Walking in the Light 1 John 1:5-10 1 1 John 1:5-10 5

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Walking in the Light 1 John 1:5-10 1 John 1:5-10 5 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. 6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 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. 8 If we say 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 our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. Introduction H.O.A. Requirements – Sq. Footage, Architecture, Guidelines What is required to associate with God? To be in fellowship with God? Exposition I.

The Character of God (Vs. 5)

In verse 5, we find a theme that is common in John’s writing – Light and Dark. In John 1:4-5, we first encounter this theme in relationship to Jesus. It says, “In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” Later on in John 8:12, we see Jesus speaking, saying “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” Again, in John 9:5, Jesus states, “As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” But what does all of this mean to say “God is light” or “Jesus is the light of the world?” John’s usage of the terms “light” and “dark” are rooted in an Old Testament context, which relates the concept of revelation of righteousness to “light” and the concept of ignorance of righteousness to “darkness.” Have you heard the phrase, “left in the dark?” Well, John’s use of the terms “light” and “dark” are used in a similar way to that phrase, just with a particular focus on knowledge or ignorance to God. So when we see Jesus presented as the “light of the world,” it only makes sense to understand it as declarating that Jesus is the definitive revelation of God. It is through Jesus that we know God, which, of course, is why John writes in John 14:6 that Jesus is “the way, the truth, and the life” and that “no one comes unto the Father except through Him.” For John, Jesus is the light that fulfills the prophecy found in Isaiah 9:2, which states, “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has the light shone.” Jesus is the “true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him.” (John 1:9-11)



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Jesus comes revealing the character of God as holy perfection. There is, as verse 5 states, no darkness, no sin, no defect, no blemish, no lack of knowledge in God. To see Jesus’ character is to see God’s character, because, as Hebrews 1:3a states, Jesus is “the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature.” To be clear, then, when John speaks of God as light and that He has no darkness in himself at all, He is affirming that God is holy, righteous, just, and good, which is clearly seen in person and work of Jesus Christ. God’s character is perfect! II.

The Conditions of God (Vss. 6-10)

According to verse 5, God is holy, righteous, perfect, and just. He does not conform to a standard higher than himself; He IS the standard. Hence, he is light, not simply an example of light. So how can a person know and fellowship with this God? Remember verse 3 from last week? Those who have believed the message “concerning the Word of Life” have fellowship with God and others. So what are the terms of such fellowship and association? The next five verses (6-10) lay out the terms of association with God. And they might not be what you would think. We begin with verse 6, which simply states that we cannot have fellowship with darkness and also have fellowship with God. In other words, we cannot associate and be identified with the very thing that is contrary to the character of God. If God is holy, then those who would associate with Him must also be set apart. If God is righteous, then those who would fellowship with Him must love righteousness, not unrighteousness. But here we encounter a problem – we are by nature, children of unrighteousness. How can we who are sinners have fellowship with this sinlessly, perfect God? Verse 7 clarifies, stating, that those who have fellowship with God are not those who are perfect, but rather, are those that have been forgiven and cleansed of sin by God himself. Walking in the light is not living in moral perfection. On the contrary, walking in the light requires us to acknowledge our sinfulness and brokenness in light of God’s holiness. Yet, in His holiness, God chooses to show mercy to those who confess their sins and trust in Christ for salvation, which is the point that John makes in verse 9. In summary, then, “walking in the light” means acknowledging our sinfulness and our need for a Savior. Yet, some are not inclined to such a confession, as we find in verses 8 & 10. Some people want to maintain that they are good enough to associate with God on the basis of their good deeds or perceived goodness. John says that these people are essentially claiming to have no sin (i.e. – have never sinned at all / have never acknowledged their need for forgiveness). Those who would say, “I have never done anything that required forgiveness,” make God, according to verse 10, “a liar.” If we claimed to have never sinned, we impugn the character of God. It is no small thing to suggest that you are sinless or without the need for God’s forgiveness. It is the height of arrogance and offense to God, who sent His only Son to die for sinners.





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Conclusion So, in conclusion, we began with the question of what is takes to associate or fellowship with God. We have found in this passage that is not personal perfection that God requires of us. Instead, it is acknowledgment and confession of our personal brokenness and sinfulness in light of His holiness that God requires for fellowship. God’s light is a not a spotlight used to highlight your goodness or greatness. God’s light is not a security light used to scare you back into the darkness. God’s light is a surgical light used for revealing your brokenness and your need so that He might heal and make you whole again. As the great hymn, “Come Ye Sinners,” proclaims so eloquently, “the only fitness that He (God) requireth is that you feel your need for Him.” You see, God’s requirement for association with Him are not based upon how good you are or how good you think you are. God’s requires brokenness, humility, a contrite spirit, a spiritual neediness, repentance! Walking in God’s light does not mean walking in perfection. It doesn’t mean that you are “bright enough to belong.” There is only One who is perfect, and He is the light! On the contrary, to walk in God’s light is to acknowledge that you are not the light, but that you need the light. To agree with God that you are a sinner in need of forgiveness by the blood of Jesus Christ. Have you acknowledged your sinfulness before God today? Have you admitted that you are not good enough on your own to fellowship with God? Have you asked God to forgive you and cleanse you of all unrighteousness? Now is the time. Today is the day. He invites you to come to Him.





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