Is The Light On?

1 John 1:5-8

Introduction

Question: Does anyone remember a time when you were afraid of the dark?

Illustration: My favorite time to drive is in the daytime. Night time poses the risk of unforeseen threats. Dusk is not a good compromise either.

I say that to say this, there used to be a time when we wanting to do with darkness; it terrified us! There is also the reality that it is much easier to drive during a time when all your surroundings are clearly defined and you can see any threat that may head your way.

John is sharing an imperative message that he heard from the incarnate Jesus Christ Himself. God knows very well that you can only respond to knowledge that has been revealed. So, God is using John to reveal first of all..........

1) God Is Light

A. God’s absolute nature

Would you agree that light is an amazing thing?

Darkness cannot drive it out, but light can drive it out.

There can absolutely be NO relationship between the two.

Light also cannot be defiled!

Whatever it passes through, it not only remains the same but also reveals it’s defilements.

Life itself craves it.

Let us run back in history and rediscover where light even comes from.

Genesis 1:3

The light you physically see today bears the image and stamp of it’s Creator.

2 Corinthians 4:6

Illustration: My house could be considered a "source" of light or electricity. However, I can negatively effect that energy by flipping the main breaker or transformer off or shutting the power plant down. THAT IS NOT LIKE GOD!

A good question for us all to ask is this, “Why would God’s nature be important to me?”

First of all, it is the very nature of God by which we examine our own soul that we might live with assurance of our own salvation.

1 Peter 1:23

Second of all, if you are born again, the Bible says you are born of God.

1 John 5:1

2) Walking In Darkness

A. Living a lie

John continues by sharing with us his love for absolutes.

One thing for sure that John does not see in the Christian’s life is a twilight zone.

When it comes to moral and spiritual things, John dwells on the equator.

In other words, there is only day and night, light and darkness.

Quote: (Allen Ramsay / Scottish poet) “If we lose sight of the ethical nature of God, we miss the truth on which all Christianity is based and land in moral confusion. The purity of the Christian corresponds to the purity of God. Without this moral kinship there is no fellowship” [Vaughan, C. (2011). 1, 2, 3 John (p. 28). Cape Coral, FL: Founders Press.]

Don’t forget about John’s agnostic opponents:

They believed that “all matter” was sinful and in no way brought consequences to their fellowship with God.

“Knowledge” was all that mattered.

Men must experience every king of action, however evil.

So, what is the difference between “light” and “darkness?”

If light means “God is self-revealing,” then walking in darkness means, “living contrary to what God has revealed about Himself.”

If light means “the moral perfection of God,” then darkness means “living habitually in moral evil.

What is John NOT saying?

NOT sinless perfection!

Actually, the evidence that you struggle with sin is a clear indicator that you are born again.

DON’T FORGET - The Apostle Paul mentioned his struggle with sin.

Illustration: Take one step forward and two steps backward and ask the audience what you just did.

3) Walking In The Light

A. Benefit #1 - “fellowship”

The fellowship John is describing MUST BE seen as two sides of a single coin.

The primary fellowship is with the Father.

Our secondary fellowship is with the brethren.

Quote: (Allan Ramsay) “A closer walk with God involves a closer walk with man”

Fellowship among Christians is both the result and the expression of fellowship with God [Vaughan, C. (2011). 1, 2, 3 John (p. 32). Cape Coral, FL: Founders Press.]

Quote: (George C. Barrett) “The communion of saints is an unmistakable proof that the saints themselves are in communion with God; and, on the other hand, the interruption of our personal fellowship with God, dryness and barrenness in prayer, loss of all joy in worship or in praise, are due, far more often than we are apt to believe, to a breach in our fellowship with one another” [Vaughan, C. (2011). 1, 2, 3 John (p. 32). Cape Coral, FL: Founders Press.]

Quote: (John Wesley) “The Bible knows nothing of a solitary religion.”

B. Benefit #2 - “Cleansing”

Let me show what the scripture says about the cleansing blood of Jesus Christ:

Mark 14:24 And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many.

Ephesians 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

Colossians 1:20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.

Hebrews 9:14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

“Cleanseth from all sin”

Addressing the believer.

NOT “freed from all sin” (i.e. every sin), but “every KIND” of sin.

The cleansing of Jesus’ blood DOES have an efficacy that extends to the whole Christian life.

Stresses a “continuous” and “progressive” act; SANCTIFICATION.

Conclusion

So, when you place your life beside the nature of God, do see any resemblance to His nature? Does there appear to be a LONGING to live in HIS LIGHT? Is there godly sorrow when you find yourself falling into actions of darkness? IF NOT, you my friend must examine your current faith!!!

John is saying, “If you find a struggle with sin” the Spirit lives within you. If you find NO STRUGGLE within you, neither is Jesus within you!

You MUST answer this question, “ARE YOU BORN AGAIN?”