Walking In Twilight

Walking In Twilight - Nathele Graham - twotug@embarqmail.com

 

There's a time of day when things are dim and not easily seen. It's that time between the darkness and light called twilight. You can see shapes but it's hard to make out details of what you see. You run the risk of stumbling by stepping in a hole if you walk in the twilight hours because there's a certain amount of blindness. It's not daylight, nor is it night...it's sort of non-committal. Many Christians live in the twilight of their walk with Christ...not fully embracing the Light of the world but holding on to enough darkness of Satan so as not to change their lives too much. They easily stumble. Jesus had much to say about the way we should behave, and Christians need to pay attention. "I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness." John 12:46. Too many of us choose to stumble around in the darkness of the world, or try to live in both darkness and light, but that isn't how to live. Jesus is the Light to our path and we need to follow His Light.

 

When Jesus revealed Himself to Paul on the road to Damascus, He said that Paul had a calling. "But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou has seen, and of those things in which I will appear unto thee; delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me." Acts 26:16-18. This was quite a revelation to Paul, who had fiercely persecuted Christians. Paul was blinded by the light, but when he regained his sight, he was a totally changed man. He turned away from the dark Satanic path he had followed and gave his life to Jesus. Paul was called to be a minister and a witness to the fallen world that he had once embraced. Brothers and sisters, we too are called to "...turn people from darkness to light and from the power of Satan unto God...". We cannot do that if we are walking in twilight instead of walking in the full light of God. Whatever sin is holding you in its grip can be forgiven if you repent. You'll never fully walk in the Light of Jesus while you hold on to the darkness.

 

Christians know that the Holy Spirit is our guide through life. This truth isn't a "pie in the sky" idea, and we need to consciously listen for His guidance. He will never lead you in a path contrary to Scripture. Scripture needs to be taken seriously, and the Holy Spirit will bring understanding if you don't try to justify your own sin and interpret it through your own prejudices. The Devil is real and his goal is to stumble Christians and influence each of us to call evil good and be open minded about sin...to question if God really means what He says. Many Christians absolutely will not drink any form of alcohol, but have no problem being angry or gossiping. We need to see things from God's point of view. God says not to get drunk, but wine is an important part of the Jewish feasts and Jesus even turned water to wine at a wedding. On the other hand, anger and slander are problems. Jesus said "Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: but I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire." Matthew 5:21-22. "Raca" was a very derogatory word meaning, empty headed or a fool. So, if you think you're walking in the Light of the Lord because you won't touch alcohol, but fly off the handle and call someone a fool, you're walking in twilight.

 

Satan and his minions will try to pull even the strongest Christian into sin. In the Old Testament we read the history of the nation of Israel and of the kings. After the kingdom divided, the Northern Kingdom completely turned from God and went the way of pagans. The most notorious and evil monarchs in the north were King Ahab and his wicked wife Jezebel. They were totally given over to paganism. The Southern Kingdom had some good kings and some bad ones. Sadly, even the good kings allowed some pagan ways. When a king would remove all the groves and high places, which were devoted to pagan worship, they always left a few. The prophet Ezekiel was even shown that deep inside the Temple, paganism was taking place. Nothing is hidden from God. That's no different than Christians. Too often we repent of almost all sin but hold on to just a little. It may not be "big" sin, but even ones we deem as small by human standards are still sin according to God's standards. We've already seen that Jesus said being angry is a sin, but what are other ways we walk in twilight instead of in the Light of Jesus? Do you peek at pornography? If you buy certain magazines and lust after the pictures, you're guilty of sin. Although some people say abortion is a woman's right it's nothing less than a human sacrifice, which is a sin. Do you laugh at television shows that depict ungodly values or go to movies that are violent and filled with foul language? We all have our favorite sins we hold on to, and these keep us away from the full Light of Jesus. I'm not advocating works for salvation because accepting Christ's sacrifice has redeemed you. I am advocating taking every thought captive and choosing to follow the way of Christ rather than the way of the world. "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. It's a choice we make daily. We all stumble in the twilight from time to time, but we can always ask for forgiveness and He is always willing to forgive.

 

How can we ever completely walk in the Light and not fail? We can't. As long as we live on this side of Heaven we will struggle against the sin in our life. The best way to move from twilight to Light is to break bad habits. Determine that you will please God and not man, then stop giving in to the habits that cause sin. Paul wrote to the Christians in Thessalonica and gave a short list of how to keep in the light. "Pray without ceasing." 1 Thessalonians 5:17. If you're in prayer then temptation can't get into your thoughts. "Quench not the Spirit." 1 Thessalonians 5:19. The Holy Spirit is sealed within Christians and He will guide us. We can ignore Him if we so choose, and the more we ignore Him the quieter He will speak. Listen to His guidance and obey. "Abstain from all appearance of evil." 1 Thessalonians 5:22. This means that you may have to completely change your way of living. You may be a solid Christian in your heart, but if you dress in revealing clothing you give the appearance of someone with loose morals. If your hairstyle resembles that which is worn by gang members, you do give the appearance of evil. If you choose to live a sexually immoral life then that is more than just the appearance of evil. No, I'm not nit picking. If you're a Christian then don't appear as one who loves the world more than Christ. "Draw nigh to God and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded." James 4:8. It's been said that we grow to resemble the god we serve. If you look like the world and put out an appearance of evil then it stands to reason that you serve the god of this world and follow his darkness. If you claim to serve Jesus but choose to look worldly then you're walking in twilight.

 

We hear it quite often: We need revival. This is true. The problem is, we want others to be revived while we ourselves continue to walk in twilight. Pastors are shy about preaching the full word of God because there are subjects in Scripture that might cause them to lose their tax-exempt status. If sin is talked about from the pulpit, some pew-warmers just might be offended and withdraw their tithes. Money is more important than truth. Instead of trying to please those who embrace the darkness, it's time to stand fully in the light. When Jesus told Peter to feed the sheep, He didn't mean to feed them milk, but to give them something to chew on, consider, and pray about. Revival has to start with every professing Christian. If we aren't walking in the Light, then how can we lead others. Every day we need to be sure we walk in the full Light of God, rather than stumbling around in twilight and darkness. Instead of being the light that shines hope into this fallen world, we allow ourselves to be silenced by people who embrace the darkness of Satan. Christians must follow Christ rather than Satan "The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness. Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness." Luke 11:34-35. Too many Christians embrace twilight...preaching the light but embracing the dark. How can there be a revival if Christians aren't letting Christ's light shine?

 

We are drawing very near to the Rapture. Prophecy is being fulfilled rapidly and there's very little time left for us to be a witness to the fallen world that's lost in darkness. Jesus is the Light to this fallen world and Christians are the ones who that Light shines through. If we continue walking in twilight then shame on us.

 

God bless you all,

 

Nathele Graham

THIS IS NOT SPAM...CHECK OUT MY BUSINESS.... THIS IS AMAZING!!!

 

I RELAX EVERY NIGHT WITH ESSENTIAL OILS. GO TO WWW.YOUNGLIVING.COM. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED, CONTACT ME VIA THIS EMAIL, AND I WILL GIVE MORE DETAILS. I PROMISE YOU THAT YOU WILL ENJOY THIS AS MUCH AS I DO. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED.... CONTACT INFO:email: trsii2004@msn.com
TERRY SEEMAN - DISTRIBUTOR # 16084320