Take A Walk In The Light Series

Take A Walk In The Light

1 John 1:5-10

February 22, 2004

1 John 1:5-10 (NIV)

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 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.

1 John 1:5-10 (NIV)

If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.

A Message For The People

• Having given their credibility as witnesses, the disciples are now relaying the message they had heard from Jesus himself. – vs. 5

God Is Light – vs. 5

• Light is a symbol of truth

– God is truth

– God enlightens people in their understanding

– He reveals truth – Matthew 16:15-17

Matthew 16:15-17 (NIV)

“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”

Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by may Father in heaven…”

God Is Light – vs. 5

• Light is a symbol of truth

– God is truth

– God enlightens people in their understanding

– He reveals truth – Matthew 16:15-17

• Light is a symbol of purity

– God is righteous

– God is holy

• There is no evil in the nature of God

The False Claim of Fellowship – vs. 6

• It is possible to be in fellowship with God and yet continue to habitually sin

– Declared a lie

• Sin breaks fellowship with God – Isaiah 59:1-2

Isaiah 59:1-2 (NLT)

Listen! The Lord is not too weak to save you, and he is not becoming deaf. He can hear you when you call. But there is a problem – your sins have cut you off from God. Because of your sin, he has turned away and will not listen anymore.

The Truth of Fellowship – vs. 7

• God’s light illuminates the path

– Obstacles and stumbling blocks are revealed

– Hidden sin is exposed

• The light of Christ joins us together on our journey

• The blood of Jesus purifies

– From all unrighteousness

– Impurities are removed

The False Claim of Sinlessness – vs. 8

• Not a denial of consequences, but a denial of sin itself (truth is relative).

• Self-deception – blind to the truth

• No moral foundation to guide or stand upon

The Truth of Sinfulness – vs. 9

• Ownership of sin must take place

– A true and accurate assessment

– Admission of sinfulness

• Confession leads to cleansing – Psalm 32:5

Psalm 32:5 (NIV)

Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord” – and you forgave the guilt of my sin.

The Truth of Sinfulness – vs. 9

• Ownership of sin must take place

– A true and accurate assessment

– Admission of sinfulness

• Confession leads to cleansing – Psalm 32:5

– God will keep his promise of forgiveness

– The conditions of forgiveness were fulfilled by the death of Jesus – he paid the price

– Our relationship to God will be made right again

The False Claim of Lifelong Purity – vs. 10

• A claim to have lived a completely sinless life

• Says that God is lying

– About human nature

– About God’s offer of forgiveness

– About man’s need for justification

• No truth within

– Proves that there is no union with God

– The same is said of Satan – John 8:44

John 8:44 (NIV)

You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

Are You Walking In The Light???

**Powerpoint available on request