Our Greatest Need As Christians (Conclusion)

From the desk of Dr. Robert L. Taylor, Th.D. We’ve examined the passage of 1 John 1:6-9. John is writing to Christians and pointing out that their great need is fellowship with Jesus Christ, i.e., to hold all and share things in common with Him. That’s the implication of the words, “But if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another.” (Verse 7). Not just to talk about it -- he makes that point clear. It is so easy to say we have fellowship but what is needed is to really have fellowship, to actually enter into the experience of having all our resources in common with Him, and all His resources in common with us. In other words, it is to turn from a reliance upon methods that don’t work unto power; to discover again the power of genuine Christianity. Walking in the light as God Himself is in the light is the greatest need of EVERY Christian! To walk in the light is to bring my life into alignment with the Word of God! Walking in the light means we consider Jesus as “the light” in this world, and we “walk” in that light by following His precepts, living in His power, and growing in His grace. Walking in the light means growing in holiness and maturing in the faith as we follow Jesus. Walking in the light is our greatest need as Christians! Walking in the light is God’s desire for us! In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul teaches the believers, “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children” (Ephesians 5:1). We are to imitate Christ and model our lives after Him. This is done by walking in the light as God Himself is in the Light! In Ephesians 5:1–21, Paul talks about what behavior is and is not a worthy imitation of God and befitting of God’s children. “For at one time you were darkness,” he says, “but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light” (Ephesians 5:8). Be encouraged!