Separating Darkness and Light1 John 1:5-10

Light, Fellowship, Forgiveness

•Why do we call it Good News?

•John sums up his theme: “This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you….”

God Is Light

•James 1:17 -- Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

2 Corinthians 4:4-6

•The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. 6For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness,"[a]made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.

•John 3:19-21

•This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. 21But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God."

A Contrast:

•True Light

•Enlightenment as taught by the pre-Gnostics

Diametric Fellowships – vs. 6-7

If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by 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.

The KOINONIA of Light

WALK indicates lifestyle choices

Does not indicate a sinless life

Does indicate a repentant life

Matthew 5:14-16

"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

Romans 13:12 --The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.

2 Corinthians 6:14

Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?

Ephesians 5:8

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light

Continuous Forgiveness

Vs. 8-10 -- 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 has no place in our lives.

Walking in the light is NOT sinless living:

Gnostic thought: Rising above sin

If we claim to be without sin we deceive ourselves.

If we claim we have not sinned we make him out to be a liar.

Walking in the light involves confession and forgiveness.

We depend on God’s faithfulness and justice.

Jesus’ blood continually cleanses us.