Proverbs 4:18-19. 18But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day. 19The way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know over what they stumble.
Notice the contrast in this proverb. There are those who live in light, and those who live in darkness. Of course the light is the righteousness of God and the darkness is wickedness. As we choose to obey God our path gets lighter and lighter. By contrast, continued disobedience makes the path grow darker and darker, taking us into deep darkness and psychological turmoil where we don’t even know anymore why we are doing what we do. The person described in this proverb doesn’t even know what they are stumbling over.
Lest we think that the Bible is describing the rare psychopath, let me ask you to think about this question: Why do you do what you do? Do you even know? Why are your relationships in trouble? Why do you lack close friendships? Why are you feeling joyless? Why are you struggling to find peace at work? At home? At church? Why are you worried all the time? Critical? Controlling?
What are you stumbling over?
I’ve found over the years that most people can identify that something isn’t right in their life, but they have no idea why it isn’t right. The easiest answer is to blame circumstances, others, or even God. The truth is that what we really stumble over is our own internal suffering and sin. That deep part of the soul that we rarely, if ever, shine a light on. Again, why do we do what we do? What are we paying attention to? The news? Social media? The actions and attitudes of others? Our situation? Or are we able to actually pay attention to our own hearts? Are we able to live in the light?
The answer is, YES! In Christ we ARE living in the light.
1 John 1:5-7. 5This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7But 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.
Christian, you are walking in the light. What does that mean? It means you are experiencing fellowship with God and cleansing from all sin and shame. It means we don’t have to keep our deepest heart hidden in the dark any longer. When we stumble, there is no reason to stay ignorant about what we stumbled over. The cross of Christ has shed its light on our indwelling sin. We aren’t stumbling over circumstances, others, or God; we stumble over our own selfish pride and self-salvation schemes.
But that can change; you can change. You are being changed. Christ has shone the light of his new creation glory into your heart. This light will grow brighter and brighter like the light of dawn, exposing more and more of you to you. Don’t be afraid. Let the Son rise in your heart and shed the light of his love and grace over every dark corner of your life. Stop stumbling over your pride and insecurity, your shame and guilt, and start walking in the light.
You: Is there an area of struggle in your life that has not been illuminated by the cross of Christ?
You in Christ: In Christ we live in his light. In what ways has his light been growing brighter lately?
Christ in you: How does your union with Christ allow you to boldly evaluate yourself and confess sin?
Pray: Father, by your Spirit reveal the indwelling sin in me and help me to look to Jesus while casting off that sin day by day. Amen.
To Live is Christ 