We know that God is light and
in Him there is no darkness. But what does it mean to walk in His light? We’ll look at three of the qualities of His
light and then what it looks like to live a life in that light.
1 John 1:7 – 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
Things to think about:
· How does God’s
light show itself to us?
o
The light of His Word
§ Psalm 119:105
– They Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path
o
The light of His character
§ 1 John 1:5 –
God is light and in Him there is no darkness
o
The light of His Son
§ John 8:12 - When
Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the
world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the
light of life.”
· So how do we
walk in His light?
o Conviction & Confession, Commission, Compassion
· Conviction & Confession
o
1 John 1:8-9 - If we claim to be without sin, we deceive
ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is
faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all
unrighteousness.
o
Confession is always the first step to getting our relationship with
God on track. It can be the very first
time (salvation) or on an ongoing basis as we inevitably stumble.
§ 1 John 2:1 - My
dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if
anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the
Righteous One.
· Commission
o
1 John 2:3-6 - We know that we have come to know him if
we keep his commands. Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do
what He commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. But if
anyone obeys His word, love for God is truly made complete in
them. This is how we know we are in Him: Whoever claims to live
in Him must live as Jesus did.
o
Our personal conduct matters intensely to God. We must live as
Jesus did. It is the standard but we
also know that we fall short of it. See Step
1 – Confession.
· Compassion
o
1 John 2:9-11 - Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a
brother or sister is still in the darkness. Anyone
who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and
there is nothing in them to make them stumble. But
anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around
in the darkness. They do not know where they are going, because the
darkness has blinded them.
o
We can’t have it both ways.
We can’t shut the grace and mercy door behind us and not offer what we
have been given by God to others.
o
1 John 2:2 - He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and
not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.
o
· Compassion
o
What do you need to bring into the light for cleansing and healing
through confession?
· Commission
o
What good behavior have you been neglecting, or bad habit have you
been indulging that needs to be brought into the light?
· Compassion
o
Is there anyone you are keeping in the dark through unforgiveness,
inadequate love, or personal sacrifice?
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.
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