God's Partners

A special treat this week as I share with you a message from Barney Cargile III, minister for the Sonoma Ave Church of Christ in Santa Rosa CA. God bless!

A few weeks ago I was picking cucumbers in our garden with my two-year-old granddaughter Olive.  She wanted to "help", so as I pulled each cuke off the vine, I handed them to her and she ran to the tub at the end of the row and dropped them in.  Each journey elicited a giggle from her, which, as you can imagine, brought me great delight.  Which do you suppose would have been easier: me tossing them in the tub or handing each individual cucumber to Olive?  If you've ever worked with small children, you know the answer.  But which brought me greater delight?  You know the answer as well.  The joy of my my "partnership" with Olive was worth every extra moment of time.  Did I need her "help"?  Of course not; but I wanted it.  Just think of all the joy I would have missed. 

Witnessing Olive's partnership with me, brought to mind our partnership with God.  God invites us to join him in his work of redeeming humankind (II Cor.5:18-20).  What an amazing thought that is: we are God's partners!  Ever wonder why God would choose to work through us?  Does he need our "help"?  Of course not!  But just as I wanted Olive's "help", he wants us as his partners.  Why?  I suppose for the same reason that I desired Olive's help: we bring him great delight.  Psalm 149:4 informs us that "the LORD takes delight in his people".  Speaking of the Messianic kingdom, Isaiah 62:4 promises that "the Lord will take delight in you."  Even Zephaniah (which has been labeled the "hottest book in the Bible"), declares "He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing (3:17)."  I'm confident that our Father who possesses perfect love takes far more delight in me than I ever could in Olive. So let that thought fill your heart as you close your eyes tonight and sleep: I'm a partner with the Creator of the universe, and He takes great delight in me!

Blessings,

Barney

I Always Feel Like Somebody's Watching Me.

Some of you, by looking at the title, may be hoping that this post is about Rockwell's 1984 top 10 hit song Somebody's Watching Me. 

I'm sorry to disappoint.

Recently, there has been a lot of news concerning the NSA. Even as I write this, I wonder if the mere mention of the NSA has triggered a red flag and, like Rockwell, I will go throughout the rest of my day being watched.

It's a funny thing that we enjoy our privacy and get upset at the notion that someone can see everything that we do. Imagining that someone is looking at us through a surveillance camera or recording every click and keystroke on our computer is just not acceptable and an invasion into our privacy! (Of course this doesn't factor in when we tell the world what we are eating, where we are or what we are doing every second of the day on social media sites like Facebook or Twitter or Instagram.)

Due to the recent news surrounding the NSA and that governments and corporations are watching us more than we imagined, counter technology is springing up everywhere. Encryption software that makes sure only the intended recipient can view it. Secure web browsing platforms so no one knows what sites you visit. Covers that block cameras from reading your license plate numbers. All kinds of technology to keep big brother from watching.

While a lot of people are furious about being watched all the time, we sometimes forget that we have always been watched. Even before the camera, the internet and the microchip, we were being watched. 

Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?

The Psalmist in Psalms 139 tells of God's all know and all seeing presence. From the very beginning of our personal existence:

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

And until the end of our days:

Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

Maybe we don't like the government or other humans seeing what we do, but if we strive to live a pure life we shouldn't worry about what others see. Instead we can begin to live life as we were intended to, a life that everyone should see. Like it says in Matthew 5:14-17:

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. 

Honor Thy Parents

One of my least favorite activities is clothes shopping. So the other day I got tricked into going back to school shopping with my wife and the kids. The reason I was tricked is that we went to see a movie and then the ever so sly "Hey, since we are by the mall..." routine.

To make matters worse, 2 of the shirts for the boys were the wrong size and I was asked to make the exchange if I was in the area. Surprisingly enough the exchange was pleasant and my anxiety level stayed in the greenish yellow area.

While in the store making the exchange I saw a family walk by with 2 young boys. As they passed I heard a little commotion and then a loud smack. Assuming it was a parent delivering an attitude adjustment I looked and noticed it was in fact one of the boys hitting his father. This will not end well for the youngster I thought to myself.

Needless to say, in today's society, the little boy got a good glaring at with a mad face. Yup, that was it; Hit dad and I will look at you with a mad face. Of course you know that didn't have the effect the parent was hoping for and as expected, the child began to laugh.

While I'm sure most of us who were raised with the paddle, belt, switch, etc. would have expected something more than a scowl, that's not what I am interested in today.

