1 John 1:5–10
[5] 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. [6] If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. [7] 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. [8] If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. [9] If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. [10] If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. (ESV)
INTRODUCTION
We previously learned that God is light (i.e., holy) and if ever we have access to his presence, if ever we now belong to his family, it is only because of Jesus’ blood which was shed for our forgiveness.
The problem is there are so many who claim to be saved and to have fellowship with God but still live wicked and immoral lives. They still walk in darkness. There is no indication that God has changed their lives. Their claim is belied by their conduct. Their walk does not match their talk. It is not true that they have fellowship with God. So who are those who truly belong to God, who truly have fellowship with him? Those who walk in the light.
The verse we are considering (verse 7) teaches us 3 things:
Walking in the light is a consequence of belonging to the light.
Walking in the light results in communion with one another (fellow believers).
Walking in the light involves cleansing by Jesus’ blood.
I will be touching on all three, although the main emphasis will be on No. 1.
DOCTRINE: WALKING IN THE LIGHT IS A CONSEQUENCE OF BELONGING TO THE LIGHT.
1 Peter 2:9–10
[9] But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. [10] Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. (ESV)
John 8:12
[12] Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” (ESV)
Ephesians 5:8-14
Galatians 2:20
[20] I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (ESV)
What does it mean to walk in the light?
Ephesians 5:8–18
[8] for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light [9] (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), [10] and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. [11] Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. [12] For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. [13] But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, [14] for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says,
“Awake, O sleeper,
and arise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.”
[15] Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, [16] making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. [17] Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. [18] And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, (ESV)
Romans 13:11–14
[11] Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. [12] The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. [13] Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. [14] But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires. (ESV)
1 Thessalonians 5:4–8
[4] But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. [5] For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. [6] So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. [7] For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night. [8] But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. (ESV)
1 John 2:8–11
[8] At the same time, it is a new commandment that I am writing to you, which is true in him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining. [9] Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness. [10] Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling. [11] But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes. (ESV)
Note that walking in the light is walking in love, especially towards the brethren, which has the effect of promoting our fellowship with one another.
Why is it important that we walk in the light?
Hebrews 12:14
Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.
Matthew 5:8
Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.
1 Corinthians 6:9–11
[9] Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, [10] nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. [11] And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. (ESV)
You don’t merely have the blood of Jesus to pardon your sins, you also have the Holy Spirit who produces the fruit of the Spirit in you and helps you to live a holy life. Thus, if you aren’t growing in holiness, if there is no indication of any holiness in your life, the reason for that might be you were never washed, you were never sanctified, you were never justified in the first place.
Titus 2:11–14
[11] For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, [12] training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, [13] waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, [14] who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. (ESV)
APPLICATION
- Examine yourself.
2 Corinthians 13:5
Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!
- Strive for holiness.
Hebrews 12:14
Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.
2 Peter 1:3–7
[3] His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, [4] by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. [5] For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, [6] and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, [7] and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. (ESV)
1 Corinthians 9:27
But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.
© Dennis M. Cortes 2022
PHILIPPINE THEO LAW GEE 
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