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This is the Message
Presenter: Larry Kirkpatrick
Location: Mentone Seventh-day Adventist Church, California USA
Delivery: 2006-08-12 15:37Z
Publication: GreatControversy.org 2006-08-12 15:37Z
Type: Sermon
URL: http://www.greatcontroversy.org/gco/ser/kir-themessage.php
This then is the message which we have heard of Him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all (1 John 1:5).
God is light. And every man is walking. On these two points hangs the testimony we are giving. Make no mistake; every one of us here is giving a testimony to the world, whether our hair is combed or not, whether the morning stubble is shaven off our face or not. Every man is walking.
Every man is walking, either in darkness or in light. Everyone is in process. So each one of us gives a testimony. There are numerous ways that we give it. We all have a set of things that surround us that tell the story of who we are. It is how we walk, how we live, the totality of features about us, that is the telling of our story.
The Bible speaks relentlessly to us about how we walk. In the writings of John alone there are some 30 references. Consider some samples:
Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life (John 8:12).
Are we following Christ? If we are truly following Christ, we will have light to walk by, then our path will be a lighted one. If we are not following Christ, then we are walking in the darkness. Light shows the pathway, while wandering in the dark means one could travel in any direction, setting foot in a pathway of danger without realizing it.
Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world. But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him (John 11:9, 10).
This passage makes a similar point. Light helps you walk in a purposeful direction, but a lack of light leads one to trip and fall. The added component here is the affirmation that there is no light in us. We have feet but no headlights. We can walk but we have no internal GPS to keep us oriented. No, we have in ourselves not even a dim glow, not when it comes to being able to be self-sufficient. We will fail unless we remain in connection with Christ.
Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth (John 12:35).
This text makes similar points, but adds the concept of probation. The light is available to us but for how long? We need to make progress while it is possible to make progress. We need to be witnesses while others are still susceptible to our witness. And the light is always moving, even just the meridian between daylight and nighttime. The earth rotates at a speed of about 860 MPH for our latitude (approximate speed for Los Angeles area).
But the physical world echoes a spiritual reality, for the light is always moving too. We are never standing still spiritually, morally. We are either advancing or retreating, becoming more Christlike or more Luciferlike.
If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin (1 John 1:6, 7).
John here urges that our spiritual claims are testable. Our behavior offers an index into what is really going on inside. We claim to follow Christ, but our lives show the truth or falsity of our words. Truth is no mere external thing; it is to be lived, it is intended for walking with. Truth is your walking stick.
We are to walk in the light as He is in the light. That is, every aspect of our lives is to accurately testify of the goodness of God. We may fellowship with each other only if we have fellowship through the same Christ. Same light, same Christ, same fellowship, same walk.
Notice here that to be cleansed of all sin as this text says, means we walk in the light as He is in the light, we do truth, we have fellowship with one another, and we are willing to let God apply the blood of Christ to us. What is the meaning of the blood? It is representative of Jesus’ life. Jesus life cleanses us, not only by seeing Jesus as our Substitute dying on the cross, but also as we walk in the light as He is in the light and as we live in fellowship with His other adopted children.
I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father. And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another. And this is love, that we walk after His commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it (2 John 4-6).
This is love, that we walk after His commandments. In other words, it is not love if we refuse to walk after—live moment by moment by—His commandments. People can talk about love all day long. But do they walk after His commandments?
Walking after His commandments means more than we may think. We may glibly say we are doing it, but God’s law touches our lives in so many ways. We tend to be selective. We overlook the ways that we don’t want to give our attention to.
Atmosphere Surrounding the Soul
Let us share statements that echo and amplify what it means to walk in the truth with Jesus:
Paul carried with him the atmosphere of heaven. All who associated with him felt the influence of his union with Christ. The fact that his own life exemplified the truth he proclaimed, gave convincing power to his preaching. Here lies the power of truth. The unstudied, unconscious influence of a holy life is the most convincing sermon that can be given in favor of Christianity. Argument, even when unanswerable, may provoke only opposition; but a godly example has a power that it is impossible wholly to resist (Acts of the Apostles, pp. 510, 511).
