Tuesday, December 6—I John 1:4-7
In a motel chain commercial, Tom Beaudette ends by saying, “We’ll leave the light on for you.” Lights are a sign of welcoming. We put lights in our homes and cities at Christmas as signs of celebration. Those people who are solar-powered became depressed when there is a prolonged absence of light. We depend on light to grow food and plants that sustain and enrich our lives.
In this passage, John points us to three contrasts: light versus darkness; truth versus lies; fellowship versus alienation. He begins by stating that God is Light, and in him is no darkness. “Light” may refer to spiritual perfection (God), or it could mean that God is self-revealing. Light is revealing. Ask any actor about stage lights, and you’ll find that every flaw tends to show. In the Bible, light is often that which is good as opposed to evil. This holy light of God shows us our faults if we have eyes to see.
John bluntly states that if we say we are without sin, we are lying. Sin makes us incapable of recognizing truth or having fellowship with God and other people. God didn’t leave us in the dark with our sin. Through Christ, the Father made a way for us to be in a right relationship with Him; that includes being in right relationship with our fellow human beings. He says one is not possible without the other.
God has revealed Himself to man through Jesus. His sacrificial life is the basis of our claim to forgiveness. Being in fellowship with God causes us to walk according to his commands; our life is one of submission to Him. When that happens, we are then capable of true joy and fellowship with his people.
Father, help us today to “be light,” and enjoy life with you and those around us.
Lynda Pence
