The Importance of Walking in the Light

1 John 1:5-10 (KJV)

5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:

7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

8 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 oursins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

What is light? Ephesians 5:13 tells us that "whatsoever doth make manifest is light" or "Everything that becomes visible is light" in other words - Light is Biblical truth or instruction.

We are told in the Old Testament that God's word is a lamp to our feet a light to our path helping us to see where we need to go.

There is a stark contrast between light and darkness -

Light exposes, darkness covers

Light makes things transparent darkness hides and deceives.

Light brings joy and comfort darkness brings fear and anxiety.

When we look at this verse 7 - There are a few things I want us to notice -

Walk - now in the Greek this word is present tense It could read "If we are walking in the light." Walking in the light means we are in harmony with all of the revealed Word of God or all the Biblical information we have. The verse begins with a small but powerful two letter word - "IF" don't ever miscount that or delete it - this signifies a choice - we can either decide to walk in the light or follow our own self-centeredness.

If we walk in the light three very beautiful things begin to happen

Brightness of life - Hadlor Lillenas wrote many years ago that grand old song, "Walking in the beautiful light of God" I like what it says in verse 3 Holding sweet communion here with our blessed Lord so dear, We are walking in the beautiful light of God! From all condemnation free, having perfect victory We are walking in the beautiful light of God!

It is a wonderful thing to walk in the light - to know that all is up to date in your walk with the Lord. Salvation is not a position but a relationship that is built by a walk - a walk in the Light. Blessing of Fellowship (We have fellowship one with another)

Walking in the light brings a greater fellowship that is both vertical between us and God a horizontal - with our brothers and sisters in the Lord.

This type of fellowship brings a love, a care and concern a community Blood cleansing

Notice again that the word cleanseth is in the present tense and cleansing is conditioned upon walking in the light

If we walk in the light we are not going to willfully be going against Biblical information and if we do get out of line it is not going to be intentionally and will do one of two things

Convict us to confession Cleanse sins of ignorance We are also told in the foundational statement of this great argument of Paul that "God is light" in verse 5

In the egg industry it is amazing and almost faster than the eye can see the eggs come rolling past on a belt as they are zooming by computers, cameras and lights are working so fast and capturing images of the egg the light can actually get a glimpse inside if the egg doesn't meet the standards preset a quick blast of air will blow it onto another line where it is thrown away. It is a sobering thought that should we not be walking in the light here and now that one day we will stand before the Light who has the power to say, welcome or depart. It's no wonder Fanny Crosby who may not have been able to see well with her eyes but had caught a vision with her heart when she wrote,

Is your hope of glory bright? Are you walking in the light, Ever shining from the Savior’s throne? Have you gone to Him for rest, When your heart was sore oppressed? Are you trusting in His arm alone?

Have you taken up the cross? Do you count the world but dross, For the splendor you in Christ may see? To His question, Who will go, And His love to sinners show, Will you answer Here am I, send me?

Tho’ your foes may all unite, Will you battle for the right, And the wonders of the Lord proclaim? Will you stand with courage brave And the royal banner wave, Shouting vict’ry thro’ the Master’s name?

O the bliss of those who trust In the only wise and just, And are looking for a home above; If your lot with them is cast You will anchor safe at last In the haven of eternal love.

Refrain

Are you walking in the light, In the blessèd, blessèd light? Is it shining in your soul today? With a firm abiding faith That will triumph over death, Are you walking in the old, old way?