READ: 1 John 1:5-6: This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.
The true life with God is remarkably rich yet radical. “God is light.” Nothing about Him hints at darkness or the decay of death. In Him, everything is life and light. Everyone who has communion with Him, who belongs to Him, walks in that light.
This is what John heard from Christ (verse 5). This divine message must not be tampered with. There is an absolute contrast between light and darkness. This truth makes us, as sinful beings, small in the face of the great, holy God. This message also clashes easily with human reasoning and self-will.
What is meant by light, and what by darkness? Light signifies that God is completely transparent, clear, true, pure, holy, righteous, good, and glorious. His purity allows for no blemish. His holiness tolerates no sin. Divine truth opposes every form of falsehood or cover-up. His righteousness stands against all injustice, His goodness against evil.
Divine light signifies salvation, blessedness, life for us. His light also spreads light: radiance, goodness, growth, flourishing, salvation, joy.
When we have communion with God in Christ, we are children of light and no longer of darkness (Ephesians 5:8-9). God tolerates no darkness, for darkness is evil, sin, calamity, falsehood. This is what the Prince and “rulers of the darkness” sow. Walking in it means having communion with it. God notices when we partake in it.
Walking in the light doesn’t only refer to the ideal state of perfection on the final day but concerns our covenant fellowship with God even now. It demands us to be holy as God is holy (1 Pet. 1:15-16), to hate and confess sin.
How do you distinguish between light and darkness?
Singing: Ps. 36:3