Live in the Light

Walking in the Light: Embracing the Truth of God's Word

Bible Passage: 1 John 1:6–7, 1 John 1:8–9, Ephesians 5:8–9, John 8:12, 1 Thessalonians 5:5, Romans 13:12, Psalm 119:105, John 12:46, 1 Peter 2:9, Philippians 2:15

The sermon teaches that living in light involves confessing sins, embracing God's forgiveness, and reflecting His character in our actions, which affects not only our fellowship with God but also our interactions with others.

Step into Sincerity

1 John 1:6–7 “If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 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.”

This weeks theme 'Live in the Light' emphasizes the contrast between darkness and light. I want to encourage believers to embrace the truth of God's word and live a life that reflects His holiness and love.

This completes the three aspects of the Christian walk we have been discussing. First seeing the glory of the Lord in Scriptures. Second seeing who we are there. And third walking in the light as we grow in fellowship with God.

This is pivotal as we understand how we are meant to walk in the finished work of Christ.

1. True Fellowship is Only in the Light

Ephesians 5:8–9 “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth),”

What does it mean to be light in the Lord? 1 John 1:7 says, “if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another”. The “one another” there is is not fellowship with other believers but fellowship with God. And what is “fellowship”? The Greek word brings out the meaning of sharing. BDAG defines it, close association involving mutual interests and sharing, association, communion, fellowship, close relationship.

Fellowship - κοινωνία koinonia close association involving mutual interests and sharing, association, communion, fellowship, close relationship (BDAG)

What do we “share”? It would be the light. The Light is where God dwells and where we meet Him. It’s walking in the light where fellowship occurs.

God wants faithful fellowship

Matthew 11:28–30 “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.””

God’s desire has always been this close fellowship of sharing with us. He is a God of intimate relationship.

2. Follow the Light

John 8:12 “Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.””

1 Thessalonians 5:5 “You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness.”

Ephesians 5:8 “8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light”

The Lord instructs us that we are lights. We have a new heart and a new mind, we are children of light. But a believer can walk in darkness and the light.

Cleansing by the Blood

1 John 1:8–9 “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

We all received forgiveness of sins at salvation, once for all. But we need ongoing forgiveness to retain our fellowship with the Father. This is where the need for daily confessing of your sins comes in. We need to keep ourselves in the light and that means not walking in the darkness. If and when we do stray from the light we need to quickly confess and receive fellowship forgiveness and restoration to the benefits of being “sons of the light”.

3. Illuminate Your Path

Psalm 119:105 “Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.”

John 12:46 “I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness.”

Teaching Ministry of the Holy Spirit Occurs in the Light

1 Corinthians 2:11–12 “For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.”

1 Corinthians 2:14 “But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”

There is usually a sharp delineation between light and dark. Dusk is an exception, before it is so dark that you cannot see the world looks grey. Colors fade and things are monochrome. The light of God’s Word doesn’t allow gray areas, it defines them as black or white. Maturity defines grey areas.

Scripture rebukes the double-minded man. The psychological term cognitive dissonance describes the tension that exists when someone holds two differing opinions and believes them both. The Bible describes this man as being double-minded. Believing the Scriptures but also believing that some sin is okay. The tension that is caused by this in the heart is magnified by the conviction of the Holy Spirit being grieved.

Bottom line we cannot serve two masters. There is no fellowship between light and darkness.

see Passage List: Double-Minded

Chastisement and Correction in the Dark

Hebrews 12:5–6 “And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: “My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; 6 For whom the Lord loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives.””

Never despise the correction of the Lord. I’d worry if I weren’t chastised.

Radiate His Glory

1 Peter 2:9 “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;”

Philippians 2:15 “that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,”

Romans 13:12 “The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.”