Light

1 John emphasizes the reality of Jesus Christ—His divinity and His humanity. This was particularly important because, during John's time, a group called the Gnostics denied Jesus's physical existence. They believed that all material things were evil and that a true god could not take on a physical form. John counters this false teaching by affirming that he and the other apostles were eyewitnesses. They saw Jesus, they touched Him, and they heard His voice. John wants us to know that the Christian life is built on the reality of Jesus—His life, death, and resurrection.

Gnosticism was a prominent religious and philosophical movement in the early centuries of Christianity, often viewed as a heretical challenge to Christian beliefs.

The term “Gnosticism” derives from the Greek word “gnosis,” meaning “knowledge.” Gnostics believed that salvation was achieved through special, esoteric knowledge of spiritual truths, which liberated the divine spark within humans from the material world.

   Gnosticism vs. Christianity

1. Creation - Christianity teaches that God created the world and saw it as “good” (Genesis 1). Gnosticism, however, views the material world as evil, created by a lesser, malevolent being.

2. Incarnation - Christians believe that Jesus Christ is fully God and man, incarnate in the flesh to save humanity from sin. Gnostics, rejecting the goodness of the material body, often denied the true humanity of Jesus.

3. Salvation - In Christianity, salvation is through faith in Jesus Christ, His atoning death, and resurrection. It is a gift of grace, not knowledge. Gnosticism posits that salvation comes through esoteric knowledge that awakens the divine spark within.

4. Resurrection - Christianity affirms the bodily resurrection of Jesus and the future resurrection of believers. Gnosticism typically rejects the notion of a bodily resurrection, focusing instead on spiritual enlightenment.

Gnosticism presented a significant theological and philosophical challenge to early Christianity. Its emphasis on secret knowledge, the inherent evil of the material world, and a dualistic worldview stood in stark contrast to the core teachings of the Christian faith. Understanding Gnosticism helps to appreciate the historical and doctrinal development of early Christianity as it sought to define and defend orthodox beliefs against diverse interpretations.

1 John 1:5-10. He writes:

"This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out 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, purifies us from all sin. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us."

Here, John calls us to walk in the light. Walking in the light means obeying God's commands and reflecting His character daily. It means being honest about our sin, confessing it, and relying on Jesus' sacrifice for forgiveness. Reflect on this: Can you remember being stuck in the dark? How did you feel? When you finally found a light source, how did things change? This physical experience mirrors our spiritual journey. Living apart from Christ is like stumbling in the dark, but living in a relationship with Him brings clarity and direction.

John continues in 1 John 2:1-2, addressing the issue of sin and the role of Jesus as our advocate:

"My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world."

John reminds us that Jesus is our advocate, standing before the Father on our behalf. His sacrifice was full and final, dealing with our sins once and for all. This should compel us to love and serve others sacrificially. In a culture that teaches us to prioritize ourselves, we are called to follow Jesus' example of selflessness and love.

Finally, let's look at 1 John 2:3-6, where John emphasizes obedience as the evidence of our relationship with Christ:

"We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. Whoever says, 'I know him,' but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did."

Our lives are to respond to the reality of Christ’s atoning sacrifice for us. Everything we say and do should reflect Christ's person and work. Our theology is meaningless if we don’t put it into practice. John made it clear: to walk in the light of Christ, we must obey His commands.

As we close, take a moment to consider: Where do you currently feel the strongest pull between walking in the light versus the dark? Where are you most tempted to go back into the darkness? Where are you struggling to put God’s words and ways into practice? Where are you more comfortable believing in God “in theory only”? How can the church body help you walk in the light with Christ? How can our church family support you in this?

Let’s take time to repent of the ways we have chosen darkness over light. Ask the Lord, through His Word and Spirit, to dispel the darkness that tempts you. Seek His power, courage, and trust to walk in the light with Him, putting everything He has said into practice. Thank you for joining me today. Let’s commit to walking in the light of Christ, living out our faith with authenticity and obedience. God bless you.