John provides a solid introduction about Christ's divinity and humanity, claiming Christ existed from the beginning, before creation, and as its Creator.[1] This introduction mirrors the Gospel of John's prologue.[2] John presents Christ as the Word of Life and Eternal Life, addressing early Docetism, which taught Christ only appeared human but never became man. John corrects this false teaching and another error: that one can continue in sin while claiming to walk in the light.
God is Light
John made an obvious statement that God is light and there is no darkness in Him. The author further explains that one who claims to have fellowship with the light but practices deeds of darkness is lying. Walking in darkness signifies ungodly deeds.
1 John 1:5-6: 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. 6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.
In his gospel account, John revealed that the reason why people did not believe was that their deeds were evil. God will judge them for their unbelief, which is connected to wickedness. Unbelief in the light of Christ is condemned in Scripture.[3] Therefore, genuinely believing in Him means not doing the deeds of darkness.
John 3:18-20: Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. 19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. 20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.
Walking in the Light
John explained that those who walk in the light have fellowship with one another. The opposite must be true: those who do not walk in the light should have no fellowship with each other. The author then adds another element of those who walk in the light, that is, the blood of Christ cleanses them from all sin.
1 John 1:7: 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 cleanses us from all sin.
What does walking in the light mean? One may use the earlier writings of John to explain. Those who believe are in the light, but those who do not live in the light are in darkness. In the gospel account, John showed that those who lived in darkness did not want to believe because their deeds were evil.[4]
Confession and Cleansing
John would emphasize the value of the cleansing blood of the Son. By blood, it meant His sacrifice as the lamb of God. What is the value of His sacrifice then? One needs Christ because all have sinned. Anyone who claims to be sinless is not telling the truth. However, there is forgiveness for those who believe when they confess their sins.
1 John 1:8-10: If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
Is John contradicting himself when he says that those who practice sin are not walking in the light, yet also says that anyone who claims to be without sin is deceiving themselves?
No, John is not contradicting himself. Verse 6 refers to a lifestyle of continuous, unrepentant sin, which is incompatible with walking in the light. Verse 10, on the other hand, addresses the need to admit our sinfulness honestly. Denying that one is sinless shows self-deception, while confessing our sin acknowledges our need for the cleansing blood of Jesus.
Application
1. Believe and proclaim that God is light and there is no darkness in Him. Therefore, we must avoid the deeds of darkness and the intentional practice of sin.
2. Let us thank the Lord for His blood that cleanses us from all sin. We humbly admit and confess our sin, but we have faith that His sacrifice is sufficient to cleanse us.
3. We must confess our sins before God. It is not a one-time event; it is a lifestyle of the genuine believer. Thinking that we do not need to humble ourselves is a deception that we must reject.
Notes
[1] 1 Jn 1:1-4
[2] Jn 1:1-18
[3] Jn 3:18-20
[4] Ibid.
Poem
NO DARKNESS by Ed Pilapil Jr. John made it clear that God is light Although He created the night In the light, there is no darkness Assuredly, there is forgiveness Confession leads to forgiveness His light expels the darkness There’s no fear in the dark of night When we are walking in His light Beware, those who claim perfection They despise the resurrection So proud and arrogant sinners They’ve become their own deceivers Never give in to the deceivers Admit, we are wretched sinners Who trust in His resurrection And believe in His perfection
Study Guide
1. What does it mean that “God is light, and in him is no darkness at all,” and how does this truth expose false claims of fellowship with God? (1 Jn 1:5-6).
2. Compare John 3:18-20 to 1 John 1:5-7. Explain the parallels.
3. If we claim to be without sin, what does this reveal about our understanding of ourselves and God, and how does confession restore right fellowship with Him? (1 John 1:8-10)
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