But if we walk in the light, as He [Christ] is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.
1 John 1
Most humans are aware of the concept of light or the contrast between light and darkness. The contrast is a suitable metaphor for much of the human experience and is used verbally and visually to convey the importance and benefits of knowledge, ideas, and technology (light), as opposed to the disadvantage of being without these things (darkness). In moral terms virtue is associated with light and immorality is the embodiment of darkness. The Apostle John opens this letter by writing, “that God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all.” John uses light to describe God’s absolute moral purity and omniscience. In other words, there is no moral defect, nor is there a lack of knowledge in God. When we read John’s gospel, it is what is announced- Jesus is the light that brings us into fellowship with God, who is the light. This is consistent with what Paul says in 2 Corinthians 4:3–6: “. . . For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” God’s Word in general is described as light in Psalm 119:105, but it is the gospel in particular that is the light that reveals God in all His fullness and brings us into fellowship with Him. The fact that God, in whom there is no darkness at all, supports the utter otherness of God and, therefore, His inaccessibility to fallen creatures who exist in darkness. Our critical link for fellowship with God is found in the incarnate Son of God. Without Christ, we remain in a state of darkness and alienation from the life of God. John admonishes his readers to “walk in the light as He is in the light.” Embracing the gospel message brings us into fellowship with God the Father through and with Jesus Christ and with each other. The genuine nature of this fellowship is seen in a walk (or manner of living) that reflects and responds to the truth that is revealed in Christ. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians says virtually the same thing. These calls to walk in the light of the knowledge of Christ are written by both John and Paul. Psalm 36:9 says, “For with You is the fountain of life; in Your light do we see light.” Both John and Paul make the point of full purity and knowledge in God revealed in Christ, received by believers and reflected in their thoughts and walk. God is indeed light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. By virtue of our fallen condition we are in a state of darkness and are thereby alienated from the life of God. But, in Christ, we are reconciled to God and are in fellowship with the light. The admonition is that we would reflect that light to the glory of the triune God.
Source: S C Ball October 5, 2023
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