Jul11-17: Walking in the Light: Turning Away From Sin

Teaching Points

1. God is light

• Ps. 119:105, 130- Light is God's word
• John 17:17 - God's word is the truth

OBSERVATION:

• Based upon above comparisons, walking in the light means to walk according to God's word and His truth.

2. Walking in the light is connected to the blood of Jesus cleanse us from all sin.

• 1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

OBSERVATION:

• 1 John 1:5 says "God is light" This light is connected to love (1 John 2:9). Therefore to "walk in the light" means to love "his brother". Hence there is a "fellowship one with another" to those who walking in the light. And when there is true "fellowship one with another" then "the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us( those who are walking in the light and have fellowship one with another) from all sin"
• This cleansing may means the same as forgiveness but there is a great possibility that cleansing is more than forgiveness. Although we cannot deny the fact that they are connected. Read 1 John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
• Cleansing is connected to sanctification. Eph. 5:26 "That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word"
• Therefore sanctification experience is connected to the fellowship of the light. If so then Christian community is important to have the complete experience of sanctification.
• Cleansing is connected to blotting out of sins. Cleansing means purge or purify in Greek. Read Heb. 10:1-4; Lev. 16:30
• Therefore blotting out of sins is connected to the fellowship of the light. If so then how to love your brother experience is connected to blotting out of sins process.
  

3. False statements during John's time.

Notice the repetition "if we say"

• 1 John 1:6 "If we say..."
• 1 John 1:8 "If we say..."
• 1 John 1:10 "if we say..."

Notice what they are saying

• 1 John 1:6 "We have fellowship with Him"
• 1 John 1:8 "We have no sin"
• 1 John 1:10 "We have not sinned"

Notice what they do or who they really are

• 1 John 1:6 "Walk in darkness, we lie and do not the truth"
• 1 John 1:8 "We deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us"
• 1 John 1:10 "We make Him a liar, and his word is not in us.

OBSERVATION:

• 1 John 1:6 -Some people are living the life of sin yet claiming the fellowship with God
• 1 John 1:8 -Then they are claiming that they are not sinful
• 1 John 1:10 -Then they are claiming that they have not sinned
• Whoever these people are, they have serious problem with the definition of sin or the nature of sin. Since sin is breaking God's commandments therefore if they have wrong understanding of what sin is then they should have a different understanding regarding the obligation to keep the law. Maybe this is the reason why we read in 1 John 2:4, "He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him." This is very similar to 1 John 1:6. Is it possible that these people are connected to anti-christ that John talks about in the chapter 2 and 4? If so then anti-christ should have a wrong understanding in definition of sin or the nature of sin.

4. Solution for the sin problem starts with confession.

• 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
• Ps. 32:5 I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah
• Ps. 51:3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.
• 2 Tim. 2:25... God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth.
• John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

OBSERVATION:

• Confession of sin means to acknowledge that you have sinned. Acknowledging sin is opposite to "we have no sin" and "we have not sinned"Repentance means to have a sorrow for sin and turn away from sin. Complete confession contains both acknowledgement and turning away. This type of confession leads to acknowledging of the truth. And the truth will set you free from sin.

5. "Advocate" is the High Priest and the work of the High Priest is to cleanse us from sin and keep us from sin.

• 1 John 2:1-2 Jesus is our Advocate and propitiation(atonement)
• Advocate means intercessor and comforter in Greek
• Rom. 8:34 Christ is our Intercessor
• Heb. 7:25, 26 The work of a high priest is intercession
• Heb. 2:17, 18 The work of a high priest is reconciliation (atonement) and to help us with temptations.

OBSERVATION:

• 1 John 2:1, 2 should be combined with 1 John 1:9. Let's combine above verses. "If any man sin" then we can "confess our sins" to Jesus, our "Advocate" (Intercessor and High Priest) because "He is faithful and just" and "righteous" and "merciful" "to forgive us our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness" because He is "the propitiation for our sins." His work of atonement also includes helping us with our temptations.

CONCLUSION:

• Jesus is the Intercessor, High Priest, Advocate, and Propitiation for our sin. If we do not acknowledge our own sin then we are walking in darkness. If we are walking in darkness then we cannot be a part of the fellowship of the light. It looks like some people are wanting to be part of the Christian fellowship but denying the High Priest work of Jesus in the heavenly sanctuary.