Call me a softy, but if you raise your children right, their is little need for corporal punishment. At the same time I also believe it is a necessary punishment. That brings to mind a verse we like to preach but seldom practice. Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. "Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” Ephesians 6:1-3 (NIV)

It's drilled into almost every child starting in Sunday school and for good reason. You seldom hear of people having a lack of respect for authority that were raised under this rule. 

As we grow older, many look at this as only applicable when we are younger, like turning 18 you are no longer bound by curfew laws. 

Even as we are children to earthly parents and grow up we still remain their children. To think that at a certain age we are no longer children is to be misinformed. At what point would you say that you are no longer one of God's children? 

To show the importance of honoring your parents take a look at Romans 1:29-13. Paul is writing about the sinfulness of humanity and talks about every kind of wickedness that has filled their hearts; They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents.

When talking about killers and gossips, I don't think Paul decides to pull in the 8-10 year old's who are also engaged in parental disobedience. We are instructed to have the highest honor for our parents, regardless of our age or our parents age. 

Remember these verses when you are upset with your parents over their decisions at any age in life.

As parents, we can also help our children grow to honor us as Proverbs 22:6 says Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from them.

Approval of Men or of God?

Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ. Gal 1:10(NIV)

I don't really have a message to go along with this verse. It's one of many verses that is highlighted in my Bible and I also have a picture of it in my phone. I make it a habit to have scripture ready to lift me up, keep me safe, keep me focused and help me stay inspired.

One of the biggest issues Christians have to deal with day to day is living in a sinful world and remaining focused on God. Jesus says in John 15:19 If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.

Because it is in our nature to be loved, liked and accepted, it can be easy to agree with the world and win their approval if it means we have a chance to feel good. This is when we run the risk of loosing our souls. In Mark 8:36 we are told For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?

I would encourage you to continually ready the Bible and find verses that speak to you. Make it a point to highlight them, take a picture of them, put notes around your house or desk; write them on your heart. This is how you can stay strong in the world and not worry about the approval of man, but to keep focus on the goal.

Toxic Relationships and Forgiveness

While being chased by a rabid dog, at what point do you stop running and face the dog?

I'm not sure who said that. I do know that is was at one of the Pepperdine lectureships (it's also a paraphrase of what was said) and it was in reference to running away from sin. It's always stuck with me and has created a great visual. Here you are running away from something that causes you to sin and you decided that you can face that sin. What you are really doing is allowing temptation to creep in. I think we all know what happens when we give in to temptation. So rather than facing the sin, keep running away from it.

There are also other topics and situations this little saying can relate to.

While having a discussion about forgiveness the other day, the conversation I was involved in turned to toxic relationships and getting out of them.

Forgiveness is a great thing. You can research for years on the subject. You have the forgiver, the forgiven, the need for forgiveness, the weight lifted from forgiving, the clear conscious of admitting you need to be forgiven; the list goes on and on.

While some people won't ask for forgiveness we know that it is important that we still forgive those who have sinned against us. Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. Matthew 18:21,22

One issue that is hard to deal with and grasp is forgiving and moving on. I'm not talking about moving on as in forgetting what they did, that is impossible and we all deal with the memories. Only God is able and has authority to wipe the slate clean. What I am referring to is eliminating the toxic people from your life after you have forgiven them.

In the relationship of marriage, you will find abusive spouses, be it physical or emotional. The typical stories you hear in these situations is that of forgiving and jumping back into the ring. While we hope that after forgiveness there is smooth sailing, more often than not the abusive cycle begins again.

That is probably the most common example of a toxic relationship and I could show others examples if needed dealing with friends, employers, children and parents. But the point is that people fail to realize that forgiveness does not mean you need to stick around for more abuse. If the situation is taking away your power, the person is manipulating you or controlling you, it's time to get out of that situation. Nobody deserves that kind of power as it is reserved only for God. No person is worth your soul if they cause you to lose your peace, your walk with God, lead you to sin, take away your joy or your mind ultimately causing you to stumble and fall.

Before you cut ties with anyone make your feelings known to them. Explain that you are not going to allow them to become a stumbling block in your life and that you have forgiven them for any wrongs they have done to you. You may have a pleasant time moving forward with them. 

If however, they do not welcome your attempt to make peace, or if the situation is not going to be healthy for you, do as Jesus says in Luke 9 when he was instructing the apostles to go out and proclaim the kingdom of God. If people do not welcome you, leave their town and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them. Jesus explains that we need to cut all ties with people who won't listen and go so far as to not even have any dust on your feet from your encounter. Limited contact does not work with toxic people

Looking at another verse from the old testament, Abram and Lot Separate. Genesis 13:8,9 So Abram said to Lot, “Let’s not have any quarreling between you and me, or between your herders and mine, for we are close relatives. Is not the whole land before you? Let’s part company. If you go to the left, I’ll go to the right; if you go to the right, I’ll go to the left.”

