READ: 1 John 1:7-10: But if we walk in the light … we have fellowship with one another … If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to …. cleanse us from all unrighteousness. …
Walking in the light means walking in God’s ways, according to His Word and in His favor. It’s not only having communion with Him but also with one another. The love for God should become tangible in mutual brotherly love.
The test of whether we genuinely walk in the light of Truth must be evident in the communion of the saints. There, you deny yourself for the sake of others, considering others more excellent in humility than yourself (Phil. 2:2), and you sacrifice yourself for the church community (Rom. 12:1 onwards).
God’s light is a radical light: it gives life and love. But it also exposes and repels decay and hatred. Who is perfect in that love (Ps. 15:1)? Every person is sinful and inherently inclined to hate God and their neighbor (Lord’s Day 2, HC).
Let us pray for the Holy Spirit! That’s why John points to the reconciling blood of Jesus Christ, God’s Son (v.7). Through His blood, we are transferred from the realm of darkness to His kingdom of light.
If Jesus Christ isn’t God’s Son, He couldn’t grant us the grace of forgiveness of our sins and eternal life. In contrast to the false teachers, Christ cleanses us from all sins (v.7). This is necessary because God tolerates no sin. Not a trace of darkness should cling to us if we seek communion with God.
Now, the pitfall for believers is the “evangelical” thought that with Christ’s one-time atoning sacrifice, everything to do with sins is accomplished. But if we think this way, we make God a liar, says verse 10. Then we don’t heed His Word well and deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us (v.8). We stumble every day and must continually confess our sins sincerely. Yet, there’s forgiveness for that through Christ. God is faithful and just in that: Christ’s blood is sufficient for it.
What do you consider to be sinful within yourself?
Singing: Ps. 32:2