Walking in the Light

 "We are not told to 'walk in the light' of our conscience or in the light of a sense of duty, but to 'walk in the light as He is in the light...' (1 John 1:7).  When we do something out of a sense of duty, it is easy to explain the reasons for our actions to others.  But when we do something out of obedience to the Lord, there can be no other explanation--just obedience.  That is why a saint can be so easily ridiculed and misunderstood."  ~ Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest, February 28

This exhortation could not have come at a better time for myself.  Earlier in his exhortation he brings up Proverbs 3:5, 6 - "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths."

To me that is a verse so many folks know but, it seems to me, forget that the emphasis isn't so much in verse 5 as it is in verse 6 (yes first we have to trust, but the trust requires an action in acknowledging the Lord).  It harmonizes so well with 1 John 1:7 which states in it's entirety - "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."  In all our dealings in this world, walking in light means to first trust in the Lord, in trusting we will then acknowledge the Lord in all of our dealings and turn to Him first for everything.  We will not rely on our own conscience, or what we "think" is right or what the culture (either the worldly or church) has taught us, instead we will turn to His word and test all things in light of His word.  From there He will direct our paths and guide us.  We must seek to understand His will, not seek to harmonize his will with ours, but rather ours with His.