Light vs. Dark This lesson is not about what kind of chicken you like! It is about the struggle between good and evil which began soon after the creation of humanity. While this struggle may have existed before us (God vs. Satan), the reality of it for us began at the Garden of Eden and continues to the present. Each of us takes part in this epic battle. We must choose on which side…

Light vs. Dark Light Walking Jesus said: “I am the light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12

Light vs. Dark John, one of the sons of Zebedee and brother of James, is thought to be the writer of five N.T. books- John, 1-3John, and Revelation. 1John is especially known as the epistle of love because in it he spoke so often on the subject. John also had as much to say about our subject of light vs. dark as any N.T. writer, see John 1:1-9. In this connection, let’s read together from 1John 1:1 – 2:6.

1John 1: Light vs. Dark Let’s look carefully at the text: v.1 -John acknowledges the eternal nature of Jesus. -He also gives first-hand testimony concerning the “Word of life” >we have heard; first the testimony of John the Baptist, then Jesus Himself, John 1:27- 29, 34-37, >we have seen, John 2:1-11 >we beheld, cf. John 1:14 > Luke 9:28,32 > John 2:11 >our hands handled, John 20:19-31

1John 1: Light vs. Dark vv.2-4 -The apostles (“we”) spoke and wrote what they had heard, seen, beheld, and touched. >Jesus was “manifested”- made evident by display. >They witnessed and proclaimed “the eternal life”. >Their purpose in so doing was “fellowship” (joint participation): »“with us” »“with the Father” »and “with His Son Jesus Christ”. »Such would make their joy complete.

So how is this “fellowship” with the apostles, the Father, and Jesus to be accomplished? First, understand the nature of God Himself: “God is light” (good), v.5a Second, know that if we desire and say we have fellowship with Him, Third, understand that the condition of fellowship with God is: that “we walk in the light” “as He is in the light” then we “have fellowship” and “cleansing from all sin.” v.7  “In Him there is no darkness (evil) at all.” v.5b  “and yet walk in the darkness” (evil)  “we lie and do not practice the truth” v.6 “Cleansing” & “fellowship” with the apostles, God, Jesus, and Christians will not & can not happen any other way!

OK, but…. What if we deny that we’re sinners? “If we say that we have no sin, v.8a So, we want fellowship with God, but we have sinned- what do we do? “If we confess our sins” v.9a- Grk. homologeo- to say the same thing; hence to verbally acknowledge God’s view of us. Then, “He is faithful and righteous to forgive…and cleanse us from all…” v.9b  “we are deceiving ourselves,” v.8b  “and the truth is not in us.” v.8c  If we deceive and lie, we have “fellowship” all right- but not with God! 3:4-10; John 8:44 “Cleansing” & “fellowship” with the apostles, God, Jesus, and Christians will not & can not happen any other way! If we don’t say the same as God about our selves, we make Him a liar, v.10

“Yes” there is a catch… Note 2:1a These are written to “little children”- not those young in years, but “children of God” = Christians. The formula given in the preceding verses apply to those who have already “received Him” and “become children of God” by belief and baptism, John 1:12 > 3:5. By so doing, they take advantage of the advocacy ( Grk. Paracletos, one called alongside to help) and propitiation (satisfaction) “Jesus Christ the righteous.” vv.1b-2 How do you/I know whether or not we’re in fellowship with God? “And by this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments.” v.3 Don’t tell me “works have nothing to do with salvation”- it’s a lie, vv.4-6!

All of which is pretty simple to understand. It’s “white” or “black”- in reference to sin, “good” or “evil” - fellowship with “God” or “Satan.” But here’s the problem: You and I, despite knowing these things, and even acknowledging them to be true, think we can “walk” in the shadows!

So just to be clear, let’s change the illustration. Instead of thinking of “light” vs. “dark” and the “shadows” we perceive between them, Think of “dry” and “wet”- the “dry” being “good” and in fellowship with God, and the “wet” being “evil” and in fellowship with Satan. Now, can you “walk in the wet” and still “be dry”? Peter was fine as long as he walked either beside or on the water, but when he began walking in the water, HE GOT WET! Matt.12:29-31 So too, when you and I allow our faith to fail so that we walk in the water of sin, we will sink into the dark domain of fellowship with Satan. Will you walk in the light, or the dark? Only by walking in the light can we have redemption from sin, and fellowship with God both now and forever!