Choosing to Have Fellowship with God

Photo credit: Some rights reserved, by Jill Clardy

“God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But 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.” (1 John 1:5-7 ESV)

Why is it that even though we know God’s truth through the Bible, we choose to turn our backs on it? Do we know better? Do we think we can live our lives independent of God? Are we too lazy or not motivated? Do we think we have everything we need already? Are we ashamed to face God? No doubt there are many reasons why we may ignore or turn from God. I am saddened at how I find myself at times slipping back into my old ways of thinking, and therefore living. I know better but I don’t choose to act on it. When I come to my senses and remorsefully turn back to God’s forgiving arms I am left wondering why I do it. Why I even delight in doing it.

One of the main reasons is that we have a sinful nature that delights in turning from God. To be ignorant of that is to be deceived. We don’t think we need God and like to live as we please. To give into our sinful nature, or to ignore God when He calls to us, is to harden our hearts. When our hearts are hardened, Jesus’ influence in our lives is reduced, even to the point of non-existence. If we seek to find fulfillment, happiness and purpose apart from Jesus, we are walking down a self-destructive road of frustration, anxiety and despair, void of any eternal security or purpose. It may appear attractive and beneficial in the short term; but then we wouldn’t be tempted to do it if it wasn’t. Only by acting on, or living in the truth of God, will we walk on a path of security, peace and eternal purpose.

However as Christians we are never to despair as a result of our disobedience. Jesus says He will forgive and cleanse us from all our sins and guilt if we turn to Him. Never think you have traveled too far away or have sinned too much to turn to Jesus for refuge. The love and grace of God is greater than any sin, and Jesus is always there to embrace us. But at the same time don’t wait till tomorrow to seek His forgiveness, for we don’t know what tomorrow holds.

A poem from an anonymous writer sums up it up well:

Two natures beat within my chest.
One is cursed, one is blessed,
One I love, one I hate.
The one I feed will dominate.

What nature will you choose to feed? Are you going to allow God to shine on you, purifying you from your sinful ways? Or are you going to run from His arms into the suffocating darkness? Let’s not lie and deceive ourselves anymore, but live in the light and glory of God’s presence and experience His cleansing power; having a vibrant, everlasting relationship with Jesus and each other.