But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin. 1 John 1:7
It is a well-known fact that we talk and behave like the people we spend the most time with. This is why teachers can have an idea of what kind of conversations happen at their students' homes by listening to their students speak. We act and become like those we surround ourselves with. Understanding this, as followers of Christ, it is vital that we surround ourselves with those who point us towards Christ.
John writes in the book of 1 John that one marker of a Christ-follower is that they surround themselves with other followers of Jesus. 1 John 1:7 says, "if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other…" The truth is, followers of Christ choose to be influenced by other Christ-followers. After all, we become like the people we surround ourselves with. As a result, we would be wise to allow other followers of Christ into our spheres of influence.
Not only are we reminded of the importance of allowing other Christ-followers to influence us in 1 John, but we are also reminded of the importance of this in Psalm 1 chapter 1. "Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers," the Psalmist writes (verse 1). According to the Psalmist, people who do not allow those who are far from Christ to influence them "prosper in all they do" (verse 3).
It makes sense, doesn't it? It is only natural that those who let other followers of Christ influence them would prosper, because they are walking in the way of the Lord. I don't know about you, but I want to prosper in my walk with the Lord and allow those who are also walking in the way of the Lord influence me. This does not mean that we do not spend time with those who are far from Christ. Scripture makes it abundantly clear that we are meant to spend time with unbelievers and share Christ with them. However, it does mean that we need to allow those who are followers of Christ, those who are walking in His light, influence us. Make an effort today to seek out other followers of Christ to influence you.
Who are you allowing to influence your life? Are those who you are surrounding yourself with making a positive or negative impact on your life? Spend some time thinking of the people in your life who influence you. Make a list of the people who point you toward Christ. Reach out to them this week and be sure to spend some time with them. As you spend time with these people and they point you towards Christ, be sure to encourage them in their relationship with Christ as well.
Read Psalm 1:1-6 (NLT)
Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers.But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night.They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season.Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.
But not the wicked! They are like worthless chaff, scattered by the wind.They will be condemned at the time of judgment. Sinners will have no place among the godly.For the Lord watches over the path of the godly, but the path of the wicked leads to destruction.
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