1 John 2: 9-11   9) “Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness. 10) Whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him to make him stumble. 11) But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness; he does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded him.”

          How many of us know Christ in our hearts, but yet pay no attention to the pain in people’s voices? How many believers pay no attention to the trial’s others are going through? How many followers walk in the shadow of His light, because they are in front of Jesus? Is this a sign of hatred against brother, or self? If we live our lives and not concern ourselves with how others are doing, do we really know CHRIST? “Burning lips [uttering insincere words of love] and a wicked heart are like an earthen vessel covered with the scum thrown off from molten silver [making it appear to be solid silver].” Proverbs 26:23 (AB). “If anyone says, ‘I love God,’ yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.” 1 John 4:20 (NIV).

          For many believers, life is not this way. The love of Christ, meaning the love Jesus has for ALL He has created, lives in them. Their eyes have been opened, so as to be aware of other’s circumstances and situations. And their ears have become able to hear the pain and sorrow in the voices of those around them. Their hearts, now obedient to Jesus, have His compassion for the hurting, down trodden and the lost. Their daily prayers are for guidance on how to physically and spiritually help others. The true believer is being led by the Spirit to do what Jesus has laid on their hearts to do. The Holy Spirit in them has cultivated their hearts, so that “love of their brothers and sisters” grow stronger. “And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.” 1 John 4:21 (NIV).

          So in order to stay grounded in our lives, to continue to be obedient to His calling, to walk in the light of His glory, being in His word daily will be our help. His word gives hope to the hopeless. It drives away fear. It calms the storms. It gives total inner peace, to the believer and non- believer alike. By allowing God’s word to work in our situations and circumstances of life, we can better share with others. Our firsthand knowledge of the power of His word, through the Holy Spirit, will come out in our voices and actions as we give others our testimony. The sincerity in the tone we speak will tell others this Jesus is real, alive and powerful in our lives. We must showcase the grace, mercy and love of Jesus and live lives in a way so as to be believed, in order to bring glory and honor to the Creator of the universe. Our lives must freely show Jesus in us, and Jesus flowing through us. “Whoever says he abides in Him ought [as a personal debt] to walk and conduct himself in the same way in which He walked and conducted Himself.” 1 John 2:6 (AB).

          Believers then must continually be aware of their walk. Getting away from the path God has laid in front of us we become hard hearted and then lead others astray. This world, and its evil ways, always tries to lead the believer off Christ’s way and on to a path of self. Our ways are blanketed in darkness because we block the light of Jesus that is in us, we walk ahead of Him. In doing so we lead ourselves into destruction. And we also may lead others there too. “If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth.” 1 John 1:16 (NIV). Believers must rely on the power of His word, daily looking into it. They must continue to keep their eyes focused on Jesus. But there are times when trials come, and the tears of hurt and pain clouds their sight. At those times it helps to have other believers around us and the believer begins to slide when they reject help from others. The slope becomes steep when anger in a situation boils over. Satan will continually bombard the believer when he is weak, when he is walking in the dark. “But you are not in [given up to the power of] darkness, brethren, for that day to overtake you by surprise like a thief.” 1 Thessalonians 5:4 (AB). That verse must encourage us. It tells us we are in Christ and He has a hold of us. This “darkness” is only for a short time. We will emerge out of the other side renewed, stronger, better able to conquer the darkness that trials in our lives bring. And out of this, our testimony will be more powerful. Empowering others to boldly trust in Jesus, so that His power will live in them.