Walking in the Light | 1 John pt. 1

As Christians, we are called to cultivate a relationship with God. However, since God is holy, we can only walk with him if we are also living in holiness and untainted by sin. How are we supposed to live a holy life in our sinful human state? Thankfully, Jesus's sacrifice on the cross gives us sinners a way to be cleansed from our sins and continue to walk in holiness. The following passage in 1 John outlines what we need to do to be forgiven and washed clean from our transgressions.

Read 1 John 1:5-10

(v. 5) John establishes that God is light and has no darkness at all. "Light" in this context symbolizes holiness; when something is holy, no "darkness" (which represents sin) can abide. So, John is saying that God is entirely holy without a trace of sin.

(v. 6) Since God is holy and no sin can abide in Him, we cannot have fellowship with Him while walking in sin. We are liars if we claim to have a relationship with God if we are not walking in holiness as He is.

(v.7) Walking in holiness gives us two essential things: 1) it gives us fellowship with other believers, and 2) it gives us the ability to be cleansed from our sins. Remember, this gift of redemption is only possible because Jesus Christ paid the price for our sins with His blood on the cross. Without this sacrificial act of love, we would have no way to erase the darkness within us and have a relationship with God.

(v. 8) As humans, we are all inherently sinful (Romans 2:23). Our sin taints our walk of holiness, whether saved or unsaved. How are we expected to live a life of holiness when our natural tendency is to rebel against God?

(v. 9) Because of Jesus's sacrifice on the cross, we have a way to still walk in holiness despite our sinful state. By confessing our sins to the Lord, He will faithfully forgive our sins and cleanse us from our unrighteousness. Once our sins are washed clean, we are once again able to walk in holiness with the Lord.

(v. 10) Since we are all sinners, denying our transgressions is equivalent to calling God a liar and directly contradicting His Word.

In summary, we cannot have a relationship with our holy God unless we are also living a holy life. But our sin taints our holiness and creates a separation between us and our Heavenly Father. Whether a believer or not, we are born sinners and unable to live a life of complete holiness. However, Jesus paid the price for our sins on the cross with His blood, which enables us to be forgiven and cleansed from our unrighteousness. All we need to do to receive redemption is to confess our sins to God, and we can be restored and continue walking in holiness with the Lord.

Think deeply for a moment whether you are living a life of holiness or of sin, and assess the areas of your life you may need forgiveness in. Whatever comes to mind, remember that you are able to be washed clean and given another chance of holiness. I encourage you to confess your sins to the Lord, and accept His merciful gift of grace that cleanses us from unrighteousness.

- Lena