Abiding in the Light
1 John 1: 5-10
In our opening passage, John focused on the characteristic of Christ as the Living Word, God revealed to humanity in human form. Christ came to earth as the embodiment of the eternal God. Now he focuses on Christ as the Light of the world. Each of these characteristics reveals the true nature and essence of our Lord. He is Light and there is no darkness in Him.
This is a fitting attribute for John to discuss. We know that light was the very first of God’s creation. Light speaks of the purity of Christ and the holiness He possesses. Light serves to reveal contamination, but cannot be contaminated. It dispels darkness, but cannot be overcome of darkness; the two never inhabit the same space. Light can be shut out or covered, but it cannot be contained. Light is essential for life to exist. Just as Christ is the Living Word, He is also the Light of the World.
Let’s take a few moments to examine the qualities John discusses concerning the Light of Christ as we consider the challenge he presents regarding: Abiding in the Light.
I. The Confirmation of the Light (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. John speaks of the message he received of the Lord. This reveals “an announcement, a promise given regarding a gracious gift.” He desired the believer to experience the fullness of Christ and he further confirms that possibility as he deals with Christ being the Light of the world. As we consider the Light, notice:
A. The Source – This then is the message which we have heard of him… This promise, this gracious gift of grace comes from a particular source, from God Himself. The Christians of John’s day faced much difficulty and uncertainty, but there was absolute confidence in Christ. He had come to earth, fulfilling redemption’s plan, making a way for the lost to be saved. There was no need for doubt or fear. They could rest in the provision of Christ. Their salvation and eternal destiny were secure in Christ the Lord.
This is a fundamental principle often repeated in Scripture, but it bears continual consideration. Just as light has power to continually dispel darkness, Christ, our Light, has the power to save and reconcile to God. We are secure in Him. Salvation is absolute and eternal due to its source. We have all experienced broken promises, but the promises and provision of Christ are secure.
B. The Supply – This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you…John continues to bring hope and assurance as he discusses the supply of such grace. It is offered to humanity. It was not reserved for a select few, offered to only an elite group. John proclaimed the grace of God was available to all men. The world may not have cared for them. Their opportunities may have been few, but salvation was offered to all. Christ came to dispel the darkness within the souls of men. His grace is available to all who will look to Him by faith!
We are thousands of years removed from Calvary, with countless souls being born again in Christ, and yet the offer still stands. Grace continues to be extended to fallen man. There is no danger in it ever being in short supply. I rejoice for the day the Gospel was declared to me. I feel compelled to share it with those I meet in life today. Christ came into this world to offer Himself the atonement for sin. He came to seek and save that which was lost. This promise of grace needs proclaimed for all to hear!
C. The Splendor (5b) – that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. I know their culture and society was much different from ours, but they dealt with many of the same struggles we do. They lived in a body of flesh, prone to sin. They were surrounded by a world that only desired to please the lusts of the flesh. While considering their existence and standing before the Lord, they likely felt hopeless. John knew their condition. He knew their concerns. Their lives were consumed with the darkness of sin and there seemed no hope of escape. However, John proclaims: God is light! In Him is no darkness at all. There was hope for those bound in darkness. Entering a relationship with Christ enters a relationship with Light. Light dispels the darkness. The burden and bondage of sin is overcome in Christ!
Isn’t that a blessing? I remember the bondage and darkness of sin. I remember the guilt and uncertainty that consumed by being. I remember longing to be set free from the grip of sin and darkness. At the moment I met Christ in salvation, light flooded my soul, and the darkness had to flee. I was delivered from sin, surrounded by the glorious Light. Christ is the hope of the world. He continues to deliver those bound by sin, consumed in darkness. He is Light!
II. The Illumination of the Light (6-7) – John proceeds to discuss the illuminating power of light. It always reveals what is there. Consider:
A. The Revelation (6) – If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: The light of Christ is the constant measure for man’s spiritual condition. John knew those who professed Christ and yet continued to walk in darkness. Light and darkness have no fellowship. Those who professed Christ while continuing to walk in darkness were living a lie.
The Light always reveals truth. It exposes what is genuinely there. It is impossible to walk in the Light and continue in darkness. The Light of Christ will always reveal who and what we are. We may profess one thing, but the Light reveals what our lives truly are. It is possible to hide certain aspects of our lives from people, but light will always reveal dirt and impurity. Christ knows those who are His. They are known for walking in the Light.
B. The Transformation (7a) – But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another. Walking in the Light brings a radical transformation to one’s life. We no longer walk in darkness, stumbling about. We walk in the Light of Christ, being transformed to His image, becoming more like Him. As we mature while walking in the Light, our fellowship with other believers grows. We share more in common with them than those of the world. Our desires are the same. We have laid aside the old man of sin, who longed for the darkness, and now walk in the Light.
