We are continuing our study through 1 John, looking at 1 John 1:5–2:1.
John begins this section with a simple but powerful truth:
“God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.” — 1 John 1:5
But John doesn’t leave that truth in the theological realm. He immediately brings it into our everyday lives.
What does it actually look like to walk in the light?
John confronts three claims we can easily make:
• “I can have fellowship with God while continuing to walk in darkness.”
• “I don’t really have a sin problem.”
• “What I’ve done isn’t really sin.”
• “I don’t really have a sin problem.”
• “What I’ve done isn’t really sin.”
John challenges each one.
The Christian life isn’t about pretending we don’t sin. It’s about refusing to hide our sin. We bring it into the light, confess it, and trust what Jesus has already accomplished for us.
And that leads to one of the most encouraging promises in the entire letter:
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” — 1 John 1:9
John’s goal isn’t to leave us feeling condemned. In fact, he takes us directly to Jesus:
“But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” — 1 John 2:1
In this teaching we are going to talk about light, darkness, confession, forgiveness, and the incredible assurance that Jesus stands as our Advocate before the Father.
