Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness ...

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”


What does it mean when Jesus says that he is the light of the world and what does it mean that that we who follow him will walk in that light? Consider what the apostle John says about God, his followers and light in his first letter:
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.
The darkness spoken of in these verses is sin and the light is forgiveness of those sins. To walk in darkness is to walk in sin. To walk in the light is to walk in forgiveness. And the heart of this message is neither sin nor forgiveness but fellowship with God.

There is no darkness in God and there should be no darkness in we who follow him. Don't get me wrong - I am not speaking of some legalistic holiness theology that is all about following rules. I am speaking of a regenerated heart that is full of the light and life of God.

History has witnessed the emergence of such hearts. People who once walked in, and were consumed by, dark sin experienced God's light and were utterly changed. Jesus is the light of the world and all who follow him walk in his light. This is the gospel message.

Thank you for the light Lord. Help me to keep away from dark paths and walk in your light.

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