Living in Light

Introduction

A. John writes his letter to God’s people in order to reassure and bring confidence in their walk with God. Uncertainty has entered because a group claiming special insight and knowledge have pulled away. Their absence and claims have left a void and a loss of spiritual confidence. John deals with this separation in a number of ways.

B. First, he reminds his readers that his testimony about Jesus was verified by many others who also saw, heard, and touched Jesus. Second, he says that maintaining fellowship with him and the other eyewitnesses results in fellowship with God. Third, claims made about sinlessness results in self-deception and calling God a liar. Such claims demonstrate that fellowship with God has been broken. Fourth, claims to know God and character of life must be consistent. To claim to know God and yet do not obey him reveals further deception.

C. In our text this morning, John continues to compare claims and actions. One’s claims and how one’s lives life must be consistent. Inconsistency in living an ethically moral life demonstrates that God’s truth is not a part of a person’s life. However, as John continues to make his point, he also takes time to reassure his readers of his confidence in their walk with God. As we continue our study, our opportunity to evaluate the consistency of our life with God’s will is present. But in that evaluation we must not lose sight of the assurance of our salvation and confidence which comes. While we examine, we also want to be reassured. But without examination, the assurance is false. Let’s examine.

New and Old Command

A. We seek what is best for us. Some are more ruthless than others about getting what they want, but we all seek what is best for us. One of our real struggles (assuming that we are trying to fight against the temptation) is to lessen our emphasis on self and seek more ways to be selfless. Verse 7 begins in the NIV with “Dear friends.” The single word in the text is the word “Beloved.” This word is used frequently in John’s letter. Addressing the entire group, John wants them to have assurance about their walk with God. This word carries two ideas: closeness and recipients of divine favor. What makes this word so significant is that it is the word that is used by God to describe Jesus in Matthew 3:17 (Jesus’ baptism), Matthew 12:18 (Matthew’s use of Isaiah’s prophetic message to prove that Jesus is the Messiah), and Matthew 17:5 (the Transfiguration). It isn’t chance that John uses a word that God used to describe his son, Jesus. Verse 7 then is the idea “my closest friends and those who are loved by God just as Jesus is loved by God.” Powerful beginning.

B. John continues in verse 7 writing what may seem to be rather cryptic. But it isn’t. Back in John 13:34, Jesus told the disciples “A new command I give you that you love one another.” He goes on to say that others will be able to know that we belong to God because of the way Jesus’ disciples love each other.

C. John’s cryptic writing is plainly said in 3:11. Notice that the word “beginning” is used in both texts. This new, old command has been around from the beginning. It is old because it has been around for some time, but it is new because each generation must learn how to express such a command. John says in verse 8 that when this command is lived out in the Christian’s life darkness is dispelled.

D. Verse 9 expresses the situational reality. Those who have pulled away claim to be in the light. Back in 1:5, John has said God is light; thus, the claim is to be in the will of God. John reminds his readers that the pulling away has resulted in a breaking of fellowship. For John to be in the light means that one practices love for his brothers. By pulling away they are practicing hatred toward the family of God. John leaves no middle ground. One either loves the brothers or hates them. To pull away demonstrates hatred not love. Such actions cannot support the claim to be in the light.

E. As verse 11 makes clear, John says that the claim to be in the light must be supported by the action of love. The one who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is in darkness and has deceived himself into thinking that everything is okay. It isn’t. The darkness blinds. As John says in verse 10, those who act in loving ways towards others walk in the light. One’s claim to walk in the light must be met with actions that demonstrate love toward others. Otherwise, the claim is a lie and the truth is that there is only darkness.

F. This is the examination part. Learning to love each other is a tall order. It means to think of others first rather than to think of self. One cannot claim to belong to God and treat fellow believers in selfish ways. Those who pulled away from the body of believers thought their special insight and knowledge allowed them to not only look down on others but to severe the fellowship. This severing of the bond of unity was not only sinful but demonstrated hatred toward others.

G. So we must examine ourselves. Do we love each other as God would want us to?

1. Do we think of others before thinking of self?

2. Do we actively seek what is best for others before seeking what is best for self?

3. Look around at those sitting around. Do you love them? Seek what is best for them? Lord’s Supper.

Reassurance

A. Verses 12—14 serve as a set of statements to reassure the readers while at the same time setting up verses 15—17. Today we will use them to bring confidence to our walk in the light. There is some debate about the three groups that John addresses. Dear children, fathers, young men. I think what John is doing is using the phrase “dear children” to address the entire congregation just as he did in 2:1. Then he uses the term “fathers” to address older members and “young men” the younger members. I do not think he is trying to speak only to men in these verses.

B. The reassurance comes in the collective sense — your sins have been forgiven because of Jesus. Forgiveness of sins isn’t based on what one does but on what Jesus has already done. The idea of “name” includes character and power of deeds. John says he is writing to reassure. Sins have been forgiven.

C. To the older members he says, he writes because they have known God who is from the beginning. His reassurance focuses on the maturity of knowing God. To the younger he writes because they have overcome the evil one through the word of God. Collectively sins have been forgiven. The maturity of God is seen in the older and the strength of youth in overcoming strong temptation is seen in the young. John reassures his readers that they are walking in the light.

D. What would it take to reassure you and to help you gain confidence? John’s writing makes walking in the light very practical. Walking in the light means that we love the brothers. It has nothing to do with educational background or achievement; it has nothing to do with supposed insight and knowledge. To walk in the light means that we not only put sin behind us but that we pursue what is best for others. You decide which category you belong to but the following truths need to be understood.

1. The older members are to demonstrate the maturity of walking with God. We are to be steady; not easily blown by the winds of change or the actions of others. We are steadfastly holding to the God who is from the beginning.

2. Younger members are to demonstrate their strength and the power of God’s word by overcoming the evil one. We need each other and we seek what is best for each other.

3. Collectively we know that our sins are forgiven through the work of Jesus. Are you walking in the light? Invitation.

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