Don't worry if that seems harsh. Many people will counter with out of context scripture or even try to say (like a previous weekly message) "That's not very Christian of you". Remember that Jesus said Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth? I did not come to bring peace but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. Matthew 10:34-39

Remember: If you are being chased by a rabid dog, if you are being hunted down by sin, if there is a toxic person in your life, don't stop and face it. Keep running.

Fake Fronts

On June 17-18, the world's eight most powerful leaders met for the G8 summit in the village of Enniskillen, Ireland. As might be expected, the town went to great lengths to "spruce up" appearances. But in this case, they took extraordinary measures, which included fake storefronts, giving the appearance of a thriving business climate.

In reality, the entire area has suffered a terrible economic recession, causing many businesses to close their doors for over a year.  Rather than showcasing this reality, the image-conscious village leaders opted for pretension, even going as far as placing large pictures in the windows, giving the appearance of booming business.

Before we shake our heads, let's face it-- we're all guilty of this. How often do we put on appearances for others, pretending to be something we're not? How often do we paste on a smile, stating that "everything's fine", when we're dying inside? How often do we act more "spiritual" around certain people, or more positive, or more...? God's word says a lot about being the same on the inside as the outside.

1 Samuel 16:7 informs us, "People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." That's the "real" us that God sees. Jesus warns,"Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them." He went as far as calling the Pharisees "whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean." (Matt 23:27)

What God really wants from us is to be real; to live in reality; not the reality of who we think we are, but the reality of who HE says we are. Not everyone will like it, but God's opinion is the only one that counts. He looks right past the fake "storefronts" we put up and sees straight into our hearts.

A Perfect Christian.

Just writing the title for this post made me cringe. I'm constantly hearing people say to one another (and yes, myself included) "that's not very Christian of you."

What they are really saying is "Why do you claim to be a Christian when you do bad things too?"

The assumption is that people saying those words are not Christians themselves and have yet to read Matthew 7:5, but I digress.

The thing they don't understand is that a sinner, who follows Christ, is exactly what a Christian is.

Jesus said in Mark 2:17 “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” and in Matthew 9:12-13 “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

To break it down, the word Christian simply means follower of Christ. Nowhere have I found that we have to be perfect.

The world, however, seems to have this view that in order to be a Christian you have to be perfect. Far from it. While we strive to be perfect and it is the goal we try to achieve daily, the Bible, Jesus and God say something different.

• for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of god
• As it is written, "None is righteous, no not one."
• Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
• For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
• And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.

By sticking to God's law, constantly correcting our course in life, looking to Jesus and asking for spiritual help and guidance we can be perfect Christians. We cannot be sinless, but we can receive the grace that makes us saved.

Taming the Tongue

Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check. - James 3:1-2 (NIV)

A video has been circulating that shows a Baptist preacher loosing his cool during a lesson and decides to unload on the congregation, singling out anyone who he finds fault with. The preacher obviously has passion for his flock but in doing so he also made some harsh statements that you would normally not hear from the pulpit; he decided to clean house right then and there.

The video, as of this writing, has around 1/2 million views on YouTube. There are several (hundreds of?)  blogs that are full of discussion, praise, hate and vile language about the preacher. Anti-christian groups are using it as propaganda. 

There are people who would love to have a video with that many views and the secret is not in doing something huge; "Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell."

Looking at Hollywood, there are several examples of celebrities, which would not be appropriate here, who lost control of their tongue and got in trouble. Some may have said a lot and some may have only said a word or two and as a result, their career was forever ruined. 

The same is true with our spiritual lives. Jesus said "No one can serve two masters" speaking of God and money. In the same respect, James 3:9-12, "With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water."

While I can understand his passion, this is exactly what we are warned about in James chapter 3. Without control you run the risk of getting into trouble. The largest ships, as verse 4 states, are guided by a very small rudder, but you can control the ship and steer it wherever you want it to go. Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts.

While I won't judge on motive, based on conduct, the preacher may want to teach some Bible studies on:

• Self Control
• Matthew 18:1-5 - First shall be last, last shall be first
• Matthew 18:6-9 - Causing others to stumble
• Matthew 18:15-19 - Dealing with sin in the church
• Ezekiel 34:2-4 - Feed your flock

“I know I’m right, and I know I haven’t done anything wrong,” Standridge told the Barnsdall Times. “I don’t want to offend. That’s not my intention.”

