Walking in the Light

Introduction

Last week, we began our study of 1 John. In the first four verses, John tells us that he is proclaiming “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes. . .and our hands have touched. . .the Word of life.”

In our passage this morning, John is going to continue talking about the message that he is proclaiming. If you have your Bibles, and I hope that you do, I want to look with me at 1 John 1, and we’ll begin reading with verse 5.

1 John 1:5–7 NIV84

This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. 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, purifies us from all sin.

The Message

The message is clearly stated in verse 5!

God is Light

The idea of Jesus and/or God being light is clearly seen in John’s writings. In John 8:12, Jesus said He is the Light of the world.

John 8:12 NIV84

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Since Jesus is the Light, His followers should love light and not love darkness. However, often that is a problem! Jesus described this problem back in John 3.

In John 3:19 Jesus, referring to Himself, says:

John 3:19–21 NIV84

This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God.”

This passage says a mouthful!

1. It reminds us that Jesus—the Light—came into the world! (v. 19a)

2. Mankind loves darkness instead of light! (v. 19b)

3. The reason mankind loves darkness rather than light:

a. There deeds are evil! (v. 19c)

b. Afraid their deeds will be exposed! (v. 20)

4. Those who live by the truth love the light! (v. 21)

So in our world, light and darkness cannot coexist! If there is complete darkness, then no light is visible.

At the same time if there is brilliant light, you will not see darkness! They can’t be in the same place at the same time! To make this point look at the second part of verse 5! Not only does John say, “God is light,” but he also says, “In Him is not darkness at all.”

God Has No Darkness At All!

As we live our lives we MUST remember that there is NO—zero—darkness in the presence of God! That means we cannot live in sin and be in God’s presence. That’s the reason Adam and Eve were removed from the garden. To drive this point home, look at verse 6.

1 John 1:6 NIV84

If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth.

Walking in the Light = Fellowship with God!

So fellowship with God depends on each of us walking in light rather than darkness. John drives this point home with verse 7.

1 John 1:7 NIV84

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, purifies us from all sin.

Walking in the Light = Fellowship with others

Now think about it. If we tell people that in order to have fellowship with God and with God’s people you have to walk in the light, how will humans interpret this statement?

Do’s & Don’ts

I don’t know about you, but if I’m going to make sure that I walk in light rather than darkness I’m going to make a whole list of “dos” and “don’ts!”

Not only that, but I’m going to work hard to keep all of the rules and show everyone around me how good a rule keeper I really am! Do you know what that is called? Legalism!

That’s right you and I will work at proving our worth to God by all the things we do, and by all the things we don’t do! Isaiah says this will never work. Look at Isaiah 64:6.

Isaiah 64:6 NIV84

All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.

That term is a reference to a woman’s menstrual cycle. The key is that we are all unclean because of sin. And none of us are able to make ourselves clean enough to approach almighty God!

You see it is all about God and what God does in our lives. Let’s keep reading with verse 7 of 1 John.

1 John 1:7 NIV84

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, purifies us from all sin.

There are two things in this verse.

1. Walking in the light helps us have fellowship with each other.

2. Walking in the light allows Jesus to purify us from all sin!

Throughout the years, I’ve seen people grab hold of verse 7 and say, “See, we don’t have to worry about sinning!” They believe they can do whatever they want without any consequences. But the that is simply not true.

Based on the same verse, others act like sin is just no longer a struggle. Like sin should NEVER be a problem, but that too is not true. Look at verse 8.

1 John 1:8 NIV84

If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.

Sin will always be a problem for us in our lives. Even the Apostle Paul struggles with sin. In Romans 7:15 Paul describes our dilemma.

Romans 7:15 NIV84

I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.

Sin always has been and always will be a struggle for us. That is why each one of us must hang on to verse 9!

1 John 1:9 NIV84

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

Yet, John wants each of us to understand that we are no better than anyone else. Rather, we have been blessed by God to have a relationship with Him. So we need to understand the struggle with sin. look at verse 10.

1 John 1:10 NIV84

If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.

The Goal—NO SIN

Yes, we sin! Yes, we struggle with sin. But the goal—the goal is NO sin! That’s the beauty that comes when we get to verse 1 of chapter 2!

1 John 2:1–2 NIV84

My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

Our desire, our goal should be to not sin! You and I ought to constantly work to remove sin from our lives. Like taking out the trash, we are to get rid of it.

But we will mess up! We’ll say things we’re not suppose to say, and we’ll do things we’re not suppose to do, and when we do, John tells us we have someone who speaks in our defense! Jesus!

Verse 2 tells us Jesus is the atoning sacrifice for our sin! He paid the price for our sins! But not only our sins, but for the sins of the whole world!

Think of it this way! Jesus satisfied the wrath or anger that God has toward us! Because He stopped God anger, I want to stop doing the things that anger Him. I want to stop sinning, and I work hard to keep from sinning. I no longer say, “Well, that’s just the way I am.” Or “I can’t help it!” No I work to avoid being entangled in sin.

SO What?

The question this morning is this: What are you doing to keep you from sinning?