The writings of John are known for being some of the easiest to read because of the language he uses, as well as his ability to explain difficult concepts simply. In 1 John, he does not veer from this style, as the first 10 verses he writes are very simple and leave no room for subjectivity. A potential reason for this is that there was false teaching circulating around churches that were forcing some to question their salvation. Therefore, because of this dangerous threat to the church, John combats the false teachings with very clear and direct instruction.
An important idea that John discusses in 1 John 1:5–7 is that of fellowship, both with each other and with God. Many confuse what fellowship is and how the spiritual union is formed, but John leaves no space for speculation in his teaching about it.
“This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 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 cleanses us from all sin.”
1 John 1:5-7 (ESV)
John utilizes the metaphor of light and darkness to portray the guidelines to a concept many find to be difficult to understand. He first establishes that God himself is Light, teaching us that there is no darkness in Him at all (vs. 5). Since that is the case, those who claim to be children of Him must also walk in the light, as God can not have fellowship with one who walks in darkness (vs. 6). There is no straddling the line when it comes to walking in light or darkness because of the nature of the two; therefore, man must decide in which he is going to walk and understand that a walk in darkness is a separation from God. Finally, John informs the reader of the commonality possessed by all who have fellowship with God, which is the cleansing of Jesus’ blood (vs. 7). The qualification given by John is that one who is a part of the one body (John 15:1–5, Eph. 4:4–6) has been cleansed from all sin by the blood of Jesus (vs. 7) and chooses to walk in the light daily, practicing no darkness (vs. 5–6).
Nate Kidwell
Dalraida church of Christ is a congregation of Christians that meet in the mid-town area of Montgomery, Alabama. Our goal and purpose is to seek and follow God and His Word in everything that we do in life.