The Beloved Disciple's First Letter - Pt 2

 

This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice 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 cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. (1 John 1:5–10 ESV).

 

In yesterday’s devotional we started a study of the book of First John. In the first few verses we see that John wanted us to know that Jesus is God (“God With Us”). In the today’s reading our focus changes from who Jesus is to who God is and how that should affect the way we live. We are told that God is light. Most of the religions of the world disagree about who Jesus is and what he is like but most of them wouldn't have a problem describing God as light. God is one hundred percent pure “light,” that is, he is holy, pure and righteous. Besides being light God also gives us light, he reveals the light of truth to us, and he gives us the light of salvation (vv. 4-5). The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.

 

Since we know that God is light and darkness cannot exist in the light then there are implications for us as we live the Christian life. Fellowship with God and living to please him is always characterized by walking in the light. We know that we have been saved for all of eternity but we can choose to step away from the light and stumble around in the dark because of sin.

 

Photosynthesis is the process of converting light energy into chemical energy that can be released later for the organism’s growth. In a manner similar to photosynthesis the light of the world shines on us and provides the nourishment that is necessary for our spiritual growth. We shouldn't think that we can be free from sin and always do what is right. We should step up to the light and examine ourselves and admit that we have fallen short of God's perfect standard. When we confess our sins to him then he will bathe us in the forgiveness Jesus has procured for us in the cross. (vv. 8-9). We are then able to continue our walk in the light of His grace.

 

We shouldn't think that we can live as we please and still have fellowship with God, you have never seen light and dark in the same room, we cannot live in spiritual darkness and still be a friend of God and enjoy his company. There is only one light, there isn't any other source, it came to our dark world but it didn't force us to be in the light. It is up to us to decide where we are going to walk, we cannot have fellowship with God and have one foot in the dark. And, we don’t need to try. The Holy Spirit empowers us to live in the light!