Isn’t the transformation in Christ amazing? What power and grace is revealed in a changed life. Only Christ can take one who longs only to please the flesh and change his desires. Only Christ can transform a life that once had no desire for the things of God and create one who is faithful and committed to Christian service.
C. The Sanctification (7b) – and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. We are cleansed and made righteous through the blood of Christ that was shed on the cross for our sins. John reveals a gracious benefit of walking in the Light. As we walk with Jesus, in His light, we enjoy communion with Him. His light reveals areas in our lives that need attention. While living in darkness we may not have noticed, but now in the light they are abundantly clear. His light reveals the areas that need attention and His grace pardons those areas.
Walking in the Light isn’t always easy. We can be confident that His light will reveal any weakness or sin in our lives. It will expose things as they are. Light brings conviction that results in repentance and a closer walk. As we walk in the Light we become more like Christ. Our sanctification is an ongoing process. Walking in the light of Christ aids our sanctification.
III. The Conviction of the Light (8-10) – As we have discussed, light exposes what is there. The light of Christ is certainly no different. His light will expose the sin in our lives, but our response to His exposure makes all the difference. John reveals how sin is dealt with once it is exposed by the Light. He speaks of:
A. The Deception of Sin (8) – If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. Apparently John knew those who felt as if they lived above sin. They saw no need for repentance or a relationship with Christ. In reality their hearts were deceived. They were only deceiving themselves. We know that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. There are none righteous before God. The very best we can accomplish is viewed as filthy rags in His sight. We are born in sin and all possess a sin nature. To deny sin is to deny God’s Word.
This problem continues in our day as well. Many view their lives and feel as if they have done “pretty good.” They live a morally upright life. They are just and honest in their dealings with others. They are faithful to their families. All of those attributes are desirable, but they alone cannot make one acceptable to God. All have a sin problem that must be addressed. Saving faith in Christ alone is the only means of redemption and reconciliation to God. It is impossible for anyone to obtain the righteousness demanded of God apart from Christ! Prov.20:9 – Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?
B. The Disgrace of Sin (10) – If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. Here we discover a stern warning. John declares all who deny sin in essence proclaim that God is a liar. Any student of the Bible understands the enormity of sin. With the first of God’s creation, man fell in sin. All who are born in this life are born with a sin nature. Sin created enmity with God and must be atoned. God is holy and righteous and cannot commune with sin. Sin is condemned of God and must be judged. In His grace, God sent His only begotten Son to bear our sin and the wrath of God for sin as He was crucified upon the cross. To deny sin, and the need for atonement, is to deny the need for Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. It declares the grace of God and sacrificial atonement of Christ are without benefit. We cannot begin to imagine the disgrace this brings upon God the Father and Christ the Son.
I am thankful for the grace that was extended to sinful man. I was guilty of sin and condemned of God, facing eternal judgment and wrath. In Christ, provision was made for me and all humanity. Many may deny their sin, and refuse to admit their guilt, but they remain accountable to God. When His grace is rejected, judgment is all that remains. Those who deny their sin, and pass through the gates of death apart from Christ, will stand before God accountable for their sin.
C. The Directive for Sin (9) – If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. God is holy and cannot condone sin. His holiness demands judgment for sin. Atonement was made upon the cross for all who receive Christ by faith. In Christ forgiveness of sin and reconciliation to God is available. By faith we have to admit our need for salvation in Christ and receive the gracious gift of salvation. In Christ our sin is pardoned and we are cleansed in Him. That includes all our sin: past, present, and future. His blood atones for sin.
John reveals the Gospel in this passage. Christ bore our sin, suffering the wrath of God in our place. Salvation is available in Him. There is no reason for anyone to die accountable to God for their sin. If we will only confess our sin, admitting our need for salvation, He is faithful and just to forgive our sin and cleanse all unrighteousness.
That ought to bring comfort to the believer as well. There is no need for us to live defeated lives because of sin. We remain in a body of flesh that is prone to sin. While in this body we will continue to sin and miss the mark, but we do not have to allow sin to remain. Our sin is forgiven in Christ. Keep short accounts with sin. As the Spirit brings them to your remembrance, confess them and forsake them. We can enjoy victory in Jesus!
Conclusion: I am thankful for the Light of the world. I rejoice for the day that His light shined within my heart, revealing my sin and need for Him. I do not live a perfect life, but I do walk in the Light. As I do, His light reveals needs within my life. It exposes sin and areas that need attention. As I walk in the light, I am being transformed into the image of my Savior.
I pray all is well with you, but only you and God know for sure. Have you realized your need for salvation or are you living in denial concerning sin? Christ made the way of salvation, but you must look to Him by faith. Is there sin in your life that needs confessed? If so, bring them to Jesus and confess them today!
