Explore the Bible
Assistant Professor of Christian Ministries, University of Mobile
Walking in the Light
John 1:5–2:6
Demonstrate Holiness (1:5–7)
After declaring himself an eyewitness (vv. 1–4), John proclaims to his readers what he heard from Jesus: “God is light” (v. 5).
Being light signifies that the very God who shined into a dark world is the source of all truth (Gen. 1). In Him there is no darkness. In fact He is the very opposite of darkness because darkness represents what is false and impure.
Those who claim to have fellowship with God and live dark lives deceive themselves. God only abides with those in the light. He has no fellowship with those living in darkness. The one claiming to be a Christian must realize he is called to walk in holiness.
Those living in the light have fellowship with other Christians. Those walking in darkness do not experience such communion. Children of light also have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus.
Living an unholy life shows one belongs to the darkness and has not been cleansed of his sins. His eternal destiny is not with those of light but with those of darkness.
Confess Sin (1:8–2:2)
It is false to believe Christians can become sinless in this life. When Christ returns, sin will have no part in the new heavens and new earth (Rev. 20–22). Until then believers live in the old cursed earth, where they struggle with sin (Gen. 3).
According to John, those who claim to have no sin deceive themselves and show that the truth of the gospel is not in them.
Though popular in some circles, Christian perfection is a misunderstanding of sanctification, the process of becoming holy like Christ. Believers are to struggle toward this goal, putting to death the deeds of the flesh (Rom. 8:13; Col. 3:5). When Christ returns — and not until then — they will achieve the victory over sin they have so desired.
Believers have the confidence that Christ has made propitiation on their behalf. The term propitiation underscores that Christ was sacrificed and His blood was shed for the sins of the world, satisfying God’s just requirement for iniquity (Lev. 16:14; Heb. 9:5).
Believers need only to confess their sins, knowing Jesus has made propitiation on their behalf. This is not a license to sin. Sinning is to walk in darkness, a sign of being unregenerate.
Seek to Obey (2:3–6)
Those who keep God’s commands demonstrate they know God. John is not arguing for a works-based salvation. He simply points out that obedience is a fruit of believing the gospel.
As Martin Luther said, “We are saved by faith alone, but true faith is never alone.” Faith is accompanied by a yearning to obey God, something which is unnatural to the unregenerate person.
Too often churches have assumed a person can be a Christian and lead a rebellious life. Such a person is often called a carnal Christian. John and the rest of the New Testament authors do not have a category for such a “Christian.” To them true believers obey God’s commands (John 14:23, 15:10; 1 John 2:3; James 2:14–26; and others).
Lack of obedience is a sign of an unbelieving heart. One may rightly say there is no such thing as a disobedient (carnal) Christian.
Christians should therefore strive to live worthy of the One who called them out of darkness (Col. 1:13; 1 Thess. 2:12). Those who heed this exhortation evidence are in the light and have fellowship with God and other believers.
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