What Does It Mean to "Walk in the Light"?

Why is this so Important?

The phrase “walk in the light” is introduced in the book of First John....

7 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. (1 John 1:7, NKJV)

This subject therefore becomes very important because....

“Walking in the Light” has to do with “Fellowship with God”

However, because of great confusion in Bible teaching, most commentators on First John say that this book is written so that Christians can test whether their salvation is real = gain assurance of salvation.

Most Bible commentators say that First John was written so that Christians can test whether their salvation is real.

For example, the MacArthur Study Bible states....

The MacArthur Study Bible Chapter 2

2:3, 4 know … keep. The repetition of these words emphasizes that those genuinely born again display the habit of obedience. Obedience results in assurance of salvation (cf. Eph. 2:2; 1 Pet. 1:14).

Warren Wiersbe in The Bible Exposition Commentary states...

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter One: It’s Real! (1 John 1:1–4)

In the latter half of his letter, John deals primarily with sonship—our being “born of God.” How can a person really know he is a child of God? Well, says John, sonship is revealed by obedience (1 John 3), love (1 John 4), and truth (1 John 5).

However, John consistently refers to his readers as BRETHREN.

However, in his epistle, the Apostle John uses the word ἀδελφός adelphos = brother 17 times For example,

7 Brethren, I write no new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you heard from the beginning. (1 John 2:7, NKJV)

13 Do not marvel, my brethren, if the world hates you. (1 John 3:13, NKJV)

Also 7 times in his book he refers to his readers as τεκνίον teknon = little children [meaning that they are born of God]. For example,

2 My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. (1 John 2:1, NKJV)

12 I write to you, little children, Because your sins are forgiven you for His name’s sake. (1 John 2:12, NKJV)

And 5 times he uses the word τέκνον teknon = children in referring to his recipients. For example....

3 Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. 2 Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. (1 John 3:1–2, NKJV)

In First John, it is assumed that ALL READERS were BELIEVERS who could NEVER LOSE ETERNAL LIFE.

John does not - for a moment - doubt that his readers are BORN-AGAIN. He certainly believes that one can NEVER LOSE ETERNAL LIFE [John 6:35-40]. But he is concerned about something else - and that is…ARE THEY IN FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD? Note that he says … at the very beginning of his epistle...

3 that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. 4 And these things we write to you that your joy may be full. (1 John 1:3–4, NKJV)

This makes it very clear that any tests [like OBEDIENCE TO CHRIST’S COMMANDS, LOVE FOR THE BRETHREN] that John gives are simply TESTS of whether a BELIEVER is in FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD and has nothing to do with whether he has or can lose eternal salvation.

The TESTS John gives in First John are TESTS of whether a BELIEVER is in FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD.

What is FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD?

Fellowship with God seems to be made clear in the context of 1 John 1:1-4. This states..

1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life—2 the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us—3 that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. 4 And these things we write to you that your joy may be full. (1 John 1:1–4, NKJV)

The word translated fellowship here is the Greek word κοινωνία koinonia = share in common [from the root κοινος koinos = common} In this case the believer is sharing the LIFE OF GOD. [The word ζωή zoe = life is used (with its derivatives) 14 times in 1 John] .

Author Zane Hodges also takes this same point of view when he writes.....

The Epistles of John: Walking in the Light of God’s Love (I. PROLOGUE: The Call to Fellowship (1:1-4))

Fellowship translates the word koinōnia, which basically means “sharing.” As in English, it can indicate shared experiences, undertakings, possessions, etc. The related noun (koinōnoi) is used in Luke 5:10 of business “partners.”

In addition, the fellowship with us into which John invites the readers involves sharing the apostles’ own fellowship … with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. This is a stunning claim. The author of the epistle is stating that he is part of a circle so intimate with God that if one has fellowship with his circle, one also has fellowship with God the Father and with His Son!

FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD = SHARING THE LIFE OF GOD

Jesus Christ first spoke of FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD

Jesus Christ seems to speak of this when He says....

34 Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. 35 And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but the Son abides forever. 36 Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. (John 8:34–36)

23 Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abiding with him. (John 14:23)

Jesus [the Son] was constantly in FELLOWSHIP with God [abiding in the house forever] and …when we are keeping His word the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit will be abiding in us. That’s FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD.

