The Lesson’s Title came to me earlier today as I was reading the little Book of 1st John, the largest Epistle John (the Disciple) wrote.
He also scribed two shorter Epistles, little letters. And in addition to them he penned the Books of John (our fourth Gospel) and Revelation, the New Testament’s Volume about “things to come.”
Let this Line from John “soak” into your heart please …
“If we SAY (our talk) that we have fellowship with him, and WALK in darkness, we lie.” 1st John 1:6
“If we say,” that obviously means our “talk!”
“If we walk in darkness,” that means “living” in such a way that does not coincide with the teaching of our Lord.
The previous verse (1 John 1:5) succinctly says that “God is Light.” And Jesus is God of course!
If we SAY we know Jesus, love Jesus … then we must WALK accordingly!
This key principle resurfaces again and again throughout the whole Bible! (Our walk must match our talk!)
Let Jesus Himself tell us … “This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.” Matthew 15:8
The Old Testament too?
“And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness.” Ezekiel 33:31
James (our Lord’s Brother) echoes our Theme with these words … “What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works?” James 2:14, a lot of “saying,” but no “doing!”
Therefore … we have two challenges before us.
One, talk right!
Two, walk right!
Then … a precious promise from an unusual section of Scripture comes to mind … “For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him.” 2 Chronicles 16:9, if the “heart” is right … the “walk” will smoothly blend with the “walk!”
Again … if my walk parallels (agrees with) my talk … looks like God will bless my life! Showing Himself STRONG! There’s no telling all that means. God is Almighty, you remember!
Jesus did not appreciate hypocrites!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
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