"This is the message we have heard from Him and announced to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin” (vv.5-7).
In today’s passage, John makes it plain and simple why every Christian must be holy: “God is light; in him there is no darkness at all” (v. 5). Here the word light is used as a metaphor and stands for righteousness, purity, and truth. The word darkness is also used metaphorically and stands for sin, deception and impurity. If we call ourselves Christians (meaning Christ like), we must choose light over darkness, and not deliberately choose sin over obedience.
Does that mean we must be perfect? Absolutely not! Today's passage also makes it clear that “walking in the light” does not equal perfection. As Christians we should strive to follow the commands of God and obey them (2:1), yet when we fail, we should turn to repentance, not cover-up. For, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and cleans us from all unrighteousness” (v.9).
The Truth: "For I am the Lord who brought you up from the land of Egypt to be your God; thus you shall be holy, for I am holy.” (Leviticus 11:45)
In today’s passage, John makes it plain and simple why every Christian must be holy: “God is light; in him there is no darkness at all” (v. 5). Here the word light is used as a metaphor and stands for righteousness, purity, and truth. The word darkness is also used metaphorically and stands for sin, deception and impurity. If we call ourselves Christians (meaning Christ like), we must choose light over darkness, and not deliberately choose sin over obedience.
Does that mean we must be perfect? Absolutely not! Today's passage also makes it clear that “walking in the light” does not equal perfection. As Christians we should strive to follow the commands of God and obey them (2:1), yet when we fail, we should turn to repentance, not cover-up. For, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and cleans us from all unrighteousness” (v.9).
The Truth: "For I am the Lord who brought you up from the land of Egypt to be your God; thus you shall be holy, for I am holy.” (Leviticus 11:45)
