Walking in the Light

Introduction

A. If you have ever been part of a congregational split then you know how damaging it is to the spirit and confidence of members who remain behind. Those who pull away usually feel justified in some way by doing so but the emotional damage done to those who are left behind cannot be underestimated. God has blessed us here at Park Avenue with a wonderful spirit of unity. This hasn’t always been the case but it has for well over 20 years. We do not take such for granted. As we often pray, may we do everything within our power to preserve this gift from God.

B. John is having to deal with the congregational fallout after some have withdrawn from the congregation. Those who withdrew believe themselves to be more spiritually insightful. They believe that their special knowledge results in their being more spiritual than others. John writes this letter to deal with the resulting lack of confidence for those who remain. You can almost hear the questions: Are we not as spiritual? Are we missing out on some special knowledge? Maybe our teacher (the apostle John) has held out on us?

C. What John writes to encourage those who remain in the congregation. He writes to assure and to give insight for their confidence. From the first four verses he makes it clear that his testimony about Jesus was not his alone. There are numerous others who could testify. But he also says that real fellowship is found with those who are eyewitnesses to the ministry of Jesus. The implication is clear—those who have pulled away have given up their fellowship with us. John presses the point that fellowship with “us” means that we have fellowship with God. Those who have withdrawn do not have fellowship with the eyewitnesses and thus they do not have fellowship with God. The claims to special insight and knowledge has resulted in loss of partnership with God and his people.

D. In today’s text, John continues this thought. In this section John has a conversation with those who have withdrawn. Whether it is a supposed conversation or a rehearsal of a conversation, it isn’t difficult to understand the point nor difficult to see the flow of the conversation. John’s writing has great relevance to us who live in a culture that refuses to acknowledge the Lordship of Jesus. As John intends, so each lesson is intended to remind us of the confidence we have in our walk with God. Let’s be encouraged.

Three Claims

A. John’s writing is filled with definitive statements. John’s purpose is to clearly differentiate between those who have fellowship with God’s people and those who do not. For John it isn’t possible to have partial fellowship with God’s people. One either is in fellowship or one is not. The basis of this definitive stance is the nature of Jesus. Those who have withdrawn do not regard Jesus as having come in the flesh. John is not arrogant in his writing but he is definite. One cannot deny Jesus and claim fellowship with God. John, however, places the emphasis on fellowship with God’s people. To withdraw from God’s people is to sever fellowship with God’s people. Fellowship with God is only possible through fellowship with God’s people.

B. One of John’s definitive statements is found in verse 5. God is light. This is the idea that God is completely good and that no darkness or evil is found in him. Some scholars regard this as the central theme to the entire writing. Based on what is to immediately follow, there is no doubt that John’s point is to insist that only those in fellowship with God can be in the light and those who have withdrawn are not connected to the Light as they would like to believe.

C. Beginning in verse 6, John has a conversation with those who have withdrawn. Three claims are made by those who believe they have special insight and knowledge. John deals with each claim with the truth that God is light serving as the backdrop for real fellowship.

1.  Claim #1—We have fellowship with God. Those who have pulled away claim to be in partnership with God. John's counter is on two fronts.

    a.  First, this claim is true only if one lives in the light. Those who have pulled away are living in the sin or darkness. They are liars. While John does not tell us what the sin is; he will mention later that they do not acknowledge the fleshly existence of Jesus.

    b.  Second, the claim fails to acknowledge fellowship with others. To live in the light means to live in partnership with others. These have pulled away. They cannot have fellowship with God when they do not have fellowship with God's people.

2.  Claim #2—We are without sin. Those who have withdrawn see themselves as sinless. John's counter to this argument is to demonstrate that they are lying to themselves. They are lying about their situation. Such is sin. This self-deception needs to be dealt with through confession. This self-deception means that there is no truth in them. There is no share in the divine reality—sin must be confessed in order for there to be forgiveness. John doesn't regard these who have withdrawn as belonging to God (2:19).

3.  Claim #3—We have not sinned. The difference between the previous claim and this claim is found in the timing. The previous claim "we are without sin" is in the present. In other words, we are currently without sin. This claim perhaps is understood better with the insertion of the word "ever." We have not ever sinned. Not now and not ever. John's rebuttal focuses on God. To make this claim is to say that God is a liar. God declares that everyone is a sinner. In fact, he says that as part of his nature, he will forgive sin. Thus, if there are those who do not sin then God has lied about his nature and his ability. John further says that to make this claim illustrates that God's word is not in the heart of those who have withdrawn. The point is clear that this claim severs fellowship with God.

Application

A. Two truths. First, one cannot have fellowship with God and avoid having fellowship with his people. There are a number of reasons why people avoid being part of congregational life. Some believe that congregational life is not necessary. One can have fellowship with God without fellowship with God’s people. Others become frustrated by the imperfection of congregational life. For some expectations are not met and thus they withdraw from congregational life. Imperfect people come together to form imperfect congregations. Another person’s sin is never reason enough to withdraw from congregational life. That allows another’s sin to hold sway over you. Another’s sin is never a viable excuse for withdrawing from congregational life.

1.  John is clear. If one wants to have fellowship with God; one must have fellowship with his people. In John's specific situation, withdrawal from God's people believing special knowledge allowed such meant that they also withdrew from God's fellowship.

2.  In our specific situation, fellowship with God's people is not optional. One cannot claim fellowship with God and ignore his people. At a minimum this applies to attendance at an assembly. To share with God's people in worship is a minimal point of fellowship. But more broadly this includes sharing wealth for the benefit of others; sharing gifts for the building up of the body. The person who withholds God's spiritual gift from the body is withholding fellowship from God as well.

3.  Fellowship with God is predicated on fellowship with his people. To ignore God's people is to ignore God's fellowship. It is through fellowship with God's people that we learn that God is Light.

B. Second, confession brings forgiveness. John is calling for those who have withdrawn from God’s people to repent and return. The assurance is that God will forgive, but confession precedes forgiveness. Confession means to agree with. This carries the idea that confession results in agreeing with God’s assessment of us—I am a sinner. An unwillingness to admit such results in our sin not being forgiven. Like the Pharisee in Luke 16, we may exalt our purity to God but the result is that we go home unjustified. It is the one who beats his chest and says “Have mercy on me a sinner” who goes home justified. Our reluctance to admit the truth results in our lacking forgiveness. But the promise of John is that confession brings quick forgiveness. No hesitation on God’s part when we agree with him about our condition. So often confession comes only after being found out. John’s point is that we are active in confession rather than reactive. Confession leads to forgiveness and compassion. Ill.—Counseling and reactions. Will you confess your sins and allow God to fulfill his promise to forgive? Invitation.

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