“If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth. But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:6-7 (Read 1 John 1:1 – 2:2)
Are you walking in the light or in darkness? Sad to say, many, even among professing Christians, are walking in darkness; and, lest we be self-confident, each and every one of us would also choose to walk in darkness rather than coming to the light where our sinfulness and evil deeds are exposed (cf. John 3:19-21; John 1:1-14).
Why do I ask? To continue on in darkness leads to death! To walk in the light leads to forgiveness and life everlasting!
While many would profess to have fellowship with God the Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ, that is not possible if they are walking in darkness, if they are hiding and covering up their sins and sinfulness and pretending to be righteous of themselves. One cannot be a Christian and be continuing on in sin and willful disobedience (cf. Heb. 10:26-31; 1 Cor. 6:9-11), and one cannot have fellowship with the Father and be hiding and covering up sin (cf. Psalm 32:1ff.).
If we pretend to be Christians and in fellowship with the Father and are impenitent, continuing on in our old sinful ways, we are deceiving ourselves and not practicing the truth. If we are hiding and covering up our sins rather than acknowledging them and seeking God’s forgiveness, we are lying and walking in darkness and in unbelief.
The Bible tells us in 1 John 1:7-9: “But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that 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.”
To walk in the light is to acknowledge our sins and sinfulness — literally to say the same thing as God about our sins (ομολογωμεν) — and “He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” so that we are acquitted, declared innocent and justified in His sight.
And how can God be faithful and just in forgiving our sins? It is because “Jesus Christ the righteous … is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world” (1 John 2:1,2). Jesus shed His blood on the cross for our sins and the sins of all. Our sin was punished in Jesus. God’s justice is satisfied. In Jesus — through faith in His name — we have forgiveness for all our sins and life eternal!
Are you walking in darkness or in the light? Jesus and His Word shine into the darkness of this world, exposing sin, error, and disobedience but offering and conveying forgiveness and life to all who repent and trust in Christ. Through the law, our sinfulness and our just punishment are revealed. Through the gospel, Christ’s sacrifice for sins and God’s promise to all who look to Christ and His cross in faith are revealed.
Don’t hide from the light. Rather, walk in the light, confess your sins and receive God’s forgiveness and life for the sake of Jesus’ blood, shed on the cross for your sins and the sins of all. Amen.
Shine upon us, Lord. Reveal our sinfulness but bring us to repentance and faith in Christ Jesus, our crucified and risen Savior. In His name, we pray. Amen.
[Scripture is quoted from the 21st Century King James Version (KJ21), Copyright © 1994 by Deuel Enterprises, Inc.]