We write this to make our joy complete.
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 and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out 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.
This is a strong no nonsense message from the Apostle John, the Disciple whom Jesus loved (John 13:23). It cuts right to the heart of the matter to enable persons to discern if they have a real and healthy relationship with God, or if they are just playing church, pretending to know the one God sent. John begins this pericope by declaring his authority in speaking this message, for he shares that everything he is communicating about the person of Jesus is not based on second hand information or hearsay but on up close and personal experience with the Master.
LIGHT implies every essential excellence, especially wisdom, holiness, and happiness.
DARKNESS implies all imperfection, and principally ignorance, sinfulness, and misery. The Adam Clarke Commentary on 1 John 1
The Apostle John goes on to state the simple truth that IF we claim to know Jesus, if we claim to be Christians, if we claim to be saved, sanctified and Holy Ghost filled and yet keep on perpetually, repeatedly and purposely sinning, then we LIE and the truth, the Word of God, is not in us. John is speaking here about a continuous, unrepentant, pattern of behavior that is contrary to God’s will.
The reality is, we don’t have to walk around with a large bible under our arms, christianese on our tongues and a cross around our neck to declare we are saved and set apart; the reality is, we need simply let our everyday living speak for us. If we are walking in the Light as our Father in Heaven is Light, it will be evident in our daily living. We won’t be perfect, we will make mistakes, but we will still give off a glow, a reflection of the Light. We won’t have to tell the world, we’re saved, sanctified and Holy Ghost filled, we can simply let our life speak for us!
To God Be The Glory
The weeks of Advent remind us to set aside some time during the holiday season to reflect on our faith. The Bible readings we will read echo the Advent themes of waiting, preparation, hope, and the coming of the promised Messiah.
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