How Do We Walk in the Light?

I sat down to read 1 John 1 - 2 (NIV) last night for the second time and I was struck by a question as I was getting to verses 5-7. This is something that I've read and heard many times, being raised in a Christian home; but as I looked at it, I realized that I wasn't totally sure about what it means to actually "walk in the light" in everyday life. I did a closer study on these two chapters, and this is what I came up with:

Ch 1:
                  darkness = sin (v 6)                                        light = God (v 5)
       *So to walk in the light means to walk in God - it doesn't mean we deny our sins (v 8) but instead acknowledge them, confess them to God, and ask Him for forgiveness (v 9). When we do this we are promised forgiveness and cleansing.
                  forgiveness: to grant pardon for or remission of; absolve; to cancel any debt
                  cleanse: to remove guilt from
       *Doesn't take away the consequences of sin, but brings complete restoration and takes away the residue of sin: the guilt, shame, fear, etc.

I often find I hide my sin out of fear of the pain involved in changing the way I live.      

Analogy Time:    
      *The forgiveness isn't the painful part - the cleansing can be. When we humble ourselves to God, take His hand, and let Him pull us out of our heap of shame, the act of being pulled up doesn't hurt us(forgiveness) because we are letting God do all the work. What hurts is when the shame tries to keep it's grip on us (our struggle or the flesh not wanting to let go or give in to the Spirit) as we are being pulled away. It can rip pieces of us away with it and cause open sores; but when we are pulled all the way out, God wraps His arms around us and His embrace covers us with a healing love that repairs the places where hurt ans hame have had their way with us.

If we deny sin we deny grace and ultimately reject Him altogether. (v 10)

Ch 2:

                  Jesus Christ = Advocate (v 1) and Propitiation (v 2)

       I've met and discussed with many people who have a hard time with the word 'propitiation' and I really don't blame them. Until now, I really didn't have a decent way of explaining what it means for Jesus to be the propitiation for our sins without mudding the waters even more. Take a look at this:

                  propitiate: to bring to a state of peace, quiet, ease, calm, or contentment; to reconcile -->

                  reconcile: to bring into harmony

How do we know that we know Him?

•  If we keep His commandments, God's love is perfected in us - brought to maturity (v 3)
• Walk just as He walked - in love (v 6)

       *The word from the beginning (referenced over and over in John's 3 epistles) is to love one another (1 John 3:11, Deuteronomy 10:12) (v 7)
       *The same commandment of love is also new as it is continually reapplied in our lives (John 15:9-13) (v 8)

                  Hatred = Darkness (v 9, 11)                                     Love = Light = God (v 10)
       *So, to walk in the light literally means to walk in love, and since God IS love, walking in the light is the same as walking in God

The mark or evidence of a true Christian is love.

How do we overcome darkness?

• Don't love the world or the things of the world (v 15)

       This doesn't mean we don't love the people in the world - we can love them while hating their sin

• Love one another - you'll abide in Him and will be given eternal life (v 24)

       True believers love one another and even love their enemies

                  Enemy: anyone who does not agree with the entire message of grace and redemption in

                  Christ Jesus

Evidence of Faith:

• Walk in obedience and love
• Deny our own interests on behalf of others
• Love one another with the love of Christ
• Pray for those who are living in sin

Now it's you're turn! Leave comments of practical ways that you have found to walk in the light, or walk in love, in your everyday life.