Can we carry with us the atmosphere of heaven? Do those who associate with you feel the influence of your union with Jesus? Because Paul’s life echoed the truth he was proclaiming, his testimony had power. Notice, Paul was not trying to be influential; he was influential because of what he was. What he did was unstudied, unconscious. And I love the fact that “a godly example has a power that it is impossible wholly to resist.” Notice the point. Impossible wholly to resist. A life like this carries its influence. People may reject but still the influence is there.
Even the countenance will express the peace that dwells in the soul. The faces of men and women who talk with God, to whom the invisible world is a reality, express the peace of God. They carry with them the soft and genial atmosphere of heaven, and diffuse it in deeds of kindness and works of love. Their influence is of a character to win souls to Christ. If all could see and understand, and be doers of the words of God, what peace, what happiness, what health of body and peace of soul, would be the result! A warm, kindly atmosphere of love, the pitying tenderness of Christ in the soul, cannot be estimated. The price of love is above gold and silver and precious stones, and makes human agents like Him who lived not to please Himself (Medical Ministry, p. 252).
Your face will say something about what is inside. Being a Christian means trusting in God, and almost certainly less wrinkles. Do we carry with ourselves the soft and genial atmosphere of heaven? Does that atmosphere turn into concrete words and acts? This is the kind of influence that wins souls to Christ.
What we believe, influences our life and molds our character; and every one carries with him an atmosphere that is either a savor of life unto life or of death unto death (Review and Herald, July 2, 1889).
Everyone carries with him an atmosphere. Everyone. It is either a positive or a negative influence. And what we believe changes us.
It is impossible for any of us to live in such a way that we shall not cast an influence in the world. No member of the family can enclose himself within himself, where other members of the family shall not feel his influence and spirit. The very expression of the countenance has an influence for good or evil. His spirit, his words, his actions, his attitude toward others, are unmistakable. If he is living in selfishness, he surrounds his soul with a malarious atmosphere; while if he is filled with the love of Christ, he will manifest courtesy, kindness, tender regard for the feelings of others and will communicate to his associates, by his acts of love, a tender, grateful, happy feeling. It will be made manifest that he is living for Jesus and daily learning lessons at His feet, receiving His light and His peace. He will be able to say to the Lord, ‘Thy gentleness hath made me great’ (Adventist Home, pp. 33, 34).
We all exert an influence. In the family we exert an influence. Our facial expression, our words, what we do, our attitude toward others, whether we are kind or not, tender regard for the feeling of others, how we communicate with others—all these things testify.
There are the impressions that are going forth all the time. There is an atmosphere that surrounds the human soul and that atmosphere is a heavenly atmosphere or a hellish atmosphere. There are but two distinct lines. Either we are on Christ’s side of the question or on the enemy’s side. And if we are continually drawing rays of divine light from glory, angels of God are around about us and there is an atmosphere that surrounds the human soul. Our very attitude, our very words, witness genuine conversion to all who come within the sphere of our influence. ‘The Spirit and the bride say come, and let him that heareth say come, and let him that is athirst come’ (Faith and Works, p. 65).
There are angels around you, but which kind? They contribute to the atmosphere that surrounds you.
Praise the Lord; talk of His goodness; tell of His power. Sweeten the atmosphere that surrounds your soul.... Praise with heart and soul and voice, Him who is the health of your countenance, your Saviour, and your God (God’s Amazing Grace, p. 325).
Praise—thoughtful praise—offered in a wise way at the right time, sweetens the atmosphere around you. Praise mishandled seems artificial and cuts off your influence. The praise that flows should be natural and not seem forced. It should be appropriate.
It is of the greatest importance to us that we surround the soul with the atmosphere of faith. Every day we are deciding our own eternal destiny in harmony with the atmosphere that surrounds the soul. We are individually accountable for the influence that we exert, and consequences that we do not see will result from our words and actions. If God would have saved Sodom for the sake of ten righteous persons, what would be the influence for good that might go out as the result of the faithfulness of the people of God if every one who professed the name of Christ were also clothed with His righteousness? (In Heavenly Places, p. 104).
We choose our attitudes, we decide our own destiny. If we would rightly represent Christ, we will have to leave behind old tendencies to negativity, old tendencies to distrust, old thought patterns that see conspiracies everywhere, injustice everywhere. Whatever may be in the world, we look for a better world, who’s Maker is God.
