Walking In The Light
Opening Prayer
Father God, it is truly in You I live, and move, and have my being. Use me today, I pray.
Read 1 JOHN 1
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. 2 The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. 3 We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. 4 We write this to make our joy complete.
Light and Darkness, Sin and Forgiveness
5 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out 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, purifies us from all sin.
8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.
New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Meditate
There are many things in our lives that can sap our exuberance for living. However, we need to remember the counter-balance of blessings John outlines that can minister to our joy (4).
Think Further
1 John begins with a loud statement of the authenticity of the message. He weaves together two themes: the wisdom of the book of Proverbs (especially chapter 8) and his first-hand knowledge of the man Jesus Christ. Jesus was real, flesh-and- blood, with a birth date and DNA and fingerprints. The first disciples knew him as a human being, just like us. At the same time, this man was the “light of the world,” bringing us knowledge that God is light (John 8:12). Those of us who believe don’t just subscribe to a philosophy, or even a religion. We put our faith in someone who was a human being—and yet was God. And yet we sin.
Who does not know the moral confusion, the desire to hide, that follows our sinfulness? It takes moral courage and humility to face up to ourselves and acknowledge the truth: I have sinned. It’s a confession of failure, of dependence. It goes against the grain and against a culture that claims to celebrate personal autonomy. So we carry the burden. However, if we face God and confess to him our sin, we know the radiant joy of being forgiven. The consequences of this step of humility are significant and life-changing. We have fellowship with one another (7). Fellowship is not just a friendly relationship over a cup of coffee—it means sharing. We can open up and share personal difficulties and struggles and joys. We share a common life in Christ. We are purified. We are no longer contaminated by sin. We are no longer alone, or lonely.
Apply
In verses 1–4, John shares his testimony of encountering Christ. What does he say and how can this help you in faith-sharing?
Closing prayer
Compassionate Lord, out of habit and shame I try to hide my sin, even from myself. I confess my sin and thank You for Your forgiveness and the fellowship of knowing You.
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