Members Exclusive April 2024
Members Exclusive
Walking In The Light
by Bruce Billington
2 Corinthians 7:1 – “Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” The last few months have been a challenging time for a number of us. These are times when we should turn to God, cry out to Him, and seek to glean all we can from such times (Philippians 4:6).
However, as good, and right as this is – it only shows the human perspective on our situation. Our challenge, in all of life’s situations – both good and bad – is to transform our natural life into spiritual life, holding on to Him in obedience and embracing His grace.
It is also important to ensure that we are not condoning some habit or behaviour that could not stand the light of God on it. We can often be susceptible to this in difficult times, as we look for comfort. But we need to remember that our body is a temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19) and we must not allow our temple to become contaminated.
Paul refers to the disciples of his time as, “My children, with whom I am again in labour until Christ is formed in you.” (Galatians 4:19).
God instructs us even in the smallest details of life. And when He brings conviction of sin to us, we should cleanse ourselves of it at once.
Of course, the key issue in all seasons of life is not about sin – it is about transformation – being transformed into the likeness of Christ. Are we allowing the mind of Christ to be formed in us through our sufferings and difficulties (Philippians 2:5), or are we quickly dismayed, impatient, and full of self-pity or indignation, that God would allow this to happen to us?
I have had to fight these things really hard in the last few months. As we all know, it is not easy. Most of us cannot do this alone. In the Scripture just quoted above, Paul emphasises that we labour together in this regard. That is why God has placed us in the community. Because we all have times of suffering and weakness, we should both reach out to one another for support – and also be there for others when we are in a place of strength. Constant prayer is also a powerful tool both for us and for others. I could not have made it without this support from so many of you.
As hard as this may seem, we aim to keep our spirit in agreement with His Spirit. And when we do, Jesus gradually lifts us to the level where He lived during His time on earth – a level of perfect submission to His Father’s will. He paid no attention to anything else. Are we perfecting this kind of holiness in the fear of God? Is God having His way with us, and are people beginning to see the light of God in our lives more and more?
Be serious in your commitment to God and gladly leave everything else alone. Put God first in your life. Surround those God has placed you with, with prayer, comfort, and a constant reminder of the inheritance we each have in Christ. Don’t be religious – be real and find all sorts of ways to help others as we live out the following.
Colossians 3:12-16 – “So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”
God bless you.
Bruce Billington.