Real religion has its seat in the heart; and as it is an abiding principle there, it works outwardly, molding the external conduct, until the entire being is conformed to the image of Christ; even the thoughts are brought into subjection to the mind of Christ. If the abiding principle is not in the heart, the mind will be molded after the deceiving similitude of Satan’s mind, working his will to the ruin of the soul. The atmosphere which surrounds such souls is deleterious to all around them, whether believers or unbelievers (Mind, Character, and Personality, vol. 2, p. 802).
So. Is what you have working from the inside to the outside? If we do not have the Holy Spirit working inside of us, God’s principles chosen and operating within, we will slowly take on the shape of “deceiving similitude of Satan’s mind.” We are all in process.
The atmosphere that surrounds the soul is fraught with influence for good or evil.... It may be full of poison and malaria, or be fragrant and pure and health giving. This moral influence will be according to our connection with Christ or our separation from Him, who is light and life (Our High Calling, p. 290).
Separated from Christ or connected—Which is it? The result is shown in the atmosphere that surrounds us. The result is shown in the influence that goes out from us.
There is an atmosphere that surrounds every soul, an influence, either conscious or unconscious, that emanates from every person for good or evil; and to discipline a family so that the members shall meet the high claims of Heaven is a work that is counted of highest value in the sight of God (Signs of the Times, May 20, 1889).
Every soul surrounds itself with an atmosphere that has a telling influence upon those with whom we are brought in contact. Many gather to themselves the atmosphere that breathes from the powers of darkness. Even professed followers of Christ often permit the hellish shadow of Satan to interpose between the soul and God. Their thoughts, their words are of a cheap, common order, and they give others the impression that religion is a cheap thing. Oh, we cannot afford to give any such instruction! We who may be imbued with the Spirit of Christ, who may have his love in our hearts, his vivifying influence in our souls, should shed upon men a beneficial influence. We should be copartners with Jesus (Signs of the Times, January 9, 1893).
Worldliness combined with a profession of Christianity is an awful formula. It sends others the impression that your religion is cheap, that Your God is cheap. It is a savor unto death, not life. We should be copartners with Jesus!
We may say, ‘Neither society nor intimate companions must have their ideas of Christian character cheapened by my course of action.’ Those who take and keep this position will find that the gospel is the power of God unto salvation. Such will receive the commendation, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant’ (Signs of the Times, January 23, 1893).
Concluding Thoughts
Well, here is the bottom line. Either we may represent Jesus as one with no darkness in us or we may not; either we may witness truly what He is like, live the message John heard from Jesus, or we may not. if indeed we may live this way, if the kind of, for lack of a better term, “atmosphere” may go out from the soul, then let it go out for Jesus!
Our choices determine very largely the atmosphere that goes out from us, the “walk” that John and so many others in the Bible speak to us about. Consider the contrasts:
Order or disorder
Unselfishness or selfishness
Thankfulness or unthankfulness
Offering positive words or offering negative words
Clean and consistent personal hygiene or dirty and irregular personal hygiene
Habitually pleasant facial expressions or habitually unpleasant
Courtesy and kindness or discourtesy and unkindness
Tender regard for the feelings of others or disregard for their feelings
Gentleness or harshness
A heavenly atmosphere or a hellish one
The presence of God’s angels or the presence of Satan’s angels
Connection with Christ or separation from Christ
Thoughtful, meaningful, helpful words, or cheap, common irreligious words
Modest, representative dress or dressing in representation of the world
Right practices in eating or gluttonous unhealthful practices
Driving safely, kindly, thoughtfully or dangerously, unkindly, thoughtlessly
Setting regular hours or irregular, intemperate ones
Maybe it sounds like we are dropping into minutia. But think again. All these things, and others, add up to the witness of our life. That witness says something about the God we serve. The atmosphere around us effects others. Its draws to God or repels. It is easy to say we will be Christians and to lay this claim and that. But let us review how we are talking to others, how we are living infront of others. We may not come out so well in such a personal inventory. And for Jesus’ sake, for the kingdom’s sake, our lives should tell the story of Jesus in more ways than they have been.
Remember, “This then is the message which we have heard of Him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5). Is that the message you are sending into the world about your Lord Jesus Christ? GCO
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