Walking in the Light

Isaiah 2:1-5, Romans 13:11-14

Isaiah prophesied in chapter 2 about people going up to the mountain of the Lord where God would teach them God’s ways and that they can walk in the Lord’s paths. The prophet beseeches the house of Judah to come and walk in the light of the Lord.

In Romans Paul tells them to throw off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. By doing this they will walk decently by putting on the Lord Jesus Christ making no provision for the desires of the flesh – to step back into the darkness. Putting on the Lord Jesus Christ is a phrase that comes from a baptism liturgy which implies taking off meaning repenting and putting on Christ as spiritual enlightenment and empowerment to live in the light.

The early Roman church must have struggled with the items Paul condemns and tells them not to engage in. Many devout Christians today don’t revel, get drunk, have illicit sex, or are licentious. However, many can be caught in quarreling – insisting on your way or the highway or the one I stumble most with – jealousy. This includes being envious of someone else’s carefree blessed life, popularity, or the things they have that you don’t.

The Roman church is not the only one with dark dwellers. Isaiah 2 goes on to tell that Israel has been guilty of idolatry, apostate practice, and pride. The House of Judah refers to the northern kingdom Judah. Since this invitation is given to all nations even sinful Israel (the southern kingdom) can come to the mountain and walk in the light of the Lord.

Can this oracle apply to us today? It definitely can since no matter the difficult conditions and challenges we face we know that the day is coming when the Lord’s reign will be established with Jerusalem at its center. All humanity will recognize the need for God’s word and walking in the light so that peace can return and implements of war will be turned into tools of community.

What are the works of darkness that keep you from living in the light of Christ? Are there ones we need to repent of so we can return to Christ who empowers us to live in the light so that we can show others the way out of darkness into light encouraging them to walk in the light of the Lord. Amen

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