Into the Light
READ: 1 John 1
Were you ever afraid of the dark?
The themes of light and darkness appear often in John’s writings. Already in chapter 1, verse 4 of his gospel, John tells his readers, “In him [Jesus] was life, and that life was the light of men.”
John also wrote three stirring letters to second generation Christians who doubted about who Jesus really is. In these letters, John wanted to set the record straight. He didn’t mince words. He compared sin, love of the world, and false teachers to darkness. “If we claim to have fellowship with [Jesus] yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth” (1 John 1:6). Later he added, “We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one” (1 John 5:19). John’s point: stay out of the dark; remain in Christ’s light!
The world of John’s time was full of darkness. Our world is no better. The devil and his messengers of darkness are on the prowl. Satan knows his time is limited. You and I need to be able to tell the difference between God’s light and the darkness of evil. We need to step out of the shadows of sin and temptation into the light of our forgiveness in Christ Jesus.
John said it clearly: “God is light” (1 John 1:5). His brilliant righteousness shines in overwhelming splendor to overcome everything that is dark and evil.
John warned Christians about the shadows that appear regularly—love of the world and all of its treasures, false teachers, and hatred toward others. We can still get caught in that darkness. But the dazzling light of Christ’s forgiveness hasn’t lost any of its power. In him we know the way. His light penetrates all of sin’s darkness, and will lead us safely home to heaven.
THINGS TO THINK ABOUT: How can we be properly prepared to recognize and fight the darkness of sin? Where can we turn when we fall for the darkness of sin?
THINGS TO PRAY ABOUT: Ask God to fill your heart and life with his light. Confess the times you've hid your light under a bowl rather than letting it shine brightly. Thank God for his full forgiveness in Jesus.