Living a Balanced Life

(An In-Depth Study of First John)

Week 2

Commentary

Walking in the Light

1 John 1:5-10

Outline

Last week we underlined the foundation of living a balanced life as “truth in Christ”. We saw from verses 3 and 4 of chapter one of 1 John, that John makes the message of Christ (call it theology, or doctrine) the basis of all significant Christian fellowship. “What we have seen and heard we proclaim to you so that you may have fellowship with us.” In order to create and nurture deep Christian fellowship you have to talk about who you think Christ is and what he taught. As one understands the truth about Christ the deep fellowship that ensues allows joy to be complete. John sees truth as fundamental regarding a balanced life. Truth is not relative to every person, but singular in nature and relative to only one person, Jesus Christ. John will continue to unfold the truth about God the Father and Jesus Christ the Son throughout the letter.

That’s what John begins to do in this week’s text (verses 5-10). John will once again issue a foundational statement regarding our experience with God. In verse five John states that, “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.” In other words, as we draw close to God we will discover that God has no dark crevices in which hidden things reside. God is truth, and that truth is clear and unobstructed by shadow.

This truth moves us to the second phase of living a balanced life. The Apostle John calls it “walking in the light”. The balance in life comes when we desire God above all other things. Our text leads us to this truth. Another way to say it is, the more our everyday life conforms to the likeness of Christ, (walking in the light), the more balanced we are. This balance comes from being in line with reality. John goes on to say that “light” and “truth” are synonymous. To say God is light is to say that God is truth.  So, to walk in the light is to walk in the truth. Truth always delivers what it promises, while darkness or sin never does.

Therefore, to walk in the light is to obtain what the truth promises. Life is in balance only when what we desire, and walk toward, happens exactly as promised. This week we explore how this is only possible in Christ.

Foundation

Vs 5 – God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

What does John mean when he says God is light?

One answer is God is Truth. (Vs 6) (also 5:20)

Another answer is Joy and Hope

Application

Vs 6 – Negative: Walking in darkness, controlled by the desires of the world

Vs 7 – Positive: Walking in the light, desiring God

Two promises of walking in the light

1. Fellowship with one another
2. Blood of Jesus, God’s Son, cleanses us from all sin

What does it mean to be cleansed by the Blood of Jesus from all our sin?

Cover sin- ALL our sin forgiven (Past, Present, Future)

Romans 5:9, Ephesians 1:7

Conquer sin- Ongoing moral effect

Verse 9, Hebrews 9:14

Clarification

Vs 8-10: Don’t claim to be without sin

The mark of the saint is not sinlessness, but sin-consciousness.

A mark of Christian maturity is a deep brokenness for sin.

LIFE APPLICATION

Are you experiencing what you’ve learned, or experiencing life?

Our “walk” implies that ALL of life is in view.