We lift you up in prayer, dear brother or sister, as you seek to walk in the light of Christ and abide in His truth. Your desire to live righteously, reject the world’s temptations, and remain rooted in the Vine is a testament to the Holy Spirit’s work in your heart. Let us turn to Scripture to strengthen and guide you in these areas, for God’s Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path.
The apostle John writes with great urgency about the contrast between light and darkness, righteousness and sin, love for the Father and love for the world. In 1 John 1:5-7, we are reminded, *"This is the message which we have heard from him and announce to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him and walk in the darkness, we lie, and don’t tell 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 Christ, his Son, cleanses us from all sin."* Walking in the light means living in transparency before God, confessing our sins, and turning from them. It means rejecting hidden motives, deceit, and the works of darkness. The blood of Jesus is our only cleansing—without it, we cannot stand before a holy God. Do you daily confess your sins and seek His cleansing? This is not a one-time act but a lifestyle of humility and dependence on Him.
John also calls us to practice righteousness, for in 1 John 2:29, he says, *"If you know that he is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of him."* Then in 1 John 3:7-10, he makes it even clearer: *"Little children, let no one lead you astray. He who does righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. To this end the Son of God was revealed: that he might destroy the works of the devil. Whoever is born of God doesn’t commit sin, because his seed remains in him; and he can’t sin, because he is born of God. In this the children of God are revealed, and the children of the devil: whoever doesn’t do righteousness is not of God, nor is he who doesn’t love his brother."* This is a sobering truth. If we claim to be in Christ but habitually live in sin—whether it be fornication, lying, greed, idolatry, or any other rebellion against God—we deceive ourselves. The child of God *cannot* continue in willful sin because the Holy Spirit convicts and transforms us. If there is unrepentant sin in your life, we urge you to fall on your knees before the Lord, confess it, and turn from it. He is faithful to forgive and cleanse (1 John 1:9).
You also mentioned the need to not love the world. 1 John 2:15-17 warns us, *"Don’t love the world, neither the things that are in the world. If anyone loves the world, the Father’s love isn’t in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—isn’t the Father’s, but is the world’s. The world is passing away with its lusts, but he who does God’s will remains forever."* The world’s system is opposed to God. Its values—materialism, sexual immorality, pride, and self-indulgence—are in direct conflict with the kingdom of God. Ask yourself: Where do my affections lie? Do I seek the approval of man more than the approval of God? Am I consumed with entertainment, wealth, or comfort more than with the things of eternity? The call is clear: set your mind on things above, not on things of the earth (Colossians 3:2).
John also commands us to keep ourselves from idols (1 John 5:21). An idol is anything that takes the place of God in our hearts—whether it be a person, a possession, a dream, or even a ministry. Idols are subtle and deceptive. They promise fulfillment but leave us empty. Examine your heart: Is there anything you treasure more than Christ? Anything you fear losing more than you fear losing Him? Repent and turn back to the Lord, for He alone is worthy of your worship.
In John 15, Jesus teaches us about abiding in Him, the true Vine. *"Remain in me, and I in you. As the branch can’t bear fruit by itself unless it remains in the vine, so neither can you, unless you remain in me. I am the vine. You are the branches. He who remains in me and I in him bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing"* (John 15:4-5). Abiding in Christ means daily surrender, daily communion through prayer and the Word, and daily obedience. It means recognizing that without Him, we are powerless to live the Christian life. Are you spending time in His presence? Are you feeding on His Word? Are you obeying what He commands? If not, you are like a branch cut off from the vine—withered and fruitless.
Finally, John calls us to recognize the children of the devil. In 1 John 3:10, he writes, *"In this the children of God are revealed, and the children of the devil: whoever doesn’t do righteousness is not of God, nor is he who doesn’t love his brother."* The world is full of false teachers, false believers, and those who oppose Christ. We must be discerning. Not everyone who claims to be a Christian truly is. Jesus warned that many will say, *"Lord, Lord,"* but He will reply, *"I never knew you"* (Matthew 7:23). Test the spirits (1 John 4:1). Look at the fruit of a person’s life. Do they love righteousness? Do they walk in humility and repentance? Do they love the brethren? Or do they live in sin, embrace worldly values, and reject the authority of Scripture? These are the children of the devil, and we must not be deceived by them.
Now, let us pray for you:
Heavenly Father, we come before You in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, lifting up our brother/sister who desires to walk in Your light and abide in Your truth. Lord, we thank You for the work You are doing in their heart, drawing them closer to You. Father, we ask that You would expose any darkness in their life—any hidden sin, any love for the world, any idol that has taken Your place. Convict them by Your Holy Spirit and grant them a heart of repentance. Cleanse them by the blood of Jesus and fill them afresh with Your Spirit.
Lord, teach them what it means to practice righteousness. Help them to turn from every wicked way and to walk in obedience to Your Word. Give them discernment to recognize the schemes of the devil and the deception of the world. Guard their heart from the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. May they set their affections on things above, where Christ is seated at Your right hand.
Father, we pray that they would abide in Christ as a branch abides in the vine. May they spend time in Your Word daily, feeding on Your truth. May they commune with You in prayer, seeking Your face and Your will. Strengthen them to bear much fruit for Your kingdom—fruit that remains. Prune away anything in their life that does not glorify You.
Lord, open their eyes to see the children of the devil, that they may not be deceived. Give them wisdom to test the spirits and to walk in discernment. Surround them with godly brothers and sisters who will encourage them, challenge them, and hold them accountable.
Finally, Father, we ask that You would fill them with Your love—a love that casts out fear, a love that obeys Your commands, a love that lays down its life for the brethren. May they walk in the light as You are in the light, experiencing the sweet fellowship of Your presence.
We ask all these things in the precious name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, who alone is worthy of all glory, honor, and praise. Amen.
Brother/sister, we encourage you to remain steadfast in these truths. The Christian life is not easy, but it is worth it. The world will hate you (John 15:18-19), but Christ has overcome the world (John 16:33). Keep your eyes fixed on Him. Run the race with endurance. And remember, it is not by your strength but by His grace that you stand. *"Now to him who is able to keep them from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory in great joy, to God our Savior, who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen."* (Jude 1:24-25).