“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. 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. 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. We write this to make our joy complete. This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by 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, purifies us from all sin. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives. My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense -- Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world,” [1 John 1:1-2:2]
God the Father is Light. There is no darkness in Him at all. John explains that the God of life is the One who gives us life. He gave us life when He created us. He gives us new life through Jesus Christ when we accept Him as our Savior. He gives us new, fresh life every day when we walk in fellowship with God and with one another. Walking in the Light and turning away from darkness purifies us. But we cannot claim to be in the Light and secretly love darkness. To love God means to walk completely in the Light as He is in the light.
If we walk in the light, we have fellowship with one another. Christians are unified by Light. The word of God, the blood of Jesus and the power of the Spirit makes us one. We are encouraged daily by knowing that the Light offers life right now for life every day. To love the Word means to consume the Word –and to let the Word consume you. The Scriptures speak of a time of famine from the Word of the Lord. Famine is a harsh reminder that only God can provide what we need. Isn’t it astounding, that in this technologically advanced age of information, people are starving from the Word of God. They are lost in darkness and aren’t walking in the Light.
But the blood of Jesus is able to purify any and every person who seeks the Light. Christians hate sin. Christians hate to see the effects of sin in other lives. Christians walk in the Light and remain alert to the enemy’s schemes. But should the enemy entice us to sin and we stray form the Light, by confessing our sins and turning from darkness, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ is more than able to purify us and bring us fully back to the light. By resisting sin and loving the Light, we become the Light of God. We shine like stars in the universe. Our tendency to sin is replaced by a hunger to succeed for God. We walk in the Light as He is in the light.
Our Advocate is Faithful. Because Jesus offered Himself for our sins, we know how serious He is about getting us back on track when our spiritual lives have been derailed. John Newton, though a vile and serial rapist, came to accept Christianity, the very belief that he had repeatedly mocked. He repeatedly relapsed and fell into sin (even rape) many times. It was grace that finally won the victory when he decided to walk in the Light as He is in the light. When Newton realized the power and scope of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, He wrote “Amazing Grace.”
As you walk in the Light, as He is in the light, remember that God is on your side. He doesn’t look for occasions to abandon or rid Himself of you as people do. He is Faithful to cleanse you from everything that ensnares you and seeks to steal you from His Wonderful Light. If we are faithful to confess our sins and humbly admit that we need His help –every day, even when we fail, then He is more than faithful to restore us to life. Walk in the Light, as He is in the light. God is Life. And the blood of Jesus is exactly the remedy to our rebelliousness.
Praise be to our God and Savior, Who knows our every need –even before we ask. And remember, it is the Light, the Word of God, that enables us to walk in fellowship with God and with one another. By Jesus’ stripes, we are healed. Therefore, walk in confidence –confidence that the Living God is for you, not against you.
On the Solid Rock we stand!
George