Walking in the Light

In our opening passage, John focused on the characteristic of Christ as the Living Word, God revealed to humanity in human form. Christ came to earth as the embodiment of the eternal God.

Now he focuses on Christ as the Light of the world. Each of these characteristics reveals the true nature and essence of our Lord. He is Light and there is no darkness in Him.

This is a fitting attribute for John to discuss.

We know that light was the very first of God’s creation.

Light speaks of the purity of Christ and the holiness He possesses.

Light serves as a revealer of contamination, but cannot be contaminated.

It dispels darkness, but cannot be overcome of darkness; the two never inhabit the same space.

Light can be shut out or covered, but it cannot be contained.

Light is essential for life to exist.

Just as Christ is the Living Word, He is also the Light of the World.

So, with that being said let’s take a few moments to examine the qualities John discusses concerning the Light of Christ, as we consider the challenge he presents regarding: Walking in the Light.

I. The Proclamation of the Light (5)

– This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

John leads off these next 5 verses with, this then is the message..

the word message reveals “an announcement, or a “promise” given regarding something or someone.

John desired for everyone to hear the greatest message ever to be told

He wanted everyone to know that they to can experience the fullness of Christ

As we consider the Proclamation of the Light, notice:

A. The Source for the Proclamation

– This then is the message which we have heard of him …

This message or promise, comes from a particular source.

God Himself.

The Christians of John’s day faced much difficulty and uncertainty,

He wanted them to know that the message that he was fixing to tell them came from a very certain source

He wanted them to know that there was absolute confidence in Christ.

He had come to earth, fulfilling redemption’s plan, making a way for the lost to be saved.

There was no need for doubt or fear.

They could rest in the provision of Christ.

Their salvation and eternal destiny were secure in Christ the Lord.

This is a fundamental principle often repeated in Scripture, but it bears continual consideration.

Just as light has power to continually dispel darkness, Christ, our Light, has the power to save and reconcile to God.

ILL

Now, I have faith that when I turn this light switch off and then back on, the power that is stored in the switch will be transfered to the lights above my head. Now, As long as we pay the light bill, no storm comes through or some other of the thousands of other things dont happen , then that power will be there

Our source, our faith for electricity is based upon a lot of factors, but what John is saying here is, the source of the good news is God Himself.

The source is very reliable. He is not effected by exterior factors.

We are secure in Him. Salvation is absolute and eternal due to its source. We have all experienced broken promises, but the promises and provision of Christ are secure.

B. The Substance of the Proclamation

– that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

I know their culture and society was much different from ours, but they dealt with many of the same struggles we do.

They lived in a body of flesh, prone to sin.

They were surrounded by a world that only desired to please the lusts of the flesh.

While considering their existence and standing before the Lord, they likely felt hopeless.

However, John proclaims: God is light! In Him is no darkness at all.

John proclaiming God is light, gives us the substance of the proclamation.

John was telling his readers that there was more to life then the darkness that abounded around them

John 8:12 KJV 1900

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.

There was hope for those bound in darkness.

Entering a relationship with Christ enters a relationship with Light.

Light dispels the darkness.

The darker the night the brighter the light!

The burden and bondage of sin is overcome in Christ!

Isn’t that a blessing? I remember the bondage and darkness of sin.

I remember the guilt and uncertainty that consumed my being.

I remember longing to be set free from the grip of sin and darkness.

At the moment I met Christ in salvation, light flooded my soul, and the darkness had to flee. I was delivered from sin, surrounded by the glorious Light. Christ is the hope of the world. He continues to deliver those bound by sin, consumed in darkness. He is Light!

I. The Proclamation of the Light

II. The Illumination of the Light (6-7)

– John proceeds to discuss the illuminating power of light. It always reveals what is there.

Consider:

A. The Revelation (6)

– If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:

The light of Christ is the constant measure for man’s spiritual condition.

John knew that there were those who professed Christ and yet continued to walk in darkness.

Light and darkness have no fellowship.

Those who professed Christ while continuing to walk in darkness were living a lie. Just because you say it doesnt mean you are!

The Light always reveals truth.

It exposes what is genuinely there.

It is impossible to walk in the Light and continue in darkness.

1, 2, 3 John & Jude 3. The Details of the Message (1 John 1:5–10)

One of the heresies of that day was the idea that you could live in sin and at the same time be in fellowship with God. For “fellowship” to occur one must have things in common with the one with whom he wants to fellowship. Therefore a person cannot live wilfully in sin and have things in common with God Who is holy. Those who claim to have fellowship with God and who live unholy lives are fakers. They are not real believers.

John 11:9–10 KJV 1900

Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world. But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him.

John 3:19–20 KJV 1900

And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.

The Light of Christ will always reveal who and what we are.

ILL

Ladies, have you ever tried to put makeup on in the dark? Lets say you have, lets even go as far as to say, after doing so, you go out into public but never look into a mirror after putting on your makeup. You may walk out of the dark house, saying my makeup looks great. but when you pass the first stranger and they fall back wards out of fear, guess what even though you said your make up looks great, light has revealed the truth!

Ill.

Darkness hides many things, it can hide a mess or even a life threating situation. If you walk in darkness long enough, you know what will happen? You will probably break a toe! If you walk in spiritual darkness long enough you die and go to a devils hell.

Just as physical darkness separates us from the reality around us, spiritual darkness separates us from the love of God.

B. The Transformation (7a)

– But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another.

Walking in the Light brings a radical transformation to one’s life.

We no longer walk in darkness, stumbling about.

John 12:46 KJV 1900

I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.

We walk in the Light of Christ, being transformed to His image, becoming more like Him.

