Walk in the Light: Lessons from the First Chapter of 1 John 

“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. 2 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. 3 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. 4 We write this to make our[a] 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. 6 If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. 7 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.

8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.” I John 1 (NIV)

 

In the New Testament, the Apostle John stands out as someone who experienced a unique intimacy with Jesus. As one of the three apostles closest to Christ—alongside Peter and James—John was there for pivotal moments: the transfiguration, the prayers in the Garden of Gethsemane, and the crucifixion, where Jesus entrusted John with the care of His mother. John’s words in 1 John 1, written with tender guidance, reflect this close bond. His letter is filled with parental love and wise counsel as he writes to the early Christian community he views as his spiritual family.

The Transforming Power of Christ

I want to emphasize the contrast between John, known early on with his brother as a “Son of Thunder” for his fiery temperament (Luke 9:51-55), and John, known as the “Apostle of Love,” encouraging believers to walk in the light and live in fellowship with God. This transition emphasizes a fundamental question: is genuine change possible? John’s life and message are potent affirmations that through Christ, transformation is not only possible but expected.

It’s easy to doubt whether real change can happen in the modern world. People often seem the same even after years, returning to old habits and patterns. But in 1 John, we see a resounding “yes” to the possibility of change. John’s journey from the impulsive “Son of Thunder” to the “Apostle of Love” shows the profound impact of encountering Jesus. While people can alter behaviors, only God can truly change hearts.

This transformation comes through deep, experiential relationship with Christ. John doesn’t address his readers like Paul, who often wrote to the churches; instead, John speaks to them as a father to his family, using terms of endearment like “little children” and “beloved.” His love for his community and authority as an elder is evident. Tradition tells us that John wrote this letter near the end of his life, around 90-100 AD, as one of the last surviving apostles. He writes with the wisdom of age, the insight of someone who has lived through persecution, and a heart overflowing with love for God and His people.

Proclaiming the Word of Life: 1 John 1:1-2

John opens with a declaration of the “Word of life”—Jesus, who has been with the Father from the beginning. In these verses, John emphasizes the sensory nature of his relationship with Jesus: “we have heard,” “we have seen,” and “we have touched.” This grounding in personal experience is significant, primarily as John combats the early heresy of Gnosticism, which claimed that the material world, including physical bodies, was evil and that Jesus couldn’t have come in bodily form.

For John, knowing Jesus wasn’t an abstract concept but something tangible. His choice of words—beginning, seen, heard—reflects the opening of his Gospel, echoing Genesis and Revelation, which portray Jesus as existing from the very start. John’s emphasis on the physical reality of Christ speaks to the heart of his message: Jesus, the Word, became flesh, a reality John experienced firsthand. This revelation of God in the flesh refutes the Gnostic view, which denied the importance of the physical and sought hidden, “special” knowledge for salvation.

True Fellowship: The Call to Koinonia

John writes to bring his readers into fellowship with him, each other, and most importantly, God. The Greek word koinonia—translated as fellowship—captures the depth of connection John envisions. More than mere association, koinonia implies intimacy, participation, and shared purpose. It’s a connection rooted in shared faith, love, and commitment. True fellowship isn’t superficial; it involves vulnerability, accountability, and a shared life in Christ.

In a world where relationships can feel shallow, John’s vision of fellowship challenges us to seek more profound, more authentic connections within the Christian community. Fellowship isn’t just about gathering together; it’s about actively sharing our lives, supporting one another, and striving together in faith. This fellowship brings complete joy when we live in unity with God and each other.

God is Light: Walking in the Light (1 John 1:5-7)

A small village in Norway called Rjukan lies nestled in the narrow Vestfjord Valley in Telemark, southwest of Oslo. Although Norway is known as one of the best places to live in the world, this town is one of the worst and most dismal. Why? Surrounded by towering mountains that reach nearly 2,000 meters, Rjukan is cast in shadow from September to March each year, as the peaks block direct sunlight. It is a very dark place, unreachable from sunlight for most of the year. First, someone built a cable car that carried residents up into the sunlight. Then, someone had another idea. In 2013, a creative solution was found. By raising $850,000, they installed three large, high-tech mirrors designed to reflect sunlight down into the valley. These computer-controlled mirrors adjust every 10 seconds to follow the sun, brightening around 2,000 square feet of the village square. This ambitious project brought much-needed light to the otherwise shadowed town.(http://www.cnn.com/2013/11/01/travel/rjukan-sun-mirror/)

Photo credit: https://en.visitrjukan.com/things-to-do/the-giant-sun-mirrors-in-rjukan-p517953

Photo credit: https://en.visitrjukan.com/things-to-do/the-giant-sun-mirrors-in-rjukan-p517953

John declares, “God is light; in him, there is no darkness at all.” This light represents purity, goodness, and truth, contrasting sharply with the darkness of sin, evil, and falsehood. Walking in the light means living transparently, honestly, and in alignment with God’s truth. It’s a call to integrity, where our actions match our words, and our lives reflect Christ.

The imagery of light and darkness is profound. Light brings warmth, growth, and life, just as our relationship with Christ brings spiritual vitality and transformation. Darkness, on the other hand, represents separation from God and a life enslaved to sin. When we choose to walk in the light, we step into the cleansing, life-giving presence of Jesus, allowing His blood to purify us from all sin. This walk in the light is a daily commitment, a choice to reject sin and embrace the truth of God.

As believers, we reflect the light of Christ, piercing the darkness. This is our mandate!

 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16

Confession and Cleansing

John stresses the importance of confession, recognizing that none of us are without sin. When we confess, we bring our sins into the light, breaking the enemy’s hold of shame and secrecy. Confession is a powerful act that aligns us with God’s truth and opens the door for His forgiveness and cleansing. As 1 John 1:9 assures, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

This practice of confession is foundational for walking in the light. It’s not about self-condemnation but about experiencing freedom and healing. By acknowledging our sins, we step out of darkness and into the light, where God’s grace meets our need. This honest vulnerability not only strengthens our relationship with God but also deepens our fellowship with other believers as we support each other in prayer and accountability.

Reflecting God’s Light in a Dark World

As we walk in the light, we are called to reflect God’s light to those around us. Just as light reveals colors when passed through a prism, our lives should reveal the multifaceted beauty of God’s character. We can’t fully comprehend God’s glory with our limited senses, but through Jesus, we catch a glimpse of His radiance, purity, and love.

Walking in the light isn’t always easy. It requires honesty, humility, and a willingness to turn from sin. But as we draw near to God, we are transformed, becoming beacons of His grace and truth in a world that desperately needs both. Our lives, like prisms, can spread the light of Christ, revealing His love, joy, and hope to those around us.

Conclusion: Living in the Light

John’s message in 1 John 1 is a call to transformation, fellowship, and integrity. It reminds us that change is possible, not through our own strength but through the life-changing power of Jesus. As we walk in the light, we draw closer to God and each other, experiencing true fellowship and joy. As we confess our sins, we step out of the darkness and into freedom, cleansed by His forgiveness.

In a world that often values appearance over substance, let’s commit to walking in the light—to living authentically, embracing God’s truth, and reflecting His glory. Through our fellowship, confession, and daily choice to follow Christ, we can live as true children of light, bringing hope and healing to those around us.

This article aims to capture the essence of 1 John 1, encouraging readers to walk in the light, embrace true fellowship, and allow Christ’s transformative power to bring lasting change.

 

The original sermon may be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8VBjtUUtMTM.