; and second, it refers to dwelling in a spiritual tomb despite faith in Jesus Christ.

I have wondered which is worse: being a disciple of Jesus Christ, singing praises at church and taking partin worship but having hatred towards my brother, or being far from Christ and having the same hatred towards others. In these verses the apostle John says that the believer who despises his brother lives and walks in darkness. Furthermore, he says that darkness has blinded the person's eyes, and that others are no longer able to differentiate the believer with hatred in his heart from the unbeliever: "If you have love for one another, then everyone will know that you are my disciples" (John 13:35). Hence, our love towards our brother should not merely be feelings or even verbal expressions of these feelings; it should also include willingness to sacrifice if that becomes necessary.

Now that the final countdown to the end of the year has started,we should begin examining our accomplishments and failures. Let us come out of this world having accomplished something of worth that pleases God. Let us apply his greatest commandment to our lives: love! May this month be an end to our quarrels and feuds with our fellow believers. Let us demonstrate our love for God through the love we have for our brothers.

- 8 DECEMBER -