Whether you agree with Mr. Standridge or not, remember to control your tongue. It's a lot easier than doing damage control.

God in America

In forming the foundations for this country, the drafters of the Constitution, first Presidents and other leaders of America put God as the center of their decisions. Putting God second was not an option. As the ruler of Heaven and all creation, they found it best to look to His word as an example of how to live and govern while we are on this earth. As you celebrate this 4th of July, filled with fireworks and hot dogs, friends and family,  here are some quotes from some of America's Founding Fathers concerning God, Christ and Country.

George Washington - 1st U.S. President

"While we are zealously performing the duties of good citizens and soldiers, we certainly ought not to be inattentive to the higher duties of religion. To the distinguished character of Patriot, it should be our highest glory to add the more distinguished character of Christian."

John Adams - 2nd U.S. President and Signer of the Declaration of Independence

"Suppose a nation in some distant Region should take the Bible for their only law Book, and every member should regulate his conduct by the precepts there exhibited! Every member would be obliged in conscience, to temperance, frugality, and industry; to justice, kindness, and charity towards his fellow men; and to piety, love, and reverence toward Almighty God ... What a Eutopia, what a Paradise would this region be."

Thomas Jefferson - 3rd U.S. President, Drafter and Signer of the Declaration of Independence

"God who gave us life gave us liberty. And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are of the Gift of God? That they are not to be violated but with His wrath? Indeed, I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that His justice cannot sleep forever; That a revolution of the wheel of fortune, a change of situation, is among possible events; that it may become probable by Supernatural influence! The Almighty has no attribute which can take side with us in that event." 

"I am a real Christian – that is to say, a disciple of the doctrines of Jesus Christ." 

James Madison - 4th U.S. President

"A watchful eye must be kept on ourselves lest while we are building ideal monuments of Renown and Bliss here we neglect to have our names enrolled in the Annals of Heaven."

James Monroe - 5th U.S. President

"When we view the blessings with which our country has been favored, those which we now enjoy, and the means which we possess of handing them down unimpaired to our latest posterity, our attention is irresistibly drawn to the source from whence they flow. Let us then, unite in offering our most grateful acknowledgments for these blessings to the Divine Author of All Good."

John Quincy Adams - 6th U.S. President

"The hope of a Christian is inseparable from his faith. Whoever believes in the divine inspiration of the Holy Scriptures must hope that the religion of Jesus shall prevail throughout the earth. Never since the foundation of the world have the prospects of mankind been more encouraging to that hope than they appear to be at the present time. And may the associated distribution of the Bible proceed and prosper till the Lord shall have made 'bare His holy arm in the eyes of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God' (Isaiah 52:10)."

Patrick Henry - Ratifier of the U.S. Constitution

"It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religions, but on the gospel of Jesus Christ. For this very reason peoples of other faiths have been afforded asylum, prosperity, and freedom of worship here."

"The Bible ... is a book worth more than all the other books that were ever printed."

The Story

You know the story so well: A father makes the ultimate sacrifice and sends his only son to earth to save the race. He enters the world as a tiny baby in a barn, and is raised by two commoners in an obscure village.  Because of his supernatural power and his stand for truth and justice, he is misunderstood and meets with violent opposition. Eventually at the age of 33 he saves all of mankind and the forces of evil are rendered powerless. He continues to live as our savior. Like I said, you know the story...and this story is, of course, the story of...Superman, from the current Hollywood blockbuster Man of Steel.

Seriously?! How's that possible? Could all these parallels with the story of Jesus just be coincidental? Well maybe -- but here is a different take on it. Not only the story of Superman, but every great story we love contains the basic elements of THE STORY; the story of God's love for us: a humble hero has some kind of special power with which he battles evil to save those who are innocent. Unwittingly, Hollywood is simply expressing truth that God has placed in each person's heart. We have an innate knowledge of God within us (Rom.1:19); an instinctive sense of right and wrong (Rom.2:14-16) and a longing for more than this world (Eccl.3:11). We all live with an awareness that things aren't right in our world (Rom.8:23). A film like Man of Steel is humankind's effort to come to grips with this; to express it as best they can. That's not a bad thing.  It's great, because it opens doors for us to share the good news. So go watch Man of Steel with your friends, take them out for coffee and share with them who the REAL Super-Man is!

