Stop stumbling in the darkness and start walking in the light.
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1 John 1 Summary
John's first letter begins much the same way his gospel account begins:
John 1:1
In the beginning was the Word...
1 John 1:1
That which was from the beginning...
John wants you to know that Jesus isn't just an abstract idea or fictional hero that was introduced 2,000 years ago. Rather, since Jesus is God, He has always been. He certainly is, as John records in his gospel, the great I AM.
John begins by emphasizing what did change 2,000 years ago: God became man, and John heard him, saw him and even touched him. In this letter John is proclaiming what he saw and heard so that you too may have fellowship with us (v3).
John also borrows from a theme he began in the prologue to his gospel in the second half of this opening chapter:
John 1:9
The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.
1 John 1:5
God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
In his gospel, John emphasizes that even though the world preferred darkness, the light would certainly overcome it. Now in his letter, John reminds you that since you've now seen the light, you're living a lie when you continue walking in the dark.
Dig Deeper
One of the New Testament's favorite metaphors for living life is one that John uses often, including twice in this short opening chapter:
walk in the light (v7)
Walking is such a great metaphor for living because it conveys the idea that nobody is sedentary in life, rather all people are going somewhere.
Those who persist in sin are described as walking in darkness (v6). These people are moving through life, but they're stumbling, ambling around in circles, and not making any headway or progress.
But life is so much different for those of us who are in Christ, and who are walking in the light. John reminds us that we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin (v7).
Be reminded that your weekly church attendance and daily Bible reading and prayers help keep you walking in this wonderful light rather than stumbling around in the darkness.
AAA Prayer:
ACKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS: Our Triune God - Father, Son and Spirit, who calls us to live in fellowship with Him (v3, 7)
ALIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray that you will walk in the light.
ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED:
