Thank you for the fellowship I have with others because of You! Continue to open my eyes to the light of Your gospel as I look at a portion of Your Word. Amen.
1 John 1
Scripture is full of contrasts that help us to discern if we are truly walking the walk of discipleship. Never is God confused about our standing with Him, but He knows how easily we can be deceived. So, in love, He shows us the difference in just talking the walk and not walking the walk!
We looked at several other verses yesterday that John had written. In each passage we saw a clear description of what it means to either walk in the light or in the darkness. Hopefully you added these insights to your list you began on the contrasts of light and darkness.
Light:
John bore witness of the light. (John 1:4-9) The true light came into the world and enlightens every man. (John 1-4-9) Light exposes evil deeds. (John 3:19-21) Those who practice the truth come to the light. (John 3:19-21) Those who follow Jesus will have the light of life. (John 8:12) It will keep you from stumbling. (John 11:9-10) Believe in the light so that you may become sons of light. (John 12-35-36) One who loves his brother abides in the light. (I John 2:7-11)
Darkness:
Does not comprehend the light. (John 1:4-9) Men love darkness rather than the light. (John 3:19-21) Everyone who does evil hates the light because it exposes their evil. (John 3:19-21) One who walks in darkness stumbles. (John 11:9-10) One who walks in darkness does not know where he is going. (John 12:35-36) One who hates his brother is in darkness that has blinded his eyes. (I John 2:7-11)
These are just a few of the truths we have seen concerning light and darkness. Feel free to list any others that you saw in your study yesterday. The main thing I wanted you to see is that there is a definite difference in the life and walk of a believer. This is their witness to a lost and dark world around them.
In I John you will find that one of the main themes in this letter is that one’s life in Christ will give evidence if one is truly saved. If you walk in light, you will walk in obedience to God’s commandments and will be an example or reflection of God’s love to others. You will be an imitator of God!
This is not “new” truth. The Old Testament is full of examples of God telling His people to come out of the world and be separate and distinctly different. If you walk in darkness, you will walk in disobedience to God’s commandments and will produce evil deeds that are evidence you are living in the deception of this world and Satan’s lies.
Now that you’ve looked at several points in this chapter, just simply read through chapter 1 again and feel the heartbeat of this chapter.
Reflect on what the Holy Spirit is saying to you personally and spend time talking to the Lord in prayer. Enjoy your sweet fellowship with the Lord!
We will finish looking at chapter 1 tomorrow, and next week we will move on to chapter 2.
Continue to make me more like You, Jesus. Let Your light shine through me so that others will be drawn to You! Amen.