Also, it should be noted that the exact same grammatical expression (ἵνα hina = in order that with a 2nd Person Plural Present Active Subjunctive Verb] is used only in 1 John 1:3 and 1 John 5:13. This suggests, strongly, that both phrases represent the PURPOSE OF FIRST JOHN.] Note....

3 that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. (1 John 1:3, NKJV)

13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God. (1 John 5:13, NKJV)

This is just what Jesus Christ Himself [also using a Present Active Subjunctive with ἵνα] said…

10 ..... I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. (John 10:10b, NKJV)

Thus...

The Purpose of First John is that BELIEVERS might have FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD = EXPERIENCE ETERNAL LIFE = CONTINUE TO LIVE BY FAITH IN CHRIST.

Furthermore, the Apostle Paul expresses this same point of view when he writes....

20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. (Galatians 2:20, NKJV)

What is “the Light”?

A Clue from Jesus’ Statement...

9 Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the Light of this world. 10 But if one walks in the night, he stumbles, because the Light is not in him.” (John 11:9–10, NKJV)

“does not stumble” = is not sinning. Jesus says we are “seeing the Light of this world” = LIVING BY FAITH IN HIM.

John picks this up in 1 John 1:7....

7 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. (1 John 1:7, NKJV)

An important observation from the Greek Text...

But note this simple observation from the Greek text.... Whenever, in John’s writings, the word φῶς phos = light is found with the definite article ὁ ho = the it ALWAYS refers to JESUS CHRIST. That is, THE LIGHT = JESUS CHRIST. For example,

4 In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. 5 And the Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. (John 1:4–5)

19 And this is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than the Light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone practicing evil hates the Light and does not come to the Light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 21 But he who does the truth comes to the Light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.” (John 3:19–21)

[The New American Standard Version recognizes this fact and has translated these occurrences in John’s writings by the Light - as I have done above.]

JESUS CHRIST is “the Light”

What does “walk in the Light” mean?

We can now think of 1 John 1:7 as reading...

7 But if we walk in the Light as He is in the Light, we are having fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. (1 John 1:7)

Furthermore, Jesus often speaks of I in the Father and the Father in Me…For example....

38 but if I do, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, that you may know and believe that the Father is in Me, and I in Him.” (John 10:38, NKJV)

10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who abides in Me does the works. (John 14:10)

JESUS CHRIST is ABIDING in the FATHER and the FATHER in JESUS

So, an expanded version of 1 John 1:7 would read like this....

7 But if we walk in the Light [JESUS CHRIST] as He [GOD THE FATHER] is in the Light [JESUS CHRIST], we are having fellowship with one another [OURSELVES AND GOD THE FATHER AND JESUS CHRIST], and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. (1 John 1:7)

Also note this...

54 Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. (John 6:54)

56 Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. (John 6:56)

That is......”eats My flesh and drinks My blood” = BELIEVES IN ME.

When I live by faith in Jesus Christ I am also abiding in Him. [I in him refers to the ministry of the Holy Spirit abiding in us.]

Thus...

WALK IN THE LIGHT = ABIDING IN CHRIST = LIVING BY FAITH IN CHRIST = FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD

What prevents me from experiencing FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD?

The simple answer to this question is SIN. Note, for example...

6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. (1 John 1:6, NKJV)

14 We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death. 15 Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. (1 John 3:14–15, NKJV)

SIN prevents me from having FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD

And - for the believer - the antidote to this is....CONFESSION OF SIN

9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9, NKJV)

2 My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 2 And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world. (1 John 2:1–2, NKJV)

CONFESSION OF SIN will RESTORE my FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD

[Note that this has to do with my experience and my fellowship with my heavenly Father. It does not have to do with my position as a child of God. I have already been forgiven, positionally,of all my sins (1 John 2:12) but my fellowship with God is ongoing.....moment-by -moment. This is also true in our earthly relationships. Once I am born,I can never be unborn.But my relationship with my earthly father is ongoing. If I am disobedient to him, my relationship with him is broken. I need to confess to my earthly father to be restored to his good graces.]

Thus 1 John chapter 1 explains clearly how a believer can consistently EXPERIENCE ETERNAL LIFE = FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD.

Believer, are you EXPERIENCING ETERNAL LIFE = FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD?

Are you, right now, WALKING in THE LIGHT, JESUS CHRIST?