Walking in the Light - The Way to Have Fellowship
Notes
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Scripture Reading
Opening Prayer
Introduction
Today’s passage begins with a profound theological statement that introduces a theme that will carry on throughout the book.
Then, following this statement there are 5 conditional or “if” statements, the first 2 and second 2 are paired to contrast followed by the fifth and final statement in v. 10..
Review
You might recall from last week that, though the book of 1 John is not really a letter in the traditional format, the opening portion still serves to establish John’s credentials as an apostle who knows Jesus quite well and who saw the true life manifested in him....
Exposition 1 (5) - The Theological Statement
Now that this authority is established, the author begins his primary portion of the book by making a statement about the message that he heard from Jesus. Let’s read it in the verse...
5 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
We? John in his Apostolic role
So this is the message, God is Light and in Him is no darkness at all.
What does that mean?
Obviously we are not simply talking brightness but what are we talking about?
First, let’s talk about the illustration, then we will get to what is being illustrated.
Light and dark...
Not opposites
Light is presence of light
Darkness is absence of light.
Light is needed for life
energy
warmth
visibility
Darkness leads to death
They are mutually exclusive
Meaning of the metaphor
It is a Metaphor (God does not = photons)
Light and dark is and always has been, a common religious metaphor for Goodness and Wickedness and here it comes as no surprise that this is in thought here but it can be helpful to examine John’s thoughts on the matter. (23 occurences in the Gospel of John)
4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
9 The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.
12 Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”
35 So Jesus said to them, “The light is among you for a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. 36 While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.” When Jesus had said these things, he departed and hid himself from them.
Light is associated with Jesus, life
Become a “son of light”
Back to our verse
5 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
So in light of what we have talked about, our first point is...
I. God is light, the source of all goodness and life (5)
I. God is light, the source of all goodness and life (5)
Implications
God is creator of life and the one who decides what is “good”
Jesus has manifested the light of God to us. Pursuing “christlikeness” is pursuing the light and shining a light on our darkness
Since God is free from all “darkness” He is trustworthy and blameless
Regarding darkness, one commentator calls it “all that defeats life”
in other words, its the opposite of goodness and life, it is sin and death, it is all that is not of God.
The implication that will ultimately be fleshed out in the verses to follow is God expects Christians to be “children of light”
Opposition of light and dark
Exposition 2 (6-7) - The First 2 Contrasting Conditional Clauses
6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we 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 his Son cleanses us from all sin.
Walk = “way of life” “manner of living”
1, 2, & 3 John Explanation of the Text
“To walk in the light” means allowing God’s revealed will to motivate and guide one’s actions and decisions.
6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we 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 his Son cleanses us from all sin.
II. Fellowship with God and God’s people is characterized by faithfully living right (6-7)
II. Fellowship with God and God’s people is characterized by faithfully living right (6-7)
Exposition 3 (8-9) - The Second 2 Contrasting Conditional Clauses
8 If we say 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.
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III. The life in the light is manifested in the fleeing and repenting of sin (8-9)
III. The life in the light is manifested in the fleeing and repenting of sin (8-9)
God is faithful to forgive
Christians must be the people to “own up” to their shortcomings.
Exposition 4 (10) - The Final Conditional Clause
10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
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IV. If your life is not characterized by the repentant pursuit of God’s righteousness, you are yet lost (10)
IV. If your life is not characterized by the repentant pursuit of God’s righteousness, you are yet lost (10)
or God is a liar
Conclusion