If you've ever tried walking through a dark space with no light to help you see, you know that it can be challenging. you stumble over objects on the floor, you hit your shins on little things that hurt, you trip over a pile of something and your not quite sure what it is. The Bible uses this imagery of light and darkness repeatedly to convey how desperately we need the light to be able to see where we are going. 1 John 1:5 says "God is light and in Him is no darkness at all." John wanted his readers to know that God is pure, unaltered, bright light, that has no hint of darkness in it at all. John goes on to say in v6-7, "If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in the 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." John wanted his readers to know how desperately they needed to "walk in the light" and to avoid the darkness at all costs.

Christians cannot walk in darkness and claim to be Christians. Darkness is evil. It refers to walking in the places in which God cannot be found. It means to live in a state of sin. In contrast John wants us to walk in the light, where Jesus can be found. He says if a person walks there, it doesn't mean they're perfect, but as they strive to walk in that light, the blood of Jesus will continue to cleanse them where they falter.

The question for us where do we find ourselves walking? Do we walk in darkness? Do we live in a state of sin? Do we find ourselves in places where God cannot be found? That is a dangerous to place to be. But in contrast, if we find ourselves in the light, we find God's mercy, forgiveness, and fellowship every step of the way.

So, where do you walk - in the darkness or in the light?

- Kolton Ballance