1 John 1 - 6.1.26

SCRIPTURE

1 John 1:5-10 

    This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out 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, purifies us from all sin.

    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. If we claim we have not sinned, we make Him out to be a liar and His word is not in us.

OBSERVATION

The book of 1 John was a letter written to Early Church Believers to warn them of heresies that were being spread during the late first century. The Apostle John directly addresses and opposes the belief of gnosticism, the denial of the humanity of Christ, and antinomianism, the belief that Believers do not have to live holy lives. This passage lays out the gospel message that the blood of Jesus Christ and the sacrifice of His body are what purifies mankind from sin, and gives us fellowship with God and each other. As Romans 3:23 states, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”. Every human being is in desperate need of God’s mercy through His Son, Jesus Christ. When we accept Christ’s sacrifice, we are declaring to Him that we have sinned and will no longer walk in sin and darkness.  

APPLICATION

After salvation, we are walking in fellowship with God in the light and following His leading. Although our obedience does not save us, it is the response of the finished work of Christ on the cross. Believers will make mistakes but should not live in sin. As John mentions in a later chapter, that we have an advocate with the Father, who is Jesus, 1 John 2:1. True repentance comes with a change of the heart, but first we must confess where we fall short.

PRAYER

Lord Jesus, I thank You for your sacrifice and love for us. I thank You for Your Word and the clarity of who You are, that is revealed through scripture. Thank You for being my advocate when I sin. It was You who lifted me out of darkness and embraced me to be in fellowship with You and the rest of Your children. Help me to live a life that is pleasing to You in obedience, and help me to press in to know You more, Amen.

- Darrence Hamilton