1 John 1:5-7

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Scripture 1 John 1:5-7 (ESV)

This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 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 cleanses us from all sin.



Devotion

When I had a dog named Marcie, she used to sleep right next to my bed. After I had nearly stepped on her several times, I began bringing a small flashlight to bed so I could walk in its light and not step on dear Marcie. Even after Marcie crossed the rainbow bridge, I still had trouble tripping in the dark I bought a night light which keeps me walking in the light, so I don’t trip any more.

Walking in the light of God, is John’s theme in these few verses. Just as I stumbled physically so it is possible to walk in darkness and to stumble and fall. John starts by saying he heard this teaching from him. Who is this him? I believe and several commentators agree that “him” is none other than Jesus himself. Because the next clause names God as light. And in him is no darkness at all.

Some people say they are in the light when in fact they are in the darkness. They believe that they have special knowledge that others don’t have. They have moved beyond Jesus and the scriptures into error and deep darkness. Others walk as if they are in the light but really, they are liars and walk in deep darkness.

There is no darkness at all in God and those who walk with him will be able to see and practice the truth. God’s light shows our imperfections and flaws. When a jeweler examines a diamond, he shines a bright light on it and uses special glasses to see if the diamond has flaws. So, God shines a bright light on our lives to see if there be any flaws. We work to correct those flaws so we will be pure in heaven.

But some people want to walk in the darkness. The truth is far from their words and deeds. God’s light is a test to see what kind of person you are in your soul. We have to pray that we will not fail the test and be found walking in the light. “The religious life is not merely a matter of spiritual reflection or intellectual persuasion, rather, it is comprehensive. It is a habit of walking, a way of living (cf. Prov. 8:20; Isa. 2:5; Eph. 5:2).”1

Let us walk then in the light so we don’t stumble over the obstacles Satan puts in our path. So, Jesus will return and find us faithful and walking in the light.



Prayer.

            God of light may we seek to walk in the light each day. Help us not to stumble around in the dark but walk wisely in your light. Help us to encourage each other to walk in the light and so to please you when you return.

1Burge, Gary M. The Letters of John (The NIV Application Commentary) (p. 68). Zondervan Academic. Kindle Edition

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