As we mature while walking in the Light, our fellowship with other believers grows.

We share more in common with them than those of the world.

Our desires are the same.

We have laid aside the old man of sin, who longed for the darkness, and now walk in the Light.

Isn’t the transformation in Christ amazing? What power and grace is revealed in a changed life.

Only Christ can take one who longs only to please the flesh and change his desires.

Only Christ can transform a life that once had no desire for the things of God and create one who is faithful and committed to Christian service.

C. The Sanctification (7b)

– and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

We are cleansed and made righteous through the blood of Christ that was shed on the cross for our sins.

John reveals a gracious benefit of walking in the Light.

As we walk with Jesus, in His light, we enjoy communion with Him.

His light reveals areas in our lives that need attention.

John 3:21 KJV 1900

But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

While living in darkness we may not have noticed, but now in the light they are abundantly clear.

His light reveals the areas that need attention and His grace pardons those areas.

Walking in the Light isn’t always easy. We can be confident that His light will reveal any weakness or sin in our lives. It will expose things as they are.

Light brings conviction that results in repentance and a closer walk. As we walk in the Light we become more like Christ. Our sanctification is an ongoing process. Walking in the light of Christ aids our sanctification.

I. The Proclamation of the Light; II. The Illumination of the Light

III. The Confirmation of the Light (8-10)

– John now tells us two things that can be used for confirmation that we are walking in the light. vs8 and 10 give us a spiritual decline of a man not walking in the light.

Verse 9 John lets his readers know that when they do sin, if they confess those sins they can have confirmation that they will be forgiven

He speaks of:

A. The Deception of Sin (8)

– If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

Apparently John knew those who felt as if they lived above sin.

They saw no need for repentance or a relationship with Christ.

In reality their hearts were deceived.

They were only deceiving themselves.

We know that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.

There are none righteous before God.

Romans 3:10 KJV 1900

As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

The very best we can accomplish is viewed as filthy rags in His sight.

We are born in sin and all possess a sin nature.

To deny sin is to deny God’s Word.

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Two: Walking and Talking (1 John 1:5–2:6)

It is possible for a believer to live in sin yet convince himself that everything is fine in his relationship to the Lord.

This problem continues in our day as well. Many view their lives and feel as if they have done “pretty good.”

They live a morally upright life.

Proverbs 16:2 KJV 1900

All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; But the Lord weigheth the spirits.

Proverbs 21:2 KJV 1900

Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: But the Lord pondereth the hearts.

They think they are just and honest in their dealings with others.

They are rarely faithful to their families.

but they cannot make man acceptable to God.

All have a sin problem that must be addressed.

Saving faith in Christ alone is the only means of redemption and reconciliation to God.

It is impossible for anyone to obtain the righteousness demanded of God apart from Christ!

Proverbs 20:9 KJV 1900

Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?

B. The Denial of Sin (10)

– If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

Here we discover a stern warning.

John declares all who deny sin in essence proclaim that God is a liar.

Any student of the Bible understands the enormity of sin.

With the first of God’s creation, man fell in sin.

All who are born in this life are born with a sin nature.

Sin created enmity with God and must be atoned.

God is holy and righteous and cannot commune with sin.

Sin is condemned of God and must be judged.

In His grace, God sent His only begotten Son to bear our sin and the wrath of God for sin as He was crucified upon the cross.

To deny sin, and the need for atonement, is to deny the need for Christ’s sacrifice on the cross.

It declares the grace of God and sacrificial atonement of Christ are without benefit.

We cannot begin to imagine the disgrace this brings upon God the Father and Christ the Son.

I am thankful for the grace that was extended to sinful man. I was guilty of sin and condemned of God, facing eternal judgment and wrath.

In Christ, provision was made for me and all humanity.

Many may deny their sin, and refuse to admit their guilt, but they remain accountable to God. When His grace is rejected, judgment is all that remains. Those who deny their sin, and pass through the gates of death apart from Christ, will stand before God accountable for their sin.

C. The Directive for Sin (9)

– If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

God is holy and cannot condone sin.

His holiness demands judgment for sin.

Atonement was made upon the cross for all who receive Christ by faith.

In Christ forgiveness of sin and reconciliation to God is available.

By faith we have to admit our need for salvation in Christ and receive the gracious gift of salvation.

In Christ our sin is pardoned and we are cleansed in Him.

That includes all our sin: past, present, and future.

His blood atones for sin.

John reveals the Gospel in this passage.

Christ bore our sin, suffering the wrath of God in our place.

Salvation is available in Him.

There is no reason for anyone to die accountable to God for their sin.

If we will only confess our sin, admitting our need for salvation, He is faithful and just to forgive our sin and cleanse all unrighteousness.

That ought to bring comfort to the believer as well. There is no need for us to live defeated lives because of sin.

We remain in a body of flesh that is prone to sin. While in this body we will continue to sin and miss the mark, but we do not have to allow sin to remain.

Our sin is forgiven in Christ. Keep short accounts with sin. As the Spirit brings them to your remembrance, confess them and forsake them.

We can enjoy victory from sin in Jesus!

Conclusion:

I am thankful for the Light of the world.

I rejoice for the day that His light shined within my heart, revealing my sin and need for Him.

I do not live a perfect life, but I do walk in the Light. As I do, His light reveals needs within my life.

It exposes sin and areas that need attention.

As I walk in the light, I am being transformed into the image of my Savior.

I pray all is well with you, but only you and God know for sure.

Have you realized your need for salvation or are you living in denial concerning sin?

Christ made the way of salvation, but you must look to Him by faith.

Is there sin in your life that needs confessed?

If so, bring them to Jesus and confess them today!

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