Left Behind

Ever hear of parents forgetting a child at a gas station or restaurant while on a family outing?  Well, here's a new twist about a dad who was left behind at a gas station near Memphis.  The Texas man, who wanted his name withheld (Hmm, wonder why), had been driving all night and intended to crawl into the back of the vehicle and sleep. Apparently, his family assumed he was in the car, so they headed down the road. The poor chap called everyone's cell phones, but no one bothered to answer. Finally, using a computer from a local motel, he reached them via Facebook. By that time the family van was 100 miles down the road!  The dad feels confident the entire incident was simply a huge mistake. Let's hope so. (Source: WMCTV 5 Memphis)

This whole situation may have been on the up-and-up, but you can't help but wonder.  Maybe that's because it represents what's happening with fatherhood today.  Male bashing is still in vogue and dads seem to be the butt of jokes on sitcoms. It's easy for guys to feel "left behind" by the family -- but that's not God's plan. As men, we're the spiritual leaders...so lead!  Take the initiative and provide spiritual direction for your family. As families, two words come to mind:  respect and support. And by the way, next time you're on vacation, check the back seat and make sure Dad's on board!

Walking in the Light.

It is generally believed that 1 John was written from Ephesus when John was an elderly man, about AD 90. By that time the church, as a whole, was in the process of falling away from the pure truth of the Gospel first preached sixty years earlier. Paul had warned of this. “Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith” (1 Tim 4:1) 

Many were now second or even third generation Christians. As the church grew, parts of Jewish religion continued to be held to. Pagans brought in their ideas. It should be noted when John writes the major problem is not persecution, but the danger is from within the church.

The church must be on constant guard, else the church begins to mirror the world and the denominational philosophy. Jesus said, "Many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold.” (Matt. 24:11) The lawlessness spoken of here is to disregard, or modify God’s law, his word. Consequently true love for God will cool when the word is not faithfully kept. A downward spiral away from God always follows.

The fire of enthusiasm and zeal of the early days of the church is turning to a glowing ember in a dying fire. John describes this condition as “lukewarm”. "I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm — neither hot nor cold — I am about to spit you out of my mouth. (Rev. 3:15-16) Anything is better than lukewarm. The apostle sees the indifference coming – yes already beginning.

John wants to fan the burning embers of those Christians back to a roaring fire. “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life– the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us– that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.” (1 John 1:1-4)

John is saying, we are drifting, so let’s go back to the basics – let’s go back to Jesus and the eternal life, so that we may understand the meaning of fellowship with God and Jesus Christ. This fellowship moves in two directions – horizontal and vertical. The Christian has vertical fellowship with God and horizontal fellowship with other Christians. For example, when Christians meet in fellowship to worship God and to speak and shake hands with one another, this fellowship rekindles the fire. Separate several coals of fire and they die. Together they burn brightly.

But there is more to this fellowship with God and fellow Christians. John continues. “This is the message we have heard from Him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in Him is no darkness at 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. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and his word is not in us.” (1 John 1:5-10)

John now gets to the point of lawlessness Jesus prophesied of. Light represents truth and knowledge and righteousness. Darkness represents ignorance, sin, and opposition to truth. Darkness and light cannot coexist. There is no twilight zone. Either a person walks with God in the light and His will, or one walks in the darkness of his own will and desires.

To walk in the light with God does not mean that one knows and understands everything in the Bible. Simply, that he or she does not walk in the direction of their own will and desires, but walk with God in the direction He is going.

As we walk with God, “we have fellowship with one another.” That means you and God have fellowship. “And the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.” While walking with God in the light we sin, but the blood of Jesus cleanses us of our sin. We were cleansed when baptized. John uses the word “cleanses” meaning that Jesus blood continually cleanses you of sin as you walk with God.

Finally, John writes that while walking with God if we say, “we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Christians traveling in the light with God from time to eternity will stumble and trip and fall, spiritually speaking. As the Christian walks with Christ, he and she will have the sins of bruises, aching muscles and sore feet. But Christians stop and apply ointment, that is, they daily ask God’s forgiveness and keep walking with Jesus. There are only two ways to walk. (Matt 7:13-14) One is to walk in the light with Jesus. The other is to walk in our own way – the way we desire. As long as we walk with Jesus we cannot be lost. Only when we quit walking with and turn and walk in a different direction will the Christian be lost.

John urges those Christians who have grown slack to go back to the basics and remember who they are, who Jesus is, and the walk they committed themselves to when they first obeyed the gospel. It would be well for us to examine ourselves and go back to the basics and make sure the fire within us is not turning to dying embers.