God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth.
1 John 1:5-6
In order for us to be walking in light, we have to be in fellowship with him, but we cannot claim to be in light when we are in darkness because God cannot dwell in darkness.
Good news translation puts it so well, if then we say that we have fellowship with him, yet at the same time live in the darkness. We are lying both with our words and in our actions.
3 things that tell us we are walking in light:
Our relationship with God.
To walk in light we have to be walking and following the one who is light. Jesus is the light of life.
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “ I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. John 8: 12
We don’t follow a religion. We don’t follow a way of life or a set of rules to live by. Christianity is following someone and that someone is Jesus. When we are following Jesus we are walking in light.
He is the light of life. the life he gives to us removes all darkness in our lives.
In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:4
Salvation is life and its light. It’s a transition from darkness to life.
For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves. Colossians 1:13
It’s only when we come to Jesus are we really in light, because we have been delivered from darkness.
When God comes into our lives He opens our eyes so we can see that we are in darkness. He also enables us to turn from darkness to light. Most unbelievers don’t even know they are in darkness. It’s only when our eyes are opened are we able to see the darkness we are in. And when we do, we can now turn from darkness to light.
He has called us out of darkness.
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9
This is the work of the gospel:
To open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me. Acts 26:18
When we believe in Jesus we become children of light and we are able to know where we are going.
Whoever walks in the dark does not know where they are going. Believe in the light while you have light, so that you may become children of light.” John 12:35-36
Jesus was speaking to his disciples warning them that while he was with them, a time would come that they wouldn’t have him anymore. without him, it would become difficult to differentiate between darkness and light.
We have the same opportunity today. The world seems to be getting darker and darker and while we still have the opportunity may we choose to walk in him who is light.
Our fellowship with others.
It’s easy to believe that we don’t need people. our walk can just be me and God. There is no such thing as just me and God, walking in light requires fellowship with others. This is why we are encouraged to find a local church, for fellowship. In this day of internet church, we can neglect real fellowship but it is important.
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son purifies us from all sin. 1 John 1:7
Because we are in relationship with Him, we are in fellowship with other believers. It is in this that the blood of Jesus has the power to purify us from all sin.
Fellowship with other believers helps us walk in light and keeps us from being deceived.
Because we are in fellowship, we are able to bring things to light. We are able with the help of others, to shine light into places where there is darkness.
We are reminded of the importance of fellowship. Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. James 5:16 healing comes when we are in fellowship with other believers. Not everything needs to be told to others but some things are so weighty that if you carry them alone you may be overpowered. Some sins we clear with God, but others will require the help of others.
To confess means we are agreeing, or acknowledging or admitting.” We are not pretending it isn’t there. We are admitting it’s there and that we need help. This is what makes confession powerful.
If you have tried to break free of a sin unsuccessfully, it helps to bring it to light with others. When we do, we deny Satan the power to keep us in darkness any longer. The longer it remains in secret the harder it will take to get free from it.
Shame is another thing that dwells in darkness. When we fall short, the first thing we feel is shame. The enemy uses shame to keep us bound. We break free from shame and sin when we bring it into the light. We stay in agreement with darkness if we keep it in the dark, but when we come out to the light, darkness has to leave.
Our being in light bears fruit. Our lives have to look different when we are walking in light.
For you were once in darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light. (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth). Ephesians 5:8-9
Righteousness( which is right living) and truth are fruits of living in light. When people look at us they see light because we have fruit to prove that we are really in light.
Because we are in light we are not walking in evil.
Everyone who does evil hates light and does not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by truth comes to the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God. John 3:20-21
When we are in truth we aren’t afraid of light. We aren’t afraid of fellowship with others. But when we are in darkness we don’t want others to shed a light on our lives because we are afraid we will be found out.
The word of God.
To walk in light, we need to constantly be in His word.
Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. Psalm 119:105
The psalmist knew that to walk in light he needed the word of God. It was the lamp that made sure his feet didn’t slip and the light that shone on every path he took.
The word of God is a compass for life. We are able to know how to live when we study and apply it.
The entrance of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple. Psalm 119:130
When we gain an understanding of His Word, we have light.
It’s the light we use to walk through darkness. In seasons where it feels dark, we can look to His word to guide us through.
And when by his light I walked through darkness. Job 29:3b Job knew who led him through the dark.
If we are in fellowship with God, and in fellowship with others, and are in the word of God we will be walking in light and not in darkness.
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