1 John 1:5-10

GOD IS LIGHT

• “Proclaim” is verse 5 is different in the original language from the same word found in verses 2 & 3. Here it means “to herald special news,” similar to the announcement of the emergency broadcast network.
• John is remembering was Jesus said as recorded in John 8:12 “I am the light of the world.” This was spoken during the Feast of Tabernacles as Israel remembered God’s faithful to them in leading them out of slaery from Egypt and leading them by a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. Part of the celebration during the feast was lighting these large lamps in the temple courtyard to illustration both God’s leading and his presence with the people.

WALKING IN RESISTANCE

• Walking in the light is not following a yellow brick road of do’s and don’ts until we reach God, the wizard of Emerald City.
• 1 John 1:6 “if we say we have fellowship with God (koinonia)…” Fellowship with God is to be in relationship with Jesus and following him whoever he is leading, doing what he commands us to do.
• In pride, some resist God as the only true light and begins to call the darkness light – in seek for happiness and purpose apart from God )Isaiah 5:20).

WALKING IN RELATIONSHIP

• Walking with Jesus also allows us to be in deep relationship with others who are also following Jesus.
• Walking in the light also means that God continues to cleanse us from sin. Christians are not perfect and walking in the light is not just when you are doing everything right.
• As we follow Jesus, the light of God will reveal areas in our life where sinful patterns linger. Confessing our sin “to agree” with God in what he says is true. This means if Jesus exposes an area of our life as sinful then confession is to agree with God and he is faithful to forgive and cleanse us from that sin. No other mediator, no penances to perform because did all that on the cross and he is our mediator.

APPLICATION

1. GOD IS LIGHT
   • Prayerfully consider who you are following in life’s journey through this dark world. Do you claim to follow Jesus but in reality you only desire you’re own happiness? What does it look like for you to follow Jesus as your light?
2. WALKING IN LIGHT OF RELATIONSHIP
   • How will you start each day this week? Are you just checking off tasks and people’s expectations of you or are you relationally checking-in and walking with Jesus in responsive obedience?
3. WALKING IN LIGHT OF FORGIVENESS
   • How will you respond when God’s light exposes sin in your life? Pride will lead you to deny and try harder to prove the conviction wrong. Fear and shame will tempt you to pull away and hide. Grace calls you into the warm embrace of a loving father who forgives and heals.