Some Good News, 1 John 1:5-2:11

And Now, Some Good News: The Light

We spent ten years in the tropics, where sunny days were like a perfect strand of Christmas lights: one after the other, white and bright, all in a row, uninterrupted. Ah, sunshine. One of our friends from the southern hemisphere told us he was confused by northerners’ frequent references to how wonderful it was to take walks in the sunlight. That is, until he moved to a region with long winters, where any day above 60 degrees prompts picnics. Finally - Vitamin D and good moods!

In contrast to the darkness, the light of eternal life is good news: 

Walking in the light results in fellowship through Jesus’ cleansing from sin (1:7)

Confessing sin results in forgiveness of sin & cleansing from all unrighteousness (1:9)

Keeping God’s commands proves we know Him (2:3)

Keeping God’s Word proves the love of God in us (2:5a)

Walking like Jesus proves we are in Him (2:5b-6)

Loving a brother proves we’re abiding in the light (2:10)

These scenarios begin and end with living in the light. By considering all that’s described between these phrases, we see that a lifestyle of living in the light results in purity on the inside and proof on the outside. The light’s good news is purity and proof.

Let’s break it down. Verses 7 and 9 highlight the cleansing result of God’s light, purifying us to bring us close to Him. Rather than seeing sin in our lives as something to deny or as a reason to doubt salvation, admitting sin and rejecting it actually indicates the light of God’s presence within us. When the light exposes the dust of disobedience or crumbs of unloving actions, there is a remedy, based on the cleansing blood of Jesus. He picks up the broom for us. 

Jesus’ righteous payment for our unrighteousness was faithfully and justly applied to us when we trusted Him, and it continues to be applied when we step out of fellowship in sin and then confess it. His cleansing was enough then and still is now. How good is that news? Instead of denying reality - like the darkness would - confess it, and walk like Jesus, even if you feel like a toddler wobbling beside her older brother. 

God’s commands contained in His Word are the basis for walking forward with Him, as we see in chapter 2, verses 3 and 5. Walking in the lamplight of His Word is not just accumulating words, lectures, and knowledge that Gnostics might promote; true light is seen when we live out what we read, hear, and know. Words and actions together walk the path, hand in hand. Obedience to His Word proves we’re walking in light.

Jesus lived obediently, most clearly seen in His love, which is the greatest command given. He demonstrates what it looks like to walk in the light on the trajectory of obedience to what God says and in imitation of how He loves. When we follow His ways, it’s proof of His light in us.

Just as we bask in sunlight after a dark winter, we welcome God’s light to purify and prove who we are. When we walk in His light, one step after the next, our lives shine like a glorious strand of tropical days.  

“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light.” Ephesians 5:8

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Remember who you are, 1 John 2:12-14

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Bad News First, 1 John 1:5-2:11