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.
First letter of John Chapter 1 verse 7 (NIV)
A condition imposed
- Why does this text begin with "but"?
To emphasize a contrast.
- What does John contrast here?
Walking in the light and walking in the darkness.
- What is meant by walking in the darkness or in the light?
Living under the control of error or of truth.
- To what, then, does walking refer?
To our daily words and actions.
- Against what idea does John give us a warning?
Against the idea that you can walk in darkness and have fellowship with God.
- What can we learn from this?
That our lives should be such as to prove that we are really followers of our Lord Jesus Christ.
- Why was John so anxious to write about this?
Because certain people in his time were teaching that evil as well as good has its source in God.
- How did John correct this false idea?
By teaching "God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all." (verse 5)
- What then, is the right condition to be in according to John?
To "walk in the light, as He is in the light"
- What great blessing results from walking in the light?
"We have fellowship with one another."
An experience realised.
- What is meant by "fellowship"?
It means friendship, a union in heart and mind through sharing the same character and blessing.
- What must we do to partake in this fellowship?
We must "walk in the light"
- What guide do we have to walk in this light?
Our Lord Jesus Christ
- What are we told concerning God?
That "He is in the light"
- What does it mean that "God is in the light"
That absolute purity is part of his Nature.
- What do the words "walk in the light as He is in the light" taken together, teach us?
That what God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ are in nature we daily approach unto by seeking to follow his guidance.
- With whom do we have fellowship?
With "one another"
- What is meant by having fellowship with one another? It means that as Christians draw near to God, they get more and more united to one another and to Him.
- Why is it impossible to have fellowship with God and walk in darkness? Because fellowship means something to share, and there is no darkness in God.
- What then is the real condition of happy fellowship both with God and our fellow-Christians? A life in which the light of God guides us
- How then, can we best secure the spirit of love and fellowship? By a life of continual and true holiness, the "walking in the light"
A Promise given
- What does John add to this verse?
"The blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin."
- Why do we need this - we walk in the light!
Because even when we walk in the light we still require the cleansing blood.
- How does this encourage us?
When we feel our imperfections and sins, we know that God has provided a remedy.
- What is the remedy which God has provided?
"The blood of Jesus, His Son."
- What is meant with "the blood of Jesus?"
His blood shed for sinners, His sacrificial death.
- What does this blood do for us, according to John?
It purifies us from all sin.
- What is the tense of "purifies"?
Present Progressive, meaning, it keeps on purifying.
- What does it mean that our Lord's blood keeps on purifying?
It means that the death of the Lord Jesus Christ is available for us every moment, it always meets our need before God.
- What can we learn from that?
That our acceptance with God is always because of what our Lord has done, not because of what we are doing.
- What does "purify" mean?
To free, wash from defilement or guilt.
- What previous text said that all need cleansing?
Romans 3:23
- How does this text (1 John 1:7) meet that need?
By teaching how our sins are purified.
Text Five
Adapted from:
"The one hundred texts of the society for Irish Church Missions."
T.C. Hammond, Dublin. 1939