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| There were those then, as well as today, who claim to be Christians but do not live as a Christian should.� Thus they do not have the identifying characteristic of a true believer. |
| A True Believer "Is Walking in the Light" |
| I John 1:5 - 7 |
| Introduction |
| "If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, cleanses us from all sin."� (I John 1:6 - 7) A true believer is "walking in the light."� What is the light? Light as a symbol, reveals to us a particular characteristic of the God of the Bible. Light in this verse symbolizes the purity or holiness of God.� Light is something that illuminates dark places.� If you walk into a dark room, you reach for the light switch.� In Scripture the word "walk" means how you live or how you conduct yourself.� Thus to "walk in the light" means to live or behave as a holy and righteous God would have you. If we "walk in the light" we will occasionally sin. |
| We may not want to sin but we sometimes will. Do not despair.� If we are walking in the light, "the blood of Jesus, His Son cleanses us from all sin." |
| Walking in the light implies a sincere effort not to sin.� If that is the case, when we do sin, the blood of Jesus "cleanses" us from our sin.� This is the great hope of the believer. What about those who claim to be true believers but are not walking in the light?� "If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth." (I John 1:6)� For those who live contrary to the will of God, they have no fellowship with God.� Their claim is void.� They are living a "lie." |
| What is the Evidence We are Walking in the Light? |
| Your lifestyle.� How you live your life.� You can argue with a doctrinal position but you cannot argue with a good example.� Paul said, "Walk in a manner worthy of your calling." (Ephesians 4:1) |
| Later in Ephesians 4, Paul gives soome examples of what it means to walk in a manner worthy of our calling: "...laying aside falsehood, speak truth, each one of you" (vs. 25) "Be angry, and do not sin..." (vs. 26) "Let him who steals steal no longer; but rather let him labor, performing with his hands what is good, in order that he may have something to share with him who has need." (vs. 28) "Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification.."�� (vs. 29) |
| Paul is giving us some practical information as to what it means to "walk in the light" or to "walk in a manner worthy of your calling." |
| John said, "If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth."� They were saying with words they have fellowship but they were denying it by their lifestyle. |
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| Delisa Gordon Logan, Webmaster Member International Association of Web Masters & Designers Member Wildwood Valley church of Christ |
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