Do you want to see what God sees?

A careful study of 1 John reveals how we can live in the same light God does.

God is never confused. He never misreads situations. He always knows exactly what is going on and what to do about it.

And He invites us to live in His light, to see things the way He does.

We just have to follow the directions to His light. He revealed how to get there in 1 John, and it's probably not what you'd expect.

All you have to do is remain in fellowship with all believers.

A simple yet challenging instruction. Because you have to learn the agape way of handling conflict and disagreements.

As soon as we step away from any aspect of the love described in 1 Corinthians 13, we step outside of the light.

Without the light, we make bad judgments that lead to bad decisions. We never know the full picture without God's light.

And God's light requires that we remain in fellowship with each other.

Biblical fellowship is not a potluck. It's a covenant partnership where you commit to stand with each other no matter what comes.

If one has a problem, we work it out together. If one has a victory, we rejoice together.

God's love doesn't bail when things get tough. It shines for all to see and be amazed at something that makes no sense to this world.

Are you facing opposition in your walk with the Lord?

This tends to catch us off guard because we expect trouble-free progress as we pursue God.

Psalm 23 clears it up for us when it says, "You prepare a table for me in the presence of my enemies."

Your enemy's presence does not prevent you from enjoying closeness with the Lord.

So often, we put off victory until there is no opposition.

But victory is not the absence of opposition. Victory is peace and joy in the face of opposition.

Never be surprised by trouble, opposition, or persecution. Don't let it hinder or hold you back.

Simply smile and enjoy the banquet of righteousness, peace, and joy that God has already prepared for you, right in the face of your enemies.

You can't work your way into God's presence.

Praying more won't get you there. Giving more won't get you there. Reading the Bible more won't get you there.

Trying to earn access to God's presence is a sure way not to get it.

You know why? Because you are making it about you.

It feels humble and sacrificial, but it is really pride in what you are doing.

So, you don't work your way into God's presence. You choose to enter through Jesus Christ.

The next time you want to approach God, do it boldly. Choose to enter His presence with great assurance that Jesus Christ already earned the right for you to be there.

Do you know the difference between sin and temptation?

The enemy would love for you to consider them the same, because if temptation makes you think you've already sinned, one of two things will happen.

Either you'll get paralyzed by guilt, or you'll give in to sin. So, let's clear it up.

Temptation is not sin, but an invitation to sin.

Just like you can't stop someone from inviting you to their house, you can't stop temptation from coming.

Being invited to sin is not failure. It's simply part of the Christian life.

What matters is how you respond to temptation.

Since Christ has given us authority over all the power of the enemy... and since the power of sin has been broken over our lives... and since God provides a way out of every temptation...

Our response must always be an authoritative NO with full assurance that all of Heaven is backing us up.

You'll do this often. So, just prepare yourself now to say no every single time, no matter how many times.

"If the light you think you have is darkness, how deep that darkness is."

These chilling words came right from Jesus in Matthew 6:23.

And I don't know about you, but I sure don't want to be the person He is talking about.

So, how do we know if we are truly walking in the light? How do we keep from deceiving ourselves?

We get the answer all throughout the book of 1 John. Over and over again, he gives us the primary indicator.

If we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with fellow believers.

If we are at odds with another believer, we can be sure we are not walking in the light.

If we are resistant to gathering with other believers, we can be sure we are not walking in the light.

That's probably not what you expected, is it? Yet, it's the truth. This is how you know if you are truly walking in the light.

Otherwise, that light you think you have... It's actually darkness.

Another challenge, like COVID, is coming.

The question is, are you prepared to respond correctly as a Christ follower?

The greatest challenge you'll face is not a virus, but a choice. Will you be led by the Spirit, or something else?

Will you look to the experts, or will you ask Holy Spirit what to do?

Will you fill your mind with fear by keeping up with the latest news, or will you renew your mind with the Word of God?

Will you obey God and continue gathering with fellow believers, or will you yield to disobedience disguised as "keeping people safe"?

Remember the words of Jesus. "If you try to save your life, you'll lose it. But, if you lose your life for Jesus' sake, you'll find it."

It's time to lay down this earthly life so you can pick up eternal life in Christ.