Walking in the Light
Walking in the Light
Sunday, December 2, 2007
“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.” 1 John 1:7
1. As we seen last week that it is no use talking about fellowship with God if we walk in the realm of darkness. Instead, we must repent of our sins, believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and follow Him.
2. This week we see that 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.”
3. Walking in the light is the exact opposite of “walking in darkness.” It does not mean that I claim absolute perfection but it does mean that I now claim I belong to a different realm - to the kingdom of light and to the kingdom of God.
“He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” Col 1:13-14
“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” 1 Peter 2:9
4. To walk in the light means to be a Christian period. I say this today because there are some who, because of their theory of holiness and sanctification, are always teaching that the only people who walk in the light are very special Christians.
5. Every Christian is one who is walking in the light - the non-Christian is the one who is walking in darkness. All Christians, however feeble, unworthy, and faltering are walking in the light, otherwise they are not Christians at all and none of this applies to them.
6. What this means in practice is that we cannot claim that we are walking in the light unless we have repented. Light walkers are people who have had our eyes opened to the doctrine of sin.
7. We have come to realize that we were “brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did our mother’s conceive us.” We know that by nature, by birth “we all are the children of wrath.” and we have come to realize that we were slaves, born under the dominion of sin and Satan; that we were living in the realm of darkness; that our very nature was sinful at its core and that we have sinned. (John 8:34; Eph 2:3; Psalm 51:5; Rom 6:16-20, 8:15)
8. We have seen sin as it is and having seen it we have wept to the fact of it. We regret it, we have known what it is to feel a godly sorrow because of it. Those who repent are those who have seen themselves in such a light and are alarmed about themselves. They know what it is to say “Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?” This is essential to being a Christian, for no one is a Christian, no one can be walking in the light who has not seen it.
9. But just having seen it is only the initial step. Christians are ones who, like the prodigal of old, becoming aware of his situation, realizes his desperate problem and says “I will arise and go to my Father” and he gets up and goes to him; he changes his whole realm and position. (Luke 15:11-32)
10. The Christian must do this. This Christian life does not stop at an awareness of sin and repentance. It also means an endeavor to live in a manner worthy of one who has been translated into the kingdom of God’s dear Son. (Col 1:13; Eph 4:1)
11. What it means, therefore, is that men and women who walk in the light are people who are seeking God. They desire to know God better; they are concerned about the glory and honor of God; they are anxious to please God. They realize that for many years they have been living in a realm which is opposed to God and they have had a change in direction.
12. That is walking in the light, living to the glory and honor of God. God is their master; they seek righteousness and are concerned about being holy.
13. Today we want to examine the one proof that we really are walking in the light. This ultimate proof of true faith and that my eyes have been opened to the gospel and its message is this: I have seen myself as a condemned sinner, I have forsaken sin, I have repented, and I am striving with all my might to “walk in the light as He is in the light.” Because it is no use saying “I believe” and then living as if you believed nothing. It is no use saying “I believe I am such a sinner and that nothing but the death of Christ can save me” and then continue to live that kind of life. It is impossible, says John; “we give a proof of our repentance by the life which we live.”
14. A person’s acts prove what faith they have. Walking in the light means repentance and turning from sin to holiness of life. These are the ultimate proofs of the genuineness of a true Christian profession. (James 2:17)
Three Questions to Ask Yourself:
1. Do I have a present trust in Christ for salvation?
2. Is there evidence of a regenerating work
of the Holy Spirit in my heart?
3. Do I see a long term pattern of growth
in my Christian life?
15. Ask yourself the three questions above. Examine your life today and see if you are walking in the light as He is in the light. If you find yourself failing the test then here is your opportunity for a brand new start. The pastor is here to talk with you if you want, see him after the service, or talk with someone, don’t put it off another day.
GracePointe Baptist Church
2209 N Post Road
Oklahoma City, OK 73141
Phone: (405) 769-5050